Terminal Betrayal

Amanda King-Stetson watched wide-eyed as the jury filed back into the courtroom. She glanced over at Lee and inhaled a stuttered breath. "All rise for the Honorable Judge Hamilton," the court bailiff stated in a low, monotone voice. Judge Hamilton settled himself into his seat and scanned the faces of the people who filled the room. His eyes settled on the nervous-looking gentleman standing in the corner of the jury box. He nodded in the man's direction and asked, "Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached a verdict in this case?" "Yes, your Honor, we have," the foreman replied in a shaky voice. Judge Hamilton raised his hand, indicating the man should continue. "On the charge of first-degree murder, how does the jury find?" the judge demanded. "We, the jury, find the defendant, Guilty," the foreman stuttered.

Amanda gasped with everyone around her, "No!" The judge hammered the gavel on the desk, each loud rap caused Amanda to flinch. "Order! Order in the court!" Judge Hamilton demanded. As the group slowly settled down, the tears began to stream down Amanda's face. She felt Billy's hand on her shoulder, in an effort to comfort her and give her strength. She shook her head in disbelief and whispered again, "No!" She fell backward onto the bench behind her and gasped once more, "I don't believe it! I know it's not true!"

Lee tried to reach out for her, "Amanda!" he called out, his eyes searching her face. "Lee!" Amanda cried back as she scrambled to her feet. She grabbed his hand seconds before he was pulled away from her, his hands cuffed behind his back. She grasped the air, desperate to touch him again as he was led away. She collapsed onto the bench again, her cheeks wet with tears. Billy leaned close and assured her, "Don't worry, Amanda, we'll get to the bottom of this. We will get our best team on it. We will fight it, appeal it, whatever we need to do. I promise you, we will get Lee out of this."