Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 69537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“Thank you, Ms. Howe.” Kevin went to sit down.
That’s when Joseph’s slimy lawyer got up.
“Is it true that you took out a life insurance policy on Mr. Joseph Harris?” he asked.
She frowned. “No. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I have it right here.” He plopped it down in front of her face as if she could read it. “What do you think about that?”
It was the judge who said, “Sir, I know you’re aware, but the woman is blind. She can’t read it.”
The dumbass flushed and floundered for a second.
“It shows that you had a five-million-dollar life insurance policy taken out on Mr. Harris,” he said.
“Well, I wasn’t the one to take that policy out.” She paused. “But if we’re talking about life insurance policies, I was just made aware of the entire Harris family taking one out on me the week before the hike that almost killed me.”
The lawyer blinked, then turned in surprise to stare at his client.
“That’s not true!” Joseph blurted out, standing up.
“Sit down,” the judge ordered. “One more outburst like that when you’re not on the stand, and we’ll be escorting you to the jail next door.”
I smirked.
I’d personally do the escorting if needed.
The next two hours went back and forth as first the Harris family got onto the stand, and then the “witness testimonies.”
Bindi sat quietly through it all, not saying a word.
I, on the other hand, was angry as hell and wanted to rip them all apart.
They had people up there accusing her of trying to kill Joseph, when in reality it was the exact opposite of what had actually happened.
My phone had started going mad crazy, but I ignored it in order to hold Bindi’s hand and reassure her that I was there.
The final witness left the stand, and the judge asked if the lawyers had any other questions.
When they both said no, the judge leaned back in his chair and studied the room at large.
His eyes went to Joseph, who shifted in his seat.
Then they went to Bindi, who sat there stoically, waiting for the next blow.
My poor girl just couldn’t catch a break.
Except…
“I think,” the judge said. “That we’re going to have to define the word victim.”
Joseph and his lawyer stiffened.
“According to the dictionary, a victim is a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action,” the judge drawled. “And you, Mr. Harris, do not fit into that category.” He looked toward Bindi. “Ms. Howe, on the other hand, does. From what I understand, her only ‘crime’ as you say, is staying with you longer than she should have.”
Joseph blinked.
Bindi squeezed my hand, realizing like I was that the judge might be on her side.
“Your lawsuit is officially denied,” he said to the room at large. “You will not receive any compensation, because I feel that no crime or injustice has been committed.” He looked at Bindi. “You, Ms. Howe, are more than welcome to bring your own suit against Mr. Harris.”
The entire Harris family inhaled deeply.
“Court is adjourned.” He slammed his gavel down.
Bindi stood up and turned. I caught her hand and held it between the slats of the short divider that separated the audience from the rest of the room.
When she leaned into me heavily, I pulled her right over the divider and squeezed her tight to me.
“I would highly suggest countersuing,” Kevin advised as he packed up his things. “You mind if I keep this?”
He gestured to the papers, and I shrugged. “Go for it.”
“Maybe after Christmas,” Bindi said lightly. “I want to spend the holidays with my family.”
I grinned.
“This isn’t over,” Joseph snarled as he walked past us.
Bindi sighed.
The rest of the Harris family went, glaring at the two of us as they did, and we only followed suit when I was sure that they were out of the courthouse.
Bindi and I spoke quietly and were slow in our exit out the doors.
We were so slow, in fact, that we practically missed the show as we finally made it outside.
I pulled Bindi to a stop, and she said, “What is it?”
I watched in disbelief as the courthouse was filled with red and blue lights.
“Your ex and his family are being arrested,” I said. “Literally, they’re being loaded in the back of police cars as we speak.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
Maybe I shouldn’t have ignored my phone.
Dad walked up to us, a stoic look on his face.
“Judge issued a warrant,” he said. “We were able to get a trespassing charge against Joseph and his family. He also allowed us to put a tap into his phone records, and we were able to read messages between the Harris family that literally spelled out, word for word, what they would do to collect Bindi’s life insurance.”
“What’s happening?” Lea asked, she and Ruben were hurrying up the front steps toward us. “This was as fast as I could get here.”