Heading For A New Life Read online

  Margaret smith

  Heading for a new life

  Suspended water again covered Seattle, which, in general, was not surprising for the City of Rains, and the entrance to the King County courthouse was full of umbrellas. The press set up its headquarters, and while the journalists sluggishly argued with the cameramen, the photographers kept clicking the shutters, trying to capture every step of the loudest process of recent years. Perhaps the case being heard today would have passed by the press, if not for the popularity of the main person involved and the victim. The son of a Boeing vice president, a West Point graduate, a captain of the US Armed Forces with an ideal character and an excellent track record was in the dock. The prosecutor asked for the maximum term, the lawyer tried to achieve the minimum. And in the light of the flaring up scandal, the realization that today someone's fate will be decided, retreated to the last plan, overshadowed by the desire to hit the jackpot on the sensation.

  The defendant sat up straight. Dark hair is slicked hair to hair, lips are compressed thinly. Palms on the table, straight back, calm, even indifferent, look - it seemed that he did not care at all about the noise in the hall, which was gradually filled with people. Perhaps he really did not care about the sentence, because he himself had already accused himself and sentenced to life.

  “We're lucky to have Judge Richards appointed. - A lawyer sat down on the bench next to him

  — lively big-eyed brunette in a strict dark blue suit. “Although I would have preferred a jury. Hey, are you listening to me at all, Chris?

  Chris squinted at her, nodded weakly, and turned back to the empty judge's chair. The proceedings lasted three weeks: interviews of witnesses, examination of documents, the final speech of the lawyer and the prosecutor. The announced break was coming to an end, and Denise, who represented him, had just returned from the judge.

  — Richards won't go to meet Simon, be sure. The maximum that shines for you is five years, and that is unlikely. Murder in a state of passion, you get off with a minimal salary.

  Chris flinched when he heard the casual "get off", as if it was not about murder, but about stealing a bottle of whiskey from the supermarket. Probably, he didn't want it so easy

  "Get off". All the days that have passed since the arrest, he was in a fog. Muffled sounds, thick, stale air and complete emptiness in the head. I hardly slept, and if I fell asleep, I saw a bloody stain on the mother-of-pearl wallpaper and a glazed look, surprised, even offended. He answered questions mechanically, faint-heartedly glad that his relatives were not allowed to see him. Only Denise, who was trying to shake out of him at least some details of the fateful evening. He told everything. Every minute was imprinted in my head with photographic clarity.

  — Everybody stand up!

  The rustle in the hall became deafening for a moment. It was impossible to read the verdict on the face of the judge who appeared. There was a rustling behind Chris as a local illustrator was making a hasty sketch of the defendant.

  — The court is ready to announce the decision on the case. Accused, stand up.

  The noise in his ears seemed to have reached its climax, and Chris listened to the next words, as if through a thick layer of cotton wool.

  — Christopher Labert, you plead guilty to causing death by negligence in circumstances that display extreme indifference to the value of human life. Under Washington state law, you are sentenced to fifteen years of strict regime for second-degree murder. Do you understand the verdict?

  Chris nodded slowly, as if forcefully. Loud sobs of his mother were heard behind him, and a tall man jumped up through the passage to the second bench behind the prosecutor:

  — I'm going to get life, Labert, don't even hope to get out of jail! After what you did to my girl, you will rot behind bars!

  — Mr. Daniels, let's not discuss this here. - The prosecutor approached him, pointed with his eyes at the judge.

  — I will appeal, Chris! Do you hear? This is too much, I will prove it was manslaughter! Denise gazed desperately into Chris's eyes as her mother clung to her shoulders, whining hysterically. The handcuffs snapped shut, the guard pulled his elbow, leading him out of the hall under camera flashes and black camera eyes. Captain Christopher Labert's life ended, and the life of inmate number 1778 at the Washington State Prison began.

  A year ago

  The day was sunny, as if to order, water droplets glittered on pale pink peonies, and silk ribbons fluttered picturesquely in the light breeze. The huge tent, broken up in case of rain, was empty while the assistants to the wedding planners scurried about between the rows of white chairs, eliminating the last flaws and polishing, and the guests had already gathered on the lawn, lazily drinking champagne from tall crystal glasses.

  The wedding of the son of a Boeing vice president and the daughter of a famous designer from New York was rightfully considered one of the most significant events in the Seattle gossip. Future relatives got to know each other, exchanging polite phrases: Robert Labert was not thrilled with the choice of his son, and the whole bohemian party that filled his house caused itching between his shoulder blades. Cecilia Labert shared her husband's discontent, but she knew how to make a good face in a bad game, trying not to pay attention to the noisy youth on the part of the bride with too eloquently shiny eyes and uncontrolled laughter.

  — I think I can hear your father grinding his teeth from here! Denise chuckled as she drained her glass. - Listen, and your wife is definitely not jealous of us?

  — This is stupid, ”Chris shrugged, brushing an invisible speck of dust off his uniform. His will

  — he would have preferred a tuxedo, but the father was too eager to brag to all his son - the captain of the aircraft, so he had to obey. - We have been friends since childhood, you are like a sister to me, and Jennifer knows this very well.

