Trust Me? The Trust Me? Trilogy (25 page)

“Sustained,” the judge says.

“Mr. O’Connell, let me put it this way. Are you trying to say that someone framed you to get away with embezzling your incorporated company’s money when you, in fact, did it yourself?”

“No.”

“What then do you make of the transfer receipt and attached with-compliments slip?”

“I am sure it’s counterfeit, as anyone could have made it with a design program and a printer.”

“So you believe this to be false as well?”

“Yes, either that or whoever is framing me received it and placed it in my office for Mr. Jones to find, although I have never seen it before.”

“So, are you saying that Mr. Jones is a liar?”

“I’m saying someone planted it there, framing me.”

“So you’re saying someone is falsifying evidence?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. O’Connell, do you understand how the evidence suggests
that you are, in fact, guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?”

“But I’m not guilty,” he says, his voice strained.

“Isn’t that what most people facing up to ten years
imprisonment would say?”

“Yes,” he says, huffing and shaking his head.

“I rest my case. No further questions, Your Honor.”

“This court is now adjourned for ten minutes while the
prosecution and defense prepare their closing arguments,” the judge calls out.

“All rise,” the bailiff says. We stand as the judge exits the courtroom, and the prosecution and defense teams, leave toward their respective rooms. Aiden looks back at me completely defeated, my poor man. He looks
nervous and shaken.

We walk outside the courtroom to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. Sarah holds her arm around me as we walk with the rest of the family.

“It doesn’t look good, does it?” Blair asks no one in particular. No one answers as we stand huddled in silence. Alistair joins us.

“What are they saying?” he asks quietly.

“Like you care,” Callie retorts, making us look away.

“I care. He’s your son,” Alistair says as Callie exhales in disgust.

“He’s your son too, Alistair.” She walks away.

“That’s what I meant,” he calls out to her as Brielle and
Blair follow their mother.

“I can’t stand this,” I mumble as Sarah tightens her arms around me.

“I could seriously strangle that little
fucker
Matthew; I knew he was up to no good. I wish we could’ve found something on
him, but he’s covered his tracks well,” Benjamin exclaims.

* * *

The bailiff heads back in, and we follow to hear their final statements.

“All rise, this session is now resumed,” he says, and the
judge walks back in. “Be seated,” the bailiff says, looking stoic.

The prosecutor rises and walks to the middle of the courtroom and stands in front of the jury.

“I want to begin, Your Honor, on behalf of myself and on behalf
of our entire team by thanking you and the court for extending the courtesy you have to all the parties and counsel throughout this trial. Our thanks extend to the court’s staff, to the detectives, and the court reporters who have kept up
with the lawyers and witnesses statements in this case.

“The prosecution would like to remind the jury that a conviction of guilty needs to be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. I know we
have shown you enough evidence and testimony to rule beyond a shadow of doubt that Aiden O’Connell
is
guilty of embezzlement totaling ten million dollars. How do I know? Because we had testimony from the lead detective, Detective Breuer, stating that the money being embezzled was found in an
account under the accused’s name. Testimony from a colleague showed that the defendant had a grievance with his father, and they fought more often than not, giving him probable cause, and a transfer receipt and attached with-compliments
slip was found from a bank in Switzerland with Mr. O’Connell’s name stated clearly on it. This, plus the other compelling evidence, some given by Mr. O’Connell himself, that anyone facing up to ten years imprisonment would lie
about whether they committed the crime to get out of serving such a sentence. It is up to us to stand against this type of crime to stop businesses and corporations of this great State from going into bankruptcy because of grievances. Embezzlement is a crime that should be punished accordingly. Thank
you.”

My stomach turns somersaults, making me feel nauseous. I hold on to Sarah’s hand as Mike holds my other one. My breathing is shallow. The tension in the room is palpable as Jenson stands for his final statement.

“I also would like to begin by thanking Your Honor and the court staff on behalf of myself and my client. The defense would like to start by stating that Mr. O’Connell is a family man; he thrives on working in the
family business with his father, Alistair O’Connell. I would like to point out to the jury that Alistair O’Connell, the owner of O’Connell Finance, is here in the courtroom supporting his son today. If the owner of the incorporated company believes in his son’s innocence, then doesn’t it make it more likely
that the defendant is, in fact, respected by his father, even though they may argue? This brings me to question the fact that Mr. O’Connell would do as he is accused. To spite his father? I think not.”

