“We have proof those babies are Mr. Preston’s,” Derrik’s attorney stated.
“Now, you look here!” Miriam yelled, standing up. “He was drunk and she raped him. He was ashamed and embarrassed about it so he lied.”
“Mrs. Preston, you were warned and are now in direct contempt of court and have gained yourself thirty days in county lock up and a fine of five thousand dollars. Bailiff, remove her!”
Miriam’s mouth just opened and closed as she was put in Kandcuffs and, led away. The room was silent, and Derrik looked as if he had seen a ghost.
“Your Honor, Detective Milton Banks is present with a bench warrant for Mr. Preston due to breaking the restraining order,” the bailiff stated from the door and Milton entered the courtroom.
Milton walked up to the bench and handed the paperwork to the judge. The judge read it over and looked at Derrik’s attorney.
“Since you and your client are both here, I’ll allow you to have fifteen minutes of conference time, and we will hear your client’s defense on this charge. Mr. Preston, you are not to leave the conference room. Bailiff, please escort Mr. Preston and his attorney to
the conference room, now.”
“Wait, I don’t need no conference, I plead not guilty, and she’s crazy
“Have it your way, Mr. Preston. Please stand down and sit beside your attorney. The Court calls Detective Milton Banks to the
stand.”
Milton stepped forward and was sworn in before he sat on the stand.
“I believe you have evidence to bring against Mr. Preston?”
Milton ran through the number of times Pandora reported things happening in her home and with her car. He also included all of
his findings.
“Detective Banks, I am unable to ask you any questions regarding pending criminal charges, however, there is evidence documented to show me that Mr. Preston has ignored my restraining order, you may stand down.”
“Mr. Preston, please stand. Mr. Preston on the violation of the restraining order, I find you guilty on six documented counts. For those six counts, I order you to serve one month for each count in the county lockup. The total time to serve is six months. During that time I’m sure you will have been tried and brought to justice on the remaining pending criminal charges. Bailiff, please remove Mr. Preston from the courtroom.”
Derrik was removed and Pandora swallowed, wishing it would all just come to an end. She sighed at the thought of the inevitable hearing in the future. She wondered how fast it would be.
“Mrs, Parks,” the judge called. She looked at him and he sighed. “Unfortunately sometimes, and I hate when it does, issuing a restraining order fails. Mr. Preston should have taken my warning seriously. I will make sure that all records from your pending and past cases involving Mr. Preston are brought to the attention of the trial judge. I bid you farewell, and hope that Mr. Preston’s attorney is able to advise his client more suitably this time.”
He turned to the attorney this time. “You should expect to be hearing from the review board shortly. This case has no validity and is dismissed. The court is adjourned,” with those words, he slammed the gavel down and left the courtroom.
Pandora watched as the judge left and felt a bit of relief.
“Ready?” Benjamin asked and she nodded at him before standing up. As she turned around, she saw Mackenna standing with the
Chapter 103
man who came to install her arm.
“Hi,” she said, looking between them,
“I’m sorry,” the man said softly. “I never knew you were his ex–wife. He stopped and cleared his throat. I never knew he was abusing you or breaking into your home. I am deeply sorry for the pain I have allowed him to give you. Again he stopped talking.
“I’ve been fired and I know it doesn’t make up for anything to you, but I just wanted to say sorry in person.”
Pandora nodded at him.
“It wasn’t Mason’s fault. I begged him to give Derrik a job. He–Derri–made me think that you were taking most of fiis wages, and for him to get paid under the table would be the only way we could start over, Mackenna stopped talking and sniffed. I believe this is yours.” She handed Pandora a small box.
She opened it and saw it was her grandmother’s jewelry set. “Thank you,” she said, feeling relieved to have it again.
the way that i “He…” She broke down and started to sob hard. “I’believed him. I believed everything he said. I thought he foyed me, loved him.” She rubbed her head as if she found her thoughts hard to follow or believe. “I have already agreed to give full testimony to the District Attorney’s office. I know about a number of times he and I were at your home together, and I know he was trying to sell the house and that he was meeting with prospective buyers.”
“I thought that you had agreed to sell it, and you were doing it together. Although now, I know it wasn’t you. It was a stripper friend of his.” Mackenna snorted. “He cheated on me; he cheated on me from the get–go.”
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Pandora frowned as she looked at the woman in front of her. The spiteful words the same woman had said to her when she discovered those two together flashed back in her mind.
“If someone cheats to be with you, then he’ll cheat on you to be with someone else. That’s what they say, right?” Mackenna sighed and waited for Pandora to respond. When she didn’t, Mackenna continued. “Thanks for listening to us… I’ll let you go now.”
Pandora watched as Mason led Mackenna, who was still crying, away
“Come on, love, let’s get home to our boys,” Benjamin whispered.
She nodded and felt relieved even knowing she still had the criminal court case to get through. At least for then, she could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Chapter Comments
Tracy Sills
Of course he did! If he’ll do it with you, he’ll do it to you
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