Page 3

CASPER DESPISED THE prison system with a deep-seated passion. After enduring a harrowing experience as a captive for an agonizingly brief period, he resented the claustrophobic confinement that stripped away his sense of freedom and autonomy. His captivity, imposed by a ruthless group of terrorists, was mercifully short-lived; it was only through the relentless efforts of another brave Delta team that he and his comrades were ultimately rescued. The experience left indelible scars on his psyche, shaping his views on imprisonment and heroism forever.

After safely escorting the ladies to their homes, he finally went to his mother’s residence in the early morning when the world was dark. With the sun yet to rise, it was far too late for him to attempt any rest. Instead, he stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash away the night’s fatigue. Once refreshed, he mentally prepared himself for the painstaking task ahead: navigating the complexities of the legal system to secure his brother’s release from jail, a process that promised to be both challenging and emotionally draining.

Years had passed since he moved away from town, and as a result, he was out of touch with the key players in the area. Recognizing his need for assistance, he contacted JD Walker at Coastal Investigation. He’d met JD during a previous job and hoped that JD’s familiarity with the local legal scene could help him navigate this situation. He aimed to find a capable attorney for Aaron since his bond hearing was this morning. After a brief conversation, JD mentioned Bryce Jacobs as a potential candidate to take on Aaron’s case. However, JD’s tone suggested he wasn’t enthusiastic about Bryce, leaving the impression that there might be underlying concerns about the attorney’s friendship with JD.

Despite any reservations, Casper decided they would seize the opportunity if JD recommended him. With that thought in mind, Casper contacted Bryce, waking him and eager to determine if he was available to take on the case. Time was of the essence, as the man was expected to arrive in just a few minutes. Once he was there, they would discuss the particulars with Aaron, who was waiting for them to arrive. This meeting could change everything for his brother’s current situation.

Casper’s mother had been unusually persistent in her pleading that morning as the sun poured through the kitchen window, filling the room with a warm glow. Her voice, filled with desperation and hope, grated on his nerves, and it felt like a constant echo in his mind. Frustrated, he left the house earlier than necessary, the late morning air feeling cool against his flushed skin.

In her eyes, Aaron was still the innocent boy she remembered, who could do no wrong. But Casper knew the truth all too well—his brother was a bad seed, continuously embroiled in trouble that seemed to follow him like a shadow. Each time he landed in a difficult situation, she reacted the same way: crafting elaborate excuses for him, puffing out her chest defensively as if taking on the world for his sake. She rarely acknowledged the reality. Instead, she pointed an accusatory finger at the system, blaming it for his brother’s failures and struggles, refusing to see the man he had become or the choices that led him to this point.

As the door swung open, a tall man in a tailored suit purposefully strode in, clearing a path through the crowd. His shoes clicked against the polished floor, drawing attention as he approached. Sensing the man’s authoritative presence, Casper instinctively rose from his seat. “Mr. Jacobs?” he inquired with a mixture of curiosity and respect.

With a warm and confident smile, Bryce Jacobs extended his hand, the gesture inviting and friendly. “Bryce, please. You must be Ash,” he said, making eye contact that conveyed familiarity and friendliness, amplifying the connection they were about to forge in this meeting. “Let’s go see our boy. Shall we?”

Casper nodded, the attorney’s measured voice pulling him into the moment’s gravity. As they walked side by side through the sterile, fluorescent-lit corridors of the building, the faint echo of their footsteps reminded him of the seriousness of the situation. Casper felt his heart race slightly as the attorney paused in front of a small, nondescript room.

Upon entering, a wave of discomfort washed over Casper; the cramped space, with its cold institutional furniture and stark white walls, made his skin crawl. The air was heavy with an unsettling stillness, broken only by the distant sounds of muffled voices.

Thankfully, just moments later, a corrections officer entered the room, guiding Aaron through the heavy steel door. Aaron’s expression brightened as he stepped inside, lighting up his face with an unmistakable charm. He flashed a sly smile at his brother, one that seemed to say, “I’m an innocent kid in every possible way,” exuding an air of mischief mixed with naive confidence. It was as if, despite the bleak surroundings, he could still convey a sense of playfulness and hope, assuring his brother that everything would turn out all right.

Only Casper wasn’t so confident.

