MADMAN'S DEMISE

17

"Ms. Frazier, your attendance is requested in the prosecution waiting room." A young, uniformed guardsman said as he approached me in the public waiting area. His words made my eyes wide, and I was instantly grateful for being allowed to finally meet with Brandon after hours of being apart. I knew he needed me. Especially after this bewildering occasion with Tandy Bellamy.

I followed the guardsman through the hallways of the big courthouse. We entered the backrooms and the same corridor I was walking yesterday as I was nervously heading against my testimony. I was still curious about how many there were left to testify. So far Brandon still stood a chance to win this case, but most of those who had already taken the stand were witnesses called in by the prosecution. Although I knew Arthur probably claimed he didn't know any people who would come and testify to his advantage, it was part of Frederick Harding's job to find people who would. It was just impossible that he wouldn't have found one single person who would come forward for Arthur's sake, and that knowledge was tormenting. I knew there was a chance someone was coming, someone who possibly could ruin the whole plot and evaporate Brandon's last hope of being conditionally released anytime soon.

But then I thought about Arthur. He wouldn't let that happen. As Brandon's father, I knew he was intelligent, and since he was the one planning this whole matter, he was probably already one step ahead of Frederick Harding and every other person who was part of this case. Hopefully, he did give Frederick a list of names after all, to avoid him from searching for witnesses himself. A list of people who barely knew him, people who had no insight in this case, people who would decline the summon. Eventually, they might found someone who accepted, someone Arthur already knew would have no considerable meaning in this and whose testimony would be all in vain, yet leaving them empty-handed with no other witnesses to call.

Never before did I pray so much to be right. If Arthur genuinely intended to lose this, he would make sure no one would take the witness stand and speak to his advantage...

After two long minutes of walking through the big building, the guardsman and I finally reached the end of a deep hallway. The young man pointed his hand at one of the wooden doors before he spoke to me.

"I'll be waiting outside during your presence and make sure there is no disturbance in your meeting."

I looked at the man, pulled a gentle smile and thanked him before I stepped forward and grabbed the handle of the door to the prosecution waiting room. Just as I was about to open, I was met by Roscoe who was on his way out of the room. But before he left the doorway, he slightly leaned forward and spoke to me with a rather discrete voice.

"I'm glad you could come, Nurse Frazier. Ms. Schwartz requested a session for the client during the hour, she told me you are the one responsible for his settled manners. On her demand, I have made sure you will not be disturbed during the therapy. I will be back right before the hour is over."

I was grateful Dorothy demanded a session for Brandon. She knew a meeting with his treater was very much needed to keep him further calm and in control. This far Brandon's behavior had been surprisingly well, undoubtedly, and for that he needed to be rewarded.

"Thank you, Mr. Van Doren. I will make sure he remains in control." I remarked as I looked at the man in gratitude.

"I'll see you later." He nodded professionally and finally left the room with the wooden door closing behind his stout figure. Stepping inside the small area, I finally met eyes with Brandon who peacefully sat sideways by the broad table placed in the middle of the room. I stopped for a moment, allowed our eyes to communicate without even twitching a limb. His gaze was forceful as always, the umber color dragging me into his proximity.

But then he broke the silence. His lips carefully spread to let out two demanding words without ruining the piercing connection of our eyes.

"Come here."

I walked over to him, slow but longing steps, and stopped right before him where he sat on the dark wooden chair. He looked up at me, gently placed his both hands on my hips before he raised to stand. His tall figure grew upon me, and now I was the one looking up at him. His right hand released my hip, and instead, he placed it upon my flushed cheek. He stroked my skin carefully, the palm of his hand assimilating my presence. I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the gentle strokes of the hand I had felt against my skin so many times before. The lingering touch made me shiver, and a pleasuring breath escaped my lips.

"I love it when you do that." He mumbled, and I opened my eyes again to meet his delighted face. I smiled, and leaned into his palm even more.

"Do what?"

Brandon leaned forward, his lips tenderly meeting my forehead, pecking the skin like I was made of glass. Then he moved his lips down, grazed my ear softly before he whispered to me.

"Physically react to my touch."

I breathed again, affected by his sensual whispers. I knew he could sense my every reaction in his nearness, but there was something about the somatic signs that drove him into enchantment. He moved his hand from my cheek, stroked his fingertips down my neck and collarbone. Further down, he moved his hand over the thin black fabric of my dress. The shivers intensively tracing my spine and bumping my fair skin. Lastly, he reached the stiff pebble pointing through the fabric and carefully started caressing it between his fingers. We both panted at the touch, knowing this was turning into more than gentle strokes and heavy gasps.