Page 63 of What We Hide

The judge looked at Hez. “Do you have any witnesses, Mr. Webster?”

“No, Your Honor.” There was no point in putting on his case now. Hope clearly had enough evidence to meet the low probable cause standard, so he had no chance of winning today. Laying out his evidence now would only tip his hand.

The judge turned back to Hope. “Does the state rest its case?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“The defense also rests,” Hez added.

Judge Hopkins swiveled back to Hope. “Any argument, Ms. Norcross?”

“Yes, Your Honor.” She rose and stepped up to the lectern. “May it please the court. The evidence establishing probable cause is overwhelming and uncontested. The defense does not dispute that the murder weapon was found on the defendant’s property, that a spreadsheet detailing payments to the victims was found on her computer, or any of the other evidence put on by the prosecution. Rather, the defense apparently thinks there may be another explanation for this evidence, that the defendant was framed by some unknown person or persons. But that is irrelevant. The only question before the court is whether there is a substantial chance that Ms. Legare committed the crimes charged in the complaint. The answer is yes. Thank you.”

The judge looked at Hez as Hope returned to her seat. “Argument from the defense?”

Hez stood and moved to the lectern. “Thank you, Your Honor. With great respect to Ms. Norcross, the question of whether Ms. Legare was framed is actually very relevant. If she was, then the true killer is still at large and my client is wrongly imprisoned. Otherwise, I leave it to the court to decide whether the probable cause standard is met here. Thank you.”

“I’ll give you the last word if you want it,” the judge said to Hope as Hez sat.

She glanced at Hez as she stood. “Thank you, Your Honor. If Mr. Webster has evidence that the defendant was framed, he should present it as soon as possible. He did not do so today. He merely presented a hypothetical alternative to the prosecution’s theory of the case. That is not enough to defeat a finding of probable cause.”

The judge nodded. “All right. I find that there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crimes alleged in the complaint. In light of the severity of those crimes and the fact that the defendant is a flight risk, she will be detained until trial. Is there anything else either side would like to discuss today?”

“No, Your Honor,” Hez and Hope said in unison.

“All right, this hearing is adjourned.”

Hez had seen this coming and had warned both sisters, but he still didn’t relish telling Savannah that Jess would have to rot in jail for months. Now the real work of getting her acquitted began.

Chapter 30

The sunset glimmered over the tops of the tupelo trees when Savannah arrived with Simon at her cottage. Her nephew yawned hugely, and his blue eyes were glassy from jet lag as he glanced around the living room. Marley pushed his nose into the boy’s hand, and Simon rubbed the dog’s ears.

The weekend with Simon had filled a hole in Savannah’s heart, and she loved seeing him in her private space. “Here’s my little abode.”

“I’ve never been in a house before—only apartments and the dorm at school.”

Though he said the words in a matter-of-fact tone, the reality of his ten years of life struck her hard in the gut. He had no idea what normal family life looked like. How could Jess have done this to her own son? Did reputation and money mean so much to her?

Savannah let him wander around a few minutes, then got him settled in the guest room and told him to try to stay awake another hour or two.

“I’ll try. I’m knackered.” He dutifully got out his iPad, but his drowsy eyes told her it was unlikely he’d manage to keep away the sandman. Especially with the dog curled beside him. When she returned to the living room, she spotted Beckett getting out of his car.

“Great, just great,” she muttered. She was too tired for this tonight, but she met him out on the porch and somehow managed a cordial smile. “What a surprise. I barely walked in the door.”

“I saw you drive past my office window.” His face was red as he mounted the steps. “You never answered my text. What was so important that you went gadding off without talking to me? I’ve been helping you, Savannah. We’re partners.”

His gall left her speechless for a long moment. He had power over her tenure. She at least needed to be polite. “It was personal, Beckett.”

“Too personal to tell me?”

He wasn’t going to let this go, and she was too tired to rein in her rising anger. “I think we need to clarify things between us. I enjoy your friendship, but I think you’re overreacting. Our relationship isn’t the kind that demands I tell you everything I do.”

“Friends? We’ve gone way beyond friendship, Savannah.” He pointed his finger at her. “You led me on and made me think you found me attractive—that you wanted to be with me. I was thinking of a future with you.”

The building rage on his face alarmed her, and she softened her tone. “Beckett, we’ve never talked about anything like that. I think you misunderstood. You’ve never even kissed me.”

“I can rectify that.” He grabbed her by the shoulders and yanked her toward him.

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