An angry and agitated-looking Swain hurried out of the room.
Raven turned to where her mother was seated. Hazel sent her a wink and a smile. Surprised because she had no idea what that might mean, Raven turned back around. Where was Welch?
The matron arrived to take Raven back to the waiting room until court was reconvened. As she shuffled out, she sent the concerned-looking Braxton a small smile. He gave her a nod.
Time passed at an agonizing snail’s pace. Sequestered as she was, she had no idea whether Welch had arrived or not, but the longer she sat,the more hope she felt. Logically, had the detective been found, the judge would’ve had Raven brought back into the courtroom, and so far that hadn’t happened. She suddenly remembered Dorrie’s words telling Raven not to worry. They won’t find her, Dorrie added. Was this what Dorrie had been referring to?
Raven was finally called back in. She quickly searched the room for Welch’s face, and not seeing it made her want to cry tears of joy. Instead, she calmly took her seat and waited for the judge to speak.
“Due to Mr. Swain’s inability to provide any evidence that would prove Miss Moreau guilty of the charges lodged against her, I hereby rule this proceeding adjourned. Miss Moreau, you are released and free to go.”
A shout went up in the seats and a smiling Raven thanked Mr. Morgan, her lawyer.
“I wish all my cases turned out this way,” he replied. “Give my best to Renay. Now, go get some loving from your family.”