Monday

  Madison has just lifted Jamie Junior from his crib when the doorbell rings. The young mother's heart leaps in her chest, the organ within her beating at what seems like a million beats a minute. Who can that be? This early in the morning? Oh no. No no. Please.

  Cinching her robe tight, Madison races from the nursery. Jamie Junior is securely held to her chest.

  -

  -

  Madison arrives at the living room in time to see James answer the front door. Chief O'Leary, Deputy Chastain, Detective Samuels, and two other police officers are standing on the porch--solemn faces all around. James looks from one man to the other. So, it has come to this after all?

  "James Mackey?" One of the unfamiliar officers inquires in a stern voice.

  "That's me," James answers, peering at Chief O'Leary with slitted eyes.

  The Castleton Police Chief averts his gaze uneasily, sensing what Detective Mackey refuses to say with his lips. Too pussy to do his own dirty work? That's what the detective is thinking. And he's right.

  "James Mackey," the officer continues. "We have a signed warrant for your arrest. We can do it out here. Away from the wife and kid...If you'd prefer?"

  James nods his head in an affirmative fashion. In the next moment, Madison's loud scream sends shivers down his spine. The detective's aggrieved wife hastily moves to be at his side. She grips James' right elbow with her left hand, while holding Jamie Junior in the crook of her right arm.

  "Don't you dare! Don't you...Don't you dare take my husband! Any of you! You know he's innocent. How can you do this? How can any of you do this? You know James!"

  "I'm sorry, Mrs. Mackey," the second unfamiliar officer says. "We have a signed judicial warrant. We have to take your husband in."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "On what...On what charges?" Madison stammers through a torrent of tears and emotion. "What is it you think he's done?"

  "Murder, Ma'am," the first officer calmly relates.

  Too calmly for Madison's liking. The angry young woman stares daggers into the officer who spoke, her bottom lip quivering.

  "What the hell would you know? Who are you anyway?" Madison snaps.

  "Maddie?" James cautions his wife in a soothing voice. "It's okay. They're only doing their job. I'll go with them. Remember what I said. Trust the process. Innocent until proven guilty. Always."

  Madison fully turns to face James, throwing her free arm around his neck. They share a brief and tender kiss. James forces eye contact when they are finished, both hands cradling Madison's face.

  "I love you, Madison. Don't forget that. Right now...Nothing else matters. I love you. I'll be back before you now it."

  James softly kisses the hair at the crown of Madison's head. She sobs uncontrollably, not wanting to release him. It takes gentle prying to unhook her arm from around his waist. James kisses her softly again and whispers.

  "I love you, Maddie. I love you."

  -

  -

  After the arraignment

  Reporters wielding television cameras converge on Detective Mackey as he is led from the courtroom. The sheriff's deputies stationed around the courthouse watch the shamed detective with blank expressions. Closing his eyes, James imagines he is once again at home with Maddie and Jamie Junior. He imagines making love to his strong, beautiful wife--and holding his tiny infant son in his arms. He imagines he is anywhere but in that courthouse. Why did he ever answer that damned call?

  -

  -

  County Jail

  A burly corrections officer leads James back to his assigned cell. A gruff laugh exits the officer's thin lips as he roughly shoves Detective Mackey inside. Mackey spins to stare the man down. However, he stops short of addressing the undue action. Nothing good will come from confronting a man who is seeking a confrontation.

  Mackey backs further into his cell without saying a word. The burly officer laughs again and slams the cell door.

  "Pussy!" the burly officer mutters under his breath and strolls away.

  Mackey drops down onto his bunk. In the next cell, a woman comes to the bars. She is obviously under the influence, hollering loudly for anyone within earshot--and then some.

  "Hey! I get a phone call, don't I? I want a phone call, you fugging bastards! Is anyone listening to me? Hey! Hey! Is anyone listening to me?"

  Mackey listens to the woman scream at the tops of her lungs. An icy cold feeling takes over his heart and he shivers. Is this what the other side of justice looks like?