es and her head in her hands. The echo of Cherry's screams haunted her

isolation, but nothing like this. Being arrested wa

rridor. Heavy, precise. Moni

e heard

niq

s lifte

ll in uniform, though the tie was looser now. His fa

uard said gruffly, stepping aw

I shouldn't be here, but I had to

her ears. "If this is about Ch

ed. "I'm not h

at then? Want to feel better about dr

was pr

ou had a choice. You

t. "I didn't know about Ch

scared, just like you did as a kid. She loves blueberries and hates the col

n't sa

dn't ha

s a long

before," he said finally.

osted me, Jace. I found out I was pregnant and you were gone

who disappeared

d her hand on the table. "Don't even do that, I fled because I had no choice. Someone was

ion darkene

know he's behind

But I can't p

ou helping him

. "That's why I'm here, to

on't get to play hero now. You had your chance to pro

y, ashamed. "Wh

ing the lump in her throat. "Just unt

g to help

need it. You al

into Billy's connections, find out who tampered with the apartment lease, who pl

she saw the old Jace, the one who held her hand after her mother's funeral

is cheap," she

ire in her step. She sat across from Monique in the same

aring. It's scheduled

caught. "They'l

u keep her. But it's a long sho

e wh

mething big enough to cast doubt on the prosecution

"Billy wanted me under his control back then. He offered me money. Exposure. Said

rd h

n't ask for. He knew where I lived. I told Jace back when

d. "So Jace knew yo

es

te. "That could be useful. Especially now

a wary look. "D

. But I believe he re

When we got together, I thought I could finally breath

nymore," Ruby said gen

at if I

eep fighti

ight dimmed. A file lay open on his desk, Ava Morris, 27, deceased. No prior

involved with it after she finished her own counse

through the

with. Timestamps didn't match. Audio was missing.

ng the bridge of his nose. Guilt gn

her. In his o

r, she was paying the p

es. Monique stood at the defendant's table, Ruby by her side. Across fro

's heart ached with every second s

rose

ased on character references, employment history, and evidence that the charges a

short white hair, raised an eyebrow

uby replied, "but we can provide sworn st

e dropped, we recommend continued temporary

s fists

voice hoarse. "She's never slept without m

a calming ha

rges, we must proceed with caution. But I will all

que's eyes. "Than

y, not yet but it was

o hold her

on room with toys lined neatly on shelves and a s

herry was led inside, Moni

red uncertain, guarded, clutching Blue t

herry

walls ca

om

e caught her, tears

bbed. "I didn't like it t

m gonna bring you

d for the first time since the arrest, Mon

o