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I recognized the handwriting as Duke’s. I whipped around, but he was nowhere to be seen. He’d found Dara? I fought the urge to fist pump. She wasn’t dead. And I’d won again.
“He’s outside,” Gerard whispered.
“Bring her in,” I whispered back.
“Counselor Whitley, is there something more important than this trial?”
A titter went across the courtroom. I steeled myself before I turned back around.
“No, your honor.” I smoothed a pleasant expression on my face.
She scowled. “Is it all right with you if I continue?”
“By all means, your honor.”
Abraham slumped in the chair when she droned on. In his mind, we’d already lost. Me pissing off the judge hadn’t helped his confidence.
She abruptly stopped speaking. I turned around, as did the rest of the courtroom. A cry came from Shel at the sight of her little girl standing at the back of the courtroom. She wrestled her way to the aisle and ran to Dara, sinking to her knees in front of her.
“Mommy!” The girl sobbed as the courtroom throbbed with energy.
The judge banged her gavel until there was quiet again. “I want both counselors, Mr. and Mrs. Plater, and their daughter in my chambers.”
Abraham grabbed my arm as I stood. “How? I don’t understand.” He stared at Dara as she and Shel floated down the center aisle. As soon as she saw him, she broke free from her mother.
“Abe. Abe.” The girl flung her arms around him as he dropped to the ground.
Cameras flashed. The hum rose as people watched the scene. How ironic that the man who’d been accused of kidnapping and murdering her was the second person she ran to. Not her father, who stood, staring in disbelief, not that she was alive, but that she had been discovered.
Abraham picked up Dara, who hugged him tightly, her face buried in his neck. His cheeks were damp as he held her.
“My chambers.” The judge motioned toward the door.
I touched Abraham’s arm.
“Please don’t make me let her go.”
Not so long ago, I wouldn’t have understood the desperation in his voice or what that look in his eyes meant. I wouldn’t have known one hug was never enough or a child’s love is unconditional, genuine, and impossible to suppress. Now, I completely got it. And hopefully forever, I’d have that every day.
“It won’t be for long.”
“I deserve to hear this too.” He lifted his chin in defiance.
“You will. Give her to her mother for now.”
Reluctantly, he set the child on her feet. He and Shel exchanged an awkward look as she grabbed Dara’s hand. They didn’t speak. His jaw tightened. Her hollow features twisted in pain.
Wordlessly, she moved toward the judge’s chambers. I followed close behind, joined by the prosecutor and Alex.
Once we’d all settled, the judge fixed a smile on her face. “Dara, can you tell me where you’ve been?”
“With Aunt Kristen and Daddy.”
Shel gripped the arm of her chair and flashed a lethal glare at her husband. “You’ve had her the whole time?”
“No. I didn’t—”
“He brought me ice cream yesterday,” the little girl interrupted.
