Missing Grace(84)

Ben crossed his arms across his chest and leaned back in the chair. The facts were on their side, but it didn't feel satisfactory as all the details of that day came to light. He wanted him to pay, and an upscale jail in New York wasn't enough. Suddenly, Ben had an idea. He didn't know if it would fly, but he was willing to do whatever he could to get back at the monster. He leaned over to his lawyer and whispered his thoughts.

His lawyer listened intently and nodded in agreement. He then took the next opportunity he had to introduce the new evidence.

The judge showed interest in this turn of events and announced that the police would also have great interest in it. Shortly after closing arguments, the jury spent less than an hour behind closed doors before returning a guilty verdict. Barnes would be liable for $3.6 million to Grace Edwards for distress and emotional damage. Payments would be set up after he paid the $2.4 million he had in savings and investments, including his apartment. He would also be required to perform seven hundred and fifty hours of community roadside service. In other words, picking up trash along the state's highways.

During the jury's deliberation, John and Joe met with the police officers and District Attorney who originally handled Barnes's medical fraud case. It was an angle they hadn't thought of before because they were so focused on taking Barnes down for medical file tampering and getting his license taken away.

After the return of the verdict, the DA received word to take Barnes into custody, which gave Ben and Grace, and their families, a satisfactory verdict.

As his lawyer escorted a disgruntled Barnes out of the courtroom, the police stopped him to read him his rights, though they all knew he had none at this point. This was a slam-dunk and not only did the DA openly smile, but Ben smirked victoriously.

Grace returned to her husband's side and asked, feeling nervous and yet, excited over the arrest. "What are the official charges?"

"Felony. He took your ring, stole your ring from your finger the day of the accident with no intention of giving it back."



       
         
       
        

"I don't understand." She shook her head confused.

Ben laughed, feeling the burden of Hunter Barnes lifting from his shoulders while their lawyer explained, "That's a felony in the state of Illinois because the heirloom setting plus the diamond Ben had added was valued at eighteen thousand dollars with aggravated identity theft, which equates to three years minimum jail time."

She smiled and kissed him on the lips. "I'm just glad to have it back." She looked at the ring on her finger as it sparkled in the late afternoon sun shining through the courthouse windows.

Barnes shouted at Ben, one last time before he was pushed to the far side of the corridor. "You'll pay for this."

"Actually, I think you'll be the one paying for this for about three to five years. Good luck with the boys in jail, Mr. Chicago Under Forty Fucker."

Barnes turned to his lawyer. "Do something!"

His attorney held his still swelling nose and said, "You need to find yourself new counsel. I'm done." He turned and walked out as Barnes's chest was shoved against the hard marble, and he was handcuffed. "Fuck!"

Grace jumped at the sound of the monster's shout. She looked over and saw the anger on his face. The scowl and hate aimed at her made her shudder. Moving to stand against Ben, she leaned her head on his shoulder, looking down at their adjoined hands. "I can't feel sympathy for him because he's finally getting what he deserves. He is going to lose years of his life, and there is nothing he can do about it."

"He stole years of yours and now will have his taken in return. Karma's a bitch." Both Ben and Grace along with their families finally felt like justice had been served. Eye for an eye. "The outcome is very satisfying."

Just as her eyes met Barnes, he said, "I'll always love you, Jane."

"You love someone who doesn't exist." Her reply came easily, with no sympathy. Just the facts. "Come on, let's go, babe." Ben tucked her into his side protectively, and they walked down the steps.

In the cab, Grace looked around the city of Chicago as they drove to the airport.

Ben noticed how quiet she became, and asked, "Do you miss it here?"

"No," she said, nodding her head. "This was never my home. This is just where Jane lived." She leaned her head on Ben's shoulder as the taxi wove in and out of traffic. He wrapped his arm around her and held her close. "My home is wherever you are."

He kissed the top of her head and said, "I want the hell out of this city and I'll be happy if we never return." She giggled under the weight of his arm. "Grace, let's go home. We have a destiny to fulfill."