As the door at the back corner of the room opened, Frank felt as if his every nerve was open and exposed. He kept his eyes glued to Keith Rashman and the armed guards who flanked him, looking for anything that could be considered even remotely suspicious. Just when he thought he would snap, Frank caught the smirk Rashman threw at him.

Once Rashman knew Frank had seen him, he turned his hateful glare on Joe as he had everyday since the beginning of the trial. For the first time and only time, Frank was thrilled to see Rashman looking at Joe with the same unabashed hatred.

‘He doesn’t know! They haven’t told him yet!’ Frank let out an audible sigh of relief.

The simple fact that Keith Rashman had the same cocky attitude he’d displayed since day one told Frank he had no idea his brother was even dead, let alone the circumstances surrounding it.

‘Thank you,’ Frank raised his eyes upwards.

Feeling some of the tension drain away, Frank watched as the jurors filed into the room looking decidedly impassive, and then stood as the judge entered the courtroom. Seeing Joe fidgeting nervously, Frank gave him a quick, comforting pat on the back as they sat down again.

‘Only a few more minutes, bro,’ Frank thought, wishing Joe could read his mind, ‘then you can start putting this whole thing behind you.’

Quickly dispensing with the opening formalities of declaring court now in session, the judge asked the foreman of the jury if they’d reached a verdict. Getting an affirmative response, the bailiff retrieved a piece of paper from the foreman and handed it to the judge. After reading the verdicts to himself, the judge returned the paper to the foreman, requesting he officially announce the verdicts.

"On the count of carrying a concealed weapon, we the jury find the defendant, Keith Richard Rashman, guilty as charged."

Joe closed his eyes, surprised to find he was shaking. ‘Please,’ he thought still not wanting to get his hopes up, ‘please let them all be guilty.’

"On the charge of terroristic threatening," the foreman continued, "we find the defendant guilty as charged."

Joe allowed himself a small measure of hope.

"On the charge of aggravated assault, we find the defendant guilty as charged."

And so it went – kidnapping, assault and battery, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder – with the jury concluding that Keith Rashman was guilty on every single count. By the time the foreman had finished reading off the litany of charges and verdicts, Vanessa, Laura and Callie were crying tears of joy and relief. Joe finally allowed himself to believe the man who had haunted his dreams for the past six months might finally be put to rest. Even Fenton Hardy found himself wiping away a tear. Only Frank noticed the absolute hatred Rashman had displayed for Joe from the outset of the trial had grown immeasurably.

As the judge entered his chambers, Joe felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Stepping out into the aisle next to Vanessa, he stopped to wait for Frank, Callie and his parents. Looking up, Joe found himself staring into the cold, hard eyes of Keith Rashman. He shivered involuntarily hoping Rashman didn’t see it, when Joe’s vision of the man who almost tortured him to death was suddenly obscured.

Seeing the silent exchange between Rashman and Joe, Frank had stepped in front of his younger brother completely blocking him from Rashman’s line of sight. He stared at the man who tried to murder his only brother. The symbolic message Frank sent was not lost on Rashman.

Almost imperceptibly Rashman nodded, a tight smile gracing his lips.

Frank never moved, waiting until Rashman had been escorted from the courtroom before he stepped out of the way, satisfied that Joe never saw the hatred that had been directed squarely at him. Turning around, Frank draped one arm around Joe and the other around Vanessa. Slowly he looked first as his father, then his mother and finally Callie.

"Shall we go," he said with a smile. "I believe we still have a birthday to celebrate!"

THE END