A Long Road to Redemption

Chapter 42

Just after breakfast, a guard took Sidney to catch her ride to the funeral home. After she was searched, she was shackled on her hands and feet, but they did not attach the customary belly chain. The guards led her to a smaller gate where a marked sheriff's car awaited her. The uniformed deputy signed a form, opened the rear door, and helped her inside the car, fastening her seatbelt. He shut the door, and shortly, they were on their way for the just over two-hour drive to the funeral home.

This was the first time in over three years that she had ridden in a car, much less a vehicle with air conditioning. She couldn't remember if the route to the funeral home would take them near her parent's home. She doubted they would, but just being back in her hometown was a strange feeling. It would be a temporary feeling, too, because the prison officials told her that she would be back that day.

Sidney felt a strange sense of relief when the car passed through the gates. Her mind drifted to the last time she drove through the gates, only this time she was leaving prison. This relief was tempered with the thought that it was only for the day.

They had driven for only a few minutes when the deputy finally broke the silence. "Good morning, Ms. Lewis. Do you remember me?" It took her a moment to place the voice, but she couldn't see the man's face. She tried to see the man's face in the rearview mirror, and for a second, she worried it might be someone from Leonard Pierson there to torture and kill her.

The man gave a sympathetic laugh and removed his hat. "I didn't think you would, what with me in uniform. The last time we talked, I had a shirt and tie on. I'm Detective Roger Taylor, the investigator who talked with you after your arrest."

His voice was strangely reassuring. Over the past few years, she distrusted anyone in uniform. Her mind returned to him insisting on getting her a lawyer and how he seemed to want to help her.

"Detective Taylor, yes, I remember you," she said, trying to sound confident. "I didn't talk to you much after Mr. Brady took my case."

"That's true, Ms. Lewis, and I'm sorry for what it's worth. It's not standard police procedure, but neither is taking a plea so early in the legal process."

She swallowed hard, remembering what Leonard Pierson told her that night in the city jail. "I was guilty. I told you that when you arrested me." A nervous feeling began to seize her. Sidney was often told not to get too close to those in uniform and not talk about her case to anyone without Mr. Brady present. "Why are you the one escorting me? Isn't this something a lower-ranked deputy would do?"

"Usually yes, and I'm not technically a deputy; I'm a city cop. I volunteered for this job and pulled a few strings to talk to you." Taylor relaxed in his seat. He worried that she wouldn't talk to him and this would be a long drive with an awkward silence. "I've been working with Luke Brady on your case. I've got a few new leads, but I need you to help me."

"I can't do that. Mr. Brady said not to discuss my case."

"Yeah, he told me you'd say that. Look, I believe your story, and you've been set up to take a harder fall than you should. I want to help you, but you need to help me."

"Please Detective Taylor, I just want to see my parents. I can't talk to you about this."

"Listen to me. I can't promise to get you out, but I want to bring down Leonard Pierson. If that's who you are afraid of, help me put him where he can't hurt you."

"I'm not afraid of him anymore. I don't trust people in uniform. You might have been the only one who wanted to believe me and hear my story, but you disappeared, and I had to deal with that Cooper guy."

"He's dead," Taylor said more coldly than he intended.

"What?" Sidney responded in disbelief. "When did he die?"