Authors: Fern Michaels
Betrayal (11 page)
Chapter 12
T
he court bailiff, a male deputy sheriff wearing the standard gray-and-black uniform issued to the Collier County Sheriff's Department, called, “All rise,” in the oak-paneled courtroom. His words echoed in the small space. He was not much taller than she, Kate observed, as he turned to the door that opened behind the judge's bench. Kate, along with the rest of the people in the courtroom, rose.
he court bailiff, a male deputy sheriff wearing the standard gray-and-black uniform issued to the Collier County Sheriff's Department, called, “All rise,” in the oak-paneled courtroom. His words echoed in the small space. He was not much taller than she, Kate observed, as he turned to the door that opened behind the judge's bench. Kate, along with the rest of the people in the courtroom, rose.
Tall and thin, with brown beady eyes behind what Kate always referred to as granny glasses, the female judge presiding over the morning's arraignment hearing fanned her black robe around her shoulders like a proud peacock. Her short gray hair had been cut into a distinct blunt bob.
Severe
came to mind. Judge Jean Stowers. Upon hearing the name, Kate thought the judge was male, not that it mattered. James assured her that Judge Stowers was as good as any other judge in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in Collier County. The second she laid eyes on her, there was something about the judge. Kate couldn't put her finger on it, she'd never met the woman, only knew as much about her as she'd learned from James in their meeting the previous afternoon. Still, she was on edge. Though she'd always relied on gut instinct in the past, Kate hoped for once that her instinct was wrong.
Severe
came to mind. Judge Jean Stowers. Upon hearing the name, Kate thought the judge was male, not that it mattered. James assured her that Judge Stowers was as good as any other judge in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in Collier County. The second she laid eyes on her, there was something about the judge. Kate couldn't put her finger on it, she'd never met the woman, only knew as much about her as she'd learned from James in their meeting the previous afternoon. Still, she was on edge. Though she'd always relied on gut instinct in the past, Kate hoped for once that her instinct was wrong.
Not more than twenty people were seated in Judge Stowers's courtroom.
Crime must be taking a vacation,
Kate thought as she scrutinized the group. Or was it possible there wasn't a lot of crime in the moneyed town? Probably the latter. James had told her what to expect, but nothing prepared her for the actual vision as Alex, along with three other scruffy-looking men, entered the courtroom through a side door.
Crime must be taking a vacation,
Kate thought as she scrutinized the group. Or was it possible there wasn't a lot of crime in the moneyed town? Probably the latter. James had told her what to expect, but nothing prepared her for the actual vision as Alex, along with three other scruffy-looking men, entered the courtroom through a side door.
Shaking hands covered her mouth to keep her gasp from being heard. James touched her arm and nodded. Only forty-eight hours since she'd last seen Alex, and he'd aged ten years. Kate's eyes filled with tears. Alex, her wonderful, decent, honest Alex. Jailed with a bunch of God knows what kind of criminals, all because of a lie. Her heartbeat increased, sweat beaded her upper lip. This wasn't good.
Dressed in a bright orange jumpsuit with black flip-flops on his feet, his appearance was a shock to Kate. Alex's hands were in handcuffs, and the handcuffs were attached to a heavy chain. The chain was attached to shackles on both feet. Each man was attached to the other. If one decided to run, then they'd all go for the fall. Kate had no idea Alex would be treated in such a . . . criminal manner. He'd come willingly. James said that would be favored by the courts. It sure as hell wasn't doing him any good just then.
Alex, along with the three other inmates, stood in an area reserved exclusively for prisoners. They were seated in what Kate thought of as a pen. Like penned-up animals. She took a deep breath and exhaled. This was worse than she'd imagined. She watched as Alex turned to look over his shoulder. First, to the left, then to the right. Then he saw her and James seated at the defense table.
He smiled.
Kate's heart did a thousand somersaults. She smiled back. Tears streamed down her face. She mouthed, “I love you.”
Alex nodded.
Since Alex's name began with an “R,” his case was the last to be heard. James had explained all this to her, but seeing how the system worked was a lot different than someone talking about it. It seemed low-down, almost cheap to Kate, like the men in orange were nobody. Most likely they had families, people who loved and needed them. At least Alex did. Kate listened to the judge as she made her decisions. Though this was only an arraignment hearing, it was significant in the sense that those charged were allowed to stand before the court and state their pleas.
