Chapter Two Hundred and Forty Three -Closed Courtroom

Hailey couldn't hide her restless when Wednesday arrived, with the sun hanging high and shining down on us, nor did I expect her to invite my father to join us in court and I was especially surprise to hear him agree.

I was grateful when Gussippie confirm the courtroom would be sealed, with Media coverage only on the outside, after court, explaining to the District Attorney's office, that David Sullivan's acquittal could cause the guilty party to run.

During the past few days, I've been keeping tabs on David's visitors and was happy when mom, even though she tried visiting David, he kept refusing her visits and has been, since I first visited him. Thankfully she's unaware of today's court proceedings, although she expects it soon.

Hailey and I sat holding hands, quietly in the back seat of the Benz, while Bas sat in the driver's seat and my dad in the front passenger seat.

Hailey gripped my hand tightly, while I looked out the window at the early morning traffic, wondering how today's hearing would turn out and how would I actually feel when David acquittal follows with my mother's arrest and Chubbs reaction.

Outside the courthouse appeared to be just another day with people coming and going unaware of the high profile case that will be taking place in less than twenty minutes.

Dad turned around suddenly, "the both of you go in," dad suggests, "Basil and I will follow in ten minutes," he added.

Lifting her head to look at dad, "but why?" Hailey asks dad, with a alarm expression.

"From the time you and Adian step out of this vehicle, attention will be drawn to you and if I am added to the mix, it will become a frenzy." He explained.

Nodding, Hailey looks away and grabs two bottle water from a bag she bought with her, "there's water here, if you need." Hailey smiles nervously at dad and nods at Bas who had turned to look at us.

Taking a deep breath, she smiles at me, "aren't we getting out?" Raising her eyebrows, with a shy smirk.

Nodding to dad and Bas, "see yuh," I chuckle, suddenly feeling Hailey's nervousness, which must be contagious.

"Keep your head down," I advised Hailey, as we put on shades before stepping out of the vehicle.

We are both dressed in black but Hailey added a purple mix as a inner top to her short black jacket and black pencil skirt, while I went all black, even completing the attire with a black pinstripe tie.

Hand in hand, with our heads bowed, I led Hailey into the courthouse, without flinching, even when her grip tightened painfully.

Hailey didn't want to sit and wait, so I stood against the wall and held her against me as we both stare anxiously at David Sullivan's lawyer, who smile confidently as he approached us.

Pointing to a door a couple feet away from where we stood, "okay folks," he smiled. "It's showtime." With his files in his hands he backed away with a confidence I suddenly lost, when I saw the fear in Hailey's eyes.

"You ready?" I whispered, lifting Hailey's chin to look into her eyes.

Nodding, "yeah, yeah" she says as she continue nodding, nervously. "Even if he doesn't get out today, we could try again, right?" She asks, doubts seeping in because she is afraid to have high hopes?

Stopping outside the door, I look around for dad and Bas, frowning as I didn't see them. I smiled reassuringly at Hailey, "everything will work out," I assured her but I have a nagging feeling Gussippie is up to something because he's so f**king confident.

Gussippie led us to sit in the front pews to the left, inside the empty courtroom, where only a few clerks sat behind desks, organizing their respective documents.

Hailey and I took a seat quietly to await the beginning of the trial.

The entire session didn't go as planned because Hailey started crying the instant she saw her dad coming in dressed in the same gray suit he wore the last time he came here but his hands were in cuffs behind his back.

"Daddy," she whispered and even though he was just walking through the door, he lifted his eyes and smiled at her, as if he heard her.

I felt Hailey loosening her grip on me and sighed when she didn't let go.

Kissing the top of her head, "it's going to be okay," I assured her because I felt I needed the same assurance.

David turned to look at Hailey before taking his seat with a contented smile which, slowly evaporated, as he stared behind us.

Turning around I followed his gaze.

DAD!

With a small smile that didn't reach his eyes, dad nods at David, before joining us in the front pew.

"ALL RISE!" The court clerk suddenly announced.

"THE HONORABLE, JUDGE ANCIL ROBERTS, RESIDING." The court clerk moves to the side of the courtroom as we took our seats and wait for Judge Roberts to take his seat.

Instead of giving the instruction the judge would normally give to the respective attorneys, Judge Roberts addressed, David Sullivan.

"Mr. Sullivan, I am not here this morning to waste my time and the court's time" Judge Roberts addressed David, who immediately stood up. "I was assigned to this case because sixteen years ago, I was the prosecutor in this said matter." As the judge spoke, Hailey froze beside me.

David stood still, his gaze fixated on Judge Roberts, listening attentively. The only movement I notice was the intense clenching and unclenching of his jaw.

"Mr. Sullivan, at you first appearance in court in this said matter, the only thing you uttered when it was determined that your late wife's death was not accidental is, I"M GUILTY!" Judge Roberts, reminds David of what occurred during the last trial.

"You forfeited your rights to a trial then," he continued, "Are you ready now?