A Walk Down Rushville by Barbara Burton

Author:Barbara Burton [Burton, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Manuscripts LLC
Published: 2024-04-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

In the weeks ahead, Skyler made good progress on her physical therapy. However, she was far from healed psychologically. The shooting had taken its toll. She suffered from anxiety during the day and nightmares about the trial. She took the advice of her therapist and met with a new counselor who had expertise helping victims of violent crimes. Therapy included talk therapy, group therapy, and a psychotherapy process call EMDR to help her mentally reprogram the experience—deep work on her psyche that she was only just beginning to understand. So much work on myself.

In preparation for the trial, she’d been visited several times in the last few weeks by the prosecuting attorney, Stephanie Lee, an Asian woman with an incredible grasp of the law. Lee explained what would happen in the trial, advising her to simply tell the truth.

Skyler had no problem telling the truth, but nothing could quell the tightness in the pit of her stomach at the thought of DeSilva’s face. No matter what she did or where she was, she could see his eyes—in the window, by the car, and outside her back door.

When will this all be over?

The criminal trial against DeSilva would be the first case. Then, there was her case involving DeSilva and his attempt on her life. Two separate criminal cases. She could hardly believe her life had become so complicated.

Skyler glanced at her watch, almost forgetting that her new attorney was due to stop by in a half-hour. Retaining Mark Reynolds as an attorney was Banks’ suggestion so he could advise her on legal options related to her injuries from the shooting. She grabbed her crutches, went to the bedroom, changed her clothes, and dashed on a bit of makeup.

The doorbell rang. Now a bit faster at maneuvering with her crutches, she opened it to see Reynolds, a tall black man dressed in a navy suit carrying a briefcase. He was handsome, with a square jaw, and a dusting of gray in his hair and sideburns.

“Come in, please,” she said, motioning for him to enter. She followed behind him on her crutches. “It’s so nice to meet you—to put a face with a name. Have a seat.” She pointed to the couch and took the chair nearby, only realizing afterward that her notebook was on the dining room table.

“Could I trouble you to grab that notebook over there? I’d like to take notes,” she asked.

“Of course.” He took a few long strides she thought graceful for a man and handed her the notebook before sitting down. “I’m sure you’re ready to get this first case involving Kate behind you.” He placed his briefcase on the side of the coffee table.

“Am I! The prosecuting attorney described what would happen inside the courtroom. That was helpful. I just want to get this testimony over,” she confessed, combing her hand through her hair.

“Glad she discussed the procedures with you, and who goes when, and so forth. As I’m sure she mentioned, all you need to do is testify what you witnessed that night.

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