Prologue
The swishing of her shopping bags along with the, “click clack” of her high heel shoes were the only sounds that could be heard as Robin made her way through the parking lot. It was nearly pitch black outside and the dimly lit space seemed hollow without the bustle of customers rushing about. She hadn’t meant to stay out as long as she did. But the retail therapy she got from shopping helped to get her mind off of everything else she had going on.
Austin was probably worried sick about her. When she left her office earlier that day, she never even called to let him know when to expect her home. The pricey heels she was wearing were beginning to wear out their welcome on her feet, so as soon as she spotted her car up ahead, she instinctively picked up the pace.
Suddenly there was the sound of footsteps behind her that fell into synch with hers. Trying inconspicuously to peek over her own shoulder, Robin gripped her car keys so that they jutted out from between her knuckles. She may have been overreacting, but figured she’d take the extra precaution just in case. Her vehicle was just within reach, and as she nervously grabbed for the door handle, the steps behind her turned into a full out sprint in her direction.
Her heart leapt into her throat as panic edged its way up her spine. There was no time left for her to run, so Robin swung around as her balled fists came up swinging wildly as means of protection.
“You’re a rotten egg!” a young woman screamed playfully to her boyfriend as she slapped the door of their car.
“No fair, you cheated.”
He lovingly pulled her in for a kiss and they snuggled on the edge of the car.
Robin let out a breath and flattened her back against her door. She pressed a palm to her forehead and chuckled at herself for being so paranoid.
Good going Robin, you almost keyed those kids to death because you’re a stressed out, psycho, scardey cat.
She watched the young couple as they loaded themselves into their vehicle and then sped away.
After sliding behind the wheel of her own car, she leaned back on the head rest and closed her eyes. It had been a long day and she knew it was time to retreat to the safety and sanity of her own home. Still shaking her head over her excessive reaction, she slid her key into the ignition and turned the switch.
The car didn’t make a sound.
Her eyebrows furrowed deeply as she tried the switch again, getting the same result. This time, she turned the key as far as it would go, and pumped the gas pedal as if that would make a difference.
“Going somewhere Robin?” a voice asked from her backseat.
Her eyes widened and before she could let out a scream, a damp cloth was forced over her mouth and nose. Robin’s rigged body fought desperately to break away from the person’s grip. But after several seconds of writhing around to no avail, she gradually slumped forward. The backseat passenger then calmly leaned back and dialed a number on his cell phone. As he waited for his accomplice to arrive, the man hummed the tune, Hush Little Baby, in between puffing away on a cigar.
Several minutes later, two men—along with Robin’s unconscious body—made their way down the potholed road of I 75 north.
“Sweet dreams, Robin…” Kevin Dennison said as he stroked her hair tenderly.
Chapter 1
Kevin Dennison sat in the courtroom surrounded by his team of high profile lawyers. Dressed in a William Malcolm Black Label suit, he looked more like the legal counsel representing him than he did the person being charged. A blanket smile lit his face as he prepared for a ruling that he was sure would be in his favor.
Robin was sick to her stomach after having just testified against him. The witness stand felt more like a public torture chamber when she was forced to relive the events of the night that she was almost killed.
“He had just shot Austin and forced me onto the ground. Even though it was night, I could see the gun clearly. I started to beg for my life, but my mouth wouldn’t move. I was frozen, and thought I was about to die.”
Tears streamed down Robin’s face and she slowly wiped them away.
Kevin seemed to get a kick out of her misery and tried hard not to laugh out loud.
His attorney’s defense was that he was miles away on a business trip the night that she and Austin were almost murdered in the park. Katherine Palmer, the DA was an expert at shredding through lies and poor excuses. She lit into their story like an angry flame.
“I have a remote starter on my car. So guess what that means. It means that even though I’m not physically there to turn on the car with a key, I can still remotely control the situation—just as Kevin Dennison controlled this one.
I have here in my hands records and recorded conversations of Mr. Dennison hiring a hit man to carry out the heinous act of the attempted murders of Robin Malone, and Austin Greene. So to say that he was away on business means absolutely nothing.”
She walked over to the defense’s table and sloppily tossed the evidence papers at them.
“Austin Greene is currently in a rehabilitation center where he is relearning to walk and function in a normal capacity. The bullets that ripped through his body, never would have been fired had it not been for this man right here,” she said pointing to Kevin.
“Robin Malone was able to escape with minor injuries, thankfully. But this fact makes Kevin Dennison no less guilty. The fact that his hired help flubbed the job was a mere setback for him. I am confident that if he walks away free, he will try again and again until he finds someone who will kill them. He just might be brave enough next time to do it himself,” she said to the jury.
That display in the courtroom had occurred three days ago and the jury had just now come back with a verdict. Kevin adjusted the lapel on his suit as he stood and prepared to hear what he thought would be good news.
Sweat moistened Robin’s hands as she clasped them together.
This is it…
“Has the jury reached a verdict?”
“Yes we have your honor.”
Judge Marshall Crenshaw took a folded slip of paper from the female bailiff and cleared his throat. He then handed it back to her and said, “How do you find?”
“On the charge of conspiracy to commit homicide, we the jury, find the defendant, Kevin Dennison…guilty.”
Robin’s bowed head shot up in the air and she nearly yelped with joy. Kevin’s face looked stunned as he stood there in shock. His legal team corralled around him while the judge banged his gavel.
“Mister Dennison,” said the judge, but Kevin didn’t look up. He appeared to be quarreling with his lawyers. “Mister Dennison,” the judge said more firmly.
Defiantly, Kevin turned his head in the judge’s direction while his nostrils flared.
“You selfishly orchestrated the murders of two individuals.” The judge then slid the glasses from his face and said, “I’m not the most religious man, but I must say I thank God that your plans were thwarted. Two individuals nearly lost their lives on account of your actions, sir. And that’s not something that this court takes lightly. To help you clearly see the severity of your behavior, I am choosing to make an immediate ruling.”
A buzz of chatter went around the courtroom and the judge cleared his throat.
“I hereby sentence you to a minimum of fifteen years in the Jackson State Penitentiary. The next time you think about toying with someone else’s life—don’t.”
He then banged his gavel and retreated back to chambers.
Robin’s breath seemed to leap from her body as a wave of relief washed over her. She squeezed Katherine Palmer and thanked her for doing a stellar job on the case. Because of Katherine, there was now no worry of Kevin doing more harm to her or anyone else in her family. Robin’s life would now finally be back on the right track to normalcy.
Or so she thought…
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