Page 53 of The Heir

A tall man in an ill-fitted suit was waiting for me.

“I’m Theo Benetti, your uncle hired me,” the man explained, shoving a small pair of spectacles up his nose.

“The next case is Aviston versus the state of Illinois. Charges being brought are fleeing and eluding, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, reckless endangerment of a minor, and reckless driving.”

“I’d ask how you plea, but before I do– Read me back the record, what–? What was Mister Aviston charged with earlier this week?”

While the court reporter recounted my charges for the judge, I hissed at the attorney, “What fuckin’ minor?”

The judge cleared his throat and glared at me. “I’d appreciate you using a little bit of discretion with your language in my courtroom, Mister Aviston.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” I mumbled, still staring at Theo, and awaiting an answer.

He held up a finger, begging me for a moment.

“Mister Aviston, you’re being charged with racing, which allegedly caused a wreck with significant injuries to the minor you were racing against,” The judge spelled it out for me, “and you tried to flee the scene of the accident and avoid arrest? This was all after you fled the scene of an alleged crime earlier this week and were arrested with a minor, one, Mayhem Aviston, is this correct?”

My mouth went so dry I couldn’t answer.

“Well?” the judge demanded.

It sounded so terrible when he said it like that.

Fuck!

“Your Honor, if I may? I don’t think Mister Aviston was aware of Mr. Moore’s age. They were only acquainted for an hour or two,” Theo interjected.

“How do you plead?” the judge spat.

“Not guilty.” I shot right back.

“I suppose you think there will be bail, and a chance to endanger another minor?” the judge cattily snapped.

I stared at the table, unsure of how to respond, or even if it was wise to attempt to do so.

“Perhaps there is a way forward that would allow Mister Aviston access to college classes online, but not to be in the streets during the course of the trial?” Theo pressed, causing me to give him a bewildered look.

“College courses?” the judge returned.

“Yes, your honor. He intends to pursue a master's degree. He already has two bachelor degrees from a university in Georgia, where he lived until a week ago.”

“I don’t know how a college graduate from Georgia with multiple degrees comes to be entangled with a bunch like the Steel Disciples from Illinois–” the judge began.

“Your Honor, his parents are both federal agents. It is unlikely he has any real connection to the Steel Disciples, beyond the kinship of his deceased father’s brother, Eric Aviston.”

The judge sat back in his chair, relaxing a bit, but never taking his attention off of me.

Theo and the prosecutor took turns addressing the judge a few times, but I could feel his gaze anchored on me all the while. When it was over, he slowly sat up again.

“I’m going to give you one last chance, son. You’ll be released on house arrest, an ankle monitor will be placed, and we will see you back here for trial.”

“Yes, sir,” Theo enthusiastically agreed on my behalf.

Chapter Twenty

Marchella

The morning was chaotic. Aunt Carly was a liar, liar pants on fire. She didn’t have two call outs, she had two aides. One of whom was only in orientation, and due to be picked up by her school bus at a quarter to three.

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