Chapter 17 - The Trial Nobody Thought Would Happen
The courthouse was packed.
Mara testified for two hours.
The defense questioned her grief.
Her memory.
Her motives.
They suggested Thomas had been dishonest.
They suggested Caleb was unreliable.
They suggested Mara had invented parts of the story to protect her land.
She answered every question.
When she did not know, she said so.
When she remembered, she said so.
When the lawyer tried to make her angry, she refused.
Elias watched from the back.
He wanted to intervene.
He didn't.
This was Mara's fight.
Caleb testified.
Then Harlan.
Then Miller.
Then Abigail.
Then the financial examiner.
Thomas's ledger was entered into evidence.
Creed never looked at Mara.
The jury deliberated until evening.
The verdicts came one after another.
Fraud.
Cattle theft.
Conspiracy.
Corruption.
Assault.
Obstruction.
Criminal responsibility connected to Thomas's death.
Boone was convicted on multiple counts.
Harlan received a reduced sentence because of his cooperation, though not the freedom he had wanted.
Silas Creed would spend the rest of his useful years behind walls.
Outside the courthouse, reporters approached Mara.
She ignored them.
Elias found her behind the building.
“You all right?”
“No.”
He nodded.
“Good answer.”
She laughed once through tears.
“I thought I'd feel different.”
“How?”
“Like it's over.”
“Maybe endings aren't that clean.”
Mara looked at him.
“Thomas is still gone.”
“Yes.”
“My house still burned.”
“Yes.”
“I still wake up afraid sometimes.”
“Yes.”
She wiped her eyes.
“But Harlan can't come through my door.”
“No.”
“Creed can't take the spring.”
“No.”
“Boone can't bury another report.”
“No.”
She breathed deeply.
“Maybe that's enough for today.”
Elias smiled.
“Maybe.”
She held out her hand.
He took it.
May you like
Not because she needed rescuing.
Because she had chosen to reach for him.
