Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 113944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
“After one particular night when Brandt almost assaulted me with a bat, his father showed up at my house and tried to bribe me into changing my statement. Like his son, he’s very much anti-shifter. When I refused, he threatened to make me pay.”
Landon flicked Ezra a brief glance. “And did he?”
“A couple of weeks later, I was attacked by a flock of goshawk shifters.”
From his seat, Ezra snickered. “I don’t associate with shifters. How can I have had anything to do with that attack?”
Parker shot him a hard look. “When I want to hear from you, I will say so.” His eyes returned to Gwen. “Please continue, Miss Miller.”
“They came out of nowhere. Knocked me to the ground. Descended on me. Clawed and bit at me. If it wasn’t for the Mercury wolves, I don’t know if the goshawks would have stopped. I believe Ezra Moore hired them. I’ve heard many goshawk flocks are happy to sell their services.”
Harrison rolled a pen between his fingers. “Yes, that is true.”
“I didn’t just fear for myself, I feared for my family and for the Mercury wolves who were living with us to offer protection. So I altered my statement to keep us safe.”
After a long moment, Harrison said, “You may sit down, Miss Miller.”
Well, thank God for that. Ignoring the glares that she could feel coming from Moore’s side of the gallery, Gwen returned to her seat beside Zander. He kissed her temple and rubbed her nape, and she leaned into the contact, needing it.
Parker looked at Brandt. “Please take a seat over here, Mr. Moore.”
Brandt’s stride was cocky as he made his way to the chair. He didn’t sit on it; he lounged on it like it was a park bench or something.
“Tell us your account of what happened.”
“Me and my friends found the cougar crawling through the marsh on Miller land. We tried to help her, but she seemed confused and scared. Looked at us like we’d been the ones who’d hurt her. When Gwen shot at us, we ran—who wouldn’t when bullets are flying? I’m not saying the cougar was lying when she pointed fingers at me; I think the drugs just muddled up her mind, and she confused me with the person who’d hurt her. I think she later realized she was wrong and that’s why she changed her story. She herself says it wasn’t me. There’s really no reason for this hearing.”
“There is every reason for this hearing,” clipped Parker. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking this operates like a human hearing. If we believe a matter needs exploring, we’ll explore it.”
The door opened, and the beefy-looking guy from earlier crossed to the panel. He whispered something to the council members.
Gwen leaned into Zander. “Did you catch that?” He shook his head.
Once Beefy was gone, Parker spoke again to Brandt, “So, you believe that the cougar was possibly so confused by the drug that she mistakenly blamed you.”
Brandt nodded. “It’s what makes most sense to me.”
Harrison sighed. “I won’t deny it’s possible that Miss Windsor was confused by the drugs, but it wouldn’t account for Miss Miller seeing the accused beating the cougar with a pole. From what I understand, Miss Miller wasn’t drugged.”
“Considering that Miss Miller changes her mind so often and feels it is no problem to do so, I would say it’s obvious that she’s not a credible witness,” said Moira, Brandt’s mother. A harsh look from Parker made her mouth snap shut.
“Mr. Moore, you may return to your seat,” said Parker. “Sheriff Johnson, I would like to hear from you.” Once the human was seated, Parker said, “You questioned Mr. Moore and his friends, but you didn’t feel it necessary to charge them. Why?”
Colt lifted his chin. “There was no evidence that Brandt was the cougar’s attacker.”
“There was a pole, which I’m assuming had fingerprints on it.”
“Brandt admitted to picking up the pole when he found it on the ground, but he maintained that he didn’t strike her with it.”
Emilio’s brow lifted. “And you believed that?”
Colt’s jaw hardened. “Two witnesses upheld that Brandt was not the attacker. The cougar said she’d been drugged, so I couldn’t be sure if her testimony was reliable. It was also very dark out there, so I couldn’t be sure that Gwen truly did see Brandt attacking anyone. The bottom line is, there was no evidence.”
“Did you make any effort to find out who the attacker might be?” asked Parker.
Colt’s mouth opened and closed like a landed fish.
Ezra slowly rose. “May I please speak?”
Parker sighed. “Fine.”
“I know exactly why Miss Miller claims my son was the cougar’s attacker. She is trying to pin the attack on Brandt to get back at him for ending their relationship.”
“What?” Gwen burst out. She looked at Zander. “He can’t be for real.”