Rating: NC-17 - for sexual context between consenting adult women.
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Thanks to my good friends Glynis and Snowolf for helping me out betareading, and to Jay for helping me plot. I always appreciate your efforts and encouragement.

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Back to "The Seven Women on Raven's Island" - part 8

The Seven Women of Raven’s Island

© GB

Part 9.

Adriana met them in the marble hallway of the Justice building, close to where Phoebe normally worked. Phoebe automatically glanced at her work area. Large tarpaulins protected the mural when she was not working. The ADA escorted them to the in witness waiting area where a court security officer unlocked the door to a fairly spacious room. Inside were two sofas and several chairs, providing more than enough seating for them all.

Phoebe looked at the dark haired woman, so firmly into her professional role right now, Adriana moved with lithe grace as she exchanged brief words with all her witnesses for the day. After quickly giving Phoebe’s upper arm a squeeze, the ADA walked towards the door. Phoebe listened to her last words of encouragement, but was not seeing this version of Adriana. Her mind was still reeling over what had taken place in the elevator two evenings ago.

*****

*****

Janeway was called to give the first testimony. A courtroom clerk swore her in and she took her seat in the witness box. Gazing over to where the jury would have been seated, the CEO was still puzzled that Avery had waived the right to be judged by a jury of his peers and instead asked for a bench trial; where the judge delivered the verdict and pronounced sentence.

Glancing at the judge, Janeway recognised the tall woman sitting at the bench. Judge Maryanne Gilmore was old school and renowned for her fair but strict rulings.

The public section of the large courtroom was filled with members of the press and other interested parties. Janeway looked at the empty row of chairs behind Adriana, realising that those chairs were meant for her and the other witnesses for the prosecution. A familiar face sat next to the aisle on the second row; Jonathon Williams. She felt oddly comforted seeing him there and also several of her department managers further towards the back.

The CEO gave a small, lopsided smile as she wondered who the hell was minding the store. Her smile faded as she slowly turned her head and looked at the defendant desk. Next to the defence lawyer, Max Darrell, sat the object of so many worries and nightmares. Richard Eric Avery Reymers was studiously paying attention to a piece of paper in front of him, not even bothering to look when Adriana rose from her chair at the prosecution’s desk.

After going through the standard questions establishing Janeway’s identity, Adriana gave the CEO a reassuring smile.

“Ms Janeway, can you tell us what took place on the day you realised that your fiancée, Ms Hansen, had been abducted?”

Janeway felt all signs of nervousness disappear. Calmly she gave her testimony, telling everything from the moment Seven had tried in vain to reach her via her cell phone to the nerve-wracking rescue in the building owned by Rey’Va. Her voice almost gave out when she spoke about the moment when Seven had almost plunged to her death in the stairwell.

Adriana than guided her through the events that lead up to the charges of fraud, embezzlement and extortion.

“Thank you, Ms Janeway,” Adriana smiled. “No further questions.” She glanced at the defence lawyer. “Your witness.”

Janeway watched calmly as Max Darrell rose from his chair. She wondered what kind of defence the senior partner of Darrell, Smith & Cornell had put together. She was prepared to answer his questions and she hoped she could maintain her calm.

*****

Julia sat next to Marion on one of the couches in the waiting room. Her mind was not on the testimony she would be called upon to give sometime during the day, but on the fact that her father had offered to stay for the duration of the trial.

“I think you need me here.” The distinguished man’s voice had been cautious, as if he expected his oldest daughter to reject him. “I can stay at a hotel.”

“Of course not, daddy,” Julia had exclaimed. “I’d be so happy if you stayed and I don’t want you to stay at a hotel. We would love for you to stay with us, isn’t that right, Marion?”

Marion had smiled and nodded. “Yes, it is, and we appreciate your support, Jonathon.”

