Page 22 of Cause and Effect

“In the hallway.”

“All rise. The Honorable Judge McCray is now presiding.”

“Good morning,” he said, staring down at his docket. “The State of California vs. Georgina Bennett in the charge of murder in the first degree.” He looked up, and his jaw dropped. “Ms. Evans, what are you doing in my courtroom?”

“I should be asking you the same thing, your honor.” I smiled.

“Mr. Hamilton, is Ms. Evan working at your firm?”

“Yes, she is, your honor.”

Judge McCray ran his hand down his face. “Ms. Evans, I hope you’ll be on your best behavior, and we won’t have an issue like we did in San Francisco.”

“I will, your honor. I promise.” I glanced at Julian, who was narrowing his eyes at me.

“Mrs. Bennett, you are being charged with first-degree murder of your husband, Derek Acosta. How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” she spoke in a low and nervous voice.

“Excuse me? Can you speak up?”

“Not guilty.” Her voice was still low.

“Mrs. Bennett, the court is having trouble hearing your plea. Speak up!”

“She said not guilty, your honor!” I voiced loudly. “Maybe your hearing aid needs to be turned up.”

“First warning, Ms. Evans.” He pointed at me.

“Your Honor, the state is asking that bail be denied due to her status and her ability to flee the country,” Liza said.

“My client will not flee the country,” Julian commanded. “The charges, while serious, are based entirely on circumstantial evidence, and Mrs. Bennett shouldn’t have to sit in a prison cell. She has lived in Los Angeles her entire life, has deep community ties, and has a fourteen-year-old son who attends private school. Plus, she has never been arrested or so much as received a parking ticket.”

“Are you kidding?” Liza laughed. “Circumstantial evidence? We have the murder weapon, her blood-stained dress, and footage of her entering the hotel with her husband the night he was murdered. How the hell is that circumstantial, counselor?” She stared at him.

My phone pinged, and the email I had been waiting for finally hit my inbox.

“You’re right, Miss Gold,” Judge McCray said. “Mrs. Bennett, it is this court’s decision?—”

“Excuse me, Your Honor,” I interrupted him and held up my hand.

“Really, Ms. Evans?” He cocked his head.

“The woman who walked into the hotel with Mr. Acosta was not Georgina Bennett. I can prove it.”

Julian’s head whipped to the side, and I could see the anger burning in his eyes.

“May I?” I pointed to the TV screen where the CC footage was displayed.

“Are you wasting my time, Ms. Evans?”

“Not at all, Your Honor. I promise.”

“Fine. Approach.”

“As you can see in the video, this woman is wearingstiletto heels. My client can’t and hasn’t worn high heels in over ten years since she shattered her ankle.”

“Your Honor, this is a complete joke,” Liza said.

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