Page 177 of In the Air Tonight

The man is completely out of control as he rails against the deputies trying to cuff him.

“Holy. Shit.”

Two whispered words from Kane sum things up rather succinctly.

The judge bangs her gavel, demanding order in the court as paramedics arrive for Ryder.

“I want to see the attorneys in my chambers. Right now.”

She bangs the gavel again. “Court is adjourned.”

The judge leaves the room with Josh and Ryder’s attorney following her as Ryder is wheeled out of the room on a gurney.

“What the hell just happened?” Kane asks, seeming as shocked as the rest of us.

“Ryder’s girlfriend, Louisa, had entered hospice care around the time of the attack. That was her brother.”

“Oh, damn. Wow. So all this time, he thought Ryder was innocent.”

“I guess so.”

A group of sheriff’s deputies make sure the courtroom is cleared in an orderly manner as people talk amongst themselves on their way out, expressing shock at the proceedings.

Cam Elliott appears in front of me. “I wanted to tell you face-to-face that I’m sorry for what we did after Ryder was charged the first time. The other guys and I will issue public apologies and provide the seed money to begin a rape crisis center for teens in the area.”

“I accept your apology and appreciate the gesture.”

I’m sure they’re doing that hoping I won’t sue them for smearing my reputation, but whatever. Their center will do a lot of good for kids like me who have nowhere to turn after experiencing such a trauma.

“I’m sorry for everything that happened,” Cam adds.

“Thank you.”

His apology doesn’t change anything, but I can’t deny there’s an element of vindication to this day.

Josh calls to me.

Kane and I walk over to him.

He gestures for us to come with him to a quiet corner of the room. “The judge is inclined to allow Ryder to plead guilty to end this thing once and for all. I told her you were opposed to that. She wants to know if you still are.”

I take a deep breath as I consider what he said. “I wanted what I had today—for people to hear, in open court, that hedidrape me, that he left me pregnant and shattered. I wanted them to hear from Blaise and Ramona that I wasn’t making it up.” I glance at Kane, who looks at me only with love and admiration. “I got my day in court—and then some. That’s enough for me.”

“I’ll let them know you’re open to a deal.”

“Thank you for everything, Josh.”

“I wish I could say it was a pleasure, but justice was done here, however messy it got.”

“What kind of sentence will he receive?”

“Most likely five to ten years, followed by several years of probation and lifetime registry on the sex offender list. There’ll be another hearing to set the sentence in a couple of weeks. He’ll be remanded into custody at that time.”

Once again I glance at Kane to gauge his reaction. He gives a subtle nod.

“Okay,” I tell Josh. “Make the deal.”

“I’ll be in touch.”

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