Judge Stephens entered the court. Those present stood hesitantly like a syncopated Mexican wave, and the clerk quickly approached the bench. "The defendant isn't here, Your Honour."
Judge Stephens sat down with a thud. "What?"
"She's not here."
"Ms Wexler!"
"Yes, Your Honour." Kim hurriedly approached the bench.
"Where is your client?"
"She's late. I tried phoning, but I did tell her to leave her personal possessions at home, so I suspect she doesn't have her phone."
"Then phone a member of the family!"
"I did. They didn't answer either. But Marie will be driving Skyler in here and Flynn will be looking after his three-year-old sister, so -"
"So phone again! Incessantly! Over and over! Otherwise I issue a warrant!"
"Yes, Your Honour." Kim lifted her phone to her ear. Marie didn't answer. She brought her phone back down and quickly tapped Flynn's number on her call log.
"Jesus!" said the judge.
"She is quite convinced she'll be found guilty, so she'll be saying a proper goodbye to all of them, and I imagine doing that with a three-year-old would be - Flynn!" She turned away. "Hi! Where are you?"
"At Aunt Marie's house."
"Is your mother still there?"
"N-no, they left about…" Flynn looked at the kitchen clock, and swallowed. "I-I guess, I guess it's been about half an hour since they left."
"Oh good, they must be nearly here then. No problem, thank you."
"Kim, w-what's -"
The phone went dead, and Flynn stared at it.
Kim turned back to the judge. "They left about a half hour ago. From Marie's house in Glenwood Hills, which is -"
"That's right at the edge of the city!"
"It's not more than half an hour's drive away. Maybe they hit some traffic. Should I go out and meet them? At the entrance?"
"Yes, go and hurry your wayward client in here!"
"Thank you. It won't be long." Kim rushed out of the courtroom.
...
Marie and Skyler parked in the courthouse parking lot and rushed inside as quickly as one can when one's feet are resisting every step they take. When they reached the media huddle, which was much bigger this morning, Skyler went to close her eyes but then decided that as this was the last time, she wanted them to see it all. She must look like hell with unkempt hair, red eyes and smashed makeup. She wanted them to see it. She looked up at the clear blue sky and counted slowly to ten as her sister's reassuring arm guided her to the door.
She looked at her shoes as she crossed the threshold, then up at the door to the public gallery. Marie stopped and turned to face her. Skyler opened her arms and they embraced tightly. "Thank you so much," Skyler said. "I don't know what to say. Thank you so much."
"No problem."
"Thank you."
"Of course." Marie pulled back and looked at her.
Skyler saw Kim standing at the edge of the foyer. Kim pointed at her watch.
Skyler turned back to Marie. "I love you."
"I love you too. Look after yourself. Stay open and honest. Talk to me, talk to whatever doctor you see in there. Forgive yourself."
Skyler hugged her again. Kim stepped forward. The reporters outside pressed every camera lens to the glass of the windows to capture everything they could of this telling moment.
Finally they parted, and Skyler stepped back. "Thank you so much. I'll miss you."
"Don't worry, it's only temporary. I'll see you soon." Marie smiled.
Kim put a hand on Skyler's shoulder. Marie put her hand on the door to the public gallery and watched them turn down the corridor. Skyler waved. Marie opened the door.
...
"Will the jury foreperson please stand?" said Judge Stephens commandingly.
A stout middle-aged man in a dark brown suit stood.
"Have you reached a unanimous verdict?"
"No, Your Honour."
"Have you reached a verdict on which a majority of you agree?"
"Yes, Your Honour."
"Do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty of the felony charge of money laundering?"
"Not guilty, Your Honour."
There was an audible gasp in the courtroom. Skyler looked up, her face showing utter shock. Marie's jaw dropped. Kim smiled.
"On the lesser charge of misdemeanor money laundering, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?"
"Guilty, Your Honour."
Skyler stared at the man in the brown suit, her heart beating out of her chest. All she could hear was her own breath.