I look over at Alistair; his face is stern. I’m not sure that he likes being pointed out, but hopefully a valid point has been made that he’s finally here for Aiden. I look at the jury as they intently listen to Jenson.

“The transfer receipt and attached with-compliments slip entered into evidence is not something I would call evidentiary. It may be a product of someone else’s doing. Anyone can print a design copying the banks logos, etcetera. Also anyone can write anything they like onto said slip. This
evidence is neither solid nor damning and should not be conclusive to the defendant’s case.

“My client is an honest, hard-working man; he is a son, a brother, a grandson, and a partner to all who support him today, none of whom
believe him to be guilty. If it was your son, brother, grandson, or partner in his situation, wouldn’t you be a supporter too? Don’t let the crimes of someone else fall to him. He is innocent, and although we do not have any evidence to
suggest who the person or persons are framing Mr. O’Connell, we plead that you find it in your hearts to look at the evidence given. No one in their right mind would go to the trouble of transferring the money through various accounts
for it to end up back into an account in his own name. Thank you.”

I take a deep breath as Jenson sits down next to Aiden. My leg is agitating up and down as I try to keep myself composed. Sarah gently rests her hand on my knee to stop it, and I put my hand over hers, and she
holds on tightly.

“We have heard both sides of this argument. The jury is now to retire to the jury room to consider their verdict. During this time, the jurors may not speak to anyone about the case, excluding other jury members.
All discussions must take place in the jury room and when all jurors are present. This court is adjourned.”

“All rise,” the bailiff says. We stand, and the judge walks
out, followed by the jury. Aiden turns around to face me.

“I love you, Jeni,” he says as a policeman takes him and leads him out of the room.

My eyes feel heavy. Now all we can do is wait, wait for a verdict as to whether I spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams or
whether he’ll spend it in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

Aiden’s family walks to the front of the courthouse as Jenson comes over to talk with us.

“Now we wait,” he says.

“If he’s found guilty, will we have time to see him before they take him away?” Brielle asks Jenson.

“Unfortunately no. He will be taken straight back to the state penitentiary, where he’ll become a full-fledged inmate.”

Brielle hugs Adam as she cries into his chest.

I want to cry, but I can’t; I have no tears left. “How will we know when the jury is back?” I feel my stomach churn again as I ask Jenson.

“I’ll call you and let you know,” he says kindly.

“Can we see him now?” Blair asks as I look up with a glimmer of hope.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible. He’s in custody until the
jurors return.”

My mouth drops open, and I feel a sense of helplessness.

“Thank you, Jenson, for everything,” Callie says.

“Don’t thank me yet. This could go either way. I’ll call you
when the jurors are back,” he says as he walks off.

“Jenifer, why don’t you and Sarah come back to our house? That way we can all be together when he calls,” Callie says to me kindly. I’m feeling dazed.

“Mike, take the girls and bring them back to the house.”

“Sure thing, Mrs. O’Connell,” Mike says and leads us to the car.

* * *

Sarah is looking out the car window as we pull up at the
massive mansion.

“My God, these people are loaded,” she says with a small laugh.

I don’t take much notice and step out of the car, walking to the front door. Brielle answers, and Sarah and I walk inside. I have my arms
wrapped around myself, subconsciously trying to hold myself together as we walk through to the living room. I sit on one of the sofas and stare into the distance at nothing as I see my life fading away. Everyone is talking as Nana
brings in drinks for us all. She puts mine on the coffee table in front of me as I continue to stare at nothing.

* * *

The day fades away slowly with no phone call. They say verdicts can take days to come back or only a couple of hours. I was hoping for
the latter when I hear a cell phone ring in the distance.

“They’re back already. Is that good or bad?” Callie announces as Sarah looks at me sympathetically.

“C’mon, everyone, we have to get down there quickly,”
Alistair announces as everyone stands up to walk out of the room. I stay on the sofa, sitting there watching everyone frantically trying to leave when Nana spots me.

“Jeni, aren’t you coming?” she asks, and I shake my head.
Everyone looks at me and stops in their tracks as Sarah comes back to sit next to me.

“You have to come,” Sarah says, taking my hands in hers as I continue to shake my head.

“Darling, Aiden needs you to be there.”

My bottom lip starts to quiver as an overwhelming sense of anxiety floods over me. “I can’t,” I whisper.

“If the situation were reversed, wouldn’t you want him there? Even though it would be hard for him, wouldn’t you want it?” Nana asks
quietly.

