Too Late for Regret novel Chapter 112

< Sasha Took a Shot

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Sasha Took a Shot

Chapter 112

Analise’s POV

I don’t know why Joyce has suddenly decided to help, but I don’t trust her. I told Rodney not to cut her any deals when he went back to review the evidence. Her willingness to cross Sasha goes against everything she’s done over the last two months. I suspect that she’s going to throw Sasha under the bus to avoid her own punishment.

They both deserve to pay for what they’ve done. I can’t let her off with a warning. I honestly don’t want her anywhere around me while I’m pregnant. Charlie took my hand and led me out of the courtroom. My parents were behind us, with Drew and Jon right behind them. Holden didn’t approach, and I was grateful for that. I’ve been worried about how he will react once he realizes that I’m pregnant. I’m worried that it might push him over the edge.

Lunch was subdued. Each of us was wondering exactly what Joyce had wanted to show the judge. I just can’t bring myself to trust her to do anything to help me out. That just wasn’t who she was. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I felt bad that Rodney was missing his lunch because of whatever nonsense she had.

My phone rang, and when I answered it, Rodney’s excited voice came through. “I hope you’re sitting down, Ana, because Joyce actually had something we can use. She’s turned her anger from you onto Sasha. She has three recordings, and they are going to help end this very quickly today. The judge was just as surprised as we were, but it’s already been submitted into evidence. I also spoke to William. He might get into trouble for what he did today. He didn’t make it obvious, but Sasha might come back on him for lack of defense. I will do as you requested and defend him if it comes down to that.”

I felt a great deal better after the call. I had been pushing my food around my plate. Worried about what new shenanigans Joyce had planned for me. I actually ate, which made Charlie happy, as he had been encouraging me to eat. I hadn’t eaten breakfast as I knew I was taking the stand. I was worried I might lose my breakfast on the stand. I didn’t know how things were going to go, but Rodney made it short and sweet. That was the reason he didn’t bring up the videos. But when William offered to include them, especially with how he phrased it. How could I resist?

I got a boost of energy as we returned to the courtroom. I didn’t know what was going to happen or what the new evidence would be. I just knew I was looking forward to seeing what happened. Joyce entered the courtroom with William, and when she got to the end of the row we were sitting on, Charlie stiffened up. He was prepared to protect me if she tried anything, but he didn’t have to worry. Joyce wasn’t a fighter. She was a manipulator. She liked for

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others to do her dirty work for her. I think she learned a lesson.

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She had done this for years. She was so confident about her control over others that she didn’t even realize that Sasha was even worse than she was. She didn’t see Sasha setting her up. Joyce thought that they were working together to do what she wanted, and didn’t even sense the change. She sees it now, but it was too late. There were only six of us present in the courtroom. She hesitated for a minute before saying, “I’m sorry, Ana.”

That was it, short and to the point. I know it killed her to say the words. But I heard her, and she wasn’t being mocking or sarcastic. She meant it, and I appreciated her saying that. It didn’t change anything between us, or for the trial. However, for someone who had previously refused to acknowledge her mistakes, this was huge. I believe that she finally understood that this could have been avoided if she had just stayed out of it.

The courtroom filled up quickly after that. Every seat was taken, and some latecomers were even turned away. Word was out that the trial would be ending today, and no one wanted to miss what happened. The morning session had been shocking. There were even more reporters in the courtroom. Which is how some lost their seats, and they didn’t go quietly. They weren’t happy about having to go to the overflow room, but at least they could still see what happened in real time on the monitors.

Sasha was one of the last to enter. She seemed flustered and had two officers walking right behind her. They spoke with the bailiff before going into the back. I could tell from the look on their faces that they were about to speak to the judge. I wouldn’t put it past her to try to leave the city. Even without a passport, it’s possible to leave the country to flee charges. I’m glad she knows that this trial was not going her way. I hope that whatever she did gets mentioned, as running is essentially an admission of guilt.

The officers stopped by our table and handed Rodney a USB. The state troopers quickly explained what was on it. The judge had approved the late evidence, and Rodney quickly submitted it. The troopers took a seat in the front row, and Charlie and the group moved over to let them have a seat. My parents sat between them. They were happy to be uncomfortable for a little while as they testified against Sasha.

