TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23
A barrage of lightbulbs flashed as Jaime looked into the hearing room. Every inch of space seemed to be filled with a body, but instead of distinct people, her mind turned the sight into a kaleidoscope. An array of microphones was plopped in front of the heavy wood table, with reporters crouched on the floor between the raised desks where the senators sat and the table. Dane sat to the side of the table in his dress uniform, looking every inch the military man and hero that most believed him to be. His eyes found hers, and the look bored through her with a malfeasance she could feel.
Jaime stood in the door. “How do I convince everyone about what happened?”
Savannah nudged her toward four reserved chairs at the back of the hearing room. “You tell your story cleanly and simply. No dragging on. Just the bare facts, which are reprehensible.”
They were, but as Jaime sank onto the chair and felt Chandler sit next to her, she studied the scene in front of her. How she wanted to change her mind and leave this place. Someone else could dig up information on Dane. If he’d done such unspeakable things to her, he’d surely done other things in a forum that could be uncovered.
He couldn’t hide who he was forever.
Were her parents here? She scanned the room, desperate to find them and their support. The kaleidoscope effect made it impossible to tell. She scrambled through her attaché case for a peppermint roller, uncapped it, and held it to her nose. Then she pulled out lavender and swiped it on her temples and wrists. The blended scent wafting toward her was subtle and comforting. Her reminder to breathe.
“The committee calls Jaime Nichols.”
As she pressed her way through the crowd, someone grabbed her hand. She startled and turned to find her father and mother sitting on the aisle.
“We believe you, Jaime.” Her father’s voice was low and husky. “I will struggle to forgive myself for not protecting you. Not doing what a father should.”
“I love you. Thank you for being here.” She mouthed the words, met her mother’s gaze, and then continued forward. This wasn’t the time or place to go deeper, but his words soaked into her heart like a soothing balm.
She was sworn in, then sank into the chair behind the table. Her notes trembled in her fingers as she set them on the table. She belonged here. She knew she did. But she could also feel the intense focus of Dane zeroing in on her and stealing her confidence. She shifted slightly so she could see Chandler in her peripheral vision. She needed to know he was there, believing in her and ready to leap to her defense if needed. Her mother and father were there. Savannah and Hayden. They all believed in her.
She wasn’t alone.
Dane wouldn’t do anything in a crowded room.
She wanted to believe that, but she was actively engaged in destroying his life.
Even if this hearing didn’t change anything, the criminal charges would still proceed, and he would have no choice but to respond.
She lifted her chin and placed her hands on top of the notes. Sitting at the witness table, she felt exposed, and she wished Savannah or Chandler could sit next to her rather than behind her.
Senator Schwartz, chair of the committee, turned to Jaime. “Do you have an opening statement, Ms. Nichols?”
Senator Wesley sat next to the chairwoman, but so far he had done nothing more than tip his head in acknowledgment. He had given her a forum. Now was her opportunity to do something with it.
The time of reckoning she’d prepared for.
Now she would rally her words, all the ones Dane had stolen from her, and order them in a way that persuaded the senators that regardless of the length of time between her violation and today, he must be held accountable. A deep breath filled her lungs, then she pushed it out and met the gaze of each senator sitting behind the raised desk. While several were guarded, only Senator Micah Langdon seemed hostile.
“Senators, today you are considering whether Dane Nichols should be promoted to a one-star general. I’ve been asked to testify about experiences I had with him that affect whether he has the character for the job.”
Jaime glanced at her notes, then back at the senators. A couple looked bored, another was talking to an aide, but Senator Wesley and the chairwoman were fully engaged, as if they waited for the truth. She lifted her chin and ignored the cameras and the murmur of voices behind her.
“This is the story of a little girl. One who needed protection while her father served our great country overseas. Instead, this eight-year-old experienced sexual abuse at the hands of her uncle. Every time I was at his apartment, he did criminal acts against me that would shock you.”
She licked dry lips and glanced at her notes, which she didn’t really need. “Our military is the part of us that we send into the world. They are defenders of the innocent and protectors of our dearest freedoms. My uncle defiled the innocent with violence. He stole my freedom, erecting a prison of abuse and shame. He should not, cannot be promoted to a position of higher authority in our great army.”
She told of his abuse, of the nights of terror, until Senator Langdon rocked forward in his chair to interrupt. “This is beyond a stretch. This is a witch hunt, not legitimate testimony. If this really happened, there would be a criminal record related to the allegations.”
