17
David
Matteo whispered something to me when the hearing was adjourned, but I was looking for Sarah. Fred was unbearable. Even the movement of my chest from breathing was an invitation for Fred.
I pleaded to Sarah as she came up to me. “Give me the Zep!”
“It’s in the car,” she replied.
“Go. Now!”
“Do you need to talk to Mr. Bernal?”
“Just go!”
Sarah understood the urgency and quickly maneuvered me out of the courtroom and started across the expansive courthouse foyer.
An elderly man suddenly stepped up and stood in our way.
“David, do you remember me from NG Star days?” He paused. “I’m Jake Pauley.”
His face was unfamiliar. He was unkempt, his disheveled gray hair far too long and his fly was undone.
He leaned closer. “We worked together way back. Remember the Gas campaign in
