Page 16 of Defend Me

“Silence,” he calls, and the room falls quiet. He frowns at Von. “Have you ever tried a murder case before?”

Von looks perplexed for only half a second. “I have not, your honor. However, I am an experienced trial lawyer and a junior partner at a reputable firm. I have passed the New York State Bar and my client has agreed to allow me to represent him. I am not aware of any legal impediments to that representation.”

Judge Warner is looking displeased. And I’m pretty sure I know why. He despises defense lawyers, and good defense lawyers even more. And the only thing he hates more than that is a goodfemaledefense lawyer. He’s old school to the enth degree.

“I caution you to adjust your tone when addressing this court, young lady.”

I bet Von hates being called a young lady. And in front of her father, no less. The only hint of anger she shows, however, is the faintest twitch at her jaw.

“My apologies, your honor.”

Damn, she’s good.

The judge’s thick eyebrows furrow together like a pair of caterpillars. “Very well. How does your client plead, Miss Everton?”

Von glances down at me. I rise quickly and say, in what I hope is my most innocent voice, “Not guilty, your honor.”

There are more murmurs from the gallery and the judge bangs the gavel again.

“We ask for bail, your honor,” Von continues. “My client is a decorated officer with five years of service in the Magnolia Bay Sheriff’s Department. He has strong ties to the community and an impeccable record. He has never had so much as a parking ticket.”

“Pretty big offense to be starting with, then, isn’t it?” Judge Warner says.

I see the faint jaw twitch again as Von stares him down. My heart has jumped to my throat and pounds there, choking me.Please set bail,I think, gripping my hands together behind my back. I can’t go back to that cell. I can’t.

The judge considers for a moment.

“I assume any bail I set will be paid for by your family?” he sneers.

Before Von can speak, Russell stands up behind me.

“That’s correct, your honor,” he says. “And I will personally ensure his attendance at any and all court dates.”

Judge Warner glances down at the paper on his desk, as if he’s playing for time. My throat-heart has ceased to beat. Everything is still, airless. I am suspended in this moment like a fly trapped in amber.

“Bail is set at five million dollars, cash,” Judge Warner says. “And the defendant will surrender his passport.”

All the breath leaves my lungs in a giantwhoosh. The floor seems to tilt beneath me as tears spring to my eyes.

“Steady,” Von says quietly, taking a small step toward me so her shoulder nudges my arm.

Bail. I’ve been given bail.

I see a look pass between Wilbur and the judge. “I will convene with my clerk to schedule a trial date as well as a date for any pretrial motions. Counsel will hear from me shorty. Court is adjourned.”

The courtroom erupts and I turn to Von.

“What—” I begin and she gives me a tight shake of her head. Theshut upshake. But the look on her face mirrors mine.

Trial dates are normally set at the end of the arraignment. What is the judge playing at? Convening with his clerk?

I glance at Wilbur, who does not seem as surprised as we do. He’s packing up his briefcase, not even sparing me a look. Meanwhile, I still remember him telling me what a good, solid deputy I was at last year’s Christmas party.

Von is motioning the bailiff over. “Can you take these cuffs off my client, please?”

The relief at having my hands free is immeasurable. I turn, rubbing my wrists, and see Russell Everton staring at me. He gives me a quick nod, then says to his children, “Let’s go.”

As he stalks down the aisle, Finn and Alistair jump to, trailing in his wake. Daisy bites her lip, glances toward her brothers, and at the last minute, reaches over the railing and grabs my hand. I hear the click-clicking of cameras and then she turns and hurries after the rest of her family.

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