Chapter Thirteen: The Hearing

Okay, I know I made you wait so long for this chapter, but one I was suffering writer's block, and two, I started working on some original stories. I plan to finish this one within the next few days. There's only two more chapters left. So, happy reading.

The next morning Brittany slept in late. After the events of the night before it left her completely exhausted. Alvin had stayed by her bedside all night refusing to leave her. At about nine that morning he heard a startled moan come from her. She was tossing and turning, so Alvin attempted to put his hands on her, trying to calm her down.

"Brittany," he said, but she was fighting him. "Calm down, baby."

She opened her eyes and saw him hovering over her. "What happened?"

"You were having a nightmare," he said, stroking her hair. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I think so," she said. She sat up in bed as he put his arms around her. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought you might need me," he said. She snuggled close to him and closed her eyes. At that moment her phone rang. She was jostled awake. Alvin reached over and picked up her phone from the nightstand. He handed it to her.

"Hello," she said into the phone. "Yes, detective." There was a short pause. "Sure, I can come in." Another pause. "About an hour?" She ended the call. She looked over at Alvin. "About last night. He's coming over."

"Then I guess you want to get dressed." She got out of bed and walked to the bathroom to take a shower. He waited in her bedroom to come out. After about a half hour or so she did but wearing only a pink silk robe with flowers printed on it. He looked excited seeing her. He came up behind her and put his arms around her. "You look great just like this," he said and started to kiss her neck.

"Alvin, cut it out," Brittany said, breaking out of his embrace. "I have to get dressed."

"Okay," he said. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and headed for the door. "I'll wait downstairs."

She smiled at him as he left. She went into her closet and tried to decide what to wear. She decided on a pair of pink dress pants with a white top with a bit of lace around the collar. She put on a pair of white flats and brushed her hair and tied it in a ponytail.

She walked downstairs to see the detective was already there speaking to her sister Jeanette. Alvin was sitting on the couch, while Eleanor was bringing in some refreshments. She was suddenly nervous as she reached the bottom step. She breathed deep and walked into the living room.

"Miss Miller," the detective said. "Thanks for seeing me today."

She sat down on the couch but was oddly quiet. "Now, you can positively identify Caleb Calhoun as your attacker?"

"Yes, sir," she said, shifting uncomfortably.

"Well, he's pleading innocent," the detective said. "He said you enticed him to come upstairs with you."

"That's not true," Brittany said. "He followed me up there, and when I tried to get away from him he attacked me."

"We believe you, Miss Miller, but his lawyer is spinning this to make him look like the victim. So that's why we need you to testify at the trial."

"Alright," she said. "of course I'll testify."

"Tomorrow is the jail hearing. You don't have to be there."

"No, I want to go," she said, but she looked nervous. "Do you think he'll get bail?"

We hope not, but it's possible." She started to shake at the prospect. Alvin put his arms around her. "Don't worry, Miss Miller. If that happens we'll grant you police protection."

"Thanks for the heads up," Alvin said. The detective gave him the information about where the hearing was being held. He left, but Brittany looked as though her were about to break down.

Her sisters came over to comfort her. "What of they let him out?" Brittany said getting hysterical.

"Brittany, that's not going to happen," Jeanette said. "After what he tried to do to you..."

"But he could," Brittany said. She rose from her seat. "What if he comes after me again?"

"We're not going to let him hurt you," Eleanor said.

"She's right, baby," Alvin said and embraced her. "Don't worry. That bastard is never going to put his hands on you again."

"I hope you're right," she said.

The next day Alvin picked up Brittany for court. She was quiet the whole way there. Alvin noticed this but didn't say anything about it. They entered the courtroom and took a seat. Brittany was nervous and started to fidget, that was until someone approached.

"Well, well, if it isn't Brittany Miller." She looked up to see Missy Grainer staring at her.

"What do you want, Missy?" Brittany asked, more annoyed then anything at seeing her.

"To let you know that you're not going to get away with it."

"With what?" Brittany shot at her while standing up.

"You know what," Missy almost shouted, meeting her eye to eye. "I know you lied about Cal. Like he would ever touch you."

"Missy, he tried to rape me," Brittany said, getting up in her face. "He might have killed me."

"Cal would never do that," Missy said. "You're just jealous that there's one guy in town who's not drooling over you."

"Shut up, Missy," Alvin said. "You don't know what you're talking about. If you were smart you would stay from that guy."

"Don't tell me what to do, Alvin," she scowled at him. "You had your chance, and you blew it." That last remark made Brittany so angry, but Missy walked off before she could say anything. She was prepared to go after her, but Alvin held her back.

Brittany and Alvin took their seats and waited for the judge to come out. Brittany started to shake when she saw Cal enter the courtroom. Even though he was in handcuffs her fear of him overtook her. Alvin put his arm around her, which made her calm down a little.

Suddenly, the bailiff stepped forward and began to speak. "The court will now come to order. The honorable Judge Tilton now presiding."

Everyone in the courtroom took their seats as the judge began to speak.

"Today we have to case of Caleb Calhoun, accused of the attempted rape of Brittany Miller. How do you plead?"

Cal's lawyer rose to his feet and spoke. "Not guilty, your honor."

"Very well, bail in set at $10,000. Trial begins one month from now."

Brittany looked shocked. "No!" Brittany shouted. "You can't let him out!"

"Order in the court," the judge said.

"Please, you honor," Brittany said. "If he's free I just know he'll come after me again."

"Miss Miller," the judge said. "Sit down now, or I will find you in contempt."

Alvin took you hand, tugging on it gently. She sat back down, even though she was shaking a little. She sat there just stunned. The judge actually gave Cal bail. She was more scared then ever. Alvin squeezed her hand. It made her feel a little better, but she was still worried that Cal might try something. Missy approached them.

"I told you that you wouldn't get away with this," Missy said and walked off.

Brittany was becoming more hysterical. "She's going to get him out, and when she does he's going to come after me. I just know it."

"No, he's not," Alvin said. "I'll make sure he doesn't."

"And how are you going to do that?" Brittany shouted. She was still hysterical, but had calmed down some.

"Because I'm not leaving your side until this whole thing is over."

"But Alvin, you don't have..."

"Yes, I do," Alvin said and embraced her. "I'm never going to lose you again. I promise you that."

They both walked out of the courtroom together. Alvin had his arm around her. Brittany could tell that Alvin was scared, because she was too.

Okay, everybody. No more long waits for the next chapter. I'm working on it today. Be here next time for Missy Big Mistake. Someone's going to die. See you next time.