Julia had seen the look on her father’s face alter between being surprised, impressed and genuinely intrigued during the dinner at the Stellar Building penthouse. When they had gone to bed later that night, Marion had commented on how Gretchen had ‘charmed the socks off her father’ and Julia had agreed. The older woman had, by simply being herself, shown Julia’s father a different example than what he was used to. Julia could not remember seeing her father as relaxed and open as he had been around the women last Saturday.

“What’s going through your mind?” Julia was startled as Marion nudged her partner.

“I’m thinking about my father. The fact that he is here, for us, today … so unexpected, and I guess, quite endearing. He seems like he’s at a crossroads of sorts.”

“That’s the impression I got too,” Marion agreed. “When he called me at the office last week, he sounded like he had done some serious soul searching. That was the only reason that made me trust him enough to invite him to our home. From what I’ve observed this weekend; he seems honest about his intentions of reconnecting and mending fences with you.”

“I know, and I think so too. It’s just …”

Marion put an arm around the other woman’s shoulders.

“It’s just that you wonder how he’ll react when he goes back home and has to deal with your mother again.”

“Yes. I so want him to continue down this path, but I also know how she can be. He used to share her views and that wasn’t so long ago.”

“I find it reassuring that his change has been slow, which I think is to be preferred than if he thought he could alter his way of thinking from one day to the next.”

Julia knew Marion had a point.

“I guess we’ll only know with time what his long term stand will be.”

“Yes.” Marion gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Are you nervous about testifying?”

“No, not really. It’s pretty straight forward. Are you?”

Marion frowned.

“In a way. It will be hard to relive all those emotions. I have just started to deal with the guilt and I’m afraid that it will all return. I just don’t want to fall back into that trap of … alienating you again.”

“You won’t. I won’t let you.” Julia took Marion’s hand. “We’ve come far in the last few weeks.”

“All right, I believe you,” Marion whispered with a catch in her voice. “I wish I was as calm as you about testifying.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“I hope so.”

*****

After she was excused from the witness box, there was a ten minute break. Janeway had walked up to her staff members that were present and exchanged some polite words, hoping this would distract her from the fact that Seven was about to take the stand. After walking back down the aisle and taking her seat behind the banister, the CEO looked over her shoulders at Jonathon Williams. Motioning for him to join her, she scooted over to the next seat, letting him take the one closest to the aisle.

“You did very well,” Jonathon murmured. “Reymers’ lawyer did his best but he couldn’t very well argue the facts.”

“I’m glad you think so. I felt confident up there but now … “ Janeway swallowed hard. “Now I’m nervous.”

“The prosecution calls Annika Hansen,” they heard Adriana say.

After a moment, the doors opened and Seven came in. Passing the first row, she gave Janeway a faint smile. The CEO looked at her fiancée, thinking that Seven could not have chosen a more becoming outfit. The blonde wore a suit consisting of a turquoise linen jacket and skirt. She had put her long, blonde hair up in a French twist, and had applied discreet make up.

The court clerk swore Seven in and just like with Janeway, Adriana started by letting Seven state her name and occupation before asking the young woman about her ordeals during the kidnapping.

Janeway listened to the soft alto voice speak as Seven relived how the men had attacked her.

“I was standing in the doorway to the bridge of Jacob Henderson’s fishing boat, looking for him, when I sensed something was not right. I then saw Jacob’s feet sticking out behind the wheel and I first thought he had had an accident.” The blonde broke off and cleared her throat. “I had to revise that conclusion when I felt an arm around my waist, tugging at me and another hand pressing an odorous piece of cloth onto my nose and mouth.”

“Did you have time to react?”

“I had already begun to dial Ms Janeway, to ask how long she was going to be, and I vaguely remember dropping my phone as I struggled to free myself. I tried to … to hold my breath, but I was very afraid, and I had to breathe. All I could think of was …”

Adriana waited but then prodded gently.

“What were you thinking, Ms Hansen?”

Seven looked straight at Janeway, her voice barely audible. “I could only think of two things. I thought this person had either seriously hurt or killed Jacob, perhaps to get to me, and also … I wondered if I was ever going to see … my family, again and then I blacked out.”

