Love Story: In The Web of Life by Ken Renshaw (snow like ashes TXT) 📕

entered yoursailplane trailer and placed an explosive device within thesailplane. He also altered your parachute so that the ripcordwouldn't function if you bailed out."

"Does the FBI have my sailplane in their bigevidence locker with the white van and black sedan?"

"No, the FBI removed all the explosive devices.An FAA aircraft inspector has completely gone over your airplane toassure its safety and airworthiness. The parachute was examined atthe FBI laboratories and then repacked at a certified FAA facility.It was placed back in your sailplane in its originallocation.

"We also had your mobile home undersurveillance during the time your sailplane trailer was beingmonitored. Neither Mr. S. or any other person has entered yourmobile home."

"Is the mobile home bugged now?" Iasked.

"All our surveillance devices have beenremoved," he replied. "Since we did not enter inside the structure,we did not determine if other surveillance devices had been placedthere. You might wish to make your own inspection.

"Any other questions?" Burton askedmechanically.

"No."

"Then, we thank you for your cooperation andindulgence in our assignment," Burton said as he shook my hand,nodded to Buster, and climbed back into his airplane.

"I'm glad he is on our side," I confided toBuster as the airplane taxied away.

Buster silently stood as though at attention,like a soldier in a military ceremony, until the airplane took offand was on it's way.

In the Jeep on the way back to the lodge,Buster confided that he had only met Burton in person three times,that this must have been an important job to get hisattention.

I said, "I think Vince Colson thinks thatgetting these ideas of space-time out into the scientific communityis important."

As we drove up to the lodge, Tina and Sofiawere engaged in karate exercises on the lawn. I said to Buster,"Tina looks like a full–fledged karate expert. How did that happenin a few days?"

"Sofia has a black belt, sometimes teaches atan academy, and often works intensively with actors preparing for amovie role. She says Tina is a natural. I'd be careful to not gether really mad from now on. If you need to have an argument, do itover the telephone."

"I'll get my briefcase, and we can go into townto wait for the verdict."

"It's now OK for you to drive yourself in theSUV. Burton has called off the bodyguard detail. But, I'd like togo with you. After sitting through the trial, I am eager to see howit turned out."

****

In the courthouse, I joined Elizabeth and theSodastroms in a conference room.

Ed Sodastrom asked meekly, "If we win thetrial, we will get some money, right?"

"Yes, but the case might get appealed, and thatcould take years before you get paid."

"Well, Ann and I have been talking. We don'treally need money. We would like to create some sort of memorial orscholarship fund for the children of Rocky Butte."

"That's a wonderful, loving idea! Our law firmwill keep you posted on how the appeals process is progressing.When we get closer to a final judgment, please contact mepersonally and I will be happy to set up any trusts or take care ofany agreements that are necessary, pro bono...at no charge toyou.

"You and Ann might as well go wait at home–wehave no idea how long the jury will be out. You are only a fewminutes away; we can call you when the jury comes back. Be ready tocome on a moments notice. Elizabeth will call you if the jurydoesn't reach a verdict today and goes home for thenight."

"Thank you," said Ann. "I think Ed and I needsome rest." They left, not walking as slowly and looking so forlornas they did at the start of the trial.

I thought to myself, 'I have reallychanged–caring about clients. I must be becoming human.'

There was a knock on the door, I answered andsaw Buster as I stepped outside.

Buster grinned, "Sofia called and asked whetherthe girls could come into town and have lunch with us."

"It's a great idea. I think the bailiff istaking the jury to Bob's Cafe so we can't go there. I'm not sure Itrust the food at the other restaurant. There is also the TastyFreeze."

Buster frowned so I added, "Tell them to bringa picnic lunch and we can have it in Pioneer Park here inCourthouse Square. "I'll ask Elizabeth to join us." The bailiffshowed me a way to out the back trough the new building that we canuse to avoid the media.

Buster listened to music, and Elizabeth and Iread for a while until my cell phone rang. I answered and said,"Thank you."

"The jury is going to lunch."

Elizabeth scurried from the room and said, "I'mgoing to read the jury. I'll catch up with you at thepark."

"No tampering," I warned and Elizabeth simplystared coldly at me.

Buster and I snuck out the back of the countybuilding. At the park we saw Tina and Sofia sitting at a table,with five plates and a picnic laid out, having a glass of wine.They were both again wearing gingham dresses with bows in the back:Sofia had come with a whole trunk of costumes frommovies.

Buster joked, "You girls could get arrested fordrinking in a public park."

They looked at me with a puzzled expression andI said, "It's OK, I know the Sheriff."

Tina faked a guilty expression and hid herglass under the table and then said, "We don't want to run afoul ofthe Rocky Butte law. Georgia, put the wine bottle back in the papersack. We will pass it around, taking turns."

Elizabeth walked up and said, "The jury is in agood mood. Everybody's smiling. They have agreed on something. Isensed they might be thinking about the penalty now."

Tina made a motion like she was going to passthe wine bottle in the sack to Elizabeth and then stopped and said,"No we will use wine glasses, risk it!"

As we were eating, I asked Buster, "What areyou going to do next?"

"The ranch is rented until the end of the nextweek so we will stay here and do some day hiking. I've got to getback in shape after sitting in a courtroom all week. You arewelcome to stay with or without our supervision. Then, we willdrive back