I SEE YOU an unputdownable psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist by PATRICIA MACDONALD (bookstand for reading txt) 📗

‘Don’t misunderstand me, Judge Endicott. I know that I have to comply with whatever conditions you set. I am accustomed to adapting to difficult situations. I was just exhausted from a very draining day, and I had a lapse of judgment. It won’t happen again, I promise you.’

She spoke respectfully, and sounded reasonable. But Hannah knew exactly how Lisa’s unrepentant attitude, her self-exculpatory words were falling on the judge’s ear.

‘You know, I hear you speaking to me, and it’s as if you regret having missed a bus, or not finishing your laundry. Do you understand the gravity of this situation, Ms Wickes?’ the judge asked.

‘Dr Wickes,’ said Lisa.

‘It’s my understanding that you are still a student,’ said the judge in a withering tone.

‘That’s sort of a technicality,’ said Lisa. ‘I am seeing patients.’

‘When you’ve earned the title, I will use it. And not until. Now about this situation . . .’

‘You mean, the drinking?’ Lisa asked.

‘I’m talking about the charges you are facing in your upcoming trial,’ he said sternly. ‘Do you understand their gravity?’

Lisa nodded. ‘Yes. Oh yes, I do. Of course.’

‘Hasn’t your attorney explained these charges to you? You are charged with murder in the first degree. And larceny in the second degree.’

Lisa nodded again. ‘I know, sir. I do.’

Judge Endicott studied the woman standing in front of him. Then he shook his head. ‘I don’t think you do, Ms Wickes. I don’t see, from your manner and your responses here, that you understand the seriousness of this situation at all. The very fact that you were even granted bail is highly irregular. I was making allowances for you in light of your youth and your unblemished record, not to mention the fact that you are a mother. But those conditions of your release on bail were not suggestions. They were orders. Surely someone with your level of intelligence understands the difference. There are no “do-overs” in Superior Court,’ he continued.

Lisa opened her mouth to speak. Frowning, Marjorie Fox whispered urgently in her ear.

‘No, no, Ms Fox. I’d like to hear what your client has to say,’ said the judge.

‘I do understand what you are saying, and I can assure you that, going forward, there will be no other lapses of this kind,’ said Lisa. ‘Your honor.’

Judge Endicott studied her pensively. ‘You should heed the advice of your attorney. Do you realize what harm you have done to yourself by your own behavior and your responses here today?’

Lisa looked puzzled and somewhat irritated. ‘I believe I’ve tried to address you as one intelligent person to another.’

‘Your honor,’ Marjorie Fox interrupted, ‘my client is young and immature, despite the high level of study she is engaged in. As you can plainly see, she’s a young woman who’s never been in serious trouble, and it would be, in my opinion, an unnecessary cruelty to take her away from her child and her medical studies, deprive her of her freedom and send her into the prison population.’

The judge peered at Lisa. ‘Do you share custody of your daughter with her father?’

‘Her father’s not involved,’ said Lisa.

‘So, where was your child when you were out . . . relaxing with your colleagues?’

‘She was with my mother. My mother loves taking care of her.’

‘How fortunate for you,’ said the judge.

‘I can’t be in two places at once,’ said Lisa.

Marjorie frowned and gave Lisa a warning look.

The judge studied Lisa for a few moments, lost in thought, and Hannah squeezed Adam’s hand, praying that the judge would be lenient.

Then, the judge shook his head. ‘Ms Wickes, many of the defendants who appear here before me are uneducated and socially backward. Many of them can barely understand these proceedings. You, on the other hand, are a young woman blessed with many advantages. But these advantages don’t excuse you from the rule of law. You disregarded the terms of your bail as if they didn’t apply to you. You seem more annoyed than regretful to be brought before this court. The world may treat you as gifted, and therefore exempt from certain requirements. But not in my courtroom, you’re not.’

Lisa stared at him, openmouthed, as if, belatedly, she understood that her bail was actually in jeopardy. ‘Your honor, please be reasonable.’

Marjorie Fox exhaled and shook her head.

The judge glared at Lisa. ‘It is my job to be reasonable, young lady. The defendant’s bail is revoked. Bailiff, escort the defendant to the county jail. She will remain there until the time of her trial.’

Hannah’s knees gave way and Adam was able to catch her and hold her up before she collapsed to the ground.

For a moment, Lisa looked stunned. Then she turned and whispered to Marjorie Fox, ‘What a prick!’

‘I told you what to say to the judge, Lisa,’ said the attorney evenly. ‘I warned you. And you ignored me.’

‘I told the truth. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do in court?’

‘You acted as if this were a conversation between equals. Now you have to suffer the consequences. From now on, do as I tell you.’

‘Come along,’ said the bailiff, snapping the handcuffs on Lisa and prodding her toward the door.

Lisa looked back at her parents and shook her head. ‘Do you believe this? Tell Sydney there’s no justice,’ she said.

‘Not “Tell Sydney I love her”,’ said Adam through clenched teeth.

‘Don’t,’ Hannah said.

Hannah and Adam were silent on the ride home. They stopped to pick up Sydney at Tiffany’s house, avoiding all conversation with the curious babysitter, and then retreated into their own house. Sydney wanted to play outside but Hannah convinced her to stay in and play with her dolls in her room. Adam went into his office and closed the door. Hannah sat curled up in the corner of the sofa for a while, thinking about all that