Chapter 39
"Mr. foreman, on the sole count of the indictment,
murder in the first degree, how do you find?" Judge Bair asked.
"We find the defendant guilty, and to be punished by death." The foreman replied. Gasps of happiness
could be heard from the crowd, but all Gwen and Hank did was hug each other. Frustration, anger, revenge, and
other emotions that had been built up vanished as soon as the jury said the key words.
"It’s over." Gwen sighed, her forehead leaning up against his.
"...Sentencing will be next Monday, at nine o’clock. Court’s adjourned." Judge Bair announced, rapping
her gavel.
"It’s not over! As long as I have breath in me it’s not over. I’ll get you one day, Bennett. Nobody crosses
Vincent Lonovich!" The defendant yelled as the bailiffs dragged him away.
"No you won’t. Almost all of your puny American unit is dead, others are talking to Interpol about the international
units. You’re done for, you’ve got no one left on the outside." Hank yelled back. Lonovich looked at him
and muttered a Russian curse. Shaking his head, Hank turned around to see an emotional Gwen hugging Adriana.
"It’ll be okay. The courts will probably try to speed up his execution because of who he is." Adriana’s
reassuring voice could be heard saying.
"She’s right. That guy will never see the outside world again. We have nothing to worry about, from him
that is." Hank reassured, placing his arms around her. Gwen looked up at him and nodded.
"You’re both right, I was just being scared." Gwen admitted.
"You have every right to be, hell, you just got over being kidnapped and almost killed." Adriana shook
her head and furrowed her brow as she said this.
"C’mon hon, let’s go. We’ll see you later Adriana." Hank stated, steering Gwen out of the row behind
the District Attorney’s table and out into the aisle way. The courtroom was slowly clearing out, but Hank kept
his arms around Gwen’s waist, walking behind her.
As they approached the door, Gwen stopped, and Hank poked his head around to see why.
"Low and behold, Ethan Samuel Crane is here." Gwen joked. Hank released her and walked up so he was
standing to her right.
"Hello to you too Gwen. Hank." Ethan greeted with a nod. Hank nodded back and watched Gwen’s former
fiancée.
"What are you doing here?" Gwen asked, a bright smile on her face.
"It’s only the biggest trial in town, I wanted to catch the action. Plus, my friend had a hand in bringing
down the famous mob boss." Ethan flashed a toothy smile at Gwen, which repulsed Hank.
"Ethan. You must stop flattering me." Gwen bashfully replied.
"Yes. You should." Hank sneered through a clenched jaw. An uneasy silence settled between the three,
as Hank and Ethan stared each other down.
"Hank, I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. I didn’t mean to." Ethan apologized.
"How’s Theresa? How would she react if she saw you flirting with your ex?" Hank questioned.
"Hank, really, he was just being friendly." Gwen argued.
"Really? It didn’t appear that way." Hank stated, still staring at Ethan.
"I’m sorry if it appeared wrong, but I’m just acting as a friend. Gwen and I have been friend forever practically.
I just can’t ignore that." Ethan explained.
"I’m not asking you too. I’m just trying to point out that Theresa would be devastated to witness what I
just witnessed. Tone it down Ethan." Hank warned. "For your own safety. Wouldn’t want Luis to have
to kill you for breaking her heart." Hank smiled.
Ethan looked at him in curiosity. Was that whole lecture a warning, or a joke? Was he real or sarcastic?
"Yes I was joking. I’m happy right now, the SOB that kidnapped Gwen is going to fry. I was just messing
with your head." Hank smiled, easing his nervousness.
"That’s a relief." Ethan choked out. "Well, I only could stop by for a few minutes. We’re working
on a major business merger between the Cranes and the Williams. I’ll see you two later." Ethan said, smiling
lightly and swiftly walking out the door.
Turning towards Hank, Gwen broke out into a huge smile. "Honey, did you really have to be so hard on him.
He never was the smartest one in the class." Gwen sang.
"How could anyone compare to you?" Hank countered.
"Flattery will get you everywhere Hank Bennett!" Gwen smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist.
His immediately copied her behavior. Together they walked out, silently declaring victory over their enemies,
and their pasts. |
