Betrayal (20 page)

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Authors: Fern Michaels

BOOK: Betrayal
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Chapter 23
C
oleman couldn't wait to give Alex and Kate his news. They would be on cloud nine. He'd worked extra hard on Alex's case. There was something about the couple that reminded him of his marriage. They were as dedicated to one another as he and Suzanne had been.
He hadn't wanted to make this call from work, so he waited until he got home. He took a shower, poured himself a glass of sweet tea. The view from the master suite terrace was remarkable at that time of day. He took his drink upstairs, along with the portable phone.
He dialed Kate's number from memory.
“Hello.”
“Kate, it's Coleman. How are you?”
“Coleman, hello. I'm well, how are you?”
“I couldn't be better. I've waited all day to talk with you.”
“I've been home all day. I guess I didn't hear the phone ring. Is everything all right?” He heard the worry in her voice.
“Actually, you didn't hear the phone because I waited till now to call. I wanted to make this call from home.”
“Is it that bad?” Kate asked.
“No, it's that good. I didn't want my associates to see the look on my face when I told you the news. They already say my head is big enough for ten men.”
“Then spill it, Coleman.” He heard the joy in her voice. He was thrilled he had the ability to make her happy. She deserved it.
“I've hemmed and hawed around, not wanting to mention this to you or Alex until it was a sure thing. Today I learned it was a sure thing. I'm going to tell you. You can tell Alex when he calls you tonight.”
“Coleman! I'm on pins and needles. Tell me!”
“I got Alex a new trial. The appeals court has thrown out the original conviction on the grounds of ineffective counsel on the part of a lawyer who seemed to have a conflict of interest. His case has been referred to the bar for investigation.”
Silence.
“Kate? Are you there?”
More silence.
“Kate, I'd hate to have to jump in my plane and fly to North Carolina.”
“I'm sorry.” She sniffed, then blew her nose into the phone. “God! I can't believe this. I'm crying, in case you're wondering what that noise was.” She laughed loudly into the phone.
“I've heard a woman cry, Kate. I figured you would. Hell, I would cry after what you and Alex have been through.”
“So when is the trial? Can Alex come home while he waits? Give me all the details.”
Kate was on cloud nine.
“It won't be on the court docket until spring. The court's backlogged for the next few months. Alex will be out of prison within the next few days. From a legal point of view, he has not been convicted of any crime. He may have to stay in Collier County until his second trial is over, but he should be a free man. I don't see how there will be any problem with his getting bail.”
“I don't know what to say or do to thank you. If it wasn't for you these past few months, I would've gone crazy. You're a good friend, you know that?”
“Yes, I do, and I feel the same way, Kate. You're good people. Now as to what you can do to thank me, I think a large check is in order.” Coleman smiled. He didn't care if Kate or Alex paid him a penny. He was just glad that he was instrumental in seeking justice for a man who deserved it. He could feel Suzanne smiling down on him.
“You name it, and it's yours. Any amount. Hell, I'll sell my soul to pay you.”
“I'll let the billing department send you a statement. And I wouldn't want you to sell your soul. What I want you to do is this; hang up the phone so the line is free when Alex calls. You can call me back with his reaction.”
“Thanks. Dang, all I do is say thanks to you. Anyway, thanks, Coleman. I'll call you after I speak with Alex.”
He placed the phone on the table next to him. He hadn't been this satisfied with a case since Suzanne was alive. Sometimes life was good.
 
