Unlawful Justice
K.C. LYNN
K. LANGSTON
Published by K.C. Lynn & K. Langston
Copyright © 2015 K.C. Lynn & K. Langston
First Edition: 2015
Cover Art by: Cover to Cover Designs
Cover Image by: Lindee Robinson Photography
Cover Models: Michael Dorr & Allyssa Bartolomeo
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the authors of this book. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from the King James Version Bible (KJV).
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the authors’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The authors acknowledge the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
For mature audiences only (18 and older).
Contains some subject matter that may be offensive due to violence, racism, language and sexual situation. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
Note from the authors
Although you will see circumstances throughout this story that do indeed occur in real life, please note that this story is purely fictional. It has been conjured up from our imaginations. The controversial subject matter is not meant to provoke nor offend. There are some portions of the story that do not reflect our own ideas or beliefs.
You’ve been warned.
Dedication
For those who seek peace and unity, this story is for you.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Note from the authors
Dedication
Epigraph
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Epilogue
Prologue from An Act of Salvation
Prologue from Sylvie
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Notes
Fate has led us here, faith will see us through.
CHAPTER 1
Olivia
Lying in the quiet dark, I blink, wondering what just pulled me from sleep. Before I’m able to think too much about it, my heavy eyes begin to close. As I slip into oblivion once more, another sound brings me back to consciousness. Fully alert, I listen carefully and hear it again—a rustling sound of sorts. Sitting up, I’m just about to look out of my bedside window when the sound of creaking floorboards snaps my head to the left.
I gasp and swallow back a scream when I see my pap standing in my bedroom doorway. “Goodness, Pap.” I breathe with a hand over my thundering heart. “You scared me half to death.” I quickly notice he’s holding his rifle, and my fear comes rushing back. “Pap, what’re you doing with your gun?”
“Stay here, Livy. Someone’s outside.”
“What?” I peek out my window, which faces the side of our barn, to see the door standing wide open. It’s always locked. It’s too dark to see anyone but a loud clanging noise tells me someone is in there. I immediately fear for my horse, Rosie, but even more so for Pap.
I turn back to him. “Don’t go out there. We’ll call Sheriff Dixon.”
“It’ll be too late by the time he gets here. It’s probably those same damn hooligans who’ve been stealing from all the others. I’m not gonna let those bastards destroy our livelihood like they did Cliff.”
Cliff Anderson is one of the many farmers who have been broken into lately. It’s mainly fertilizer being stolen. Local newspapers claim the thieves are using it to make drugs. However, they also set fire to Cliff’s property, destroying a good bit of his crop. I’m still not sure what the purpose of any of that was, but what’s even more frustrating is no one has been caught and the break-ins are escalating. It’s why I don’t want Pap walking out into the unknown.
“Please don’t go out there,” I plead, trying to reason with him again. “We don’t know who it could be or how dangerous they are.”
“I’ll be okay, darlin’. You go ahead and put in a call to the sheriff, but stay here. Don’t come outside for any reason, all right?”
Before I can argue more he’s gone.
“Oh, you stubborn old man,” I choke out, fear making my throat incredibly tight.
Reaching for my cell on the nightstand, I dial the sheriff’s department as I climb out of bed on shaky legs. I rush to the kitchen, and peek out the window to see Pap’s shadow creeping closer to the barn, his rifle aimed and ready.
“Harmony Falls Sheriff’s Department,” Lucy answers, her voice calm and cool, unlike my racing heart.
“This is Olivia Bradshaw.”
“Miss Olivia, is everything okay?” she asks, becoming more concerned at the tremble in my voice.
“We need help out here quick. Someone’s broken into the barn, and Pap’s out there with the rifle right now. He refused to wait until y’all got here.”
“Of course he did,” she mumbles, sharing my same frustration about Pap. She knows how stubborn he can be; everyone in this town knows it. “All right, honey, I have someone on their way. Can you—”
“Shh,” I whisper when I hear Pap start to yell.
“Whoever’s in my barn, I suggest you come out real slow with your hands up.”
I watch with bated breath to see if they will obey, all the while praying they don’t have a weapon.
“Olivia, are you still there? Can you see anything?”