Janeway inhaled deeply. The pain was evident in Seven’s voice. The CEO was taken back in time, to when she refused to let the fear of never seeing Seven again overwhelm her, keeping the horror at bay by throwing herself into the investigation. When she had thought of Seven being under Avery’s control, Janeway had still only seen it from her own point of view – her fear had been of her losing Seven. Now the younger woman’s fears and emotion rushed over Janeway, coming at her from the witness box in waves. This was Seven’s story, Seven’s trauma, and Janeway could not shy away from it any longer.

“What is the next thing you remember?” Adriana continued.

“I regained consciousness on the floor of a moving vehicle. I was blindfolded and there were at least three men in the car with me. Two were sitting on the seat above me and one was doing the driving. When they realised I was awake, one of them kicked me in the ribs in an attempt to intimidate me. I was very afraid of what they had done to Jacob since they showed no remorse for their brutality.”

Janeway flinched listening to Seven talk about the cruel actions. They had talked about Seven’s experience but to hear it like this, in great detail and without the possibility to embrace her partner, was pure torture and there was nothing the CEO could do to stop it.

“When did you realise who was the instigator behind your abduction?”

“I was taken to a room where I encountered the man we knew as Eric Avery. He was triumphant and certain of his success. He forced me to read a message stating his demands for my release in front of a video camera. He made it obvious that he intended to send it to Ms Janeway.”

Adriana allowed Seven to tell her story in her own time, gently prodding when she hesitated. When the ADA asked the blonde about the dramatic turn of events that led to her rescue, Seven seemed to be at a loss for words, her hands opening and closing on her lap.

“Ms Hansen? Annika?” Adriana took a couple of steps to the left. “Your Honour, permission to approach the witness.”

Judge Gilmore nodded. “Go ahead.”

The ADA walked up to the witness box. “Annika, I know this is hard. Please tell the court, in your own words, what happened once Kathryn Janeway, her sister Phoebe, Marion McDunn and Julia Williams had arrived.” Adriana motioned towards the public section of the court.

Seven’s eyes followed the motion of the DA’s hand, her eyes locking on Janeway. Shocked to see the unexpected darkening of fear in her partner’s eyes, Janeway tried to make her own eyes convey the love and trust she felt for Seven. Somehow it seemed to reach the younger woman because she nodded and swallowed hard before continuing.

“I was balancing on the inside of the railing to the stairs, and had lost my grip of it. If Ms Janeway had not caught me, I would have fallen … and since we were on the tenth or eleventh floor, I think, I would not have survived such a fall.” Seven quieted for a moment. “I was rescued because of the resourcefulness of Ms Janeway and our friends. If they had not happened to see the sign I had painted on the window, I might still be in Avery’s hands … or dead.” She gave the defendant a dark look.

“You have identified the man who held you captive, the man you knew as Eric Avery, to be the defendant, Richard Reymers. Mr Reymers claims he’s innocent. There is no doubt in your mind that this person is one and the same?”

“None. It is him.”

Adriana walked back to her seat, nodding to Max Darrell. “Your witness.”

Janeway saw the colour returning to Seven’s cheeks. As Darrell rose from his chair, the blonde had regained her composure and was looking at the defence lawyer with self confidence.

The CEO glanced over at Avery and was amazed to see the man not even looking at Seven. Instead he seemed amazingly calm, writing, or perhaps just doodling, on the legal pad in front of him. Janeway wondered what could be going on in his mind; did he not understand that he was about to be locked away for good? It concerned her that he looked so calm.

*****

Seven rose on somewhat unsteady legs and left the witness box. She had easily answered Max Darrell’s questions, not rattled in the least when the defence lawyer had questioned her perception of Avery’s motives for his action. Darrell had tried to make her contradict herself but the blonde had not fallen into any such trap and she thought it must be obvious to the judge that she was simply telling the truth from her perspective.