“Sir, in many states there is no statute of limitations for criminal charges related to sexual assault, and such charges have been filed in Virginia. This is because lawmakers recognize that abuse, especially against the young, takes time and courage to be exposed. In addition, the law in Virginia is clear that a victim can step forward and seek compensation for damages sustained as long as the action is filed within two years of attaining majority or within two years of being diagnosed with harm where the cause is tied in the sexual abuse.” She paused.
“And you believe that allows you to come in here today and tell such sordid tales?”
Her blood began to boil. “It’s not a tale. It’s my life. The easier thing to do is to keep my head down and pretend it didn’t happen. But it did happen. Every night I relive exactly what your nominee did to me.”
Senator Wesley leaned into his microphone. “This is a time of great awareness of the terrible proclivities in both our military and society at large. What would you like us to know?”
“Thank you.” She quickly gathered her thoughts. “In the last weeks and months, we’ve seen a transformation occur. Women are willing to step forward and expose the crimes that have been committed against them. Some happen in the workplace. Some happen before we enter the workforce. My abuse occurred when I was too young to know how to get help. I’m no longer too young. I have spent years learning how to overcome the damage my uncle inflicted against me. Today I’m here because I believe a man who would commit the kind of crimes he did against a defenseless child could easily do the same again. Senators, carefully consider whether a man who committed the crimes against me that my uncle did is fit for service as a one-star general.”
The chairwoman studied her a moment. “Is there anything else you’d like to say?”
“This hearing is a job interview for my uncle and an opportunity to right a past wrong. Ultimately, you must decide whether someone who molested a child is worthy of such a position.”
The woman dipped her chin. “Thank you for your testimony.”
“Thank you.” Jaime rubbed her forehead and then placed her hands on top of the legal pad resting on the table. She tried to focus on Chairwoman Schwartz’s words, but it was hard.
She picked up a pen lying next to the pad. Where had that come from? Then she noticed the Wonder Woman logo on the side. She glanced back at Chandler, and he gave her a barely perceptible smile. She felt tears rise behind her eyes. He was here and would be her hero the moment she asked. As she twirled the pen through her fingers, she thought maybe he saw her as one too. Her cheeks warmed with pleasure at that thought.
Chandler gave an inward sigh of relief when Jaime met his eyes. He wasn’t sure he should have put the pen there, though it had seemed like a good idea at the time. But it was all right. She understood.
She’d taken over his empty places and filled him with the desire to do anything he could to ease her burdens. He liked who he was around her, the way she pulled the best from him. The parts he’d let Rianna’s betrayal kill.
His gaze landed on her uncle seated to the side and watching Jaime like a predatory hawk. Chandler had to fist his hands on his thighs to keep from launching out of the uncomfortable chair and giving the man a piece of his mind or something stronger. What he’d done was unthinkable sin. One that only the grace of God could forgive, because Chandler knew he didn’t have the strength to do it on his own.
The man sat at his table, gaze locked on Jaime as if his career depended on how the senators took her testimony—and it did. Would he be confirmed as a general after her heartfelt words? The cameras hadn’t quit flashing since she started speaking, and her testimony would go viral.
The senators began sparring amongst themselves until Senator Wesley leaned forward and took control. He looked at Jaime with compassion as he spoke. “Miss Nichols, what my colleagues are most interested in is why now? Why after all this time did you decide that this is the time to speak?”
“I filed the charged before I knew he’d been nominated for this position. I knew I was strong enough for moments like this. And I can’t live with myself if I don’t speak up while he is placed in a position where he could harm someone else.” She sighed but kept her gaze firmly on the senators assembled before her. “Sir, it would be easier and certainly more comfortable to have avoided this moment. However, I am compelled to speak up to prevent future harm.”
“Do you have any reason to believe he has grievously harmed anyone else?”
“Only that the research tells us it is likely. I’ll leave the decision in your capable hands.”
Chandler kept his attention focused on Jaime, trying to determine how she was doing. She’d been adamant that she’d handle this alone. As if she needed to slay her demons single-handedly. Still she had a strong team around her, one capable of standing against evil.
As he watched her he saw a woman as strong as Diana turning into the avenging Wonder Woman. She was taking on evil, and she was beautiful.
The chairwoman knocked her gavel down. “Thank you for your testimony, Miss Nichols. We will give it our full weight and consideration. You are excused.”
Jaime sat a moment as if confused about what to do next, then she stood. “Thank you for your time and attention.”