Page 55 of Lethal Justice

Epilogue

“We the juryfind the defendant Charles Kasten, guilty on all counts.” A cheer went up in the courtroom at the jury’s findings, but Malco only had eyes for the woman he loved. Her gaze swung to him at the back of the courtroom, and he thought his heart couldn’t love her more than he did at that moment.

Triumph, relief, pride, and love filled her stunning features. He returned her smile before she was swept into a hug from Cleo, who’d given up her own time to help out with recruiting and training more staff for Frida’s practice.

He twisted when a hand landed on his shoulder and saw James and Alex either side of him.

“I knew she could do it.” Alex nodded at Frida, who was shaking hands with Chief Randall.

James grinned at him. “Me too, she’s the lawyer and friend I want on my side in any situation.”

“She worked her ass off this last year to make sure the evidence she had and the case she made was watertight,” Malco told the men needlessly because they’d been there through every late night, through every struggle or set back, and there had been a few. A case like this was always going to have blips, and sometimes it had seemed like it had all been for nothing, especially when the gangs claimed more lives. In the end though, through the hard work, grit, and tenacity of the woman he loved, justice had prevailed.

James looked across the room at Mercy, who was with Frida, and his face softened. “The streets are safer for a little while, at least.”

Frida finally made it past the melee and threw herself into his arms.

Malco caught her and held her tight to his body, his head buried in her neck. “I am so proud of you.”

Her arms tightened around his neck at his words, and he felt the shudder of relief go through her body.

Frida pulled back, and her eyes were full of joy when she looked at him. “We did it.”

Malco shook his head. “You did it. I was just the cheer squad. It was your brain, your skill, and your hard work. All I did was provide the foot rubs and the tacos.”

“And what amazing foot rubs and tacos they were.”

Her expression was euphoric, and Malco had the perfect plan for them to celebrate, but first, they had something to do.

Frida nodded. “Shall we go tell them?”

He took her hand, guiding her through the courtroom, frequently stopping for expressions of congratulations from other lawyers, and lots of people wanting her to call them. Malco knew her star was only just beginning to shine and that every ounce of success she had was hard-earned with blood, sweat, and sacrifice.

As they drove, he could feel her relax as she slid out of her suit jacket and slipped her feet into flats. Pulling up outside the Youth Center, he smiled when he saw the huge banner the kids had made for her. Frida looked at him with a raised eyebrow and a beautiful smile.

“Did you do this?”

Malco took her hand and brought her knuckles to his lips, kissing them lightly as he did.

“No, this is all the kids. They wanted you to know how proud they are of you and how much it means that you see them.” Her eyes began to water, and he waited patiently as she blinked the tears away.

“They didn’t know I would win,” she stated.

“They never doubted you.” He nodded to the door where Danie was standing with her son nestled against her body. He saw Frida’s face soften at the sight of her and little Moses.

“Shall we?”

Frida nodded, and they alighted the car to be greeted by cheers and excitement as they moved forward into the center past Danie, who immediately handed Moses to Malco. Frida accepted hugs from Tycen, Mrs. Neal, Ward, and even JaKheel, who was at the back. Malco walked to them and heard the end of the conversation.

“You gave me back my life and my family.” JaKheel took his son into his arms, and the look of love in his eyes told them more than words ever could.

“You were the one that took the leap, JaKheel. Your testimony is what put Bullet and the others away for life. Will you stay around here?” JaKheel had decided not to take the WitSec program, instead, he wanted to show his son that good could win and be a role model for others.

JaKheel smiled as Danie appeared at his side. “Me and Danie are gonna go stay with her aunt in Carolina and see how we like it there.”

“Carolina is beautiful, but whatever you do, stay in touch. I want pictures of this little guy.” Malco observed Frida as she gently stroked her finger over Moses’s cheek with such a tenderness he longed for the same.

They stayed a little longer before he saw his Frida flagging and knew it was time to go home.