Adriana gave her an approving smile as she passed her on her way to sit by Kathryn’s side in the public are of the court room. The ADA had not had to redirect and ask any follow up questions, which meant that Adriana did not think that Darrell had asked anything damaging to the prosecution’s case.

As Seven sat down next to Kathryn, the CEO reached out and took her hand.

“You’re cold as ice,” the auburn haired woman whispered. “Are you all right, darling? You did great up there.”

“I am fine. I am just glad it is over,” Seven murmured. “It seemed to go on forever.”

“Yes, I know, but your testimony is the most important one.” Kathryn squeezed Seven’s hand, letting her thumb rub caress it. “I’m so proud of you.”

Seven wanted to wrap her arms around the other woman and hold on tight. She had tried to stay in control while Adriana, and then Darrell, had overwhelmed her with questions, details and yet more details, but it had taken a greater toll on her than she had imagined it would. Now she felt drained and very grateful that it was over.

Seven glanced to her left, looking at Avery who seemed quite oblivious of his dire circumstances; sitting next to his lawyer with a small smirk on his face. She had stopped hating him, now there was only a strange, cold indifference left. Once she had given her testimony and walked off the witness box, her part was over. Now it lay in the hands of the judge. Seven looked up at the striking woman presiding, feeling confident that Judge Gilmore would make sure that Avery never could hurt anyone ever again.

“The court is adjourned until 1PM,” Judge Gilmore decided as she raised the gavel and let it fall with a resounding bang. “Be prepared to call your next witness then, Ms de Leon.”

“Yes, Your Honour.”

*****

Marion was not pleased that she would have to wait until after lunch to testify, but had suspected that this would happen. She simply wanted to get it over with. As she walked with the others to the lunch restaurant located just behind the Justice building, she knew it was futile trying to eat.

The press had tried to follow them but Adriana had made sure that the court security guards had kept the large media posse at bay while the women and Julia’s father slipped out the back door.

Now as they were seated in the back of the restaurant, nobody was talking except to order from the menu.

“Just coffee, please,” Marion murmured when the waiter turned to take her order. She saw Julia give her a worried glance and managed to smile. “I’m just not hungry.”

Janeway and Seven sat close together at the far end of the table and the sales manager looked at the relieved expression on Seven’s face, hoping that she would feel as reassured when she was done in the witness box. Janeway was unusually quiet and kept a protective arm discreetly around Seven’s waist. Marion wondered if there had been anything new revealed in the blonde’s testimony that had unnerved her boss.

Phoebe sat to Marion’s left, but Adriana had opted not to join them; she had to go back to the office to go over some last minute statements.

Marion felt Phoebe nudge her.

“Isn’t it amazing that they caught the three guys that were at large while we had the dinner at Kathryn’s?” The artist seemed to be able to read Marion’s thoughts. “Adriana told me that the police had no problem picking them up, once they knew where they were.”

“I hope they are talking and that it’s the reason Adriana had to go back to the office,” Marion agreed. “If that’s the case, it ought to be the last nail in Avery’s coffin.”

“Yup, I have feeling it is. He’s going down, mark may words.” Phoebe said with malicious pleasure, looking utterly unrepentant.

Marion had to smile. She was becoming increasingly fond of Janeway’s younger sister and could relate to the other woman’s sarcastic sense of humour. Phoebe was more of a free spirit than she was herself, but there were enough similarities between them, perhaps the tendency to speak before thinking was the most obvious one, for Marion to feel that the artist was a kindred spirit of sorts.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Marion smirked and sipped her coffee.

Gretchen ordered a salad and then turned to Seven, who was sitting next to her.

“Are you all right, my dear?” she asked. “You look a little pale.”

“I am fine, thank you, Gretchen,” the blonde replied. “I do admit that I am relieved that I have completed my testimony. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, to take the stand and do so in front of Avery. I was grateful to have Kathryn present; it was clever of Adriana to think of that.”

Marion realised that she would not have Julia present when she testified and as much as she would have liked to have her partner there for support, she was relieved that she would not be cross examined about her more questionable behaviour in front of her. Julia knew everything, but the thought of repeating it all over again was not appealing.