The brothers nodded at each other in greeting.

“Mr. McNabb, I’m Bryce Jacobs, your attorney,” Bryce said, extending his hand in a firm but friendly gesture.

Aaron glanced between Casper, who had been his rock during tumultuous times, and Bryce, who exuded a calm confidence. After a moment of uncertainty, he accepted the attorney’s handshake but didn’t speak.

“Let’s sit,” Bryce directed, motioning toward the chairs in the small, sparsely furnished meeting room, where the air felt heavy with tension and unexpressed thoughts.

“I understand that you are fairly familiar with the system as a result of this being your second driving under the influence charge,” Bryce stated, his tone steady and professional.

Aaron nodded, his expression revealing defiance. “Yeah,” he replied tersely, avoiding eye contact.

A surge of frustration hit Casper at his brother’s dismissive attitude. He wanted to kick Aaron for being so curt with Bryce, who was genuinely trying to assist him in navigating the legal ramifications of his situation. Instead of appreciating the help offered, Aaron responded with an attitude that could only complicate matters further.

“Well,” Bryce continued, adjusting his glasses as he glanced at the documents across the table, “today marks an important point in your case—your arraignment hearing. We’ll advocate for your release on your recognizance, which means you won’t have to pay to be released while awaiting your trial. It’s a significant step, showing trust in your commitment to appear in court.”

Bryce shuffled some papers, his brow slightly furrowed in concentration. “However, if they decide to request bail during the proceedings, I need to know—are you in a position to pay that amount, or should I start looking for a bail bondsman to assist in your release?” His tone was steady, conveying professionalism and a hint of concern for his client’s situation.

Amid a precarious situation, Aaron instinctively resorted to his usual course of action—he turned his gaze toward Casper, hoping for a reprieve. Their unspoken bond was palpable, and Aaron silently pleaded for Casper to rescue him again.

Casper was acutely aware that his mother was struggling financially, her pockets nearly empty, burdened by the pressures of life. His mind wandered to Aaron, who had likely squandered the meager resources they had left in a haze of reckless behavior. With a slow, deliberate nod, Casper resolved to act.

He was determined to do whatever it took to ease his mother’s worries, even if that meant putting aside his doubts about Aaron’s readiness to re-enter the world. Helping Aaron secure his release from jail felt right, yet Casper couldn’t shake the nagging thought that perhaps a few more days behind bars would benefit his brother. It might give Aaron the time he needed to confront his addiction and fully realize the damaging grip it had on his life. Casper’s emotions were in turmoil—love for his brother and a profound concern for his well-being. He was caught between family loyalty and the harsh reality of Aaron’s issues, aware that his decision could have lasting repercussions for all of them.

“We do,” Casper affirmed with steady yet filled with a quiet determination. He had resolved to put up any amount of money—so long as it was within reason—to fix this pressing issue that weighed heavily on the family. Like many challenges before, this one brought a flicker of worry to his heart, yet he felt compelled to act. With unwavering loyalty, he would stand by his brother one last time.

Finally, Casper reached a breaking point as the family’s perpetual rescuer. No longer could he bear the weight of their expectations and dependency. With a heavy heart but newfound resolve, he would gather them for a meaningful conversation and would clarify that he would no longer be their financial support—no longer their cash cow, tirelessly providing with no gratitude in return. He was stepping away from the burden of their problems, asserting his right to prioritize his own life and well-being. They would have to learn to navigate their challenges and find solutions without relying on him as their knight in shining armor.

“Great,” Bryce said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice as he meticulously stacked the scattered papers. He carefully slid them into his briefcase, the sound of the zipper punctuating his decision. “You might want to take this into account. Miss Broussard, the Assistant District Attorney handling the case, is known for her unwavering determination and assertiveness. She is particularly relentless when it comes to preventing drunk drivers from being allowed back onto the streets. Her commitment to public safety often leads her to challenge leniency in sentencing, ensuring that those who endanger others face appropriate consequences.”

Casper stood at the edge of uncertainty. On the one hand, he felt a spark of hope that the government had appointed a formidable prosecutor to his brother’s case; perhaps this was the turning point they desperately needed. After all, the weight of addiction had been a relentless burden on his family for years.

