Page 7 of Truth is the Ultimate Weapon

“I think it’ll hurt her case, show bias, give the District Attorney reason to move trial elsewhere, and compromise her getting a fair trial, given everything going on around here.” Devyn shared. “It isn’t ideal having her down there overnight, but it’s our best option for now. Since I haven’t officially passed the bar, I have secured additional counsel to assist.”

“We called in a favor to Carter Landry, former Assistant US Attorney. He’s worked many cases with us, and we can trust him. He’s like family in our world.” Coy shared, referring to the work he did with Dillon and Rip. “He’ll help Dev and oversee everything. He’s the best at what he does, and Dev can count on him.”

“Carter isn’t worried about getting Nora out of this, and neither am I.” Devyn shared.

“Is she safe there overnight, given everything…” Nash asked.

“I made arrangements for Cut to stay down there, he insisted, and I wasn’t about to lock him up for disorderly conduct, resisting, or the plethora of other charges that would have come with his protest.” Kenzie shared. “I also put my most trusted deputy on them. The confidant I mentioned earlier is Deputy Shanks. He offered help before when I was attacked, and I finally took him up on it. Nobody that isn’t supposed to be there will be allowed anywhere near Cut and Nora.”

“I guess that’s the best we can do.” Nash continued.

“Nash and I got the kids for as long as needed –– they’re in good spirits. Y’all have done a good job shielding them from any of this, and they’re just young enough to not ask a lot of questions.” Charlotte shared. “One less thing for Cut and Nora to worry about, anyway.”

“I want to understand what happened out there today,” Nash said. “I’ve never known Nora to hurt a fly, much less murder two men. We know she didn’t do it, right?”

“Of course she didn’t,” Devyn said. “Do you really want to know? Nora wanted to share herself when there were a bunch of prying eyes and ears around, but I don’t think she realized she would be staying the night there.”

“I think, for safety’s sake, we need to compare notes and understand everything. It’s the only way to keep each other safe now." Dillon shared.

“I agree.” Devyn let out a deep sigh, stood, and closed the kitchen windows and door for privacy from the police still present on the property, “Here’s the gist of it. We are going for a self-defense plea. When Nora reached the garden, she found the two men out there already. One was on the ground, probably already dead, the other his murderer. Use your imagination. When he saw Nora, he grinned and came at her. The way she described it was eerie.”

“Like she’d just walked right into his trap and made it easier?” Coy asked.

“Precisely. My guess is there was supposed to be a single dead body on the grounds for deputies to find, incriminating all of us, but Nora…”

“Suspect number one.” Coy chided. “He was going to kill her. That guy was going to kill her.”

“I think so.” Devyn nodded. “Of course, there’s no way of knowing for sure, but when he saw her, he charged her, and she defended herself with a damn shovel and knocked the knife out of his hand. They fought a bit –– he knocked her down, and when he came at her again, she picked up the knife and, well, defended herself. Again, use your imagination. Then, we all showed up, and you know the rest.”

Dillon buried her face in her hands, “Poor Nora. She will never be able to close her eyes again without reliving that.”

“I don’t know. If I’ve learned anything being around here these past weeks, it’s that she’s tough as nails, y’all are.” Charlotte said. “That woman fought off an attacker, nine months pregnant, without warning, and won. We just need to help her through the trauma, and I think she’ll survive this just fine.”

“I hope so,” Dillon said. “I think we’re all coming out of the other side of all this different people.”

“Different, yes. Stronger. Smarter.” Rip chimed in. “I have to agree with Charlotte. This family is tough. You’re going to get through this and be better for it.”

“I’m still stuck on those guys –– how did they get on the property to begin with?” Coy asked.

“Man, you have hundreds of acres here –– there’s bound to be a weak spot. They happened to find it.” Rip said. “I can put up more cameras.”

“There are already too many to manage.” Coy shook his head. “I don’t know if that’s the answer.”

“It’s not too many and adding more will be easy to manage. We have software to help manage, and I’ll get the drones up to patrol.” Rip said. “We need to fill in the gaps. Short of bringing in a small army to line the perimeter of this place, I don’t see another solution.”

“Cameras. Drones… how is this real?” Nash asked, sounding defeated.

“I’ll handle this,” Rip said. “Let me worry about this part.”

“Sir?” One of Ransom’s agents said, popping his head in the door. “We have a problem.”

Ransom stood, “Problem?”

“Trespasser. B team is bringing him up now.” The agent said.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Another one?” Coy asked.

“This one drove right in. Said he’s a friend of the family.” The agent informed.

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