Page 5 of Ruthless Intent

“What are you going to tell them?”

“That depends on what they ask me.”

“Zain,” There’s a worried note to his voice, “you need to be careful.”

“What are they going to do? Convict me again?” I arch an eyebrow. “If I wasn’t careful, I’d have died years ago.” I move past him toward the door. “Stop worrying.”

His sigh is heavy, but he follows me out. People fall silent as we pass, their gazes following us along the hallway. My steps slow when we turn the corner, and the entrance of the courthouse comes into view. Faint voices can be heard filtering through the closed doors.

I lift my head, straighten my shoulders, and take a quiet breath, then nod to Peter.

“I’m ready. Open the door.”

He takes the lead, pushes the door open, and steps outside. Shouts rise immediately, calling my name. Reaching into my breast pocket, I take out the sunglasses Peter supplied and slide them onto my face, then I walk outside and into the sunlight.

“Zain! Zain!” My name is called from all sides. Lights flash, microphones are shoved into my face, and then the three security guards Peter hired are there, forcing the reporters back a step.

I hold up a hand until everyone falls silent, then point to the reporter directly in front of me. “Go ahead.”

She smiles. “Thank you. Can you tell us how you’re feeling right now?”

“Euphoric.” I don’t sound euphoric. “To finally be able to stand out here as a free man is everything I didn’t dare dream about.”

“Did you expect the judge to come back so quickly with their decision?”

“No. In fact, I thought they were going to throw the case out and send me back to my cell. I think it’s going to take a little while for me to really believe that I’m not going back.” I point at another reporter.

“Do you know whether Jason Trumont’s family is aware that you were appealing? It’s been a long time. I’m sure everyone thought you had come to terms with the verdict, and were just going to live out your time inside. How do you think they’re going to react to your release?”

“Peter did contact Jason’s mom. Bryan Trumont, his dad, passed away a few years ago. Peter did speak to his widow, but wasn’t able to obtain contact details for Jason’s sister. I assume she was informed of the appeal by her mom. I can only hope that the real perpetrator will be found and brought to justice.”

“In light of your exoneration, are they reopening the case?”

“You’ll have to ask the police about that.”

“Jason Trumont was your best friend, and he had an affair with your girlfriend. You were found covered in his blood, standing over both their bodies. It’s not really a surprise that people think you did it. You know that people are still going to believe that, don’t you?” The question comes from near the back of the clustered reporters.

“No more questions.” Peter steps in front of me before I can reply. He waves a hand at the security team. “Get him out of here. Zain, take this.” He hands me a cell phone. “I’ve added my number already, and left a message with details about where you’re staying. Go and get settled, and I’ll call you in a couple of hours. I have a few more things to do here before I can finish for the day.”

I nod, and let myself be guided to the black SUV waiting at the bottom of the steps, ignoring the shouts and questions from the reporters as we walk.

Once I’m sealed inside the cool interior, I tip my head back against the seat and close my eyes.

That’s step one done. Now for step two.

CHAPTER THREE

ASHLEY

Fear, confusion, and worry twists my stomach into knots while I wait for my mom to answer her phone. It seems like hours pass, but really it’s only a few seconds. By the time the call finally connects, my anxiety is through the roof. I don’t give her a chance to speak.

“Did you know?”

“Yes.” She doesn’t even pretend not to know what I’m talking about.

“He killed Jason! How could they release him?”

“But it’s been proven he didn’t now, hasn’t it?”

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