On the other hand, worry gnawed at him like an uninvited guest. Would this attorney have the power to effect real change? Would she have the foresight to recognize his brother’s dire need for rehabilitation? The prospect of a plea deal that included access to treatment rather than punishment stirred a fragile optimism in his heart. Maybe, just maybe, things could be different this time, and his brother might finally get the help he desperately needed.

“We’ll meet you in the courtroom,” Bryce said. As he stood tall, Casper mirrored him, both men poised and ready to leave the office behind.

“Hey, Ash,” Aaron interjected, his tone more serious, “would you stay a minute?” Aaron’s eyes held a request, drawing Ash’s attention back to him.

Casper shot a knowing look at the attorney, acknowledging the unspoken camaraderie. “I’ll meet you in court,” he assured Bryce, who nodded briefly.

With that, Bryce turned and exited the room, his footsteps echoing in the corridor.

Aaron stood there, his posture tense as he gazed up at his older brother, frustration evident on his face. “You know this is bullshit, don’t you?” he challenged, cutting through the silence between them.

Casper raised a brow, an expression of astonishing disbelief playing on his features. Somehow, he had anticipated that his younger brother would resort to confrontation, unwilling to overlook the situation. It was typical of Aaron, deflecting blame and refusing to acknowledge his part in the unfolding drama. As the tension grew, the bond between the brothers felt strained and unbreakable, with each stuck in their stubbornness.

“Yeah,” Aaron continued. “The cop who pulled me over claimed I was above the legal limit for alcohol in my system, but that’s just not true. I know I was under the limit.”

Despite his insistence on his innocence, his admission of drinking and driving hung heavily in the air. Casper’s heart sank at the thought. He despised anyone engaged in reckless behavior. He had never personally experienced the devastation of losing someone to a drunk driver. Still, he was painfully aware of the countless lives forever altered by the careless choices of others. The weight of these tragedies loomed large in his mind as he grappled with the consequences of Aaron’s actions and the potential harm they could inflict.

“Aaron—” Casper began, his voice tinged with frustration as he tried to maintain control of the situation.

“Don’t Aaron me,” his brother shot back defiantly, his eyes wide with anger. “I’m innocent.”

A familiar surge of irritation hit, but Casper forced himself to close his eyes, taking measured breaths as he counted to ten, trying desperately to hold onto his calm. Each number was a reminder to breathe, to leave his anger behind. When he finally opened his eyes, he was met not with resolution but uncertainty.

“Let’s just see how this goes,” he said, his tone more resigned than anything else. With those words hanging in the air, Casper turned sharply on his heel, his footsteps echoing as he walked out the door, leaving Aaron in a swirl of unresolved tension.

As Casper settled into the courtroom atmosphere, a wave of relaxation washed over him, prompting a deep, heartfelt sigh of relief. Bryce Jacobs exuded confidence and capability, embodying all the qualities JD had promised would aid in this critical moment. Casper couldn’t help but admire his composure and his air of professionalism. Now, all that remained was the hope that this skilled attorney would perform brilliantly at the arraignment hearing, ultimately securing his brother’s release on his own recognizance and ensuring he would not have to spend another moment in confinement.

As he glanced around the bustling gallery, his eyes landed on a familiar face—Nettie, animatedly chatting with a visitor. The air was filled with the soft hum of conversations, but she stood out amidst the crowd. Determined, he weaved his way toward her under the bright lighting.

When she finally turned toward him, her expression shifted from friendliness to surprise. He couldn’t help but offer a warm smile, hoping to ease the unexpected tension. “Hello, Nettie,” he greeted warmly.

However, to his dismay, she stiffened at the sound of his voice. The ease of their previous encounter had seemingly transformed into a palpable discomfort.

As she parted her lips to reply, her body trembled with emotion. But before she could utter a word, a deafening barrage of gunshots sounded, shattering the tense silence around them and echoing around the courtroom.

Without hesitation, Casper sprang into action, instinctively resorting to his primary role—protection. With a surge of adrenaline coursing through him, he dove toward Nettie, wrapping his arms around her just as the chaos unfolded around them. They landed on the courtroom floor with a thud, Casper’s body shielding hers. In that split second of uncertainty, he felt an unmistakable sting as a bullet grazed against him, the sharp impact striking his backside. He could sense the urgency in the air, the tension rising as the danger loomed ever closer.