“Who’s next?” Gretchen asked, looking around the table.

“I am,” Marion offered. “I’ll be happy when it’s over too.”

“I imagine so,” Gretchen allowed. “This is an ordeal we all have to go through to ensure that he won’t do this to anyone else, ever again. I only have a very small part in it and I still feel apprehensive.”

Marion exhaled and tried to relax, knowing that she was among friends both before and after giving her testimony. She felt a hand on her knee under the table and quickly glanced at Julia who was sitting next to her.

“There is nothing that will come out during the trial that will change anything between us or our relationship with our friends.”

“You’re forgetting your father.” Marion made a face. “He’s not going to be all that impressed.” The truth was that she feared that when Jonathon learned everything about her past, he would assume a less benevolent attitude towards her, and perhaps even his daughter.

“Have faith.” Julia gave her a brief smile, but Marion thought she could detect a glimpse of uncertainty in the younger woman’s eyes.

Sipping her coffee, Marion glanced around the table, trying to draw strength from looking at the familiar faces. She was going to need it.

*****

Phoebe watched Marion leave the waiting area when the bailiff called out her name. The youngest Janeway looked around the room that she now shared with her mother, Julia and Martha, who had joined them when they had returned after lunch.

“’And then there were four’,” the artist said, making Julia smile. “I hope she will be all right,” she continued on a more serious note. “She was awfully pale.”

“This is hard on her as well,” Julia sighed. “She carries so much guilt and has just started to come to terms with it. I don’t think Marion realises that even if the trial is an ordeal; it will be easier for her to deal with things once this is over. When we all can look back at this and see that justice was done … then we can put it behind us and continue with our lives.”

“Honestly, Julia, I understand what you mean about coming clean with whatever … but she looked like she was going to throw up any second,” Phoebe insisted.

“Phoebe,” Gretchen frowned.

“She’s worried that ‘coming clean’ and talking about her past when she teamed up with Avery will affect my father’s opinion or her, or us, in a negative way,” Julia murmured. “He’s staying to support us and I think Marion only realised today what that entails.”

Gretchen moved to sit next to Julia on the couch.

“Julia, don’t worry. Of course, I can’t judge how your father might react, but I know he’s trying. He came of his own volition, set on having an open mind and just the fact that he decided to stay through the trial means he’s a man of his word and more.”

“What if he slips back into his old judgmental way?” Julia whispered. “I don’t want Marion to experience more guilt and hurt. She’s hard on herself as it is.”

“There can’t be any guarantee for that, whether he is put off by Marion’s testimony or not, Julia dearest. He is of my generation, quite conservative as I understand it, but have faith in that he does love you and from what I can see, he is so set on not disappointing you. He loves you.”

Gretchen put her arm around the younger woman, pulling her close. Julia gave in and leaned her head against the motherly shoulder Gretchen was offering.

“Thank you,” Julia murmured, amazed at how good it felt. She could not remember the last time her own mother had embraced her. “I want to believe that you’re right.”

*****

Marion avoided Jonathon’s eyes when she sat down on the other side of Seven. She had given her testimony and she had been impressed with Adriana’s thorough questions. It was after Max Darrell took over that it became harder. Avery’s lawyer had gone deeper into the working relationship she had shared with Avery before he was fired. The defence lawyer had tried to make it sound as if Marion had betrayed him, letting him take the blame for something she had instigated and planned.

Marion had been brutally honest in her replies, not shying away from her own responsibilities but also clear where Avery was to blame. Adriana had looked fairly pleased when the sales manager stepped down from the witness box.

Only once had Marion dared glance at Julia’s father. He had looked like he was deeply focused on what she had to say but his eyes had been emotionless, or at least she thought so.

“Are you all right?” Seven now whispered. “You did very well, Marion.”

“Thank you. I’m fine.”

