“Okay, Uncle John, but Quinn’s an angel. He’s already the favorite. At least Dad shows me a little attention.”
Nick sighed. He had been enjoying the usual banter amongst his inner crew. The mention of Rachel and Quinn reminded him quickly of all the home duties yet to be undertaken. Because of the long trial he knew instinctively would go to hell the moment Dan was killed in a home invasion, Nick rented a mansion in the Seattle area where everyone stayed but for Sarah Burns. He had moved her into a home by herself. Luckily, the judge had put them out of their misery in as short a time as possible. Once his ability to testify disappeared into the wind, Nick knew the rest of the trial would be an exercise in futility. The only positive coming from the trial was ‘Great Kate’ being suspended. Even Nick had been surprised at Agent Kaitlin Anderson’s deliberate evidence chain of custody sabotage. His US Marshal insiders, Tim and Grace, tried desperately to hold on to a possibility of a conviction, but today as Nick predicted all hope of a conviction ended.
“Jean knows better than to get into a shock fest with Rachel,” Nick said. “If she wants to continue training with Sonny, then all this sensationalism about trading one liners with Kensky the killer will have to be kept between us. As to Quinn being his Mom’s favorite, babies require a lot of attention. He’s already your favorite.”
Jean shrugged. “He’s so cute. Who knew? I thought he’d be born with horns and a tail.”
“When will Kensky make his move, Nick?” Sarah still gripped Jean’s hand in both hers. “You were right about the trial length being way short. Do you think he’ll come for me soon?”
“He’ll be moving to Everett where he has a place for a while. You won’t have anything to worry about for a couple of weeks. I have someone stationed there who will keep an eye on him. Trust me, Sarah. Kensky will not be back. I’ll let you know when it’s safe to resume whatever you wish in your life. Did you give any more thought to leaving the streets?”
Sarah nodded, forgetting for a moment about the ‘Ripper’. “I talked to my Dad back in Rhinelander. He and Mom want me to come home and go to college. If I live, I’m doing it.”
All easygoing nuances disappeared from Nick’s face. “You’ll live. Let’s go walk you out to where Tim and Grace parked. The media will probably still be talking to that horse’s ass, so I’d rather we walked with you. Is that okay with you, Grace?”
“The more, the merrier,” Grace replied. She and Tim already knew Kensky wouldn’t be hurting anyone or suing anyone. “I wonder if we can collect the deposit on his new appendages.”
Nick stood with everyone else around him following his lead. “Best find out soon, Grace.”
*
A large press conference, complete with Kensky hecklers, filled the sidewalk area in front of the courthouse, spilling slightly into the street. Nick grinned at the names and catcalls people in the crowd bludgeoned poor tortured Gerald Kensky with as he attempted to sell his martyr act to the general public through the media. His lawyer saw a public relations nightmare blooming. He tried everything to fade away without the last sound bite being his client called a murderous bastard. Kensky spotted Nick angling away along the building to the left while desperately searching for a way out of the media disaster. He hobbled toward Nick’s party, finger pointing while screaming at Nick.
“There’s the one who should be on trial! McCarty maimed and tortured me, denying me my rights as a United States citizen!”
Nick glanced down at Jean. “Go with Gus and John. I’ll play with Gerald until Sarah and all of you are ready to leave. I’ll meet you on the corner.”
“Okay, Dad.” Jean smiled and waved at Kensky before letting Gus and John guide her toward the car. Tim and Grace speeded Sarah slightly to put extra distance between them and the crowd Nick intercepted.
“Hi, everyone. Hello, Gerald. How’s the hand and foot problems?”
“You should be arrested and tried for your crimes! I was acquitted of all wrong doing. You should be in prison, stripped of all power to trample on other innocent people’s rights!”
Nick chuckled. “First off, you weren’t acquitted. Our key witness was killed and an FBI Agent mucked the chain of custody. You were released on a technicality. Folks… is there anyone here that doesn’t know this pathetic piece of shit killed a dozen people keeping their tongues for trophies?”
Silence, except for a few people affirming Kensky’s guilt with attitude.