Castle High

39. Castle v Marshall

“Shel, I’ve been asking of you.”

Quentin called out from the defense stand, looking up at the figure which strolled into the court. It was the day of trial, and as protocol demanded of an efficient lawyer – he had arrived two hours prior to the hearing and was going through all the assembled evidence and facts concerning his client. A bunch of folk had arrived even earlier than he did, students whom were probably friends of this – Jake he surmised. But they were all outside the court room, hanging around in the compound. He had looked for Shelby amongst them, and had asked for her but he had being informed she hadn’t arrived yet.

“Did you think I’d be thrilled to see you?” Shelby’s reply was more of a declaration than a question, as she continued her stroll to the prosecutor’s stand. “I think you’re mistaken about today’s arrangement.”

“I’m not,” Quentin stated in an assuring manner. His comport showed that he expected her hostility. “I just don’t think it’s totally wrong or bizarre to ask about the whereabouts of my daughter.”

Shelby’s gaze narrowed into slits. “Did you tell them that you’re my dad?”

Quentin shook his head. “Of course, I didn’t. Although I think a blonde in the group knows who I am owing to her very thorough gaze. You told her about me, I guess?”

Shelby chuckled ominously, clasping her hands together. “You don’t have to read more meaning to it than it has. You’re a good lawyer, Jake is my good friend and I don’t want him to incur whatever punishment his charges demand of. That’s just it, nothing more. Don’t think this is a distress call from mom and I to you. We’re totally over, there is nothing between us anymore.”

He exhaled. “I can see Rena has been feeding you with–”

“Mom isn’t feeding me with anything!” Shelby snapped. “My words are as a result of my decision alone. Believe me if it was up to her, she’d be willing to give you another chance of redemption.”

“And you aren’t?” He tittered. “Because if you’re totally convinced about your decision, then I don’t understand why you’re here. You intentionally came in here to see me don’t you? You can’t lie about the fact that you miss me?”

“Oh, please.” Shelby grunted in disgust. “Missing you is like missing rain-fall. You definitely don’t like when it comes around, and it don’t even stay around that long that you begin to fall in love with it.”

Her words stung, a lot. But he had to maintain a facial barricade that said he wasn’t devastated at leaving them behind and also, wasn’t happy at the notion of spending the rest of his life without them.

He nodded. “I see, then why did you come in here to see me, then.”

Shelby shrugged. “Just to give you a reminder of how important this case is, and that you shouldn’t blow it. Jake is a very dear person to me and he doesn’t in anyway deserve such fate facing him.”

“I’d do everything in my power, Shel.” Quentin replied. “But there is only so much a lawyer can do.”

“You mean there is only so much you can do.” Shelby scoffed, turning around to head back outside. “Good-luck, Quentin.”

And with that she strolled out of the room, without throwing a back-ward glance. It was right at that moment, Quentin knew his relationship with her was beyond redemption. She had used his first-name for the first time ever, and it sounded so distasteful and venomous on her lips. It also held an assurance that boasted of satisfaction.

It was indeed over.

*****

“Dad, it’s not too late to drop the charges.” Joey cried after his dad’s retreating figure. They had arrived at the court-room a few moments ago, and his dad’s mind was still set on taking Jake’s punishment to the next level. According to him, it wasn’t the first time a minor would be sentenced to life imprisonment or even worse – death. Trevor Cassidy was determined to show how strong he was. It was due to his magnate related ego. He didn’t want to give the world an illusion, that anyone would dare make a murder attempt on his son and would get away with it. No matter sex, age or race. He had to make them pay.