JakesPrisoner Read Online Free PDF

evidence of Jake’s
innocence. It was then that she discovered that her former lover was
tech-enhanced. With the aid of a holo-projector linked to Jake’s cerebral
implants, Raoul’s last minutes were played out for all the court to see. Jake
had taunted him with remarks about their sexual relationship, trying to enrage
her brother. How good she was in bed, how willing, how sweet. She watched Raoul
emerge from the darkness, his eyes dark with rage as he fired his weapon.
Finally, she heard Jake’s words as he returned fire. “This is for Ingrid.”
    She could feel the stares of the other people in the
courtroom. Her cheeks blazed with shame. Jake’s words had utterly humiliated
her. He had painted her as being little better than a whore. Not only had he
seduced and betrayed her, but he had done it for another woman. She had left
the courtroom then without a backward glance. After the dreadful weeks of the
trial, she was glad to be alone again.
    Tanith sat down heavily on the couch and emptied the
contents of the envelope onto the table. The authorities returned Raoul’s
personal effects to her after the tribunal had issued its verdict. There wasn’t
much to show for a lifetime. Access cards to his vehicles and her home, some
large denomination credits, at least they would be useful. She might not have a
job for much longer.
    In a small black wallet was an image of the two of them
together when they were children. Raoul was taller than she, the big brother
with his arms around his little sister. Out of the wallet tumbled a platinum
chain with a half-moon pendant. She picked it up, toying with it between her
fingers. The writing on the back of the pendant wasn’t Cyraelian. Raoul must
have picked it up on his travels. Tanith fastened the chain around her neck. It
was hers now. She would wear it in memory of him. A slow tear welled up and
rolled down her cheek. She was so tired of everything.
    * * * * *
    The Terra-pod pulled up outside the custody unit and Jake
climbed into the passenger seat. Pete clapped him on the shoulder. “Good to see
you, Jake. The ship is leaving for home in a few hours. Let’s get the hell out
of here.”
    “How about making a little detour first, Pete?”
    “If you’re asking what I think you’re asking, the answer is
no. Forget her, Jake. There are plenty of other women out there who aren’t half
as much trouble.”
    Jake reached for the door. “I guess I’ll have to go alone
then.”
    Pete muttered under his breath as he entered the destination
on screen and they headed toward the west of the city. Jake watched through the
window as the second sun set. It was good to be outside again. The Cyraelian
authorities had treated him well enough, but there wasn’t a single night that
he didn’t miss Tanith or that he wasn’t racked with regret for what he had done
to her. Raoul had deserved to die, but Tanith would pay the price.
    Every day during the trial, she had sat in the same seat.
Apart from the state bodyguards, she was always alone. The worst day had been
the cross-examination, when he had to tell a courtroom full of people how he
had seduced and betrayed her. She waited until he finished giving evidence and
then she left the courtroom. He hadn’t seen her since then.
    He understood enough about Cyraelian culture to know what
the future held for her. Without Raoul’s protection, Tanith would lose her job
and her precious home. Worst of all, she would be vulnerable to others who
lived on the edge of society. Jake’s hands clenched into fists at the thought
of his beautiful Tanith with someone like Atam Sorza. He was never going to let
that happen.
    By the time they reached her apartment block, it was almost
dusk. Pete switched off the engine and they sat in silence. “What a mess.” Pete
sighed. “What are you going to do, Jake? I mean, what can you say to her?”
    Jake looked down at his hands. “There’s no point in talking
to her. I know that she won’t listen to me