¥showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks¥
In which Jackie Routledge and her group of friends from the south side of Outer Banks try to have the summer of their lives, but end up it being filled with mystery, tragedy, risks, adventure...
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{Court}
"John Booker Routledge, pursuant to North Carolina statute section 14, you are charged with first-degree murder under aggravated circumstances. If convicted, the maximum sentence is the death penalty," the judge announced. The words hit me like a punch, and my breath caught in my throat. The courtroom was buzzing with whispers and tense murmurs, but I could only stare into the void, tears slipping down my face. I had just gotten my brother back, and our family was starting to feel whole again, and now I was on the brink of losing him all over.
"Your Honor, he's only 17!" JJ blurted, standing up. "JJ, stop," Pope whispered, trying to pull him back. "He's 17! Are you kidding me?" JJ shouted, resisting Pope's grip. "John B, we'll figure this out!" he called as the officers led my brother toward the exit. "Jackie, let's go," Kie whispered, nudging me. I stood, feeling my world shatter around me, the sounds of Sarah crying, Pope trying to calm JJ, and JJ's protests echoing as we pushed through the crowded courtroom.
Outside, voices filled the air with rumors and judgments about John B. "They're gonna kill him. I know it," JJ said darkly, his face set with worry. "Seriously, JJ?" Kie snapped, glaring at him. Just then, I noticed Ward Cameron, smugly accepting condolences from a man beside him. "I'm sorry for what your family's been through. Thank God the system works," the man said to Ward. Anger flared up inside me, and I pushed through Pope and JJ before I could stop myself.
"Of course you think the system worked—it was built to protect you and people like you!" I shouted, unable to hold back. People started watching as I lashed out at Ward. He raised his hands in a fake show of peace. "He'll have his day in court, Jackie. The jury will decide," he said coolly. "My brother shouldn't even be in court! You should be, because you're the murderer!" I yelled, pointing at him. "You've got some nerve showing up here," I added, my voice shaking with rage.
Ward barely flinched as Shoupe began walking over. "I know you're upset," Ward said with feigned sympathy. "I understand." I scoffed, stepping closer. "My family is broken because of you. My child will never meet their grandfather because of you, and now they might not know their uncle either. You should be ashamed," I spat, my fists clenched. Ward's eyes widened as I noticed murmurs ripple through the crowd.
"I'm sorry for all the pain you're going through, and I wish only the best for you and your child," Ward replied in a sickly sweet tone. I felt my control snap and raised a fist, but an officer grabbed my arm, restraining me roughly.
"Don't touch her!" JJ shouted, jumping in instantly, stepping between me and the officer. "Why don't you go after the real criminal for once?" JJ snapped, his arm shielding me as he gently pushed me back. "You want to get arrested too? Leave. Now!" Shoupe ordered in a hard voice. "Come on, it's not worth it," Sarah said, tugging JJ's arm, trying to calm him down.
"Sorry, Mr. Cameron. You shouldn't have to go through this," Officer Plumb said to Ward, ignoring us. JJ shot Ward a dark look before turning to me, his hand reaching for mine. "Let's just go," he whispered, giving me a steadying nod. I took a deep breath, interlaced my fingers with his, and we began to walk away, Kie trailing behind us. Just before we left, she shot a parting remark at Ward. "Funny, your daughter's sitting with us. Guess that says something."
The five of us headed back to the Chateau just as the rain began to pour. I settled onto the couch on the porch, watching the storm clouds roll in, sipping water and picking at a hamburger. The silence was finally broken by Sarah. "I'm going to testify under oath. I was there, and I'll find a way to reach my sister," she said resolutely.
"Sister?" JJ asked, looking confused.
"Wheezie," Sarah clarified, glancing over at Kie. "She's the only other person who can confirm Rafe wasn't home that day."
"Wheezie?" JJ asked again, still incredulous.
Sarah ignored his disbelief. "Look, I got us into this mess, so I'm going to do everything I can to get us out," she said firmly.
JJ scoffed. "Yeah, Wheezie. That'll do the trick." He rolled his eyes but then turned serious, his gaze intense. "But she's right about one thing. We can't just sit here. John B's a Po-dub right now—locked up with the enemy and maybe even scheduled for execution."
"Please don't talk like that. I can't even think about it," I said, running a hand through my hair, anxiety prickling at me.
JJ turned to Pope and Kie, frustration in his eyes. "Are we seriously just going to sit here? What's the plan? Kidnap Shoupe?"
Kie gave him a hard look. "Kidnap Shoupe?" she repeated skeptically. "You're kidding, right?"
JJ raised his hands in mock surrender. "Not the worst idea I've ever heard."
"No way," I cut in firmly. "I'm not getting involved in any kidnapping plot, especially while I'm pregnant."
JJ turned to Pope. "Look, we've been doing everything your way, and where has it gotten us?"
Pope sighed, standing up. "Alright, so what's your plan then?"
"What, you're gonna storm the jail, guns blazing?" Pope asked, his voice thick with sarcasm.
JJ's voice was raw with emotion. "Pope, they've got our boy. That's the brother of my girl and the future uncle of my kid. I'm not just going to sit here while he rots in a cell. I'm going to do something about it."
"JJ, we're not storming the jail," Pope said firmly. "It's not happening."
"Fine," JJ snapped. "You go ahead and sit here comfortably. I'm going to make something happen, even if I have to do it alone." He put his cap back on, and for a moment I couldn't help but admire him—his determination, his strength. My hormones were definitely getting the best of me.
"I'm coming with you," I said, standing up, but he immediately shook his head.
"No," he replied firmly.
"No?" I challenged, arching an eyebrow.
"You haven't had a proper meal or rested in days. You need to take care of yourself and the baby. I'll be back with good news soon, I promise." He ran his hands up and down my arms soothingly.
"Fine," I sighed, sitting back down. "Just be careful."
He gave me a wink, his usual smirk creeping back. "Aren't I always?"
"I love you, you idiot," I muttered, smiling at him.
"I love you and our little one too," he replied, kissing me on the cheek and then gently on my stomach before heading out.
As JJ hopped on his bike and rode off, Pope turned to me and Kie, looking worried. "Should we be concerned?"
"Yes, definitely," Kie replied without hesitation. "I'll go see if I can get some money from my parents for a lawyer."
"John B has a public defender," Pope reminded her. "He doesn't need money now."
"Are you serious? Justice costs money, Pope," Kie shot back.
I got up to bring the plates and cups inside as Pope continued, "I'll dig into anything I can find about that key and the tape Limbrey has. If it's exculpatory, it could exonerate John B."
"We'll try everything," Kie said, nodding. But as she did, I noticed her pull back slightly when Pope reached to put a reassuring hand on her waist. She brushed past him, leaving the Chateau abruptly.
Left alone with Pope, I tried to ease the tension with a light joke. "And then there were two," I said, smiling faintly.
Pope managed a small grin. "I'm going to go talk to my dad. You okay here by yourself?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine," I assured him. "I think I'll run to the store for some essentials and check in on Greta and Vivian."
"Make sure to pick up some vitamins," he said, before giving me a nod and heading out.
As I watched him leave, I couldn't help feeling grateful for the people who were still standing by us, no matter how chaotic things got.
