The Devil's Trail

50- Making a stand

A month later...

California was nice. But it wasn't great.

I used to love the sea and the fresh air, the arcades and the gulls flying high. But it all seemed duller. In fact, since leaving Vegas, the whole world felt duller, like it had lost its lustre, that someone had sucked the colour from the world and left the dull greyness behind.

But I wasn't in California for a holiday, or a some little break. I had gone to California for a reason... to find myself.

To come back the hard ass bitch I arrived as. To be the person I was before, the better version. The version worthy of Zak.

But my plan fell flat on its face when all I could think about was being back in Vegas with him. With questions floating around in my head, wondering if he missed me, if he would welcome me back when I returned, if we were able to work through things or if I had let the ship sail?

I left Vegas to find myself, but truthfully, I realised that my true self was back in Vegas, on the couch, cuddled in with him watching cold case files, eating ice cream on swings and sharing the hot tub whilst looking at the Vegas skyline.

I left me, with him. And it was time to repair myself properly and stop being a cowardly bitch. This is time to make a stand and it let abuse slip by. I would not be like those officers who turned a blind eye, I will stand up and let my voice be heard. Detective Wicks had been keeping me up to speed with everything and I knew this would be my only chance. Now or never.

To do this or let it go.

To do this, or let him win...

And I wasn't going to let that happen.

+++

Pushing my shoulders back, I take a breath.

You will not intimidate me. You will not intimidate me. You will not intimidate me. I am free. I am strong. I am courageous.

Stepping onto the stand, I look across the court room, but don't see him. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turn my eyes to Randy who is glaring at me, dressed in his orange jumpsuit.

A man is between us, his defence attorney, walking back and forth trying to determine which question to start with first.

The thrashing of my heart almost makes me miss his first question, but my mind catches up with me and the fire within my chest ignites.

I am a Phoenix. I will rise.

"Is it true, that there has always been conflict between you and my client?"

Looking at his attorney, I nod "Yes."

"Is it true that the conflict started when my client moved into your home which you shared with your mother?"

"Yes."

"Where was your father?"

"He's dead."

"Were you two close?"

My hand clenched the stand. "Yes."