Page 10 of Fighting for Mallory

What the hell is Judge Cohen doing?

Also of concern was Judd Morgan’s presence as a U.S. attorney instead of a district attorney.

When Mallory’s case was called, Judge Cohen glared at her as she made her way up the center aisle of the courtroom. She wasn’t alone, though, and for a moment he appeared startled by Cameron’s presence next to her.

“U.S. Attorney Cameron McAdams, Your Honor.”

“I’m familiar with your name.” It wasn’t a compliment. Judge Cohen read the charges against Mallory. “How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” Cameron answered for her. “Your Honor, at this time I’d like to request that my client be released on bail.”

He lifted a dark eyebrow at Cameron’s audacity. “Mr. Morgan?”

“Mrs. Hayes committed a heinous murder, and we’ve just discovered the bodies of Andre Lapeno, his wife, and children shot to death. Andre Lapeno was Bentley Hayes’ limo driver. Until we sort through the evidence, the State is demanding that bail be denied.”

Before Judd had finished speaking, Cameron was protesting. “Your Honor, this is outrageous! Unless the State is charging my client with four more murders, I’m demanding Mrs. Hayes be released on bail. She has faithfully served as district attorney for the past seven years. She is not a danger to the community, nor is she a flight risk. I will personally hand deliver her passport to the court.”

Without blinking, Judge Cohen denied bail and remanded Mallory to the California Institution for Women.

Luca leaped to his feet and shouted, “No! Have you lost your mind?”

Mallory, forgetting she was a prisoner, came to life as a lawyer. “Your Honor, you are clearly out of line here. None of these women should be sent to CIW, nor I. I’ll be filing a motion on behalf of myself and these other inmates to have you recused from our cases. We’ve been denied our right to due process.”

Judd stared at her as if she’d turned into an alien. “Mr. McAdams, control your client.”

“You’re the one who needs to be controlled, Judd. This isn’t about justice! This is about your bid for reappointment by the President. And yours for reelection, Judge Cohen.”

“I suggest you watch your mouth, Mrs. Hayes, or you’ll find yourself in solitary at CIW.”

Above the ruckus, Cameron asserted himself. “Be advised, Judge, I will be filing a motion to have you recused first thing Monday morning.” He placed a hand on Mallory’s shoulder. “Go with the bailiff. I’ll handle this.”

Luca and Cameron watched the bailiff take Mallory into his custody, then hurried out of the courtroom.

In an elevator, Luca declared, “I’m following the transport van to Chino.”

“All right. In the meantime, I’m going to learn what I can about the Lapeno family murders. I also want to check the security camera footage at Mallory and Bentley’s home. Finding the man who probably murdered Andre Lapeno and replaced him last night is imperative. Meet me later at Brielle’s home.”

Luca agreed and sprinted toward his Dodge Charger.

* * *

In the fading sunlight, Mallory stared out the window at the passing scenery in her seat in the transport van, lost in thought about CIW. The California Institution for Women lay an hour east of Los Angeles. The campus-style prison opened in 1952 and currently housed about 940 inmates. Two of its most famous living prisoners belonged to Charles Manson’s “family.” There were three levels of security from medium to maximum. Armed guards in towers added to the facility in the 1980s kept watch over the grounds. Its mission was to rehabilitate the women by providing healthcare, if necessary, education so they could earn their high school diplomas or associate degrees, and even fire training. Until recently, the facility had a decent reputation for the number of women successfully reintegrated into society. Now, drug use and overdoses resulting in death and the mysterious disappearances of several women had brought the institution to the attention of the FBI.

She had no idea what would happen once she arrived at CIW, but she doubted she’d be fortunate enough to be assigned the same cell unit as Tawny. Maybe she could find a way to communicate with her. Mallory tried to focus on how she landed in this predicament, but her mind was a jumbled mess of confusion. Those grisly photos of Bentley turned her stomach. Had she been forced to watch his murder? His agonizing death?

Oh, Lord, please help me.

“Hey, you. Lady.”

Mallory ignored the soft voice behind her.

“You a lawyer or somethin’?”

She didn’t want to draw attention to herself but muttered, “Yes.”

“It true we got railroaded?”

Another inmate answered. “Shit, yeah! You ever been arrested? Ain’t no such thing as being dragged into court on a weekend! No lawyer, either. Let’s face it. We got sent upriver to the Institution, and ain’t none of us getting out.”

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