Jude was in shock. Freedom. The doctor had just confirmed what she knew already, but to hear the words come from his mouth… it hadn’t sunk in, but she felt grateful. “Thank you so much.”
Lacy picked up the letterhead and stood. “Thank you, Dr. Robert, for helping her. I know you don’t normally take on cases free of charge, but I thought you’d understand once you met Jude.”
From the moment Lacy had introduced Jude to Dr. Robert, Jude felt at ease in his presence. He was an older gentleman with gray hair and a clean-shaven face. He had always spoken to her with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. He restored her faith in doctors because he never treated her like a pawn to be used and manipulated. He came around the desk to open the door for the women, but stopped and said, “You’re a remarkable young woman. Promise to do great things with this life of yours.”
“I promise.” She walked to him and hugged him. Was it professional? No. But she didn’t care. This man was helping to get her life back. A hug of thanks felt necessary. “Thank you so much for believing me.”
“I believe in you.”
Lacy and Jude left the psychiatrist’s office and walked with purpose a few blocks farther to a tall glass building. Lacy hugged Jude, and said, “I think you’re ready for this.”
“You’re not coming with me?”
“Nope. You’ve got this!”
Jude had come to rely on Lacy for so much, but she was right. She needed to stand on her own by taking these final steps on her own. “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it. Call me later though and fill me in on the plan.”
Jude hugged her once more, grateful for her support, but even more so for her friendship. “I will. Thank you for everything, but especially for being my friend.”
Lacy embraced her just as tightly. “Thank you for being mine. Now go. I want to save my mushy tears for when you walk out of that courthouse. Then we’ll go celebrate.”
Nodding, Jude stepped toward the door. “I’ll call you soon.” She turned from her friend and walked inside the building. Excitement built as she took the elevator up. When she was led down the hall to her lawyer’s office, her nerves kicked in.
Caleb Monroe had taken Jude Boehler on pro bono. He had worked with Taylor Barrett a few months back, and taken an interest in her case. After his client had previously lost and the appeal was denied, Caleb was determined to right things for the both of them. He and Jude sat at a small round table piled high with files. She set the letter down and he smiled. “This is a victory. You understand, Jude? Take everything else we’re fighting for off the table, and this doctor’s letter alone can get your rights back. Don’t get me wrong. We’re still going to take them for everything they own, but this will be enough to get your freedom back.”
Music to Jude’s ears. A sense of amazement came over her and her heart filled with joy. Jude sat on her hands to help contain her eagerness. “I don’t care about the money. I just want…” She stopped to gather her emotions—happiness, hope, faith. She was just given a gift of all of those. But wanting to know his intention for her family, she asked, “What will the final petition say?”
He grabbed a thick file and set it in front of her. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but there’s no way the Boehlers can fight against this much evidence. At the forefront, we want you to be able to make your own decisions regarding your well-being. We want no ties to them in any way—financially, medically, or emotionally. They will pay you all monies owed, in full, from your inheritance that they stole from you under duress from the estate of Merwyn Boehler, your step-uncle. Or all monies that remain in their accounts currently, if less than the overall inheritance.”
Jude would normally feel sympathetic for purposely hurting others, but not them. She would hurt them where they would feel it the most—their bank accounts. If only she would have meant as much to them as money did, things would be so different. Her life would have been so different.
“Dr. Conroy will be charged with extortion of a patient as well as medical misconduct.” He pulled another large file across the table. “The staff has been more than happy to help the case. He’s a hated man. He’ll lose his medical license, everything he has, and spend time in jail if we win.”
“When are you filing?”
“I was only waiting on Doctor Robert’s counsel and recommendation. Now that we have it, there’s no reason to wait. I can start the paperwork today. It can be filed tomorrow morning.”
“How long do you think it will take to get a court date?”
Caleb tilted his head in thought. “I wouldn’t think more than two weeks. I’m listing that it’s a concern to be under their care any longer. We could luck out and get something early next week. You have your private phone still?”
She pulled the phone that Lacy had bought her from her pocket and set it on the table. “I do.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything. Until then, you should be prepared to leave the premises of that home. Get anything you want to hang on to and get out before they’re served. It won’t be safe for you to stay there.”
There was nothing left. Hazel had everything of hers that mattered—a picture of her brother, a smattering of clothes. The rest was replaceable.
Caleb dropped his shoulders and got personal. “I’m not sure if I should tell you or not, and that always means I should. I’m going to be straightforward with you. Taylor is in the hospital. I thought you should know.”
“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but what’s the worst that can happen anymore? I saw him last night.”
The lawyer looked surprised. “You saw him?”
“I did, but I didn’t speak to him. He was sleeping.”
Caleb processed what she was saying, and added, “I got word he’s okay and will be released today.” He stacked the folders and then turned back to her. “How’d you know he was in the hospital?”
She didn’t want to admit that she had done a bit—okay a lot—of stalking, but how else would she know? “I was at the same fundraiser.”
He raised an eyebrow and asked, “By invitation orrr?” He stamped down the folders to align them. “You know what? Don’t tell me.”
Laughing, she replied, “Probably best.”
He stood and she followed. His smile was comforting and gave her courage. “Prepare yourself. Once this is put into motion, there’s no going back even if you do drop the case. Are you up for this?”
“I am,” she said without hesitation. “I’m ready.”
“Let’s do this.”
JUDE WALKED INTO the hospital shortly after leaving Caleb’s office. It was only a detour, she convinced herself. Just a peek to make sure what Caleb said was true. She hoped Hazel was strong enough to leave today. One quick walk-by and then she would leave as well, her mind at ease. This was her plan—to make sure he hadn’t relapsed since she checked on him the night before. It was a good plan. Solid. Hazel would never be the wiser.
She was fast approaching the door up ahead on the right, so she slowed her steps. Just as she walked by, she looked into the room, but then stopped. The room was empty. Her first reaction was relief. He’d gone home. Her second reaction was that dreaded what-if scenario that started playing on a loop in her head.
What if he relapsed?
What if he was rushed into emergency?
What if he was unconscious and they had moved him to another room?