James stood when Alex's name was called. “Alex John Rocket, you have been charged with six counts of felony sexual assault against a minor child. How do you plead?” Judge Stowers asked. Alex, still grouped with the other inmates, remained silent as James had instructed.
“Your Honor, my client pleads not guilty.”
The judge made a notation on a paper handed to her by the bailiff. She passed the paper to her secretary, who was seated next to and below the bench on her right. The secretary, a young girl of no more than twenty, smiled at the judge.
“Is this your plea, Mr. Rocket?” Judge Stowers questioned.
Unprepared for questions coming from the judge, Alex looked to James for guidance.
“Yes, it is, Your Honor. I plead not guilty.”
“All right.”
James continued to stand before the bench. “In order to save time in Your Honor's courtroom, I would like to acknowledge that there has not been a bail hearing scheduled. If it please the court, I would like to do so at this time.”
Alex looked over his shoulder. Kate's eyes continued to fill with tears; still, she managed a smile.
Judge Stowers spoke to the assistant district attorney. “Mr. Wykowski, is the state prepared to hear bail statements?”
The assistant district attorney, Lyle Wykowski, shuffled through several file folders inside a plastic bin. “We are, Your Honor.” He continued to look through the bin while raking a hand through his thick, oily black hair. Coke bottleâthick glasses made his gray eyes appear three times as large. His suit, a black Sears off-the-rack, had been sent to the cleaners so many times it resembled imitation silk. His white dress shirt had yellowed with age. A rust-colored clip-on tie completed his outfit. He kept scratching his nose as he read through the papers he found. It appeared as though he wasn't prepared at all.
Kate watched all this. She thought him sloppy and unorganized. This could be advantageous to Alex's case. She breathed an audible sigh of relief.
“You may proceed, Mr. Conroy.”
James walked back to the defense table. He took a manila file folder and removed several sheets of paper. He thumbed through them until he found what he was searching for. “Thank you, Your Honor,” James said.
“If it please the court, I would ask that Mr. Rocket be released on his own recognizance.”
“You do realize the seriousness of the charges against your client, Mr. Conroy?” Judge Stowers asked from her perch at the bench.
“Yes, Your Honor, I am quite aware of the charges against my client, and I assure you, he is as well. However, I would ask the court to consider Mr. Rocket's past history.”
“Does the state have any objection?” Judge Stowers asked Wykowski.
The ADA fumbled with the pencil stuck between his head and ear. “Uh, oh . . . yes, I mean, no. The defense can say whatever they want.”
The judge rolled her eyes, then turned to the defense attorney. “You may proceed.”
“Mr. Rocket has no criminal history, not even so much as a traffic violation. He is in no way a danger to the community, Your Honor. He understands that he must follow the guidelines Your Honor may set, if you choose to honor our request at this time. He and his wife have arranged to remain in Collier County until these proceedings are resolved.”
Kate held her breath for what seemed like minutes before releasing it. She wanted Alex home, no matter where home was at the moment.
“Mr. Wykowski, I do not care to do the state's job. Do you have anything to add to Mr. Conroy's request?” Judge Stowers shot the ADA the evil eye.
“The state sees no reason to hold Mr. Rocket at this time. However, I would ask that the court issue certain conditions upon Mr. Rocket's release.” Lyle Wykowski managed to speak his first complete sentence without blundering his words.
“You have specific conditions, Mr. Wykowski?” Kate watched the debate between the judge and the ADA. He proved himself more inept with every word that spewed from his mouth. Kate was confident the charges against Alex would be seen for exactly what they were; nothing more than a child trying to gain attention. She caught Alex's eye and granted him another smile, only this time it was for real.
“Given the nature of the charges, the state requests Mr. Rocket wear a monitor.”
“Your Honor, this is extremely unreasonable!” James shot up from the defense table. “The embarrassment it will cause to Mr. Rocket is unnecessary.”
Judge Stowers pinned James Conroy to the floor with her glare. “Mr. Conroy, it is not the court's wish to cause or bring any form of embarrassment to your client. Your client should have thought . . .” The judge hastily grabbed the papers from her secretary before she finished. “I am going to grant the state's request. In light of the charges, the state is being extremely generous to your client.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” James knew when to keep his mouth shut. He hated that Alex would have to endure the indignity of wearing an ankle bracelet, but the judge was right. She could have denied him bail entirely or asked for a very large cash bond.