Sasha was livid. I suppose she genuinely believed that even if her plans were unsuccessful, jail wasn’t an option for her in the long run. Now that she knows better, she is desperate to leave. I didn’t smile at her. She is hanging on by a thread. I’m not going to incite her to violence. Sasha isn’t like Joyce. Sasha was fine doing her own dirty work; she would definitely hit me if she got the opportunity. Her baby wasn’t her priority. Getting out of the charges against her was her only concern. Whispers filled the courtroom, but the moment the jury entered, they went silent. The judge entered and took her seat. She immediately spoke to the room.

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“Earlier, I stated that Joyce Cook would be taking the stand upon the trial resuming. Things have changed, and we have new evidence. We will now begin with the state troopers who stopped Sasha Cook from boarding a flight during our lunch break. Attorney Briggs, you may call your witnesses,” the judge instructed.

“Your honor, I call State Trooper, Phillip Jacobs, to the stand,” Rodeny announced.

We watched as he was sworn in and took his seat.

“Can you tell us why you are here with us today, Trooper Jacobs?” Rodeny asked.

“We, Trooper Darren Hodges, and I had been assigned to follow Sasha Cook. She was considered a flight hazard, as was Joyce Cook. When she left for lunch, she took a taxi straight to the airport. We had been instructed to stay back and not approach her until we could prove that she was attempting to leave. After she purchased a ticket to Miami, she went through security and arrived at her gate. Once there, we then took her into custody. We got recordings from our body cams made to be shown here in court. That was what took so long for us to get back. The videos have already been submitted into evidence,” he replied.

Rodney had it play out for us. We watched both camera angles simultaneously, as they had been synced together. We saw the moment Sasha realized that they were there for her. She tried to run, but she didn’t get far. She was screaming loudly for help.

“You’ve got the wrong person. Leave me alone, I’m pregnant. What is going on? Somebody help me!” She was desperate to escape them, and people did approach to help her.

Before the growing crowd could interfere with her arrest, they quickly got her handcuffed, before the second officer explained that she was attempting to flee. People were suspicious, but once she started shrieking at the Troopers and cursing them. The crowd quickly disbursed. Her innocent act was long gone as she still fought them after being handcuffed. The shot changed from the Trooper’s POV to the camera inside the vehicle. No trace of the innocent and desperate woman that she had just portrayed in the airport.

In its place was the real Sasha. The same one that everyone saw cursing and yelling at me earlier this morning when we watched the recording from the reporters and the cameras at Fashion Forward. I think the jury was figuring out which version of her was the right one now. I was glad that whoever made the video let it play until the moment they arrived at the substation. She was spitting out vile insults the entire trip. She was vicious and even cursed

them and their families.

She clearly no longer cared if someone saw her like this anymore. I bet she didn’t suspect that they could even get the evidence of her attempt to leave quite so fast. I wouldn’t have thought it possible either. I bet they got it done in record time because of how horrible she acted. Having the proof so quickly allowed it to be used in the trial, and Rodeny was taking

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full advantage of it.

< Sasha Took a Shot

full advantage of it.

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“So she was seated at the gate, waiting to leave, when she was apprehended? So, there is no doubt in your mind that she was attempting to leave?” Rodney asked.

“We have her purse and phone. I’m sure you can contact the carrier with a warrant and see if she contacted someone to retrieve her. There are plenty of private planes in and out of Miami. It wouldn’t be that hard for her to flee if she had the funds to do so,” the officer

replied.

William didn’t want to ask any questions, as it was evident what had happened. Irrefutable proof that she had every intention of leaving. The judge signed a warrant to retrieve the last twenty–four hours of texts and phone calls. While the aide was attending to that, the second

officer took the stand.

His testimony was exactly the same, with one exception. Sasha bit him while they were attempting to handcuff her. He had turned as the crowd was getting closer, in order to warn them to get back, as Office Jacobs was snapping the cuffs closed. She had drawn blood on him, and the indentations were still clear on his palm, right below his thumb. Dried blood was still there, as he didn’t stop to be treated. Medical staff were waiting outside to assist him

after he testified.

There had been a few, two or three, members of the jury who had been holding out this morning. Sasha had a way of coming across as delicate and in need of protection. After the videos this morning, no one was team Sasha anymore. In this new video of what she did as she tried to get away, no one was on her side anymore. She did what they said, and we all watched the show. Her wishing for them and they’re families to be hurt was too far. She knew she wasn’t allowed to leave the city, yet she still attempted to do just that. There was no reason for her to be angry at any of us; she had brought this on herself.

Once the trooper was excused, Rodney stated, “I would like to call Joyce Cook to the stand.”

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