Running From Fate Read Online Free

was obvious to anyone who saw him that the man was not only drunk, but also not entirely sane.  His car, however, had been spotted close to the murder scene.  He was thrown in a jail and two days later his son found him dead in his cell of apparent suicide.
    The day that James walked out of the police station for the last time he consciously put his past behind him and built a wall around it.  From now on he would depend on no one but himself.

 
Chapter 3
April 3 rd , 2009
San Francisco, California
     
    Despite the pleasant day outside, the courtroom was sweltering, packed with those who wanted to be seen and those whose job it was to take their pictures.  There were even a couple of legitimate med ia outlets and newspapers represented.  Mira leaned back on the bench and wondered when it had all become such a circus.  
    Granted, she really should have seen it coming.  True, they weren’t in the same league as Los Angeles, but it was still California and the nature of the crime demanded attention, especially with the environment such a hot-button issue and politicians always gunning for re-election.  Of course, no matter what happened she’d be looking for work.  One didn’t accuse the CEO of their company from falsifying documents to obtain a valuable piece of land without losing their job .  It didn’t matter that the land was supposed to be protected from development.
    Sarah leaned over and squeezed her knee, pulling her from her thoughts.  She smiled at her friend and glanced to the right where the jury foreman was just coming out of a door.  The jurors filed out behind her. 
    When they were all seated the judge spoke.   “Have you come to a decision?” she asked.
    The foreman stood up, holding a piece of paper.  “We have Your Honor,” she said.
    “In the case of Mitchell Haines versus the State of California, how do you find the defendant?”
    The foreman kept her eyes on Mr. Haines as she spoke, “We find the defendant guilty.”
    The courtroom erupted.  People shouted and pushed forward, fl ash bulbs went off everywhere.  It was at least five minutes before the judge was able to regain control. 
    “If everyone would please be seated,” she said.  “Not you Mr. Haines.”
    Mitchell stood back up, his expensive lawyers on either side.
    “It is the decision of this court,” the judge said.  “That you be stripped of your license and fined the sum of one million dollars.”
    He nodded coolly.
    “Court is adjourned.”
    The circus temporarily over, people scramble d from their seats, the reporters setting up outside to catch Mitchell Haines and, probably, Mira , when they exited the building.   She stayed in her seat, reluctant to face them again.  They had barely left her alone since they had discovered her identity two weeks ago.
    “Come on,” Lily said.  “You’ve got to face them sometime.”
    Mira sighed and leaned back, closing her eyes.  “I know,” she said, “but I just want to be left alone so I can try and pick up the pieces of my life.”
    “All right,” Sarah said as she stood and pulled Mira with her.  “Lily and I will go first and play bodyguard.”
    Lily nodded.  “The sooner we get through it the faster we can have a drink.”
    “Not me ,” Sarah reminded her .  “I’m pregnant.”
    “Fine,” Lily said, “but I still want a nice expensive glass of wine and I’m sure Mira does too.”
    “Just as long as we go someplace that serves food.  I’m starving.”
    The willowy blond and the curvy black-haired woman linked arms and walked toward the doors, arguing the whole time.
    Mira grinned and followed them.  There was no one like her two best friends to pull her from a funk.  Lily and Sarah were already out the door when she felt someone walking up behind her and turned around.  How he had managed to get away from his lawyer and any media straggles she didn’t know, but Mitchell Haines was all by himself.  She glanced around the room,