“No! That would be what that bastard McCarty would want. I’ll be fine.”
Gerald turned, spotting his nemesis sitting three rows back with McCarty’s tasty little blue eyed daughter sitting next to him on the aisle. Kensky grinned with the predator’s joy at new game to be stalked. The big black guy and the Arab he’d seen the night of his mutilation sat on the inner part of the seating next to McCarty. They were all staring at him with observant but neutral looks. Even blondie stared at him as if he were a science project. Gerald vowed he would change that look. The only one in the small group sitting one row back, bookended by two other US Marshals, with terror contorting her features was Sarah Burns. She looked away the moment Kensky grinned at her, visibly shaken. He had used his time in rehab to find out exactly where she was living now. McCarty rented a very nice home for the bitch to come and go as she pleased while testifying in the long trial.
Tugging on the much larger man’s coat while handing him his cane, Brock guided Kensky away from the defense table in a well-rehearsed caring and compassionate manner. He then moved aside, allowing Kensky to walk in deliberate steps ahead of him with cane in left hand. This would be the first time Kensky walked by his hated adversaries. He planned to enjoy a slow stride of threatening horror for the little blonde and the dark haired Sarah. The massive six and a half foot tall Kensky leaned down toward Nick’s daughter, glowering at her, allowing every ounce of inner rage to flow from his monstrous features. Sarah Burns gasped in a fearful intake of breath that sounded like a muffled yelp.
To Gerald’s surprise, Nick’s daughter smiled at him as he drew closer, and then frowned, waving her hand in between his face and hers. “Woe Mister… your breath smells like you just ate a dead woodchuck!”
This caused amused pandemonium amongst her companions and the two US Marshals behind her. Before Kensky could react, the girl shoved a stick of gum at him while shielding her nose and mouth. “Here! This might help, but I think it’s too late for my blouse.”
Kensky jerked upright again. He nearly raised his cane in a fit of pure insanity to strike her with it. The .45 caliber automatic aiming at his groin, held by a calmly smiling Nick McCarty froze the serial killer in place before his lawyer steered him away. Gerald kept glancing over his shoulder as the little blonde bitch kept giving him finger waves goodbye. Oh yeah… I will settle with them all, he thought, especially her. She would live for days, begging to die.
*
US Marshal Grace Stanwick reached over to shake Jean’s shoulder. “Did you have to play with the killer? Really?”
Jean grinned back at Marshal’s Tim Reinhold and Grace Stanwick while reaching to grasp the frightened Sarah Burns hand. “Dad let me come to see how goofy the justice system is. Don’t be afraid, Sarah. Dad won’t let the bad old goat breath get you.”
“He…he’s terrifying,” Sarah stammered, covering Jean’s hand with her other one. “I’ve never seen anyone look as evil as that guy. If only Dan would have been able to testify. Kensky’s stared at me every day since I’ve been allowed into the courtroom again. I wish I didn’t have to be bait this time too. Oh… sorry Nick. I’m not supposed to talk in front of your daughter, am I?”
Nick shrugged. “She knows. Jean and Rachel have been with me in worse times. I gave up on keeping the little snoop out of my business. She’s right, Sarah. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I needed you in the courtroom because Kensky dreams about you. He wants you more than he hates me. I believe Jean has catapulted herself a few steps higher on his kill and torture list though.”
“Yes!” Jean pumped her free hand closed in a fist. “That was so tight. Wait until I tell Mom. I was the bomb.”
“Your Dad will be in enough trouble allowing you to come along with us,” Gus said. “It would be best if you kept your lesson in justice gone wild to yourself.”
“I must agree, Jean,” John said from Gus’s side. “If Muerto allows you in on some of these adjustments in murder cases where justice is at risk, a bit of discretion would be advisable. Your Mom has her hands full taking care of baby Quinn. There is no need to add to her worries.”