Judge, Jury, & Executioner

Chapter 17

Maddox opened her eyes and lunged forward. Drake grabbed her shoulders and she felt like hugging him. Her head on the other hand felt like laying back down. She looked out the back of the ambulance and she saw the fiery inferno that was her car.

She then saw a body bag by another ambulance. No headache could've stopped her from jumping out of the ambulance. She shoved her way past Drake, Cooke, and two paramedics.

As she came to the body bag, she grabbed the stretcher next to it and held onto it. Reaves was dead. He was dead.

Her hands shook violently and she couldn't breathe. She covered her mouth as she realized he was gone.

"Reaves?" Maddox asked as she stared at the body bag.

Maddox unzipped the bag and saw his lifeless corpse. She felt the urge to throw up and quickly looked away. His body half burned, but his face was clear as day. It was him. For sure.

Nathan Reaves . . . was dead.

"Maddox, I'm so sorry," Drake said as Maddox walked away.

She looked at him and clenched her teeth, "What happened?"

"You're car was hit, by a Black SUV. We figure they were trying to kill another jury member, which they did," Drake said making her wince.

"Witnesses?"

"Ian McGregor. He's the one who pulled you from the crash and also Reaves, but it was too late."

"Can we please stop emphasizing the fact that he's dead?" Maddox barked.

Drake nodded and then Maddox saw McGregor standing by an EMT and a Fed. Maddox stormed her way over and grabbed his collar, shoving him against the Ambulance.

"Why did you hire the Executioner!" Maddox yelled at him.

He looked at her and then at Drake, "Get her off me."

Maddox shoved him again.

"I'm not going near her," Drake replied.

Even the Fed was standing back.

"Why did you hire the Executioner! And who is he?" Maddox asked once more.

McGregor didn't answer, Maddox shoved him again. This time she smacked his head on the wall.

"Not here," He whispered.

Drake and the Fed stepped closer.

"I want protection, and I want her off of me. And then I'll talk. But first, you may wanna tell her the truth before she kills me," McGregor added.

The Fed and Drake nodded.

"Tell me what?!" Maddox asked.

***

Noah nearly dropped the laptop when he saw the news headlines. They had told him another Juror was going to die this afternoon, he just didn't expect it to involve a police officer.

He looked at the article and read that there was one fatality. Most likely the Juror. There was even some cellphone photos of a detective looking at a body bag and then walking away.

Noah glanced at the photo of his sister. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep doing this. What if they asked him to help them get rid of another juror, it could be her.

He glanced at his watch and then at his phone. Just one phone call, and you can make it all go away. Five seconds to dial the number. He reached for his phone and then stopped. The image of his sister's mangled body prevented him from going further.

"Hey Noah," Emily yelled as she entered the house.

Noah cleared his throat and turned off the TV. He smiled at her as she carried in the groceries.

"What have you been up to?" She asked as she walked to the kitchen.

Noah contemplated telling her he truth, then he decided against it.

"Nothing too much. Just waiting on you. I recently finished a new gaming platform piece though. But you don't wanna hear about that. How was your day?" Noah asked.

"Good. You know, I'm thinking of calling someone I met on Jury duty. His name was Nate. I think he likes me," Emily told him.

Noah, realizing how short life is, gave her advice he thought fit.

"You should. Life's too short not to," He told her before she gave him a kiss on his cheek.

He smiled and waited till she was out of the room before taking a damp paper towel and wiping his face. Then he carefully tossed it in the trash without touching it.

***

Maddox stood in the elevator and rubbed her forehead. Mull stood behind McGregor while Drake stood closest to the door. All Maddox could think about was calling Allison. And ruining Megan's life by informing her, her father died.

Maddox kept seeing his body flash into her mind. What kind of a death that must've been. If it was quick, or if it was painful. What he must've thought last-

Maddox shook her head and looked at the floor.

"Listen, Maddox. About Reaves, you should know-"

"He's dead Drake. Leave him that way," Maddox barked before storming out of the elevator.

The others followed. They had taken her to an abandoned building that Mull said was an old FBI safe house. It didn't look very safe to Maddox. McGregor looked about as pleased.

They came to a door and Drake stopped. Maddox crossed her arms and frowned. Mull then stepped forward and undid the hidden electronic lock that was under a picture frame.

"McGregor, this is the safest room you'll be in. Drake, keep her from killing anyone," Mull said before taking McGregor inside.

Drake held out his hand and stopped Maddox. At this point, she didn't know what to expect.

"Maddox, there's something you need to know before you go in there. And it's going to make you ticked. But I need you to-"

"I'm already ticked Drake, and nothing is going to change that. So open that door and let me inside," Maddox snapped.

He held the door open for her and she stormed inside. It was an ugly light green with horrible lighting. She walked into a living room where McGregor and Mull stood. There was nothing else.

"Your right Drake, I am ticked," Maddox said looking at him.

"You will be," A voice said behind her.

She turned around and couldn't believe her eyes.

"How-"

"Promise not to hate me?" He asked.

"I already hate you. This is icing on the cake."

"Well at least you think I'm sweet."

"Reaves?!"