Page 60 of He Doesn't Deserve You

“Yes, I was told Emily is being charged with murdering Maggie Culliver, but that’s all they will tell me. This has to be a misunderstanding; Emily would never hurt anyone. What on earth is going on?”

“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you,” Stanley said firmly.

“What do you mean? She’s my wife. Of course, you can discuss it with me!”

“No, it would be a conflict of interest.”

“How?’ Gabriel pounded his fist on the table, his frustration boiling over. “I’m her husband, damn it!”

“You are also a suspect in Maggie’s murder investigation. Since Irepresent your wife, discussing the case with you would be a conflict of interest.”

“They think we did this together? I had nothing to do with Maggie’s death.”

“Like I said, I can’t discuss this with you.” Stanley stood, picked up his briefcase, and said, “Good luck, Mr. Anderson,” before he left the room.

After the attorney left, Detective Martin returned to the room. Gabriel looked up and said, “I need to make a phone call.”

31

Emily sat in the courtroom, nervously biting her nails and glaring daggers at Gabriel, who was also awaiting arraignment. She was still in disbelief when her lawyer told her that Gabriel was arrested for DUI. Her attention shifted only when the double doors swung open, revealing Roman and her lawyer walking down the aisle. Roman gave her a reassuring smile, then sat in the pew behind her while Stanley sat beside her.

Leaning forward, Roman whispered in her ear, “How are you holding up?”

“I’m nervous,” she admitted.

Roman gently tapped her on the shoulder. “It will be over soon,” he reassured her.

Gabriel’s arraignment was first; with bail set at one thousand dollars, he was free to go. However, he chose to stay and hear Emily’s arraignment.

Emily was stunned when her bail was set at one million dollars, along with the condition that she forfeit her passport. Turning to her lawyer, she said, “I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Don’t worry,” Stanley reassured her, “You only need to post ten percent. You can use your house as collateral.”

“Will my husband have to agree to that?” she asked.

“If his name is on the property,” Stanley confirmed.

The transport officer approached, placed Emily in handcuffs, and led her out of the courtroom. As she was escorted away, Emily couldn’t stop thinking; Gabrielwould never agree to this if he thought I was leaving him. Roman was waiting by the transport van as Emily approached. “I know you’re worried about bail. I’ll handle it. I’ll use my house as collateral,” he said, his voice steady and reassuring.

“I can’t let you do that,” Emily protested as she entered the van. “I’ll find a way to take care of it myself.”

Agnes handed Gabriel his credit card, and he said, “Thanks for coming.”

“Of course,” Agnes replied.

“How’s Ava?”

“She’s fine; she’s at school. I told her you and Emily went away for the night.”

“Thanks. And the boys?”

She frowned. “I couldn’t get them up.”

“It’s okay,” Gabriel said, aware that he had bigger problems. “I’ll just be a minute.” He went to pay his bail. After completing the payment, he found Agnes sitting on a bench.

“I need a ride to the police station,” he informed her.

Agnes stood up and followed him out of the courthouse.

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