  — Know something knows, - Denise narrowed her eyes slyly, - but the question is: does she know everything?

  — If you're talking about Quebec, then yes, he knows, ”Chris grinned, making a sign to the waiter to come over. - We have no secrets from each other.

  — How has she bewitched you? Denise put the empty glass on the tray and took a new one.

  — Isn't it a lot to start the evening? Chris raised an eyebrow, but Denise just shrugged.

  “I don’t like weddings,” she smiled. - Look, it seems your name is! - Don't get drunk to cake! - Chris returned her smile and hurried to the priest.

  After looking after him, Denise sighed wistfully and swayed on her heels, thrusting them into

  dense lawn. She was once in love with Chris. And it was hard not to fall in love with the best friend, the son of their family's partners, tall, handsome, dark-haired Christopher Labert. If the matter was limited to one external attractiveness, then Denise's heart would never flinch - there were different fish in her environment. But Chris had a vivid imagination, knew how to lure and make you light up with his ideas, and was an excellent student. And the mind in guys Denise has always considered extremely sexy. When they met on vacation — she came home from college and Chris came from her academy — something vaguely like love did develop between them. But after a trip to Quebec and a few nights spent together, everyone returned to their studies, the next time they managed to meet only a year later, and by that time the mutual attraction had faded,

  Denise still remained Chris's closest friend, he called her first and said that he was going to propose. And she was sincerely glad for him until she saw the bride. Jennifer Daniels was undoubtedly a beautiful girl, but too windy for Denise's taste, who had graduated from Yale with a law degree by then. The daughter of a famous designer, Jennifer has lived out her life in Manhattan clubs, enjoying all the pleasures that money
can buy. How two people so unlike each other, like Chris and Jennifer, met, remained a mystery. But what was more surprising was that they fell in love with each other. Denise was in complete agreement with the Labertes couple - this couple had too little in common for a happy marriage, but like Chris's parents, she wished him happiness and kept her thoughts to herself.

  The guests reached for chairs, taking their seats, Denise caught Chris's eye and smiled reassuringly at him. From the expression on his face it was difficult to understand that he was nervous - something, and Chris knew how to hide emotions, but Denise never bought into a calm look and a serene smile. He rubbed his ear. Three times already, which indicated the extreme degree of tension. I wanted to shout: “Hey, dude, drop everything! Let's run to the coast and get drunk! " Imagining the reaction of others to this attack, Denise giggled and sank to her seat.

  For Chris, this day either dragged on indefinitely, or flew at a gallop, skipping over minutes. The tension caused by the behavior of Jennifer's friends, a small skirmish with her father - about the same thing, thoughts about the holiday and what it could result in, were covered by a feeling of happiness, which became more and more every moment, filling the soul, as if a huge balloon was blown inside. When the first chords sounded, and the bride in cream lace appeared, he forgot how to breathe. He just watched her approach, step by step, smiling through the veil, and he himself could not help smiling back.

  The mothers of the groom and the bride, sitting in the first row, simultaneously put handkerchiefs to their eyes. The future father-in-law passed his daughter's hand into Chris's and sat down next to his wife, good-naturedly muttering something in her ear. Chris stretched, picking up the weightless lace, throwing it back, behind his back, and froze, looking into too dark eyes. He gritted his teeth, nodules twitched on his cheekbone - she promised that there would be no more powder! But a soft touch on the palm, a gentle tremor of thin fingers made me exhale.

  — Don't be angry, ”Jennifer whispered quickly with her lips. - I'm really nervous.

  This simple confession seemed touching, and how trustingly she looked into

  his eyes ... Chris hated this feeling - complete submission under the gaze of his beloved woman. But it was precisely this that was so new and exciting that he was ready to forgive her any mistakes, just to feel weaker again, to allow herself to do whatever she wanted.

  Hetooused tosubjugate, andnow with pleasureobeyed capriciously inflated lips and bright green look. Novel from Jennifer was impetuous, deafening, knocking the firm ground out from under his feet. Chris has never met a woman like her - so alive, not constrained by rules, taking everything from life: every minute, every moment. Then he was given leave for a month, and instead of immediately going home, Chris rushed to a friend in New York. He still remembered their first meeting in great detail. Blinding strobe flashes, deafening music, and she's in a short hot pink dress. When she looked at Chris, her heart suddenly sank, and was worth her face light up childishly cute smile, So not knitted with a frivolous look, as he realized that he was hit. In the morning they could no longer part, love stunned, forced to forget about everything in the world, and Chris fell into this feeling with his head. And now - the logical result - his beloved, desired, incredible woman is standing by, and it doesn't matter that she did not keep her promise - they have a whole life ahead of them, in which there will be no place for cocaine parties and endless parties with friends. And there will be a family, a big house and two children. Everything as he dreamed. Everything is as it should be.

  — I declare you husband and wife! The priest's words were drowned in thunderous applause as Chris pulled Jennifer to him.

  — Are you not mad at me anymore? She flirtatiously adjusted one of the little cream roses in her hair and pouted. - Well, tell me you're not angry with me anymore!

  — I'm not mad, ”Chris smiled. - An unbearable creature!

