Free Trespass (P.I. Johnson Carmichael Series - Book 2) by Stephen Edger Page A

represent what you have done.
    You have today been found guilty of murder in the first degree as well as three vicious sexual assaults. I will pass sentence for the crime of murder first. For that I do not believe that anything short of a life sentence will suffice. For the three sexual assaults, because of the degradation each victim was forced to endure, I believe that fifteen years a piece is fitting, with the latter three sentences to run concurrently. You will spend the next forty years in prison for your crimes, Mr Green, with no chance of parole until at least thirty years have been served. Please take him down!’
    Adams watched as Green was led away and then looked over to where Cat Jurdentaag had sat for most of the trial. He could see a tear rolling down her cheek, and he imparted a smile and small nod of the head in her direction to indicate he meant every word he had said.
     
    *
     
    ‘Are you ready for this?’ Sharon asked Cat as they walked out of the courtroom and sat down in the small canteen area, where they had rested so many times in the past fortnight. Cat knew Sharon was referring to the gathered journalists and photographers, who seemed to have doubled in number since the verdict had been delivered.
    ‘Do I have to speak to them?’
    ‘No, not at all,’ said Sharon, rubbing her hand reassuringly. ‘I’m sure Ms Collinghurst and Mr Charleston have probably already shared their thoughts on the verdict, and if they haven’t they will soon enough. Barristers love the limelight, that’s why they do so well in the courtroom. If you don’t feel like talking, you don’t have to. We can exit out the back again if you prefer, or we can hang about a bit longer until the throng has died down. It’s up to you.’
    ‘Thanks,’ said Cat, conscious that, with the case now over, Sharon was no longer responsible for her well-being. ‘Were you surprised by the sentence?’
    Sharon considered the question for a moment before smiling, ‘I think we had a good judge on our side.’
    ‘I was surprised by his damning condemnation of him . I didn’t realise he could be so…blunt.’
    Sharon smiled again, ‘As I said, I think we had a good one.’
    ‘If I do decide to…speak to them , what am I allowed to say or not say?’
    ‘I’m probably not the best person to ask…we have a media-relations contact I can put you in touch with…from my understanding you are free to say whatever you want from this point…within reason, that is. They probably wouldn’t print anything that couldn’t be substantiated…’
    ‘And if I were to…sell my story?’
    Sharon smiled conspiratorially, ‘I can’t really comment on that, but,’ she added, glancing around to check that nobody was listening, ‘after what that bastard put you through, you should try and get every penny you can.’
    Cat was relieved that Sharon hadn’t admonished her consideration. She had yet to decide whether she would give any interviews but she definitely wanted a holiday: a chance to escape the madness. Selling her story to the highest tabloid bidder could cover the cost of such a trip.
    ‘I think I’ll take the back exit again, if that’s okay? I’ll catch a taxi home or something.’
    ‘Don’t be silly, Cat. My car is parked around the corner; I’ll give you a lift home. It’s no bother.’
    Cat thanked Sharon and the two women headed out to start the rest of their lives.
     

MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2013
     

11
     
     
     
    Nathan Green sat up in bed and threw his legs over the side of the bunk, before hopping down. His cellmate was facing the wall, still snoring. Green put on his light grey jogging bottoms and dark grey sweatshirt. He glanced briefly at his reflection in the small tile of mirror on the window ledge. Despite his forty six years of age, he had maintained a youthful and rugged complexion, something that had not particularly served him well since his incarceration two decades earlier. Not that he could really