I swallow hard as I take in what she’s said. I have to be there, for him and for me; I need to know what happens, good or bad. I inhale and stand up, and Nana and Sarah both exhale with relief.

“We have to go now,” Callie says calmly, and Nana, Sarah, and I walk to the cars.

* * *

We walk into the courtroom and take the same seats, mine behind the defense table so I can be close to Aiden. The prosecutor enters, as
do Aiden and Jenson, who sit in front of us.

I lean forward and whisper to Aiden, “I love you, no matter what.”

He exhales.

The bailiff enters and takes his usual spot in the
courtroom. “All rise,” he announces as the judge walks in and sits down.

“Be seated. Please bring in the jury,” he says.

The jury, looking stoic, enters one by one into the
courtroom. My heart is racing a million miles an hour. I almost feel as though I’m having a panic attack as my leg starts to agitate, and I bite my bottom lip to stop it from quivering.

Aiden and Mr. Munroe stand.

“Has the jury reached a verdict?” the judge asks.

A young woman stands in the jurors’ box, her face giving nothing away. “We have, Your Honor.”

This is it; this is the moment. I stop breathing, which
makes me feel lightheaded, and my body is shaking all over. She hands a piece of paper to the judge. He reads it and nods.

“What say you?” the judge asks.

“In the case of Aiden O’Connell versus the State on the
charge of embezzlement, we find the defendant... guilty, Your Honor.”

My hand shoots up to my mouth as tears well in my eyes. Guilty? Oh my god. Shock fills the room as everyone in his family gasps in
disbelief. I look at Aiden as his head hangs low in despair, and I burst into tears.

He turns to me. “I love you, Jeni.”

I stand, holding my hands out to him, tears falling down my face. “I love you.”

He takes my hands in his as a policeman walks over to take him into custody. He pulls Aiden away from me, making me fall forward as our hands are torn apart.

“Aiden.” I grab hold of the barrier in front of me, leaning
toward Aiden, reaching out to try and touch him as he’s pulled farther away.

He struggles against the police officer. “Jeni, I didn’t do this. Jeni, Jeni, I love you,” he yells as he struggles more violently.

“Aiden, don’t fight them.” I sob.

“Jeni, you know I didn’t do this. Tell me you believe me.”

His family, excluding his father, bursts into tears.

“Aiden, I love you,” I yell as he resists the police
officer.

“I love you, baby. Trust me. I didn’t do this. Jeni, do you trust me?”

“I do.”

Love Me?

The Trust Me? Trilogy

All of Me?

The Trust Me? Trilogy

Content is subject to change with publication.

Chapter 1

The
room shifts to darkness as Aiden rolls over on
his tattered mattress. The cell is small and dank, leaving him shivering uncontrollably. I watch him through the bars as a single tear rolls down my cheek. A glimmer of something dark stands in the background as he tries to sleep. His eyes are closed as the figure floats towards him; dark, endless
black nothingness fills the room as Aiden opens his eyes. He rolls over to see the blackness drifting toward him. He sits up on the bed, his back to the wall. His eyes squint as the darkness surges, lifting him from the mattress by the
neck, strangling him. He tries to call out for help, but when he opens his mouth, the blackness floods his throat. I reach through the bars to take hold of him, but he’s so far away. The blackness engulfs him, and my Aiden is gone.

I take Mr. Snuggles, my trusted teddy bear, and hold him tight to me for comfort. The light is still on from a couple of hours ago when
I woke to the same nightmare. I take a deep calming breath. I would’ve thought by now I’d be used to this, but it still devastates me every single time I dream it. I look at the clock. It’s five in the morning, and I start to remember the sentencing for Aiden’s trial.

***

“All rise,” the Bailiff calls out as the judge walks in and sits down.

“Be seated. We are here today for the sentencing of Aiden O’Connell. Mr. O’Connell, you have been found guilty of embezzlement by jury
verdict. I am now adjudging you guilty of said offenses.

“Having adjudged you, I will now impose the following sentence: I’m ordering that you be committed into the custody of the state penitentiary for a term of eighty-four months or seven years. A good behavior
bond will be set at forty months.

“You will be provided a copy of the judgment so you can read the conditions of your sentence. Mr. Monroe, you have the right to appeal the
jury verdict and the sentence that the court has imposed. Should you choose to appeal, you must file your Notice of Appeal within ten days from today. Should you file that motion, I will take it under advisement and rule on it as soon as possible. Court is adjourned.”

“All rise,” the Bailiff says as the Judge leaves.

