Page 151 of Muted

The judge settles himself in his seat at the front of the room, then runs his eyes over everyone before clearing his throat. “It’s been a long few weeks of questioning and deliberations. I appreciate everyone’s time spent here. Your patience has been much appreciated.” He turns to the jury sitting at the side of the room, giving them the same once over. “To the jury, again, I thank you for your time and service. Have you reached a verdict?”

The first juror stands up, a woman in her mid-fifties, who seems nervous but confident to be speaking for everyone sitting in those chairs. “We have, your honor.”

Susu is nestled between Vance and I, her hands clawing both of our thighs in nervous anticipation. Chester, on the other side of Vance, stretches his arm behind Vance to settle his hand over her shoulder. Ronnie is sitting behind us and does the same to her other shoulder. Weallhold our breaths as the judge continues.

“For the charge of false imprisonment of Susanna Walston, what say you?” he asks.

The juror clears her throat once and reads from a slip of paper, shaking in her hands. “We, the jury, in the case of the state versus Arthur Walston, find the defendant guilty of the charge of false imprisonment of Susanna Walston.”

Susu sucks in a breath and grips my hand tightly. We all agreed from the start that we wouldn’t let our eyes fall to Arthur sitting between his two lawyers during this entire proceeding, but I can’t help glancing over at him to watch his reaction.

The judge continues. “For the charge of the attempted murder of Susanna Walston, what say you?”

“We, the jury, in the case of the state versus Arthur Walston, find the defendant guilty of the charge of attempted murder of Susanna Walston,” the juror continues, letting her eyes flick over to where Walston is sitting. She hardens her face, clearly disturbed by what she’s heard over the past few weeks about how he treated our girl.

I can only see Arthur’s back, but he hasn’t reacted in the slightest. His head is turned to stare at the jury, shoulders rigid, as if he deems them beneath him.

Finally, the judge asks, “And for the charge of the murder of Laura Evans, what say you?”

“We, the jury, in the case of the state versus Arthur Walston, find the defendant guilty of the charge of first-degree murder of Laura Evans.” The juror folds the paper and holds it in front of her body, waiting for the judge’s response.

“Thank you, Jury, for your service today. You may be excused.”

Arthur still hasn’t moved. His body ramrod straight as both his lawyers whisper into his ears. He only shakes his head once before they quiet themselves and give the judge their focus. Dropping my gaze to Susu, her face is blank as she watches the jurors exit the room. The only indication that she’s affected by the verdicts is a small tremble to her lower lip.

Leaning over, I breathe into her ear and whisper, “We got you, carebear. It’s over after today and you can move on. I promise.”

She jerks her head up and down once without looking at me, and I press my lips to her temple before turning back to the judge.

Vance Stoll

Once the jury has left, the judge turns to the room. “Because we have everyone here today, I’d like to go ahead and move us directly into sentencing. Normally, prior to announcing my decision, I like to open the floor for anyone who’d like to read a victim impact statement. I have been informed Susanna Walston would like the opportunity, but is there anyone else here today who would like the same?”

His eyes drag over everyone quietly waiting, and one brow raises in question. “No? Okay then. Miss Walston, if you would approach the podium. The floor is yours.”

Susu’s clammy hand slips free of mine, and both Theo and I help her to her feet. She turns around to reach into her bag, grabbing the slip of paper she has hidden in there, and then carefully extracts herself from between us to walk to the center of the room. Theo shifts closer to me and both his and Chester’s knees press against my thighs in support of the woman we’re all deeply in love with.

I feel a twinge of guilt for admiring the way her ass looks in the pencil skirt she’s wearing but sue me. All of those thoughts go away as soon as she speaks.

Her voice is soft, but clear when she starts reading. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today. I won’t take up much time, and I apologize if I’m not eloquent with what I want to say. It’s hard to put into words how a monster you’ve spent your life fearing has affected you.”

Shit. Susu didn’t let any of us read her statement before we arrived today. She spent hours going over it, second guessing herself, and in the end, she said it was short, but to the point.

“I was three years old when this man stole my mother from me. She may have had her problems, and with the path she was heading down, she probably wouldn’t have been a great mom, but she was mine. Thankfully, my wonderful aunt and uncle took me into their home, but my monster didn’t leave me alone. He spent his time spreading his hate for our family behind closed doors and whispered in ears to every single person I knew. People hated me the moment I stepped foot in school until the moment I left.”

Theo lets out a low growl just as I shift uncomfortably in my seat. Over the two years we’ve been all living in my condo, she’s shared with us almost every detail of what she had to endure throughout her schooling. It’s fucking horrifying what one person was forced to go through.

“I was ridiculed, mocked, pushed around, chased, and beaten.Yearsof abuse from not only my classmates, but from their friends and family. I couldn’t walk down the street without hearing how I was a piece of trash or worthless. God forbid they found me alone. I suffered through punches, kicks, and bruises for years. One would think after I left that environment, it would have ended. But this man, Arthur Walston, mygrandfather, didn’t feel it was enough.

“He hid outside my home and not only attacked me, but he also attempted to rape me so that I’d know I was worth less than a bug he crushed under his heel. Then haunted me, until I ran, not only in my life, but in my nightmares, until he finally caught me again.”

She turns to face her grandfather, looking at him for the first time since she was carried away from him two years ago.

“You succeeded in only part of your plan. You took my mother from me. My childhood. My peace and comfort as I was growing. You attempted to take me from my home once, and you eventually succeeded. You hurt me and threw me on top of my mother’s bones. A child shouldneverhave that memory. No matter their sins.”

With a watery glare, she keeps her eyes locked on him. I’ve never been more fucking proud of her. Meeting Theo’s, then Chester’s eyes, I know they feel the same. They’re both overcome with what she’s saying. Theo’s body is tense like he’s ready to run to her and take her away from her grandfather so he can’t touch her. I’m sure Chester is already thinking of all the ways to soothe her the moment we get home.

“You threatened to take the only family I’ve ever known, and the men I love. You diminished their worth, like they were nothing to extinguish from this world. But you were so wrong. They areeverything. I doubt you care, but while you rot, I’ll be loved. I hope you hate every second of it.” She turns to the judge, and I know that she’ll never look at her grandfather again.

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