He looked disheveled and heartbreakingly thin, his face gaunt and pale under five days of stubble, shoulders poking through the sun-faded colors of his plaid shirt.
A wave of emotion swelled in my chest. I ached to give my little brother a hug.
I was still looking at Billy Ray when I noticed someone else coming into the courtroom, a young man wearing a tailored suit in a deep shade of navy blue that matched his eyes. He approached the bench quickly. When I recognized him, my hand flew to my mouth.
I hadn’t seen him since that night in Texas, ten years ago. Back then, he’d just been a lanky kid, restless, full of nervous energy. Now he stood taller, broader, with a quiet strength that hadn’t been there before. The same piercing blue eyes I remembered met mine for a split second, lit with a glimmer of recognition.
His features had hardened with time—his jaw sharper, eyes more guarded—but there was a steadiness to him now. Self-confident. Reassuring. Assertive.
He hadn’t changed much, yet somehow, he was an entirely different man.
“Your Honor, Colton Blake for the defense,” he said, stopping by my side.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.My Colton.My chest swelled with a swarm of mixed emotions.
His hand gave mine a quick, warm squeeze. That warmth touched my heart.
“So noted,” the judge said, raising an eyebrow. “Mr. Blake, it’s quite unusual to see you in my courtroom defending a client not associated with your usual line of work.”
Colton’s a defense attorney now?
The realization sent a ripple through me. The boy I’d left behind in Texas, the one who used to dream of becoming a lawyer one day, was standing there defending me.
Colton smiled, and the judge seemed to smile back, or at least offer a hint of it. “Your Honor, I’m here to represent Ms. Taylor. Every defendant deserves a fair trial, and I’m here to ensure that happens. This case counts against my pro bono quota for the year.”
The judge’s glance turned ice cold. “I’ll be watching closely to ensure everything proceeds appropriately.”
Colton nodded, a polite smile still lingering on his lips. “Of course, Your Honor. My sole focus is on providing Ms. Taylor with a vigorous and fair defense.”
He’s changed so much ... but that fire in his eyes when he fights for something? That’s still him.
“Where do you stand on bail?”
“Your Honor, I contest the prosecutor’s recommendation for remand without bail. Ms. Taylor is a respected member of the community with no prior record. She has significant ties here and poses no flight risk.”
The prosecutor’s eyes had narrowed as Colton responded. “Your Honor, it’s our understanding that the defendant has substantial resources, making her a flight risk despite Mr. Blake’s assurances. The nature of the crime and the evidence against her warrant remand. Her fingerprints were on the murder weapon, we have evidence putting her at—”
“We’re not trying this case here today, Mr. Mitchell,” the judge said. “Mr. Blake? Any final input before I make my ruling?”
“Your Honor, I propose bail at five hundred thousand dollars. Ms. Taylor will comply with any conditions, including surrendering herpassport. My client wishes nothing more than a chance to prove her innocence. She would never forfeit that opportunity and choose to live the rest of her life on the run.”
The prosecutor took a step forward. “Your Honor, for a murder one case, that’s preposterous—”
“You had your turn, Mr. Mitchell.” The judge leaned back in his chair, considering the arguments while I held my breath. Fear prickled my skin and chilled my blood. The courtroom was perfectly silent, waiting in suspense.
Then the judge reached for the gavel. “Given the circumstances, and the presence of Mr. Blake as defense counsel, I will set bail at five hundred thousand dollars. Ms. Taylor will surrender her passport and be required to remain in Las Vegas until trial. Any violation will result in immediate remand.” The gavel fell loudly, and I breathed again.
A surge of relief washed over me, but mixed with anxiety. I glanced at Colton, who gave me a reassuring nod.
“Thank you, Your Honor. Ms. Taylor will comply with all conditions.”
The clerk called the next name on the docket list, but I barely heard him. Colton was holding my hand in a tight, reassuring clasp.
32
The Reunion
“Hot diggity damn, sis, this here’s like a palace! Ain’t never seen nothing like it in my whole life.” Billy Ray’s eyes were wide with amazement as Colton pulled into my driveway, his mouth gaped and then grinning with excitement. “And to think I raided the ol’ coffee tin for my stash to bail you out. Ha!”