“Your Honor, I would also like to request Mr. Rocket be placed under house arrest,” Wykowski added, as though this additional punishment had just occurred to him.
“I've made my ruling, Mr. Wykowski. The court will let it stand.”
“Yes, okay. Your Honor.” The ADA shuffled through more unorganized papers in his plastic bin.
Kate was truly amazed the state hired such low-caliber attorneys. In this case, she was more than happy. Most likely their slackness in screening ADAs would benefit Alex.
“Since the Rockets are here in Collier County until this matter is resolved, I'm going to set the date for the grand jury hearing one week from today. Does the state or the defense have any objection?” Judge Stowers asked.
James was surprised at the swiftness of Judge Stowers's decision. He'd been prepared to ask the court to speed things up. Now that would no longer be necessary.
“I have no objection, Your Honor,” James stated for the court reporter, who stared at him, waiting for his reply.
“The state doesn't object, either,” Wykowski said.
Again, the judge rolled her eyes at the ADA. “Mr. Conroy, once your client has been released into your custody, you will need to take him to the Department of Corrections so that he may be fitted with an ankle bracelet.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” James smiled at Kate.
In a matter of seconds, two sheriff 's deputies entered the courtroom from the side door the prisoners had used. The accused were whisked away before Kate even had a chance to mouth good-bye to Alex. She told herself it didn't matter because soon enough Alex would be released.
Outside the courtroom, James took Kate's hand and led her into a private conference room. “It will take a couple of hours for Alex's release. From there, I'll drive him over to the DOC building. If you want to meet us there, I'm sure Alex will be happy to see his wife.” James said all of this with a big smile plastered across his thin face.
“I can't see him before then?”
“I'm afraid not. The judge released him into my custody. Why don't you go have lunch. There are some great restaurants on the waterfront. You might like Tin City.”
Kate didn't even want to think about food, let alone worry about a fashionable area in which to dine.
“Thanks, but I'm going to wait for Alex. I'm sure I can find something to occupy the time.” Kate paused. “James, I can't tell you how much this means to Alex and me. I don't know how we'll ever thank you.”
James shook his head in the negative. “We're just over the first hurdle. Wait and thank me when Alex goes home for good.”
“I'm confident that you'll see that he does go home for good, James. Now, if you tell me how to get to the DOC, I'll let you do your job.”
James pulled a yellow legal pad from his briefcase, wrote down the directions. “If you have any trouble, just call this number.” He scribbled the DOC's number on the bottom of the page. “They'll help if you get lost.”
“I'll see you there.” Kate took the sheet of paper, folded it into a small square, and tucked it inside her purse.
Chapter 13
W
hen Kate saw her husband three hours later, she cried in his arms. “Oh, Alex, I'm sorry. I'm so glad you're out of that . . . hole.”
hen Kate saw her husband three hours later, she cried in his arms. “Oh, Alex, I'm sorry. I'm so glad you're out of that . . . hole.”
“Not half as glad as I am.” He wrapped his arms around Kate even tighter, holding her close. “Now, let's get the hell out of here. I want to take a shower and eat some real food.”
James left them on their own for the rest of the day. The following morning Alex would undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Then the three of them would spend the next week going over Alex's case.
“Let's go back to the house. I'll make lunch, and you can clean up.” Kate didn't want Alex out of her sight. She drank him in as they walked to the rental car.
Alex laughed when he saw the silver Mercedes. “Gertie?”
“How'd you guess?” Kate grinned. “Nothing but the best.”
“That's my Gertie. Nothing but the best for my girl.” Alex took the keys from Kate. “I might be a criminal, but I still have my driver's license. You relax. You've had enough stress the past few days.”
“And you haven't?” Kate dropped the keys into Alex's open palm.
“Yes, I have. I can take it. I hate what this is doing to you. You look worn-out.”
They got in the car and headed for the house.
“I am tired, but I don't care. I don't ever want to see you locked up again, Alex, and I mean it. I'll do whatever is necessary to keep you here with me.” Kate meant it, too. Even if she had to ask James to do something legally unethical, she would. No way was Alex going to jail for Sara's lies.
“James is confident the grand jury won't formally charge me. That's next week. If all goes as he says, we can go home after the hearing.”