  —Love you! - Jennifer smiled, ran her nails over the shiny buttons of her tunic. - My lovely captain!

  — And I you, - Chris smiled sunnyly, quickly kissing her on the temple, and turned to the guests, preparing to accept congratulations.

  The first month was like a fairy tale - the California coast, endless sun, endless ocean and almost continuous sex. But, the sooner the end of the holiday approached, the more Jennifer tried to pressure, to force to abandon the decision made on the eve of the wedding - to stay in Seattle and accept her father's business.

  — Well, think about it yourself, what should I do in Seattle? - She whispered one evening when the setting sun flooded the room through the huge, all-wall, panoramic windows.

  — We've already discussed this, ”Chris muttered sleepily, drawing an unknown pattern on her back. - You know: if not for my father, I would not have left the army.

  — I'm glad you left. - Jennifer arched under his hand, bent over him and suddenly bit him lightly on the chin. - I would not like to become a widow too early.

  — So you think you can outlive me? - Chris opened his eyes and looked at her mockingly: blond hair was scattered over the shoulders and back, and the look from under the long, fluffy eyelashes shone with slyness.

  — Of course, - Jennifer smiled slyly. “Women live longer than men, you know. Besides, when you are gone, I will grieve for a very long time.

  — It sounds promising. With a chuckle, Chris pulled her to him and put his face in his hands, gently stroking his temples with his thumbs. - But I like it better: they died in

  one day.

  — You can do that, - whispered Jennifer, slowly licking her lips, and looked at his lips. - It's good that this is still very far away.

  Chris didn't answer - pulled her head to him, kissing her gently. This woman was never enough for him. Each time it opened from a new, unexplored side, it drove me crazy with movements as ancient as the world. And now, responding to the kiss, Jennifer began to slowly go down, alternately outlining his nipples with her tongue, painfully slowly moving to her stomach, lifting her buttocks above her head, knowing that in the mirror opposite the bed he can see her reflection. Chris enjoyed her shamelessness, blatant self-admiration and total dedication. When she buried her face in his groin, her lips wrapped around the delicate skin, he groaned, not taking his eyes off the mirror. A hand appeared between her widely spread legs, and Jennifer began to caress herself, not stopping to slide her tongue along the embossed veins. He honestly tried to look, trying not to miss a single movement of nimble fingers,

  Upon returning to Seattle, the question of moving again became an acute angle, and the first scandals began in the family. At first, they did not go beyond comic squabbles, but over time they began to gain momentum - Jennifer categorically refused to live in Seattle.

  — All life is there in New York! She shouted. “You want to lock me up here and turn me into one of those prim ladies that your mother loves to host so much in her house ?!”

  — Father needs me, ”Chris repeated tiredly over and over. Although this was only half true. Yes, Labert Sr. decided to start his own business, but he was not going to leave the post of vice president. A small water transport company - several pleasure boats, two dozen water taxis - his father's ambitions went much further, but he had to start somewhere. Why exactly ships after so many years given over to airplanes - in the aviation industry everything was divided long ago, and it was useless to go there with small airplanes, and no one would allow large passenger traffic. On the water, it was easier to break through, and the son, since he decided to leave the army, had to lead the company.

  But Chris was more afraid that, returning to New York, Jennifer would plunge into a past life, and the sight of her friends drove him into a quiet fury. Accustomed to living at the expense of others, they imagined themselves to be the masters of the world, without having achieved anything on their own. But they knew how to destroy themselves perfectly, and Chris had enough meetings with this company to understand that this was not for him. And not for his wife.

  — You do not
love me! - Jennifer said dramatically six months later. - You disappear at work all day, and I wander around the house, not knowing what to do with myself!

  — You could get a job, ”Chris shrugged, getting rid of his tie and starting to unbutton his shirt. The day was long and difficult - they had just received a license for ships with a capacity of more than thirty people, and difficult negotiations with the port authorities awaited ahead, so they just wanted to sit in silence, have a glass of wine and listen to jazz, relaxing the brain. Instead, I had to listen to a new play called Why I Married You.

  — What job? Where? - Jennifer sighed dramatically, generously splashed her whiskey

  and went up to him, pushing him into a chair. Then she sat down on her knees and rested her head on her shoulder. “I feel bad here, Chris. Very bad. I have no friends at all.

  — You don't even try to turn them on, ”he rebuked gently. - Why don't you try to make friends with Denise at least?

  — With this bore? Jennifer snorted. - Not only is she boring and correct to the gnashing of teeth, but she is also crazy about you! No, I'd rather continue to suffer alone!

  — Don't talk nonsense! Chris laughed. - Denise and I have everything in the past.

  —Well, Kri-is, ”Jennifer held out, putting her hand on his trousers and stroking gently. - Maybe I'll go to my parents for a couple of weeks? They have been calling us for a long time, but you still can't do it ...

  Chris let out a relaxed breath, leaning his head back in the chair, almost not thinking about her words.

  — So what do you say? She purred, squeezing her hand tighter, feeling his desire grow with each new movement.

  — About what? He muttered without opening his eyes.

  — That I went to my family.

  — Only for a little while, ”he replied. - I'll miss you madly.