Page 69 of Entice

“Yes.” He wore a pair of khaki pants and a white t-shirt. His blond hair was mussed, as if he’d just climbed out of bed. His hands shook.

“It will be all right.” She hoped her words helped calm him. “When they’re ready for Brady, I’ll have a bailiff come get you both.”

“Okay.” Tessa gave her a smile.

Crystal walked over to Brady. “May I hug you?” Brady nodded, and Crystal enveloped him in her arms. “I’m here for you.”

“Thank you,” he whispered.

She released him with a smile and walked back to the courtroom. When she stepped inside, she saw Brady’s family huddling with their lawyer. She moved to the front row and leaned down between Sage and Jordan. “Everything is ready.”

Jordan nodded, and Sage gave a tight smile. Crystal straightened, and everyone stood as the judge came in, then sat. Immediately, the other lawyer stood up. “Your Honor, we have an issue.”

“What would that be, Mr. Winters?”

“Mr. Jacobs is missing,” the lawyer said.

“And that woman has him,” Brady’s father stood up and pointed at Sage.

“Control your client, counselor,” the judge said and turned to Jordan. “Mr. Frost.”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Jordan stood up.

“Do you know where Brady Jacobs is?”

“Yes, Your Honor, I do.”

“See. I told you,” Brady’s father yelled.

The judge banged the gavel. “This is a warning, Mr. Jacobs. One more outburst and I’ll hold you in contempt.” The judge turned his gaze back to Jordan. “Explain.”

“Your Honor, Mr. Jacobs arrived at my client’s home on Sunday morning, beaten, bruised, and with his clothing torn. My client called me immediately. I went over with my paralegal.”

“Did you call Mr. Jacobs’ family?”

“No, sir, I didn’t. Mr. Jacobs asked that we not notify his family and made it clear to us he was in no condition to deal with them. Mr. Jacobs informed us his family, the very same family who brought the abuse case against my client, are the ones who inflicted his injuries.”

Brady’s father jumped up, as did his brothers. The judge glared at them, and their lawyer waved them back into their seats.

“You have proof?” the judge asked.

“We have Mr. Jacobs’ word, plus we have photographic evidence.”

“And where is Mr. Jacobs now?”

“Waiting in one of the conference rooms down the hall. He’s willing to testify, Your Honor. He wants to set the record straight, regardless of what his family wants.”

Winters jumped to his feet. “I object, Your Honor. This is unethical.”

The judge stared at the lawyer. “This case has been unusual from the start.” He looked back and forth, from defendant to plaintiff. “I’m going to allow it. Mr. Jacobs has a right to have his views heard. Mr. Frost?”

That was her cue. Crystal turned and nodded to the bailiff at the back of the room. He left and returned a few minutes later with Tessa and Brady. Brady was trembling. Crystal yearned to go to him, but she couldn’t. She smiled and nodded her encouragement.

Brady came down the aisle closest to the wall, away from his family. He stopped next to the front row. He stared at Sage until the judge spoke.

“Mr. Jacobs, I understand you wish to testify?” the judge said.

“Yes, sir.” His voice wobbled, but it was strong.

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