67: Punishments

Fenella’s POV I stared at the two men standing in the defendant's place. Laird's face looked stern, his eyes squinting at Alan, while Alan appeared worried. Opposite them, Prosecutor Golden, standing behind the prosecutor's table, now wore a smug smile. "What's your answer, Mr. Schmidt?" Judge Brown asked impatiently. Everyone whispered anxiously, waiting for Alan's response. I glanced at Jessy, and we exchanged nervous looks. It never occurred to me that Alan would change his mind at the last moment. But apparently, it could happen! "Your Honor, I—" Alan's voice caught in his throat: "I plead guilty." My eyes widened as I heard Alan finish his sentence, followed immediately by a sigh of relief. Reporters scribbled notes, Jessy breathed a sigh of relief, and so did Laird. I felt drained and held Jessy's hand tighter. Both of us smiled broadly. "Everything will be fine," Jessy whispered to me. "Thank you, Jessy," I whispered back. Upon hearing Alan's answer, Judge Brown also seemed reli