 
Instead of calling Gertie, Kate ran to the cottage, the portable phone in her hand. She banged on the back door. “Gertie, it's me. Open up.”
She heard the old woman cuss. It was getting harder and harder for her to move around with her arthritis. Kate wished she would retire.
The door opened.
“Well, it must be awfully important for you to come to the cottage. I can't remember the last time you were here. Come on in, it's chilly outside.”
Kate hadn't even thought of grabbing a sweater on her way out. She was too excited.
“So, spit it out,” Gertie coaxed.
“Coleman just called. Alex's conviction has been overturned. He's getting a new trial!”
Gertie stopped dead in her tracks. Kate watched the look of surprise travel across the older woman's face. If ever there was joy in a pair of eyes, Gertie's shone forth as bright as the north star. “I knew that man was good, but I didn't think he was that good. Well, it's a damned good thing. I'm getting old. Alex needs to get his ass back home and take care of you and the dogs.” Gertie smiled and wrapped her arms around Kate. “I've prayed for this day to come. The good Lord was listening this time.”
“Alex is supposed to call tonight.” She held up the portable phone. “I didn't want to miss it.”
“He's going to be one happy man when he hears the news. I'm afraid he's been depressed the past month. His letters haven't been as upbeat.”
“I thought so, too, but when I asked him, he just said he was tired. Told me that sleeping in a prison was one of the worst things about being there. Well, once Coleman gets him out of that place, he can sleep all he wants. I'm giddy, Gertie. I can't believe he's finally coming home.”
Kate's phone rang.
“Hello?”
She waited for the automated voice to say she had a collect call from a correctional institution. Push one to accept, two to decline. Yeah, yeah, she'd heard this a thousand times, and it'd never taken this long to get the call through.
“Kate, it's me.”
“Oh, Alex, I am so glad to hear your voice. I have the most wonderful news. Coleman called a while ago. Your conviction has been overturned. You'll be getting a new trial, Alex. You're coming home!”
“You're serious?”
“I wouldn't joke about this, you know that. He said the new trial was scheduled for the spring. You'll be out on bail while you await trial. We might have to live in Naples, but who cares? I'd commute from Timbuktu if it meant your freedom.”
“Well, all I can say is,
Yeah
!” Alex shouted so loud Kate had to hold the phone away.
“Is that the best news or what?” Kate asked.
“Yes, it is. Damn, I can't thank the man enough. I don't know how I'm going to stand it in here until I can go home.”
“Oh, Alex, maybe I shouldn't have told you,” she teased.
“Hmm, and I would've had to smack your butt good, Mrs. Rocket. I've been in here a while, I think I can stand it a bit longer.”
“I bet you can't wait to tell those two friends of yours, Ron and Brad. Maybe Coleman could take a look at their cases as well. I'll ask him about it.”
“Thanks, I'm sure they'll appreciate the effort. It's not like either of them has a lot of money to hire a top-notch lawyer. I think both of them had public defenders.”
“I'm going to ask Coleman to look at their cases when I call him back. He wanted to hear your reaction to the news.”
“You can tell him that thank you doesn't begin to cover it. Write him a check for double the amount, Kate. If he doesn't accept it, then give it to some organization he's interested in. We owe him my life.”
“His wife died of breast cancer a few years ago. I'll make a large donation in her name. Coleman would like that. Is this surreal, Alex? I was starting to think Coleman wasn't on the ball.”
“Not Coleman, he'd jump through hoops for you, Kate.”
“For me? You mean for you, Alex. Coleman is dedicated to seeking justice. He told me so himself. More than once, too. His wife was in practice with him. He still loves her, Alex, I can see it in his eyes when he talks about her.”
“He likes you Kate, a lot,” Alex teased.
“Please, don't tease me that way. It's not funny. I admire and respect Coleman. And you should, too.”
“I'm sorry, Kate. When he talks about you, there's this light in his eyes. And I do respect him. He's a good guy.”
“Coleman's eyes light up when he talks about all women, Alex. Trust me.” Kate laughed. Alex had nothing to worry about.
The beeping noise came over the phone line letting them know they had thirty seconds before the call ended.
“I love you, I'll call tomorrow, Kate. Thank Coleman.” Then the phone was disconnected.
Kate didn't see why they couldn't make another call as soon as the last one ended. Fifteen minutes wasn't enough time. But Alex would be out of prison very soon.
“Gertie, I'm going back to the house to call Coleman. If it gets too cold, you come up to the house. It's too big with just me. It needs some life inside.”
“You're gonna get life when I send half of those dogs up to the house. Alex wouldn't want them out in the kennel, even though there's heat.”
“You can bring all the dogs to the house anytime you need to. If I'm not there, you know where the keys are.”
Kate hurried out into the cool autumn air. Fall had arrived in all its glory, and she barely noticed it. She'd been so busy writing letters to Alex and wallowing in pity that she hadn't really taken the time to stop and look around her. Things would be different from that moment on. No looking back. She and Alex did have a future together. She would never take anything for granted again.
She put the kettle on for tea and lit a fire in the kitchen fireplace. She always preferred to sit in the kitchen. It was cozy and warm. She'd make a cup of tea and call Coleman. The teakettle blew its whistle. Kate took Alex's golden retriever mug out of the cabinet. She'd been too sad to look at his favorite cup since he'd been in jail. Now she was going to drink out of it, sort of like a private toast to Alex. She poured hot water over the tea bag. While it was steeping, she dialed Coleman's number.
“It's me.” She didn't even wait for hello.
“And?”
“He was so excited he shouted over the phone. I had to hold the phone away from my ear, he was so loud. And he says thank you isn't enough. He told me to double your fee and donate a big chunk to a charity of your choice. I told him about Suzanne, I hope you don't mind. I thought we could donate something to the American Cancer Society in her name.”
“She would've loved that, Kate. Thank you. I'll thank Alex when I see him. I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who happens to be a friend of the warden. Alex should be released as early as next week. No promises, since things like this usually take some time in Florida, but I think I can make it happen.”
“That soon? That's fantastic. Should I make plans to head your way then?”
“Give me a day or two. I wouldn't say anything to Alex just yet in case it takes a bit longer.”
“I won't. But he will be so thrilled. He told me knowing he has the possibility of coming home makes it just a little tougher to stay there, but he said he would hang in.”
“Okay, as soon as I have word, I'll call you. I can come pick you up myself if you'd like.”
“You know what, I just might take you up on that offer, Coleman Fitzpatrick, I just might.”
“All right, Mrs. Rocket. Good night.”
And it truly was a good night.
 
 
It'd been three days since Kate had talked to Coleman. She'd tried his office, but was told he would be in court most of the day. She had tried his house for the past two evenings, and there was still no answer. She was sure he'd have some news of Alex by now. One way or another. She hated being left in limbo. She even thought about working in her studio but couldn't bring herself to just yet. A few clients from Chloe's called wanting to know if she'd cater their Christmas parties. She'd declined, but was now having second thoughts. With nothing on her hands but time, she might change her mind. She could do all the cooking right there in her kitchen. As far as delivery, she wasn't ready to take that step just yet. There were too many people who knew about Alex. While she wasn't ashamed, she just wasn't ready to face her former clients and colleagues.
An idea sprang into her mind. She'd get out the Christmas decorations. She'd always loved the holidays. If Coleman called, she'd box up a few and take them to Florida. Christmas wasn't the same in Florida, but this year it wouldn't matter where she was during the holidays because she wouldn't have to spend them alone. Actually, she'd been dreading the approaching season, but now she looked at Alex's imminent release as a true gift from God. Yes, she'd get the decorations down and start going through them. She had all of her parents' decorations. Her mother had saved every single ornament Kate had ever made.

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