The flag at the United States Supreme Court was flying high. All the newspapers, TV and radio were talking about the murders which had happened for continuous weeks but the latest news that day was about the famous criminal lawyer Jeremy Matthew , whose house was burned down because of the short circuit and the body had burned into Ashes. The phone in the courts, public information office refused to stop ringing. Major TV and radio networks were broadcasting live from the boots on the ground floor of the court. Supreme Court premises was filled with police officers, national guardsmen, FBI agents and lawyers.
The hallways outside the justice chambers were filled with clusters of people nervously talking. Most of the justices were scheduled inside the chambers, having barely made it to the oral argument session.
The wall of the courtroom was dark paneled, lined with bookshelves containing the bonded volumes of hundred years of court decisions.
The judge , Nicholas Wilde sat at the head of the table. Steffanie William and her assistance were seated in their regular chairs.
While Steffanie's gazed around the table, her assistant was fiddling with his pen, he kept his eyes downcast.
Hudson had also reached for the hearing on time.
Also present were Jordan Brooke, Brain Larson and Damian Bush. Hudson was staring at Brooke and remembered that he had seen him at the Danie Bush's office the other day.
Wanda's attempted murder was now related to the same serial killer. Although no one in the room believed the answer could be that simple.
Damian Bush has stated in his reports the similarity of the killer's way of killing the women.
On the other hand Brain Larson pointed out the fact that, why would the killer want to target Wanda but to leave her alive, if he was the same killer.
So there were discussions on the possibility but no conclusion.
"We are at your hands, chief Bush," Brooke said. "Although now I think it much more likely that we have some madman at work with a grudge against women and if we don't catch him he will most likely kill more people."
Steffanie said. " I want to know, if the bureau has assigned Jordan Brooke from the FBI and also many agents in regards to this matter, how come there is no all-around-the-clock protection for the women, Even after the continuous killing of women around the block. I am personally grieving about my sister's incident but my main concern is to get justice for everyone. So I request Judge Wilde to issue an order so that there is twenty-four-hour protection everywhere for the women."
Judge Wilde cleared his throat after hearing everyone and said. " If all these cases are connected." He looked at Damian Bush. " I do think it's worth going over the cases that has been happening from a long time back, just to cover the base. I know it's a long shot , but we would end up missing up some points which will be helpful to catch the killer, so I need to address it right now. And as far as the security is concerned, Chief Bush, you need to do it immediately."
"And I would appreciate if you would confer with the other cases and try to determine in any one case you have heard over the few years may have been linked to the recent murders."
Steffanie looked at Jordan Brooke and shook her head. "Detective Brooke, in many cases we deal with incredible emotions in people. It would be impossible to know where to start as you know our mind and emotion don't work together."
"I see your point, I guess we will try to investigate the matter seriously from the scratch then," Brooke said nervously. He always felt like that whenever he was around Steffanie. No wonder, they had never gelled around even at the university when they were studying together.
Judge Wilde looked at everyone and spoke. "Let's call it a day fellows, all of you can come to the tea room and have some refreshment."
Everyone smiled with relief as the session ended and they got up to leave.
Hudson who was sitting quietly was observing everyone and was fascinated by the exchange. He also noticed Jordan Brooke's nervousness and saw a hint of hatred in his eyes as he looked at his aunt.
He got up and spoke briefly with Steffanie then headed out as he had to visit Jayden in the hospital.
****************************
Meanwhile, somewhere in southwest Seattle, Logan leaned against the wall and stared at Levi his brother.
"Levi I want to ask you something, It's been bugging me since the time you helped me escape from the remand hospital."
"I am listening." Levi said without raising his face, he was busy marking the map.
"So, why did you decide all of a sudden get me out of the mess. I never wanted to get you involved with my troubles, as being my brother would automatically raise their suspicion towards you. That's why I never sought your help directly and had Jeremy handle my case."
Levi stopped doing what he was doing and looked at his brother.
"Look, Logan, I never believed that you could kill Emily in the first place but I knew you were targeted by someone really big or you would never be involved in this racket. You have been in the prison for almost fourteen years and I never went to visit you but when Jeremy informed me about your sudden stroke, I ran back from where I was stationed to see you. As you had already given in writing that you don't want to meet any of your family members after you were sent to the prison."
"Thankfully Susan our sister is married to the senator, Paul Laudon or they would have killed you a long time back with or without the help of your lawyer, Jeremy . I am not saying he did not do anything but the main reason why they left you was because of Paul. And when you were lying unconscious at the hospital, he made sure that you had the best medical facilities and no wonder you recovered without any shreds of evidence for your enemies."
"But when Emily's children returned, I had been following them very closely, as I knew Callie was very close to you and she would definitely inquire about you after all you are her godfather. But as soon as she started Emily's dream project, she was attacked and could have been killed if it wasn't for Pamela's son Hudson Ford. It seems they are lovers. So I was alert and after that two women were killed ruthlessly the same way it happened fifteen years back. I knew that the people involved in sending you to prison would now desperately try to kill you, as were the only ones who knew what had happened back then."
So I planned out the whole thing. It wasn't that difficult as Cynthia had been working in that hospital for a long time. And Jonah our nephew is a saint so no one would doubt it with his father backing him up. You were in the prison for something you had never done. It was time for you to get out and I was going to bring you out no matter what happened. Call me right or wrong I give a damn. It's what I decided to do for you, it doesn't matter if you don't like my way of handling things."
The two brothers looked at each other for at least a few minutes without speaking.
"You are truly my good brother, thank you Levi," Logan said with a choked voice.