Chapter 3 A Woman Worth Fighting For

The courtroom was too bright.

Monique sat still in the defendant's chair, hands folded tightly in her lap. Her beige jumpsuit scratched her neck, and her hair was still tied back from the booking process. No makeup, no earrings, just pale skin and wide, exhausted eyes.

She scanned the room, finding comfort in one thing alone.

Ruby. Standing tall beside her in a sharp navy pantsuit, chin up like a general before battle.

"Do not speak unless the judge addresses you directly," Ruby had reminded her earlier. "Let me do the talking. Look calm. And for God's sake, don't cry. They eat that up."

The judge entered. Bailiff announced. Everyone stood. Everyone sat.

Ruby stepped forward.

"Your Honor, my client, Monique Bradford, has no criminal history, has resided in the state until recently, and returned voluntarily. She is the sole caregiver to a two-year-old child, and she poses no flight risk."

The prosecutor, a smug man with gelled hair and a bored expression, stood slowly.

"We believe Ms. Bradford is a danger to the public. The deceased, Juliette Morris, suffered blunt force trauma in what appears to be a violent encounter. Ms. Bradford was identified near the scene that night, and her sudden return suggests evasion."

Ruby didn't flinch. "Her 'sudden return' was a planned move, Your Honor. She was looking for stable housing and family support for her daughter."

The judge's gavel tapped once. "Enough. Ms. Bradford, stand."

Monique rose on shaky legs.

"You're granted release on personal recognizance," the judge said. "Surrender your passport. You're to remain in-state, and under supervision. Failure to comply will result in immediate arrest."

A weight lifted from Monique's chest, just enough to breathe.

Outside, the air was hot and heavy. Monique walked with Ruby down the courthouse steps, shielding her eyes from the sun.

"I'm free?" she asked, still not quite believing it.

"For now," Ruby replied. "You've got court-mandated check-ins and a million eyes on you, but yes. You're free."

"Where's Cherry?"

"At my place. I made pancakes. She ate them like a squirrel."

Monique chuckled, then fell silent. "How long before this goes to trial?"

Ruby exhaled. "Could be months. Depends how much garbage Billy's people dig up, or invent."

"Billy always had a way of twisting things," Monique said bitterly. "Why would he do this?"

Ruby gave her a look. "That's what I'm about to find out."

That afternoon, while Monique napped curled up next to Cherry on Ruby's couch, Ruby drove across town to an address she hadn't visited in over two years.

Billy Portman's club.

"Club" was generous. It was really a remodeled warehouse with neon lights and questionable fire codes. Still, the line outside was always long, and the bouncers wore enough muscle to suggest money still flowed inside.

Ruby flashed a card at the door. "I'm here to speak to Billy."

The bouncer raised an eyebrow. "Does he know you're coming?"

"He will when you tell him."

Ten minutes later, she was led into a side lounge filled with velvet cushions, low lighting, and the low thump of bass.

Billy stood by the bar, stirring something in a crystal glass.

"Ruby Fields," he said, smiling. "Now there's a face I didn't expect."

"You framed my client," she said flatly.

Billy sipped his drink. "Client? Or friend?"

She stepped closer. "You really think you can drag her name through the mud and not answer for it?"

"Sweetheart," Billy drawled, "I didn't frame anyone. I told the police what I saw."

"You saw her? That night?"

He leaned in. "I saw her outside Juliette's place, around midnight. She looked... upset. Rattled. I was coming from a party, you know me. Saw her near the side gate."

Ruby's eyes narrowed. "You're lying."

"Then prove it. What I saw was the truth."

She didn't flinch. "I will."

Back at the apartment, Monique sat cross-legged on Ruby's living room rug, a mug of tea in hand. Cherry sat beside her, babbling to her stuffed bunny and sticking goldfish crackers into its ears.

"Billy claims he saw me at Juliette's that night," Monique said as Ruby walked in.

"He's lying," Ruby replied, kicking off her heels. "He wants something."

Monique's brow furrowed. "I never even went to Juliette's place. I only saw her last at the bar the night before I left."

Ruby sat down beside her. "So we dig. Hard."

Cherry climbed into Monique's lap, holding out her bunny. "Mommy, Bunny says he don't like Mr. Billy."

Monique smiled and kissed her forehead. "Bunny's got good instincts."

Ruby watched them a moment, then asked quietly, "You still haven't told me how you met Cherry's father?"

Monique looked away. "I will tell you soon."

" I'm so shocked Harris would believe that you did it."

"I don't even know who he is anymore," Monique murmured. "The man I loved wouldn't have slapped cuffs on me in front of my daughter."

Ruby sighed. "Well. He's either trying to bury you, or he's trying to protect himself, you know him and Juliette was a thing."

Monique blinked. "Protect himself from what"

"That," Ruby said, "is what we're going to find out."

That night, Monique couldn't sleep. Cherry was curled beside her in Ruby's guest bed, snoring softly with her bunny tucked beneath her arm.

Monique stared at the ceiling.

The past was no longer past.

It was here. It was loud. And it was chasing her.

But she had a reason to fight now. A small, warm, giggling reason named Cherry.

And Ruby. Her shield.

She wasn't alone this time.

Still, one question clung to her like damp air.

If she didn't kill Juliette Morris... who did?

And what were they hiding that was worth destroying Monique to protect?