Matthew and Rachelle sit in the back of the courtroom, smiling.
Karma will get them eventually, I hope. I cry uncontrollably into my hands as Aiden is taken from me for seven years; he leaves this time in handcuffs quietly, no struggles like at the trial, being incarcerated for something he didn’t do.

* * *

I decide to get up from our bed and make myself a coffee.
Even though Aiden has a coffee machine, I still choose to use the kettle and instant coffee. I find myself drinking it black these days, as it reminds me of him. The apartment feels empty as I walk from the kitchen to the living room
and sit on the sofa. I turn on the TV to the early morning news, and they are still covering the story of the embezzlement from Mornington Vale’s biggest financial incorporation. I switch the channel to cartoons; the Road Runner is fleeing Wylie Coyote as he tries to push a boulder onto the road where Road
Runner is running. He fails miserably as usual.

I drink my coffee, still wearing the gray sweatpants and a shirt of Aiden’s. It has been three days since the sentencing, and Alistair has
been demanding that I go in to Aiden’s office and clean it out. I’m not sure how I’ll cope with that. What a great start to my New Year. It’s February, and I’m living in my incarcerated boyfriend’s apartment, with no job and a broken heart. Happy New Year to me!

I sit on the sofa, mindlessly watching the morning cartoons. Even though there are funny parts, I don’t laugh; I can’t find the strength. Sarah is constantly asking me to come back to her house and take up my old room, but I can’t leave here. I need every reminder of him I can get. I walk into our closet and take out one of his shirts from the hamper, holding it tight to me I smell his masculine aroma. I swallow a lump in my throat as I climb back into bed with his shirt on my pillow next to me as the pull of
unconsciousness calls me.

* * *

It’s eleven fifteen in the morning. I walk to the en-suite and wash my face and look at myself in the mirror. I look pale, gaunt, and generally terrible, shocking even. I exhale as I brush my knotted hair and my
teeth. I choose my jeans and one of Aiden’s polo shirts to put on. I message Mike that I’ll be heading into the office today to pick up Aiden’s things. I walk to the elevator and head down to the parking garage where Mike is waiting
for me. He looks concerned; this is the first time I’ve left the apartment since the sentencing.

“Miss Taylor, are you sure you should be doing this today?” he asks. I look at him and shrug. He opens the front passenger door for me, and
I make my way awkwardly into the car.

“Miss Taylor, have you eaten since I saw you last?” he says anxiously. I look at him and shake my head as he exhales abruptly and starts the car.
What’s with the constant nagging? I’m alive, so I must be eating something
. We drive in silence to the office.

“Do you want me to come in with you?” Mike asks.

I shake my head as I step out of the car. I walk up the
stairs to the automatic doors; I see the reception desk where Josie and the other girl are working calmly behind the desk. Josie spots me and looks at me sympathetically. I ignore her and continue to the elevator, taking the ride to
Aiden’s office. My heart starts to pound as I get closer and closer. The doors open, and I see Rachelle sitting at her desk. She looks me up and down as shock appears on her face. I ignore her stares as I walk into the foyer and take a deep breath as I walk toward my desk; the flowers that he gave me are all
shriveled and decaying.
How fitting...

I walk toward Aiden’s office. I enter, shutting the door behind me and lean against the closed door. I feel panic rip through me as my
breathing shortens. I exhale as I stare at his untouched desk. The memory of us together before he was arrested fills my head as I picture myself sitting on his desk as he kisses me. I sigh and shake my head as I look over to boxes that Alistair has placed on the floor. I walk over to his desk and look at the photo
of us at Skye’s birthday party. My eyes start to well with tears as I place the photo into the box.

Alistair slams open the door as he enters the office. “Good, you’re here! Now get his
shit
out of here as quickly as you can. I don’t
need his
crap
lying around as a reminder. I can’t even call him my son, that
fucking
pathetic excuse for a man!” He walks back out as quickly as he came in, slamming the door shut as he leaves. How could he say that about
Aiden, about his son? My head is pounding as I continue packing up his office when I feel the urge to vomit. I run quickly from the office to the bathroom. I make it in time, expelling bile from my mouth into the toilet bowl. I sit on
the cold tiled floor next to the toilet and cry into my hands, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss and loneliness.

I finally find the strength to pull myself together. I stand and walk to the sink, washing my face and hands. I head out toward the office,
and I notice straight away that Rachelle is not at her desk. I hear loud voices as I get closer to Matthew’s office; I stand outside his office door so they can’t see me. And I listen ...