“I hope so,” Kate said. “But what about . . . you know. This was on the news in Asheville.”
“I'm not concerned with what other people may believe. If they chose to think I'm some sort of... molesterâGod, it sickens me to even say that wordâthen they weren't that crazy about me in the first place.” Alex reached for her hand. “If this makes you uncomfortable in any way, we'll move. I don't care where we go. I can take the dogs and go just about anywhere in the world.”
“Let's not borrow trouble. We'll get through this somehow,” Kate added.
“Thanks for your faith. I don't know what I would do if you didn't believe in me.”
“And you'll never have to find out, Alex. I love you, and I trust you immensely.” Kate never doubted for even a minute that Alex was innocent of the charges against him. She knew him, knew he wasn't some evil pervert lurking behind a facade.
“James said Sara would have to testify, but there are special circumstances for children. She may give her testimony through closed-circuit.”
“Then how will James question her?”
“He'll be able to question her, the same as the prosecution. The jury, if it comes to that, and we don't believe it will, they'll view her testimony by video. And speaking of prosecution, what did you think of Wykowski?”
Alex stopped at the traffic light at the intersection of Highway 41 and Immokalee Road. “From what I hear, he's their best. Does nothing but sex crimes.”
Kate laughed. “Surely you heard him mumbling in court this morning. If he's the best the state has to offer, then we're home free.”
“I'm just repeating what I heard from a few of the inmates.” Alex made the turn onto Hibiscus Lane.
He whistled. “This is nice.” They parked the Mercedes in the garage.
“It was so thoughtful of Gertie's friends to let us stay here. They have Jet Skis, and if you want to try them out later, we can.”
Kate unlocked the side door. A blast of cool air hit them as they entered through the garage door leading to the kitchen.
“Maybe later. This air-conditioning feels great. I don't see how anyone could live here year-round.”
“Debbie always complained about the heat. Claimed it frizzed her hair,” Kate said.
“She's always got something to complain about. I don't see how Don puts up with it.”
“Can you imagine her now? I wonder if she's encouraging the media. James said there was an article in the
Naples Daily News
yesterday. Didn't say what the charges were, only that you'd been extradited from North Carolina. I'm sure Debbie will want her face splashed all over the paper. She's always craved attention, good or bad.”
Naples Daily News
yesterday. Didn't say what the charges were, only that you'd been extradited from North Carolina. I'm sure Debbie will want her face splashed all over the paper. She's always craved attention, good or bad.”
“I wonder about Don. We've been best friends since we were, hell, I think I was seven, maybe eight. You'd think he would know me better, wouldn't you?”
It just occurred to Kate that not only was Alex losing his reputation, he was also losing his best friend and his two daughters, who were like his own children.
“Yes, I would. I think Debbie's behind this. I don't know why or anything, but I'd bet my last nickel she's encouraged this accusation of Sara's.” Kate took a pitcher of iced tea out of the refrigerator. She poured them each a glass.
“There was a time when Debbie was decent. She was crazy about Don, followed him around like a lost puppy. When Don got his engineering degree, she changed. Got all snooty, started acting like a social climber. It wasn't too long after Emily was born that I really noticed how drastic the changes were. She went back to school, got her Realtor's license, then she started making big bucks. Money changes people, Kate.”
“I think it's more than that. She's always seemed so, I don't know, petty, I guess is the word. Makes a big deal out of nothing. I think she treats Emily terribly. When she called her a tramp, that was it for me. No decent mother would think of calling her daughter such a thing, even if it happened to be true. I know I would never, ever call Emily such a name. Though I have to admit, I have thought of a few choice names I would love to call Sara, but then I realize she's only a child. One with problems, too.”
Alex took their glasses and walked to the patio door. “Let's sit by the pool for a bit, then I'll go shower, and you can make us a bite to eat.”
“Sounds good, but there is something I have to confess.”
Alex shot her a worried look. “And just what would that be?”
“Lunch will have to be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I didn't bother with a lot of groceries yesterday.”
“I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Especially yours.” Alex grinned. “You had me worried for a minute.”
“Let me make the sandwiches. Relax for a while, I'll be back in a jiffy.” Kate left before Alex could tease her about her play on words.
