Willing Heart

Chapter 7: Judged

~Chester's P.O. V~

       It's been 5 days since Ruby came into my life, Alpha Evans has been trying to search for her non stop while this unknown is sending her flowers every day, same colored ones too. I've been dumping the out from the widow and selling their vases. They're expensive ones, so who ever this guy is, obviously has money. Thankfully after today, she will be off the radar, tomorrow we head for Drac's place. I saw her getting ready for the court with her evidence and back up plans. I asked if I could attend with her and she said okay, which surprised me, maybe she does feel it? 

"Come on. We have an hour before I appear before Judge Beau and I would like food before then." She picked up her brief case and laptop. I grabbed my new wallet, she had to get new stuff too, but she asked Katie to send her the video of Alex's confession once Katie got her phone back. We got into my Cadillac and headed towards the courthouse. Once parked, we headed towards the room with a peel off sign for Judge Beau. There stood a man I didn't recognize in cuff and an orange suit. He gave a sneer to Ruby, I wanted to beat his ass in. She took her seat in the front while I took mine in the back as we waited for this judge.

15 minutes later, "All rise for the Honorable Judge Beau Lakefield." We all stood up before he gave his okay for us to sit down.

"We are here for case number 373. The murder of Mr. Vincent Chavez. Says here son, that this is not your first attempted murder." The old man was reading from a paper. "Woohoo, you have several offenses, huh?"

"Your honor, my client says that he was there but he is not the one that murdered Mr. Chavez. Claimed to try to stop the real killer." His attorney spoke up.

"Miss. Nicholson, if you please." He pointed at my woman.

"On the eve of May 11th, 2017, Mr. Chavez was walking home from his restaurant, he messaged his wife and he received a phone call from his boss. Mr. Winston, I call him to the stand as he was a witness to the crime." An older man stood from the crowd and went into the booth. The Policeman held a bible out and spoke.

"Do you swear by Almighty God that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." He had his right hand placed on it.  

"I solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." He spoke diligently.

Ruby went up to him, "I ask that you recall the events of that night, Mr. Winston."

"Well, I had called Vinny after he left, he had forgotten his gift for his wife since it was their anniversary. He picked up the phone and I asked if he could wait there while I brought it him. He agreed and told me that he was waiting near 13th and Mill Street. When I got there, I saw that man stabbing into my friend, my coworker, my brother! He kept stabbing him!" He was pointing at the other man, "I called the police! But, I was too late, Vinny had already been dead as this murderer kept stabbing him. I didn't dare lay a finger on this man knowing I could have been jailed too. That is why I called the police." He was crying as he recalled the event. I could tell he was telling the truth, the poor guy. "Then, I called Abigale and told her what happened and to meet me at the police station."

"Your honor, this man is clearly not in a mind-" The other man spoke

"Overruled!" Beau slammed his gavel down.

"I see. And is this that weapon?" She picked up a peeling knife covered in blood.

"Yes." 

"Mr. Winston, would you believe Mr. Chavez a violent man?"

"Of course, not. When he lost his temper he would always excuse himself and down water. That man had to use the bathroom more times a day than a race horse." The courtroom giggled a little. 

"No more questions from me your honor." She stepped away.

"If I may." The other man said, "Mr. Winston, could you describe the scene for the court?" 

"It was dark out, but not too dark, there several street lights and I saw a man, a white man with black hair, really dark eyes and around 5 foot and 9 inches, maybe 10. He was wearing a white sweater, with red skinny jeans and black and white checkered shoes. He was holding that knife while repeatedly stabbing Mr. Chavez. To say I was mortified would be an understatement." He described that man man perfectly.

"And did you actually witness this man stabbing him?"

"I did. I couldn't count how many times he stabbed into his chest."

"No further questions, your honor." The other attorney went back to his seat.

"Mrs. Chavez, will you come and take your statement?" Asked the policeman. I was this woman, no older than 26 stand up and walk to the booth. She was given the same question on the bible.

Ruby questioned her first. "Mrs. Chavez, what where you doing on the night of your husbands murder?"

"I was at home with my son, Dominic, feeding him his dinner."

"Is there a witness to this?"

"Yes, my sister. She was helping me get ready for our anniversary dinner and promised to look after my baby." Her sister stood and confirmed for her. 

"And what did you do when you found out?"

"My heart. It shattered, I couldn't breath, I couldn't move. The love of my life was dead." She began sobbing. She too had no lies in her voice.

"I'm done your honor." Ruby sat back down.

"Mrs. Chavez. Was your husband ever violent towards you in any way?" This scum of a lawyer. How dare he.

"No. He was a gentle man. On our wedding night, we didn't even consummate our marriage because I wasn't ready." He sounded like a good man. This back and fourth bickering went on for another hour before the jury were released to extract their verdict. It didn't take long before they all returned with a slip of paper. They passed it to the policeman who in turn passed it to the judge. The judge gave the head juror the go ahead. 

"We find this man, Lucas Peterson, guilty." Then she sat back down.

"By this court among you peers and myself, I Judge Beau Lakefield find you Mr. Peterson Guilty of all charges and are sentenced to life in prison with no bale." He slammed his gavel down and the police escorted the foul man out of the courtroom. Then the judge left, after that, we left. Ruby gathered her papers and took a deep breath in. 

"That went smoother than I hoped. Ready for case number 2?" For her? Always.

"Lead on." She stepped ahead of me, leading to another courtroom with a Velcro sign with a Judge Mathias. Once in there, we sat down. It started like last time, the judge came in we stood then sat. Ruby had been very good at what she did as a profession. Watched her in her element making sure the wrong doings were corrected. This one took less time before the proceedings went to guilty. They had even called previous women he r***d. He was sentenced to 3 years without bail, 2 years with bail, and 7 years on house arrest. 12 years of being punished for what he did, I loved that woman and how she handled herself. Once out of the courtroom and out of the courthouse, I took her hand in mine and pulled her close to me.

"W-What are you doing?!" She could have gotten out of my hold, if she really wanted to. But, I had to test my theory out.

"Just a congratulations. You were really impressive in there." I pulled away a little and saw her blushing for the first time ever. 

"Oh... Well, thank you. Are we ready for that side thingy now?" I nodded and grabbed my keys. 

We drove to a private dock where only my pack knew about, it took hours, but we got there safely. "Beta Pike." My alpha was there. s**t.

"Alpha Andrews." I bowed in respect.

"This is she, huh?" I almost growled at my alpha for showing disrespect to her.

"Ruby Nicholson. And before you ask, yes. I am The Gemstone Unicorn." She rolled her eyes.

"Very well. My Luna will be tagging along for the ride. As am I, with Gamma Greggory and his mate Gamma Rachel." Well, this just got a lot less romantic. I had so much planned on that ship with Ruby. Ugh, he went and spoiled it! Once on the boat, we began our journey to Drac's island. It would take us a week to get there.