Page 63 of Love for a Lifetime

Dawson half listened to some of the cases. He was the investigating officer in some, but they were minor compared to the one everyone around was waiting for with bated breath.

The wild card in the room was Zach Wilson. Dawson remembered the night Lauren had been abducted like it was yesterday, and he’d questioned Zach enough to know there was more to the story than he was disclosing. There was a chance–a slight one–that Zach could become an informant.

If Zach flipped, this whole trial could go a different direction. Alliances were thin, and betrayal was a death sentence for one or both of the brothers. Zach had been adamant that he wouldn’t rat on Bobby, but Dawson wasn’t ready to give up. There were half a dozen felonies they could attach to Bobby if they had a shred of supporting evidence.

The trial was long. Voir Dire, striking a jury, and opening remarks took all morning. Dawson, Asa, and Detective Morrow had lunch at Saul’s Grill, but Dawson had little to nothing to say. Cases hardly ever got him down, but this one was hanging on. Lauren could have been killed right in front of him. Asa almost died. He had more than a little skin in the game.

The trial resumed after lunch, and Judge Gentry was known for running an efficient courtroom. She didn’t spare a second for trivial things and stayed focused on moving the case along.

Bobby and Zach both pled guilty to a grocery list of misdemeanors and felonies. It was enough to send both of them away for a while.

Why didn’t it feel like a win?

The other Wilson brother was still MIA, Bobby and Zach were sentenced to ten years with a possibility of parole, and something told Dawson Lauren wasn’t any safer with only two out of three brothers behind bars. Her cousin, who provoked the Wilson’s retaliation, was still out there without a care in the world that his kin had taken the fall for him.

Justice was served, but cynicism clouded Dawson’s mood today. After dozens of conversations with Zach in the last few months, Dawson had reason to believe the guy’s bark was worse than his bite. Zach had a hard look, but looks could be deceiving, and Dawson had a hunch that Zach was capable of coming back from the dark side.

Officer Guthrie led Bobby Wilson toward the exit, while Officer Freeman did the same to Zach.

Unable to resist, Dawson made a comment as Zach passed by. “You could have made a difference.”

Zach lifted his head, finding Lauren in an instant amongst the crowd. “Nah. That’s not how this works.”

Dawson crossed his arms over his chest. This guy didn’t get it. “How does this work? The setup is you do the crime, you do the time, but we offered you a way out. It was the right thing to do, but you didn’t take it.”

Zach shook his head. “This road was paved for me.”

“Yeah, and anything else would have been a little bit of a struggle. I’d hoped you were better,” Asa said.

Zach scoffed. “Sorry to disappoint you, Pop. Better luck next time.”

Dawson exhaled a deep breath. Was it stupid to hope Zach would have a change of heart? Once an outlaw, always an outlaw?

No. Dawson had been there when Zach pushed that gun away from Lauren. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her or even Asa by accident.

Stepping out of the way, Dawson said, “See you on the other side.”

Zach didn’t spare him a second glance as Jennifer led him from the chambers. Lauren’s quiet sobs were the only sound in the room as she walked out with Jade.

Asa slapped a hand on Dawson’s shoulder. “Another time.”

“He’ll be up for parole in five years,” Dawson said. “The jail is crowded as it is.”

“When did you become such a downer? Two criminals–guilty criminals–are behind bars for attempted murder. That sounds like a win,” Asa said.

Dawson rubbed a hand over his face. “Yeah. I just had a feeling Zach would have a change of heart.”

Asa clicked his tongue behind his teeth. “Not today. You ready to get outta here?”

“Yeah, I need to head to the farm.” He pulled his phone out of his chest pocket to text Olivia.

Dawson: You at the farm?

Chicken Tender: Yes. I’ll take care of the goats today.

Not on his watch. He needed to see Olivia after the long day, and some goat snuggles would do him good too.

Dawson: I’m heading over.

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