Sentencing Sapphire (Sapphire Dubois: Book 3)

Chapter 14

Sapphire stared at the Polaroid of Chrissy again and felt queasy.

She put it back in her purse, but it didn't help. Chrissy's face was burned into her mind. Her friend's skin was pale—a rarity for someone who would marry her spray tan if she could— and her eyes were desperate.

Sapphire pushed away her salad and grabbed a chip; it was all she could stomach. She looked around the courthouse cafeteria. Aston was nowhere to be found. She knew she should feel satisfied, but she couldn't help but search the packed place for him.

It'd been a rough day in court, and there were only two more days to go before Mr. Goldstein estimated the jury would deliberate. Even her lawyer looked ill when Detective Capelli was on the witness stand and swore he'd seen her face on the security footage from former serial killer, current dead guy, George Rath's job. The jury had devoured Capelli's unfortunately true story.

The whole day had felt off. Sapphire had caught Marissa Pearl staring at her, not once, but seven times today, with this peculiar, intense look. The woman must really want to see her behind bars.

Sapphire sighed and focused on one of the many cafeteria TVs. The news covered another earthquake. This time in Ventura, much closer to L.A. than the previous ones. She'd felt the minor aftershock when she woke up this morning. The Californian earthquakes and the unbearable heat were fitting considering the apocalypse taking place around her.

Petunia's face suddenly blocked the screen.

"What do you want?" Sapphire eyed her cousin's mink purse. "I'm fresh out of puppy pelts and baby tears."

"What's with the tone, cousin?" Petunia snagged Sapphire's chip bag and sat. "I thought you'd be happy. You murdered Charles, found out you have the honor of being a Dubois by blood, and stole half of my company. It's a win-win for you isn't it? Oh I forgot, you didn't get the shitty fishing cabin, did you? Aww, sad face." She popped a chip in her mouth.

"I didn't murder Charles, and again, what do you want?"

"Since you're kind of a part of DubCorp until you lose the trial, dad wanted me to let you know about the masquerade ball at the country club tonight."

"Why?"

"He's making an announcement. I'm thinking he's fixed the problems your murder scandal caused with our allies and he's going to retire tonight and give me the company." Her lips drew to a pout. "Anyhoo, he said it's important that we both be there."

Sapphire stared at her cousin. "I can't go to the country club; I'm blacklisted."

"I know." An evil leer grew on Petunia's lips. "That's why I suggested we should hold his announcement there. Your exile must've slipped his mind in all the excitement." She threw the empty bag on the table. "Thanks for the chips, cuz."

Sapphire stared after Petunia as she passed a table with a birthday card on it.

She hurried up to grab it. Her father was still here; Sapphire could feel his eyes on her as she opened it.

Happy 13th Birthday.

Come to the ball and receive your present.

Sapphire's body tensed and she tried to spot him in the busy cafeteria. Of course, she knew she wouldn't see him unless he wanted to be seen. The man moved in and out of space like a deity.

A firm hand grabbed her shoulder. She turned and sent out a punch to the throat of her assailant. He dropped to the ground and gasped for air.

"Jesus, Barry!" Sapphire rushed to help him up.