AN: I'm sorry this is so short, especially since it has taken so long for me to update! My computer decided to play hide and seek with my story file, and I thought I had lost this story! It just appeared again a few weeks ago. Anyway, hopefully it will be easier to finish this up as we head into the holiday season. (I am assuming my work schedule with thin out for a while...but maybe not. I'm a pediatric therapist and I swear I never work the same week twice.) I can promise that this story will be finished though because I write all of these stories for myself and I want to know how it ends! Even if it takes a while. I hope you enjoy, and there will be more soon!
As often is the case, life marched on regardless of the troubles being faced by Baxter. Life didn't seem to care that she was already feeling weary and beaten down by her regrets, it just went on throwing punches. This time the blow came in the form of Peter Coyle. She had known from the moment the officer had explained the reason for his visit to the abbey that Mr. Moseley would believe the only right thing to do would be to testify against the devilish man and clear her name, so to speak, of the crime. But what about what was right for her? She didn't want to face him. She didn't want to ever see his face again. And most of all she didn't want to be reminded of all that he had taken from her – her honesty, integrity, reputation, freedom, daughter.
"…is for good men to stay silent." She walked away as he said this. She couldn't face him and his black and white picture of right and wrong. Even as her best friend, his opinion wasn't always easy to accept. She knew he was trying to understand based on the little information she had given him on the topic and for that she was grateful, but this was a choice she had to make on her own. She had needed him there in the room for support – someone who cared about her, someone reasonable to keep her grounded so she didn't run away at the mention of his name.
With each day that passed, nothing became easier. Thinking of him made her sick. She relived so many unwanted memories of her time spent with Coyle. Even the moments that had felt good at the time now pained her as much as being kicked by a horse.
Every time she saw Mr. Moseley all she could think was how good he was, too good for her. He would not have been corrupted not even by her if she had asked, begged, or pleaded. That was what made them different and she was ashamed of herself.
"Mr. Moseley more than likes you." Thomas had said and although she pretended not to believe him, she knew he was right. It almost scared her how right he was because she of all people did not deserve such a sweet and pure-minded man.
When Sargent Willis returned she was angry. Everyone was trying to pressure her into this! It was her choice to make, not theirs! And then he asked her to think of the other girls Coyle had ruined. 'Do you really want this to go on?' he had asked her. Of course she didn't! No one deserve to be treated the way Coyle treated women, pretending to care for them, love them even, and then manipulate them into doing wrong for his own personal gain. In that moment she thought of her daughter. If this had happened to Charlotte and could have been prevented by one person choosing to speak up but didn't she would have been heartbroken and furious. All those girls he seduced were someone's daughter. They were loved by someone and they didn't deserve to be tormented the was she was. They didn't deserve to feel like they weren't good enough to fall in love with a sweet and kind man that would love them for eternity, just because one man had manipulated them, pretending to love them. These girls didn't deserve to be ruined so that Coyle could have a good life.
That was what changed her mind. She would face her worst nightmare to protect the countless other girls he would harm if he were allowed to continue living this life of trickery. She could barley look at the Sargent as she whispered her consent. It was all she could do to keep herself from crying right there. She was angry that he had done this to her and scared of facing him. She stared at her shoes as the Sargent thanked her and practically ran from the room.
She waited, knowing Moseley would have something to say. He would be joyous, triumphant at her decision to do "the right thing."
"What changed your mind?" He was excited but not too enthusiastic so as to make her feel any more uncomfortable.
"The thought of the girls he ruined, like he ruined me." She felt defeated. His response was quick and earnest.
"Oh but he hasn't ruined you, has he? And the proof is you're standing here." He was always so sure when it came to her. She could not understand why he of all people had so much faith in her. The way he always stood up for her no matter how trivial the accusation or joke. He was a loyal friend and although she felt guilty, she was so, so thankful for his loyalty.
Not having to see Coyle face to face was a relief and a disappointment, regardless it was not her choice. She couldn't help but laugh when Mr. Moseley offered to go back into the courtroom. Would he do anything for her benefit she wondered? Probably, but she would never ask that of him. She was just happy to have such a wonderful friend by her side.
She took a deep breath as they left the courthouse together, feeling somewhat lighter. If only she knew what was to come, she would not have felt lighter at all. But in that moment it was just Baxter and her best friend heading back to their life at the abbey.
As the Sargent's car pulled away with the two friends inside, Peter Coyle sat penning a letter. One that he hopped would haunt the recipient for a long time to come.
The next afternoon at tea time, Mrs. Hughes handed several letters to Mr. Carson and then called, "Miss Baxter, there's a letter here for you as well." She couldn't imagine who was sending her a letter, but she accepted it and quickly opened it without a second thought. When she unfolded the paper and looked down at the words written there, she felt as if everything were about to fall to pieces around her. Her eyes filled with angry tears and she immediately looked up for Joseph. This was not something she could face alone.