The Ex (The Corny Myers Series) Read Online Free Page A

sported the standard bright orange jumpsuit. He caught me as I stared and he sneered back. Well, he told me, except I wasn’t the one on trial.
    The judge cleared her throat and said, “Good morning, jury. Each attorney will ask you several questions and all but eight of you will be dismissed. Six for the jury and two alternates. Please answer their questions as honestly and completely as you can. The prosecuting attorney today will be Mr. Miley and the defendant, Mr. Dickers, will be represented by Ms. Gordon. Mr. Dickers is charged with one count of battery on a police officer, one count of resisting arrest, and one count for disorderly conduct.”
    Holy crap! Mr. Dickers was known by his friends and enemies as Dick. That was where I knew that ugly mug from. He was the animal-hater, my dog friends left a special present for. I’ve tried to forget that incident.
    “Mr. Miley, you may start with your questions for the jurors,” the judge instructed.
    “Thank you, Your Honor.” He stood and faced us. “Does anyone personally know Mr. Dickers or have any firsthand knowledge of the events that transpired on February 10 th 2013?”
    I could honestly say no. I wasn’t anywhere near that train wreck. I was safely at home with Steve; he could vouch for me. A sixty-five-year-old woman, whose head reminded me of a Q-tip, in both shape and color, raised her hand.
    “Go ahead juror fifteen, and tells us what you know,” Mr. Miley said.
    She cleared her throat and told her story in a three-pack-a-day smoker’s voice.
    “I know old Dick there pretty well. I was his neighbor for three years. About six months ago, all the tenants in our apartment received notice that our building was sold and we had ninety days to move out. The building’s being torn down to build another parking garage—like Seattle needs another parking garage. Anyway, I was lucky because I had somewhere to go. My daughter moved me into her lovely home, with my grandchildren. I’m much happier living with them than I was in that crappy apartment.” She took a deep breath, coughed and continued, “When Dick got his notice, he threw a loud party and the next morning he put all his crap in the hallway. I told him to put his garbage in the dumpster, but he gave me the bird. I couldn’t believe that little creep flipped me off. My guess is he’s guilty.”
    “Thank you, juror fifteen.” Everyone cracked a smile, even Mr. Miley.
    Ms. Gordon spoke up, “I’d like to dismiss this juror, Your Honor.”
    Before the judge could speak the lady said, “Fine by me. I’ve got better things to do with my time than waste it on Dick.”
    The bailiff retrieved her walker, with florescent green tennis balls for wheels. She shuffled down the aisle toward the door as she grumbled, “Worthless little shit.”
    We all snickered.
    Mr. Miley and Ms. Gordon continued to ask questions. A few more jurors were dismissed. None of the questions pertained to me. I zoned out and wondered if Celeste’s plane landed yet. Would she drive straight to the station and ask Steve out for lunch? No, she’d probably go straight to her hotel, take a shower, put on fresh clothes, and then pay him a visit. On my first break, I wanted to call Steve and see if he’d heard from his ex yet.
    “Is anyone related to or acquainted with a law enforcement officer?” Ms. Gordon asked.
    Steve warned me that some attorneys wouldn’t want to keep me because of my relationship to a cop. A couple jurors raised their hands and explained their situation. I had time to decide how important jury duty was for me. Should I lie and maybe stay on the jury to do my civic duty and convict the bastard, or tell the truth and potentially get dismissed?
    The judge cleared her throat again and said, “Jurors, you may take a ten minute break. The attorneys for both sides will finish up their questioning when you return.”
    I’d gotten a short reprieve and needed to make up my mind, which made me think of Steve. I