Wendell watched as Luke looked across the room to the place where his father was still waiting for him. A kind expression filled Luke’s face. “My dad told me a long time ago that the best way to win an argument was with gentle words and honesty. Worked as a kid. Still works now.”
Luke patted Wendell on the back once more. “I’ll be in touch. I want our families to get together soon. After Christmas, maybe.”
“Definitely.” Wendell would remember Luke Baxter’s kindness all his life. He watched as the young attorney headed toward his dad. And maybe today God had given his old coach Les Green a window. Wendell lifted his face. Lord, tell Les it worked. Good was done here today. In this moment. With a full heart, Wendell turned to Alicia. “You ready to go?”
“Dinner at your house?”
“Absolutely. I texted Jordy after the verdict.” He chuckled. “Seems I got a houseful of kids ready to celebrate.”
It was only three in the afternoon, so the courthouse was still busy, action and drama filling just about every room. But for Wendell, the excitement was over. For now, anyway. Like Judge Wells had said.
He put his arm around Alicia’s shoulders and walked with her to the front of the building. They were barely out the doors when Wendell saw the commotion twenty yards away.
Suddenly there was a series of popping sounds. People all around them screamed and dropped to the ground, covering their heads and hiding behind walls and cars. Wendell did the only thing that mattered.
He grabbed Alicia and shielded her with his body. If it was the last thing he did on earth, he was going to protect her. And if God gave him the chance, he would keep her safe the rest of her life.
The shooting was over as quickly as it began.
Alicia moved closer to him. “What is it, Wendell? Was someone . . . did someone . . . ?”
“I don’t know.” Whatever had happened it looked serious. But it also looked like the incident was over.
Wendell and Alicia stayed in their spot for what felt like an hour. They didn’t move or talk again until an officer approached them. He had a photograph in his hand and seemed to be comparing it to the people leaving the courthouse. Only then did Wendell make out what the man was saying.
“Alicia Harris? Anyone here by the name of Alicia Harris?”
She must’ve heard him, too, because Wendell felt Alicia gasp. Her arm tight around Wendell, she spoke up. “Here. I’m . . . Alicia.”
The officer approached her. “Mrs. Harris. We need to talk with you.” He motioned for Alicia and Wendell to follow him to the far side of the steps. Wendell watched four different officers begin escorting people into the parking lot, away from the scene.
When they were removed from the rest of the crowd, the officer looked straight at Alicia. “Mrs. Harris, has anyone been stalking you lately? To your knowledge?”
Wendell felt Alicia’s knees grow weak. Her breathing became slightly irregular. “Yes. I thought someone might’ve been following me. It happened . . . several times.”
The man nodded, deeply serious. “You wouldn’t know his name, would you?”
Nothing was making sense. Wendell couldn’t believe the direction of the conversation. He turned to Alicia. “Tell them about Jack.”
“Yes.” Alicia looked like she might drop to the ground from the shock. But she clung to Wendell instead. “I was stalked for a long time by a man named Jack Renton. But . . . he got married. I thought things were different.”
“Well, looks like he didn’t change.” The officer clenched his jaw. “I’m afraid Jack Renton followed you to the courthouse. He tried to enter the building with a loaded gun, but our guards stopped him.” The man hesitated. “That’s when Jack aimed his weapon at the officers.” Wendell looked toward an ambulance being loaded with a body bag. “One of our own fired and killed him.”
Wendell couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Jack Renton had been following Alicia all this time? So his was the car they’d seen leaving the parking lot the day before and he was the one she thought had followed her home? A terrible queasy feeling worked its way through Wendell.
What if . . . what if Jack Renton had made his way into the courthouse?
Alicia wasn’t talking. She turned her face toward Wendell’s chest and clung to him. The officer was still standing there, patient, waiting. Wendell held up his hand. “Just give her a minute. This is . . . it’s a lot for her.”
“No problem.” The officer had a notepad. “What’s your name, sir?”
“Wendell Quinn. I’m . . . Ms. Harris and I are friends.”
The officer nodded. “Do you know anything about Jack Renton?”
Did he know anything? Wendell had no idea where to begin, but he was about to start with the slashed tire when Alicia straightened. She looked at the officer. “I’ll tell you. Jack and I used to date, but he got very controlling.”
It took her five minutes to explain the entire situation. Then she was quiet for a moment before asking the question that was clearly on her mind. “Do you think . . . he came here to kill me?”
The officer frowned. “I think there’s a good chance.” He looked over his shoulder. “I can say this much. Jack Renton won’t bother you ever again.”
“If it’s okay, we need to get going.” Wendell thanked the police officer. He and Alicia both gave the man their contact information and then they were free to leave.
All the way to the car, neither Wendell nor Alicia said anything.
Not until they were inside with the doors shut and locked did Alicia fall into his arms and cry. But her tears didn’t last long. After a few minutes she looked at Wendell. “I knew he would kill me.” She searched his eyes. “He would’ve killed you, too.”
Wendell had a feeling Alicia was right. If Jack had made it all the way to the courtroom he would’ve killed them both. Why else bring a gun here? He had to know he’d be caught or shot immediately. He must’ve been intent on going down in a big blaze of gunfire.
“I felt it, the panic attack. It was taking over, and then I whispered the name ‘Jesus.’?” She wiped her tears. “And instantly I wasn’t afraid. That’s why I could talk to that officer.” She managed the slightest smile. “Thank you, Wendell.” Her eyes locked on to his. “For protecting me.”
“Thank you . . . for being here.” He had never wanted to kiss her more than right now. But Wendell knew better. The time would come, he was almost certain. But not now. There was too much to process.
Over the next few days Wendell and Alicia would learn that Jack’s marriage had fallen apart only weeks after it had started. And that in the past month or so his obsession with Alicia had gotten so great, he no longer went to work.
The man was certifiably insane.
Wendell prayed with Alicia about the matter, and they both felt peace. And while it would take some time for Alicia to stop looking over her shoulder, Jack would never threaten her again. Those days were behind them. It was time to move on, time to stop thinking about the past.
And start dreaming about the future.
? ? ?
LUKE COULDN’T BELIEVE the drama that had played out in front of the courthouse moments after he left the building. If the timing had been different, anything might’ve happened.
It didn’t take long for the media to report with near certainty that Jack Renton had been headed for the courtroom. Based on notes they’d found on his computer, he intended to kill both Alicia Harris and her male friend. Luke’s client. Wendell Quinn.
Crazy world, Luke told himself more than once. If not for God’s protection, anything could’ve happened.
Especially if the man had gotten that far with his loaded gun. Luke had been in the courtroom, too, after all. He and his father. Reagan had struggled to fall asleep the first few nights after learning what had happened. Any threat by Jack Renton was obviously behind them.
Still, it made Luke grateful that he’d been spending more time at home. If the gunman had made it into the courtroom, he could’ve died. But he would’ve died knowing he’d made the right decision.