“Good. Oh and Ms. St. Claire the motion for prosecutorial misconduct will be entered into the record.”
“Thank you, your Honor,” I tell him and Ms. Rothschild and I walk back to our tables.
“We are going to take a fifteen-minute recess.” Judge Adaly says as he bangs his gavel, and we all stand as he walks out of the courtroom.
Asher
She did it! After the recess was over and the court reconvenes, Ms. Rothschild informed the judge they were dropping all the charges against me. The only thing that put a damper on the day was Toni’s husband breaking on down hearing the news. I wanted to go talk to him but it was not the time or place. Instead of celebrating in front of her husband and daughter, we quietly walked out and made our way to my favorite restaurant to have lunch and celebrate. I order the tomahawk ribeye with black truffled creamed corn, roasted broccolini, and trumpet mushrooms.
“That was amazing Carla! Did you see their faces afterward? They are shaking in their boots right now!” I tell her smiling.
“As they should be. I already had the paperwork drawn up to sue the police department, and to sue Marshall and Rothschild in civil court. They have already reassigned the case to another detective and with all the evidence we provided, hopefully they will find the real killer this time.”
We all agree with that, and a few seconds later the twins join us.
“I don’t know if you ladies have decided to move to Mississippi, but in the meantime if you’re free I would like to hire you. I would cover all your expenses for the duration of your investigation.”
“It would be our pleasure to stay and find the bastard who killed Mrs. Lattimore. As long as Peter allows us to stay in the suite, we’re currently in.”
“You can stay as long as you want to.” Peter says as he walks in and takes a seat with us.
“I mean you can, or you can come see the houses we thought you two would like.” I tell them. We can go over there when we are done here and you two let me know which one you would prefer. Deal?”
“Deal.” They say in unison.
The dinner is a lively event and the food was amazing. We order the entire dessert menu since Jaasiel didn’t make me a free jailbird cake. When they arrive at the table, I see Jaasiel call the server over.
“Are these in-house made deserts” he asks her.
“No, we have them brought in daily. Actually, the pastry chef is still here if you want to speak with her.”
“Yes please.” He tells her and she almost falls over her feet trying to walk away while continuing looking at him. A few seconds later a sultry voice floats over to us, and we all turn to find the owner strolling towards the table with a wide grin on her beautiful face.
“Jaasiel Gideon! What are you doing here?” she says. He stood and once she is close enough to our table, he pulls her into a hug lifting her off of her feet.
“TaVonna, I knew as soon as I say the deserts you were the pastry chef genius who baked them.” He says as he gently sets her back on her feet.
“Flattery will get you everywhere J.” she tells him, then she turns to the rest of us. “These must be your brothers, let me see if I can get this right based off J’s description. Okay I can guess three right off the bat. Joshua, Atlas and Jabarri. Asher, I know you from all the press you’ve gotten this past month, and let’s see... You’re Joseph, right?” He nods and she smiles some more. Okay… umm… Aryan and Anson.”
“I’m Anson and he’s Aryan.” Anson corrects her.
“Damn I was so close, but I guess six out of eight isn’t too bad. And you ladies must be their wives; it’s nice to meet you. Mr. Peter Bennet, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have been a fan of yours for years and have tried several times to get a meeting with you and now look, I’m sharing a table with you while you are enjoying one of my deserts. Funny how life works.”
“Well, it is nice to meet you too, TaVonna, is it?” and she nods yes. “This is my wife Lennox. I tell you what. Give me a call and I will talk to the new CEO and see if he has an opening in his schedule for us to meet with you. Any friend of Jaasiel’s I can make time for.” He says as he hands her a business card.
She nods yes with a huge smile as she takes the card.
The rest of us express pleasantries with the pastry chef Jaasiel is friends with. He brought a chair over so she can sit with us and proceeded to ignore us to have a conversation with her. She stays for a few minutes longer before she tells us she has to go, but before she does, she makes sure Jaasiel promises to come by to see her at her own bakery, Taste by TaVonna. And then she’s gone, and we all look towards him with obvious questions.
“It’s not like that, she’s taken anyway. We’re just friends,” he says. And I know my brother, if there was anything more than friendship, he would have scooped her up by now.
I look over to Carla and realize, the restraints are gone, and I am free to have her anyway I want. She turns to look at me and the smile slips from her face, as I lean over and whisper in her ear. “Your training starts now.”