EMBRACE YOU Lone(liness Book Two)(33)

"Yes, that's a good point," says Laslow.

"Okay, then, everyone. Let's take things one day at a time. We do have a lot happening now. First, the sentencing. Pending what happens there, we either make plans to flee the country or we go home and get ready to leave for Europe the next day," Tim orders.

With that, Nigel leaves and we resume practicing. By the end of the day, we have our songs memorized. Marcus has a good day as well. He catches up on his backlog of articles. As we go home, we chat, feeling good about the day.

At home, after we have dinner and clean up the kitchen, I bathe Lizzie. She goes to bed, leaving me free to start choosing what to pack. I choose clothing for a winter in Europe and pack these items. I decide to pack Lizzie's things tomorrow. Marcus runs upstairs and packs his clothing. As he finishes, he looks at me.

"Johanna, I'm thinking it's a good thing that the tour is so close to the sentencing. We have more luggage, so we can set these packed bags close to the bedroom door - and start packing more bags, just in case. We can pack mainly winter things because it's just as cold in New York as it is here. We'll have time to buy new clothing over there as the seasons change, but we will need much more clothing if we end up staying in the U.S. for any length of time. What do you say?"

I sighed. "I wish it wasn't so necessary, but I agree with you. You're right. I don't want to wake Lizzie, so I'm delaying packing her clothing until tomorrow. Let's pack extra things for us right now. We can move that to the garage later on. I'll pack my music and a music stand as well. It's a good thing we have a larger vehicle because we can stash all that in the rear before we go to the hearing on Wednesday. Hopefully, it won't be necessary, but at least we won't be caught short of time, scrambling to get out of Great Britain."

"That's my goal, luv. To get you, Lizzie and me out of harm's way, just in case. The juries did find both women guilty, but until we hear what the magistrate says, it means as much as warm spit in a bucket," Marcus says.

"Ewww! Couldn't you have found a better analogy?" After we lug several heavy bags downstairs, I cough, feeling breathless. "Treatment time. I'm taking this downstairs," I tell Marcus, pointing at Lizzie's closed bedroom door.

After my nebulizer treatment, I drink water, feeling better - if a bit trembly. Marcus runs my machine upstairs and, as he comes down, we hear the phone ring. He grabs it.

"Hullo?"

"Marcus? It's the prosecuting barrister here. I want to give you and Johanna some preparation, just in case. Both juries have found Cara and Melanie guilty, but that means nothing. The magistrate could decide, based on their mental health diagnoses, to keep them out of prison."

"Sir, we've been talking about that, actually." He scribbles a two-word note and hands it to me - "prosecuting barrister."

"And?"

"Uhh, we're trying to make sure that we're all protected. Beyond that, I'm reluctant to say anything," Marcus tells him. He presses the button to place the call on speakerphone so I can hear the rest of the conversation.

I exhale in relief. He's being cautious. Good.

"Okay, then, don't say anything more. I'm grateful you realize that the probability exists for them to be free this week. I'm glad you realize there's danger in that. Too many crime victims have assumed that, just because there's a sentencing hearing, the perpetrators will be locked up."

I speak up.

"Sir, we know mental illness is unpredictable. I don't trust either Cara or Melanie to behave and stay within the bounds of the law," I say.

"Good. Okay. I just wanted to let you know about the possibility. Some magistrates will send defendants to jail while others will take a softer stance. Goodnight." He hangs up.

"I'm glad he called us," I say. "That confirms that we're right to be making these preparations...and thank you for not saying what they are!"

"Hell, Jo, I don't know if he's in the pay of the tabloids. No way will I put you or Lizzie in danger," says Marcus.



We practice the following day, then, at the end of the day, we sit down to talk.

"Okay, instead of practice tomorrow, we're going straight to the court house. We'll listen to what the magistrate says, and see if he sentences either woman to any time. Depending on his decision, we will either fly to Europe tomorrow afternoon or Thursday. Have you exchanged your U.S. tickets for tickets to Europe?" Tim asks us.

Marcus nods. "Did that yesterday. I didn't realize the proximity of the start of the tour to the sentencing hearing - I think we've been so focused on illness, practice, and two criminal trials that I overlooked it."

"It's natural, because I did, too," Linny says.

After talking for several minutes more, we all head home. As he's driving, Marcus brakes suddenly, swearing under his breath.

"What?" I ask curiously.

"Look up ahead. Those pedestrians aren't pedestrians."

"Paparazzo? Rag journalists?"

"You've got that right. Hang on tight..." Marcus makes a sharp right turn and accelerates. I look out the wing mirror, searching for cars in pursuit. I see nothing.

"I don't see anyone."

"Good. I don't want them to know it was us. From the front, we look like any largish vehicle. They may not have known it was us. Still, I'd rather exercise too much caution so we don't have slavering dogs at the walls, wanting to get to you and Lizzie," Marcus says.