Page 74 of Healed Heart
A uniformed officer enters.“You done?”
“For now,” Haywood says.“But I need to get Dr.Lansing to court for his arraignment.”
The officer raises an eyebrow.“Today?”
“Yes.Judge Lowe agreed to add him to his docket before the end of the day.”
“Nice to have connections,” the officer murmurs.
“Indeed,” Haywood says with a nod.“Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
The officer steps aside, and we walk past him and out of the room.
My mind races over everything that’s happened.I replay every piece of the puzzle, trying to find a clue that might lead to my exoneration.
Haywood turns to me as we enter the courthouse.“The arraignment is pretty straightforward.The judge will read the charges against you, ask for your plea, and then decide on bail.”
“Bail?”I ask.
“Yes,” he answers.“It’s possible, but it depends on several factors—the seriousness of the charges, your prior record, ties to the community, and risk of flight.”
“I have no prior record,” I tell him earnestly.“And no reason to run.”
The lie tastes like acid on my tongue.
I have the ultimate reason to run.To Switzerland.To regain my livelihood.
But that’s out of the question now.I’m not a criminal, and I won’t break the law by running.
“Your lack of criminal history, not to mention your connection to the community through your work, will certainly help your case.”
As we approach the courtroom, a wave of fear washes over me.This is it.The start of the battle to save my life from a wrongful conviction.
“In there”—Haywood points at the imposing wooden doors—“you are not just Dr.Jason Lansing.You are my client, and I am here to protect you.Trust me, listen to me, and we will get through this together.”
With a deep breath, I nod.We enter the courtroom, and a collective wave of gazes falls on me.
Haywood leans in close, talking quietly so only I can hear.“Stand tall, Jason.Don’t give them anything to read into.”
I follow his advice as best as I can, taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart.
“All rise,” a court officer declares as a door on one side of the room opens.
I stand along with everyone else in the room as the judge, an elderly man with a stern expression and a shock of white hair, enters and takes his seat at the high bench.
“Be seated,” he announces.
We settle back into our chairs.The hushed murmur of conversation fades away, replaced by a palpable tension in the air.
“Case number 47C-2021, the People versus Jason Lansing,” the court clerk reads out.
Haywood nudges me gently.“Stand up.”
I follow his command, trying to keep my face neutral as I rise.
A young lady stands on the prosecution side.“Layne Vandernash for the people, your honor.”
“Blake Haywood for the defendant,” Haywood says.
