Keller County Cops Book Seven: Code of Vengeance by Melanie Atkins Read Free Book Online Page A

the stern, old-school adjudicator presiding over the trial, had banned cameras from the courtroom because of the case's inflammatory nature and arranged for Keegan to sketch the proceedings instead. Mississippi law allowed judges that autonomy.
    Courtroom drama wasn't what interested Keegan, however.
    "All I care about is justice," she whispered, suddenly determined to wait and pick her prey after the trial ended. She gritted her teeth. "If that sick bastard walks free on a technicality, he's mine -- unless I'm in jail myself by then."
    She did her best not to think about that prospect as she pulled into her designated parking space only minutes before she had to be inside the courtroom. Just enough time to put her lunch in the refrigerator, grab her art supplies, and stop by the restroom. Unless something went wrong, the judge more than likely wouldn't recess for a break until noon.
    By the time Keegan slipped into her seat at the end of the front row, her hands were so sweaty she could hardly hold the satchel containing her sketchpad and colored pencils. The man next to her reeked of cologne. The agony in his eyes told her he had a personal stake in the proceedings, yet she didn't dare ask which side he was on. If she had to guess, she'd say he was a relative of Wicker's wife, Rosemary. He wore the haunted look of a man who'd recently lost a close family member.
    She pulled out her folding lapboard and settled it across her knees. Then she took out her sketchpad and pencil case. The courtroom was so full, she barely had room to settle back against the corner of the bench. Her nose itched thanks to her neighbor's heavy cologne, and she had to lean into the aisle to take a deep breath. How she'd last in here all morning under these conditions, she didn't know.
    To divert her attention, she glanced at the defendant, who sat in his chair as if on a throne behind the defense table and spoke to his attorney in animated whispers. He was a handsome man, even at fifty, with striking symmetrical features and cold blue eyes. His neat dark hair had streaks of gray at the temples, and he appeared to be tall.
    "All rise." The bailiff's gruff call jarred Keegan into action. Shoving her lapboard and sketchpad under her arm, she closed the pencil case and lurched to her feet just as Judge Rouse strode through the door, his big black robe slapping the frame. The strong cologne odor from the man beside her made her dizzy, and she swayed on her feet.
    Ignore it and focus. She grabbed the railing in front of her, leaned away from her aromatic neighbor, and held her breath as the judge made his way to the bench.
    He was a burly bear of a man, with bushy white eyebrows and a perpetual scowl. Keegan had sketched trials in his courtroom for the past five years, and she didn't remember ever seeing him smile. Hopefully, his stern disposition would bode well for justice in this case. She wished he'd presided over Dirk's trial. If he had, the son of a bitch probably wouldn't have weaseled out of jail time for killing Jenny.
    "Be seated," Rouse ordered in a gruff tone.
    The crowd, apparently eager for blood sport, sat as one, accompanied by a cacophony of mutterings, thuds, and odd thumps. Seconds later, an odd hush fell over the courtroom.
    "Mr. Abington?" The judge first zeroed in on the lead prosecutor, Keller County Assistant District Attorney Carl Abington, and then turned to lance Mr. Wicker's attorney, Fred Quincy, with a lethal glare. "Mr. Quincy? Are we ready?"
    "Yes, sir," they answered in unison.
    Their quick agreement surprised Keegan, who'd seen more than one jury trial postponed because of various motions from either side. That particular drama evidently wouldn't play out in this case, however. Unless something came up later.
    "Very well." The judge nodded at the bailiff. "Bring in the jury."
    While she waited for the jurors to enter the courtroom and be seated, Keegan sketched Judge Rouse's severe countenance with swift, sure strokes. She