It was not true. The turbulent feelings rampaging inside threatened to overwhelm her. She wanted to leave and go back to Julia but realised that her partner was on her way to take the stand. She could not wait for the day to be over so they could all leave. It would be easier to face Jonathon’s eventual questions at home.

Marion watched Julia take the stand a moment later, be sworn in and then the questions began. Her partner gave a calm and collected impression where she sat dressed in a light grey trouser suit over an off white blouse.

Julia began to tell her side of what they all had gone through during the spring. Adriana guided her gently with a few questions here and there, but when they reached the part where Julia was the one who first made the connection between Rey’Va Inc, Avery and Stellar Corporation, there was a sudden noise.

Marion flinched when a chair was knocked over further to the left. A familiar voice was heard, angry and full of accusation.

“That is a damn lie! How can she sit there and tell these lies? She’s not even in the company!”

Judge Gilmore used her gavel repeatedly. “Control your client, Mr Darrell.”

Max Darrell tugged at Avery’s coat. “Sit down, Richard. Let me handle it.”

“You’re not doing anything? How can you sit here without objecting to this … this charade?”

“Sit down and let me do my job.”

“Or I will enforce my right to do mine, by ordering the bailiff to remove you from this courtroom, Mr Reymers!” the judge emphasised, making Avery sit down without even raising her voice. “Please, proceed, Ms de Leon.”

Adriana did a brief recap of Julia’s answer to her last question before continuing to the next.

“So how did you establish a connection between Rey’Va Inc, a company owned by Richard Reymers, and the man you all knew as Eric Avery?”

“When I had found some information that had been overlooked regarding the building that Rey’Va Inc had purchased just recently. It is located near the Stellar Building. When I pointed this out, Ms Janeway, made the connection. Rey’Va is an anagram for ‘Avery’. That’s when it all began to make sense. It gave us something to work with, in order to try and find Seven. We kept in constant contact with the police. They knew everything we knew.”

Marion listened to Julia finish her side of the story and after Max Darrell had asked only a few clarifying questions, she was excused. The sales manager watched her partner give Jonathon a careful glance and then smile shyly. Marion sighed. That could mean just about anything.

*****

Gretchen’s and Phoebe’s testimonies had gone quickly. Even Janeway had smiled when her sister had described in colourful language and large gestures how she had thought of the idea to present herself and the other three women as call girls to gain entrance to the building where Seven was held captive.

The matter had become more serious when the youngest Janeway sister had retold the part of the actual rescue. Having heard it from four other angles, the CEO hoped that it was enough for the judge to make her ruling on the kidnapping charges, which were the most important ones.

After Max Darrell had informed the court that he had no further questions, Adriana presented a new document.

“I have three new witnesses that the police apprehended two days ago,” the ADA said. “These three men have volunteered vital information that further incriminates Richard Reymers and ties him to this case. We only knew that they had chosen to cooperate a few hours ago.”

She leaned over and handed Max Darrell a paper. “I’m sure your client will see the significance of these names and what their testimonies will mean for him.”

Darrell glanced at the document. To Janeway, it looked like the man was becoming increasingly exasperated but realised that it must be her imagination; the man was far too experienced in his profession to be that obvious.

“Thank you,” he merely said to Adriana and put the paper into his briefcase.

“If that’s it for today, this court will adjourn tomorrow morning. The prosecution will then continue calling their list of witnesses. Good afternoon.” The gavel hit the block as Maryanne Gilmore rose from her chair. Everyone stood and watched the judge leave the courtroom.

“This was the worst part, and I’m so glad it’s over,” Janeway said and turned to Seven. “How about we just go home and send for something from the restaurant. “Anyone want to join us?” She glanced around her friends and family.

“I would love to,” Marion quickly replied. “How about it, Julia?”

“Yes, I think we all could benefit from comparing notes.” She gently put a hand on her father’s arm. “What do you say, daddy?”

Jonathon Williams nodded. “How could I pass up on spending more time in the company of such lovely ladies?”

