Judy Williams followed the rest of the jurors out of the court room, her heart pounding. The Jim Moriarty case was the most closely watched trial in years. The evidence was stacked against him, yet he had offered no defence, and Judy was not looking forward to suggesting that he was innocent. But she had to. She would keep her children safe no matter what it took.
She knew the others would assume she was on Moriarty's side, that she was being paid off, that Moriarty had planted her in the jury. But it was a risk she had to take.
The jury filed into another room and took their seats around a table. No one said a word.
An older man with dark hair cleared his throat. "Well, would anyone like to start?"
He was met only with more silence. Judy took a deep, calming breath. It was now or never.
"I- I will." She couldn't bring her gaze up to meet any one else's. She didn't want to see the suspicion on their faces when she gave her verdict. So, eyes glued to the table, she quietly said, "Innocent." She could hear the surprised gasps from her fellow jurors. She tensed and prepared for the accusations, but they never came. Instead, the person next to her gave their verdict.
"Innocent." The person next to them spoke.
"Innocent."
"Innocent."
"Innocent."
As the word moved around the circle, Judy raised her eyes in amazement. By the time everyone had spoken, there were tears running down her face. It was obvious from the looks on her fellow jurors' faces that Moriarty had gotten to them too. Her children were safe, but at what cost? The monster who threatened them was being released, free to do it again to someone else's loved ones. The right thing would be to pronounce him guilty, to save countless others from the man. But she couldn't risk her babies.
The young woman at the other end of the table stood.
"If you could all delay going back in for a moment, I need to call my fiancé." The man next to her stood.
"Yes, I have to call my granddaughter." One by one, each member stood, mumbling about calling their child, husband, wife, grandkids, niece, nephew, grandparents.
Judy took out her mobile phone and dialled her home number. Her daughter answered on the third ring.
"Hello, Jenna speaking."
"Hey Honey, it's mum. Is everything okay there?"
"Mum. Everything is fine. I'm fifteen. I can take care of Richard and Bailey on my own." Judy smiled at the sound of her daughter's voice.
"I know honey. I was just checking. I'll be home soon. I love you. All of you."
"Yeah, okay mum. Love you too. Bye."
Judy stayed on the line, listening to the dial tone. Her babies were safe. They would be there when she got home. Everything was okay.
"If everyone is finished, we should probably head back in." A young man suggested. The rest of the room nodded their agreement.
As they walked back in, Judy tapped the shoulder of the woman standing in front of her.
"How long were we out?" The woman checked her watch.
"Six minutes."
