44 Cranberry Point Read Online Free PDF

don’t know what’s going to happen to us.”
    Ben gently patted her hand. “I don’t believe the council wants that kind of negative publicity. I can just imagine what the Seattle newspapers would say about a town punishing a handful of senior citizens because we were demonstrating for health care.”
    “Unlawful assembly,” Charlotte muttered under her breath. “I, for one, am willing to serve my time if that’s what it takes to wake this town up.” Just being with Ben strengthened her resolve. He made her feel brave, helped her stand up for her principles and act on the power of her convictions.
    “I completely agree with you. However…” He hesitated and then forcefully expelled his breath. “I don’t think we need to worry about serving jail time. We’ll probably just be fined.”
    Charlotte just couldn’t be sure. She was worried, especially considering Judge Robson’s reputation. Would she be viewed as the ringleader? She felt particularly anxious about her friends, who’d stood loyally by her when she defied Sheriff Davis.
    “I’ve hired an attorney,” Ben informed her. Earlier Ben had agreed to represent them in court, but apparently he’d changed his mind.
    Charlotte hadn’t wanted to involve lawyers. For one thing, they charged an arm and a leg, and for another, whatever lawyer Ben had chosen was bound to say somethingto Olivia when she returned. Charlotte wanted Olivia to know as little as possible, difficult though that would be. She’d hoped to hold down the gossip.
    “Sharon Castor said she’d meet us at the courthouse.”
    “Not Sharon Castor,” Charlotte cried. The attorney was frequently in Olivia’s courtroom. In fact, Sharon had recently represented Rosemary Cox in her divorce case. Charlotte had been present when her daughter had handed down one of her most controversial joint-custody decisions-a decision that, Charlotte believed, had led to the couple’s reconciliation.
    “Oh, dear,” she said and sighed. “We might as well go.” She went into the bedroom for her overnight case, which contained her medications and night cream, and reached for her jacket. Just in case…The day was cool, and from everything she’d read, jail cells were notoriously drafty. She glanced around her bedroom one last time. Once she’d received her sentence, if the worst happened, she’d contact Justine and ask her to take care of Harry.
    “Charlotte,” Ben said, shaking his head as she entered the living room. “You aren’t going to need a suitcase.”
    “Don’t be so sure,” she countered grimly. “Suppose Judge Robson decides to make an example of me. I want to be ready.” She’d long been a believer in preparing for the worst-and hoping for the best.
    Ben tried to argue with her, but she refused to change her mind. In the end, he placed her suitcase in the trunk of his car.
    When they arrived at the courthouse, Helen, Laura and Bess were already gathered in the foyer outside Judge Robson’s courtroom. The three women rushed frantically to Charlotte’s side.
    “I’m telling you right now, no one’s going to do a body search on me and live to tell about it,” Bess declared. She raised her hands in the familiar karate posture. Their entireSenior Center had taken self-defense lessons a few years back and Bess had faithfully attended every class.
    “Have you been watching those Karate Kid videos again?” Charlotte muttered.
    Bess glared at her. “I’m not joking, Charlotte.”
    “Do you think the judge will let us bring our knitting needles into jail?” Laura asked. “If you want the truth, I have several Christmas projects I’d like to start and frankly I could make good use of the downtime.”
    Just as Charlotte began to reply, Sharon Castor strolled up to Ben. “This is everyone?” she asked.
    Ben nodded.
    “Ben’s hired us legal representation,” Charlotte whispered to her friends. “He seems to think all the judge will do is fine us.”
    “That’s all?”