"You're going to keep her off the stand," Maddy said as a statement, knowing full well that would be Raymond's intention."Yeah. I think we've got a stronger case that way." Raymond said. On Wednesday afternoon, one of the officers stopped on the catwalk in front of my cell. "Get your stuff together." He said. "You're getting a room with a view."I gathered my belongings. "Do I get to stay alone upstairs?" I asked. "Far as I know, that's the plan." The officer said.I collected my toothbrush, my spare jumpsuit, a pair of shorts, and my stash of commissary food. I glanced at the pillow and blanket on my bunk, then turned to the officer. "Do I need to take those?" I asked.The officer shook his head, then directed me out of the catwalk, past the other maximum-security cells."This way, doctor," Raymond said, directing doctor Great to a seat.The officer unlocked the door and announced, "Venessa is on her way."

Detective Mark Justin was called to the stand. Questions were thrown at him by Buttler Dennis. He was asked his capacity of his employment, how long he'd worked with the Bainbridge police, his training, his work, and experience, to which he responded. Buttler Dennis kept on throwing questions, Mark told the court that he was the one in charge of the investigation surrounding the death of Martin Peter. He determined the cause of the death as a gunshot wound to the neck and he able to retrieve the gun, which the court saw."Can you tell us about the tests you ran on the gun?" Buttler asked."The first bullet fired was determined, it went straight to the victim's shoulder. The second bullet went to the victim's neck, exiting and lodging on the wall. Venessa Davidson the defendant, her fingerprints were on both of those bullets.""Her fingerprints were on both bullets you say. Were there any other fingerprints you found on the bullets.""No."

Raymond found me alone in the store the next day. I stood behind the counter, counting the money in the cash drawer. I didn't hear him enter. For a moment, I felt someone was staring at me, so I turned to see it was Raymond."I love your casual wear. The shirt and jeans. You look sensational.""Well... I am a woman who knows myself and dresses accordingly.""I find that sexy.""Fuck off.""I guess you work here. Venessa, if not for me, think of our son, you are not giving him all he needs financially. You need financial support, I can see that."I busted out laughing. "We are doing fine, you are getting it all wrong but I don't have time to waste, talking to a wicked man like you.""Oh... Wicked man, that's what you call me now.""I can never forget you put up that video." I tried to leave but he caught my arm and turned me to face him. Our eyes met and held. "You're hurting me a lot." He noticed the rate at which

"Are you okay?" Raymond asked.I nodded, my mouth dry. "Am fine."He returned his gaze to the wound. "Remember in our school days, the time you stepped on that piece of glass in the park.""Oh, it was you. You had to carry me back to the car." "Mmm." He rubbed his fingers across the bandage.I stifled a smile. "Some hero. It practically killed me. It was almost a mile.""Almost two." He looked up again. Our eyes met and held. "Do you remember how you thanked me?""Yes," I whispered, lowering my head. "I remember."I felt the urge to kiss him as he brushed his hand through my hair. I closed my eyes and parted my lips."Mummy!" Martin called.Saved by my son. If he hadn't had called, I would have kissed him. Catching my breath, I looked at Raymond. "Where are you!" "Answer the boy, he is looking for his mama," Raymond said."Honey, am in the bathroom." Martin ran t

Martin said, "I do like the girl you met at the elevator the other day."Raymond smiled. "Does she like you too?""Yeah, she does. She and her grandparents just moved in. She said her father was shot on his neck and he had a baby mama. His baby mama left her in the hands of her grandparents.""What's her name?""Grace."Raymond remembered that Martin's daughter's name was Grace. He knew that the boy talked of Venessa's husband, Martin Peter.Raymond said, "I sent them a card to welcome them to the neighborhood.""That's cool."With reverent fingers, Belinda touched the ribbon and untangled a card decorated with a hand-drawn horse. She read, "Welcome to the neighborhood.""I think New York people are very friendly. New Hampshire just keeps reminding me of the death of my son." Peter said."Well, I'll call to thank them," Belinda said, retrieving the card."Raymond and Martin. Martin! Why does everythin