Kate took her time making the sandwiches. She sliced two apples, arranging a few pieces on each of their plates. She took the pitcher of tea and placed it on a serving tray with the rest of their lunch. If only they were back in Asheville. Alex would be with the dogs, and more than likely she'd be in the kitchen whipping up some new recipe for Chloe's.
Patience,
she told herself. In a matter of days they would return to North Carolina, back to their established routines. If they managed to get through this without too much damage, Kate vowed somehow she would see to it that Sara was punished for her lies. It might take a while, but she and the rest of the Winter family would be sorry they had ever laid eyes on her. Not that she had anything in mind at the moment, but maybe Emily could get Sara to confess. Emily knew the truth, she'd said as much to her on the phone. Then Don would punish her and apologize to Alex. They'd never be best friends again, Kate was sure of that. Maybe if Don found out about Sara and her lies, he could get her the help she needed. And possibly spare another innocent man the humiliation that Alex was struggling with.
Patience,
she told herself. In a matter of days they would return to North Carolina, back to their established routines. If they managed to get through this without too much damage, Kate vowed somehow she would see to it that Sara was punished for her lies. It might take a while, but she and the rest of the Winter family would be sorry they had ever laid eyes on her. Not that she had anything in mind at the moment, but maybe Emily could get Sara to confess. Emily knew the truth, she'd said as much to her on the phone. Then Don would punish her and apologize to Alex. They'd never be best friends again, Kate was sure of that. Maybe if Don found out about Sara and her lies, he could get her the help she needed. And possibly spare another innocent man the humiliation that Alex was struggling with.
Kate took the serving tray out to the patio. Alex was sound asleep in a deck chair. She hated to wake him, but he needed something to eat.
Kate placed the plates and pitcher of tea on the patio table.
“Hey, sleepyhead.” She squeezed onto the vacant spot next to him. “I think it's time to wake up.”
He opened one eye, then closed it quickly. “I'm still sleeping. Those cots in the jail did nothing to encourage a good night's rest.” Alex hoisted himself up and over to the table.
“If you'd rather nap, why don't you go inside where it's cooler. We can eat later.”
“No, I'm hungry. Tired, but it'll keep. I've waited for two long days to feast my eyes on you. I'm not going to waste time sleeping.”
“This almost seems like a dream. I keep thinking it's some sort of sick joke Don's playing, then I realize it's not.” Kate paused for a minute. “I'm scared, Alex.”
Alex took her hand. “I know you are. Hell, I'd be a fool to say I wasn't a little bit scared myself. I've always believed the truth will stand, no matter what. I still believe that, Kate. If not, I wouldn't be able to handle this either. James is a good attorney; he's already had me released on my own recognizance. That's not an easy feat, according to him. Especially with the type of charges I'm facing. I don't want you to worry. In a few days we'll be home, and we can put this horrible incident behind us. Now, let's eat. I'm starved.”
The peanut butter stuck to the roof of her mouth. She took a sip of her tea, then another bite. She wanted to say so many things to Alex, things that she feared if she said them, they'd only cause him more anxiety, so she kept them to herself. She would get through this. For Alex. “I'm going grocery shopping while you take a nap. I can't feed you peanut butter every day.”
“Kate, tell me what's really bothering you? I don't care if we eat peanut butter sandwiches or prime rib. Kate?” Alex knew her well.
“It's everything, Alex. I said I was afraid, and I am, that's all. I'm having terrible thoughts about Sara. I guess I feel a bit guilty for having them since she's just a kid. I just want to know why in the hell she'd do this to us. We've always been good to her. I've never showed favoritism to either of the girls, at least I don't believe I have. I want to know why, that's all. Why did the little monster do this? Why now?” Kate shook her head. Each time she voiced what had happened to Alex, it only made her more determined to get to the bottom of Sara's lies.
“Only Sara can answer that. I've gone over our visits so many times, I just can't imagine where this idea came from. Never did I touch her in any way that could be called inappropriate. I'm sure Debbie's behind this. I'd like to think not, but at this point, I'm willing to believe anything, except Sara. You said Emily knew Sara was lying. Think she'd testify in court if it comes to that?” Alex asked.
“She would, but I don't know how Debbie or Don would react. I would think since she's underage, she'd have to follow the same rules as Sara. We'll discuss this with James. Now, why don't we forget about the Winter family and try out those Jet Skis?”
Alex's eyes brightened. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
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