"All rise for the Honorable Justice Martin Noble. The Superior Court of the State of California is now in session!" The bailiff barked out the words that he had uttered thousands of times before.

Judge Noble took his seat on the bench and the courtroom audience sat. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a decision?"

A gray haired woman in a polka dot dress stood up. "Yes, your Honor, we have."

"Would you please hand the bailiff your decision." The bailiff took the sealed envelope and handed it to the judge. He opened it and read it. When he was finished, he gave it back to the bailiff. "Please have the Chairwoman read the decision."

Judge Noble looked at the bench in front of him. "Would the defendant please rise?"

A petite blonde in a red suit stood on shaky legs. Her attorney squeezed her shoulder.

The jury chairwoman looked extremely nervous and cleared her throat. "In the case of the State of California vs. Laura Taylor on the charge of first degree murder, we the jury find the defendant 'Not Guilty.'"

Judge Noble thanked the jurors and turned to Laura Taylor. "The defendant is released from custody and is free to go."

Laura stood in shock, tears flowing down her face. After nine long months, it was finally over. The room began to spin and she sat down quickly and let the darkness descend around her.

The judge was thanking the jury and releasing them when he saw Laura faint. He turned to the bailiff, "We need help here; please call the paramedics."

Her attorney was kneeling next to her, rubbing her wrists, trying to bring her around. "Laura, Laura, it's okay, it's over." She lay slumped over the table, motionless. Her sister and brother-in-law were in the courtroom and ran over to her, also trying to rouse her, but to no avail. The paramedics arrived and started her on oxygen.

"Will the officers clear the courtroom, please?" Judge Noble came over to where the paramedics were working. "Would you be better in my chambers?"

They had Laura conscious by then. "Yes it would; she seems fine but needs to rest a bit."

The paramedics lifted her up and carried her into the Judge's chambers. The judge turned to her family and attorney. "Please wait here and let her rest. I'd like to talk to her in private for a few minutes. I'll call you when she is ready to go."

Laura was feeling woozy but terribly embarrassed by the time the paramedics finished checking her over and left. She was still trembling and didn't know why the Judge wanted to talk to her. "I thought I heard you say I ... I could go? Is there something wrong?"

Judge Noble poured a shot of brandy and handed it to her. "Drink this, it will help. No, there's nothing wrong, and you are free to leave. I wanted to talk to you a bit about your future, and any plans you may have. You do realize that your late husband's family are going to be vicious enemies?"

Laura sighed. "Yes, I know they are. They never believed that Frank was abusive. I told his sister that he was beating me and she refused to believe it; she said the bruises must have come from the other man I was seeing. They were convinced Frank was telling them the truth, and that I was cheating on him. I don't think they believed any of the witnesses that testified for me. Right now, I don't care about them, I just want to be left alone. I have no idea what I'm going to do."

Martin looked at the young, pretty blonde. If he were younger and single, he would be very interested in getting to know her better. "Laura, if you would take a piece of advice, I think you should leave this area and make a life somewhere else. This is a small town and I don't think people will let you forget. The Taylors will see to that. You'll inherit a lot of money. Take it and make a life somewhere else."

Laura was beginning to get some color back and felt stronger. He did make sense. "Thank you Judge, I just might do that. But right now, I just want to go home."

"I can imagine you do." Martin Noble opened the door to call in her attorney and family. "I'll have an officer escort you out the back way. I'm sure the press has surrounded the entryway by now. Whenever you're ready, just let him know. You can stay here as long as you like." He turned to Laura's family. "Take care of her; she's been through a lot." He put his coat on, picked up his briefcase and left.

Betsy Frost hugged her sister. "Oh, Laura, I am so happy this is over. You must come and stay with Ed and the kids and I. Start your life over, away from here."

John Bates, her attorney, agreed. "I'll take care of all the paperwork and details for you on the inheritance. If you want to sell the house, I'll help you also. But I don't think it will be a good thing for you to stay here."

Laura looked around at all of them. "Judge Noble just told me the same thing. I think you all are right, but I don't know where I want to go. I believed Frank's mother when she said she would make sure this follows me my entire life. I don't think it will matter where I go. I need a few days to think."

"Ed and I will stay with you until then. You shouldn't be alone." Betsy was worried about her sister.