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about how he left
and never looked back. I even told him how my self esteem had been
destroyed and my heart was bruised but not broken. I explained how
after a while I felt only relief that he was gone, that I had
gotten out of the relationship when I did and so easily with only
the financial loss. Determined not to leave anything out, I told
him how I changed my cell phone number and how I tried to make sure
I couldn't be traced when I left Texas because of the threats Frank
had made toward me. I told him how I had never wanted to see Frank
Gibbons again. When I finish my story I somehow feel lighter,
cleansed, relieved.
    I look into his chocolate brown eyes and see
warmth in their depths, understanding. He asks, "So you think the
prosecution will say because he took your money and broke your
heart, that you had a motive to want him dead?"
    "Yes." I state my heart pounding with
dread.
    "What kind of threats did he make?" asks
Jacob.
    "Frank told me over and over that I belonged
to him, only him, and he would kill me if I was ever with another
man," I feel my eyes fill with tears. "I believed him."
    "And you haven't talked to him or heard from
him since he left you in Texas two years ago until that night at
the restaurant?" asks Jacob.
    "That's correct. I hadn't seen him or heard
from him since he left me in Texas. He had changed so much in his
appearance that I didn't even recognize him until he spoke to me in
the restaurant three nights ago."
    "Tell me what happened at the restaurant,"
requests Jacob.
    "Well, I was sitting in a booth toward the
back of the building. I had just finished my meal and was paying my
check when I saw him come in the door. He walked in and came
straight to my table. I was frightened when I realized he was
coming toward my table. I reached into my purse to feel for my 9MM
Glock and remembered I had put it in the console of my car after I
left the gun range in Bozeman that morning. I was petrified."
    I pause while I take another deep breath then
continue, "He sat down across from me and I finally recognized him
when he spoke. I nearly choked on my tea when he said hello. I
asked him what he wanted and why he was following me. He said he
wanted me back. He said he wanted to renew our relationship. I told
him I wasn't interested. He argued with me telling me how much he
had missed me and how he realized he is in love with me. I told him
again I wasn't interested and rose from the table to leave."
    "What happened next?"
    "He grabbed my arm. I jerked free and
screamed no! as I ran outside. I know everybody in the restaurant
had to have heard me. Anyway, he caught me before I could get into
my car. He grabbed my arm and threw me against the side of the car.
He had me pinned with his body and was kissing me, touching my
breasts. I kneed him in the groin and tried to get away. He grabbed
my arm again and hit me across my face. I f ...f...fell to the
ground. He was coming at me again. He looked angry like some kind
of a maniac. Somebody yelled at him, yelled his name, I don't know
who. He was distracted so I jumped in my car and fled. I didn't
know what had happened after that until the state patrol pulled me
over the next morning and I was arrested for murder."
    Jacob watches the emotions play across Jana's
face as she speaks. He sees the terror, the revulsion, the relief.
"I see the bruise on your face. Is that where he hit you? Has
anyone gotten photos of that yet?"
    I nod dejectedly. "No one has taken
pictures."
    "Do you have any other bruises?"
    I show him the underside of my upper arm
where fingerprints are clearly visible.
    "Do you have a license for the Glock?" he
asks.
    "I have a concealed handgun license from
Texas. They, the police, told me Frank was shot with my gun. I
didn't even know it was missing from my car."
    "Did they test you for gun powder residue on
your hands?" he asks.
    "Yes, I tested positive."
    Jacob's eyebrows shoot up. "Because?"
    "I stopped at a practice range in Bozeman
that