Janeway watched Marion exhale in what looked like relief and briefly wondered what was going on. She decided that now was not the best time to investigate it, and motioned with her hand for them to leave the courtroom.

*****

Marion stepped out into the warm evening breeze on Janeway’s patio. They had ordered dinner from the restaurant in the Stellar Building, but she had had very little appetite.

She walked up to the railing and watched the last of the sun set, soft tendrils of orange laced the darkening sky. Below the city was ever busy, night life beginning even if it was early in the week.

The railing was cool under her hands and the sales manager curled her fingers around it, her stomach still in knots over their day in court.

“Marion?” The male voice behind her made her jump. She turned around, steeling herself and donning a polite smile.

“Jonathon, did you also need a bit of air?”

“Yes, and to talk to you, my dear.” His voice was kind but there was also a certain hesitance about him. “I can see that something is bothering you and I would be blind if I didn’t notice that you’ve been avoiding me for the better part of the day.”

Marion sighed inwardly. Not one to normally shy away from a confrontation, she clenched her teeth for a moment.

“I’m sorry,” she apologised. “I have been upset about my testimony. I had to relive some things that weren’t my finest moments. I didn’t know Julia when I … collaborated with Avery, I mean Reymers, but that is no excuse, I know that.”

Jonathon walked closer, his eyes locked on the dark haired woman. “Marion, surely you don’t think I’m going to reprimand you, or hold you responsible for something that not only took place long before Julia was in your life, but that you also have more than paid the price for?”

Marion opened her mouth to speak but no sound passed her vocal cords.

“Marion, listen to me,” he continued. “They way I’ve behaved towards Julia; I’m hardly in any position to pass judgement on anyone. I don’t pretend to understand the nature of a lesbian relationship, but I know you love my daughter. You have been more loyal to her and made her happier than her mother and I ever have.”

Marion wiped at a treacherous teardrop that threatened to break away from her eyelashes. “I was afraid that my history would cause you to … would make you withdraw from Julia, that I, again, would be the one who inflicts pain on someone who deserves it the least. I did that once to Seven, and this summer, I have been battling those demons at Julia’s expense.”

“And now?”

“You’re not going to abandon her again, are you?”

“No.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that, dad.”

Marion and Jonathon glanced towards the patio door where Julia stood. The younger woman came out on the patio and kissed her father’s cheek in passing. She walked up to Marion and wrapped a slender arm around the sales manager’s waist.

“I think we should head home,” Julia continued. “We have to make an early start tomorrow.”

Marion nodded. Even if they were not required to be present anymore, they were going to join Janeway and Seven to lend support. She looked over at Jonathon who gave her a crooked smile.

Finding that she had taken one big leap towards trusting Julia’s father, Marion returned the smile. “I think we’re entitled to a lazy evening on the couch. How about some pop corn and a video?”

“Oh, that sounds great,” Julia enthused. “What shall we watch?”

Jonathon smirked. “I can go along with just about anything, except … Just not a John Grisham court room drama, okay?”

*****

Pressing her naked body close to Seven’s back, Janeway basked in the warmth of the other woman, half asleep in her arms. Janeway had one arm under Seven’s neck and the other was stroking along a curvaceous hip.

“Mm, that feels nice,” Seven murmured, her voice drowsy.

“Good. Just relax and go to sleep.”

“Am I squeezing your arm?”

“No, my arm is fine. Shhh … go to sleep” Janeway pulled the covers up over their shoulders. Seven’s soft scent filled her senses, relaxed her. Just as she closed her eyes, the image of a man flickered over her retina.

Snapping her eyes open, Janeway remembered seeing two court officers lead Avery away in handcuffs after the judge had declared the court adjourned. As Avery and the officers had reached the door to the security areas, Avery had pivoted, making the officers grab a firmer hold of his arms. Her former employee had glared at her, his eyes expressing a malicious joy that did not correspond with the facts of his dire situation.

Janeway wondered if she would be able to sleep.

*****

Continued in "The Seven Women of Raven's Island" - part 10