Talk of the Town (20 page)

People met their loved ones with hugs and kisses, and the crowd thinned a bit. Watching, she felt crushed inside, but took a deep breath, and raised her head. She was going to clear her name. Maybe even change it again, to Grayson this time, if Sam would still have her.

Sam was standing ten feet in front of her. Her head rushed with elation, and she quickened her step, only to have her companion take hold of her arm and hold her back.

Sam closed the distance between them and introduced himself to the policewoman.

Kelly never took her eyes off his face. He was serious, but there was something else in his face…forgiveness, she hoped. The policewoman let go of her arm, and she went into his embrace. He didn’t hesitate a minute to hold her, close. He put his mouth close to her ear.

“I love you. I love you, honey. Don’t worry, we’ll get out of this mess together.”

“Oh, Sam, I love you. I’m so sorry.” She let out a cry against his shoulder. She could feel tears running down her face. She wiped them away. “What are you doing here?”

“Didn’t you get my note?” He kissed her forehead and pushed back her hair lovingly.

“No, no. But Lynnette probably made sure I didn’t.”

“You spent the whole night thinking I’d run off on you, then?”

Kelly touched his cheek softly. “Yes, but I was hoping you might forgive me somewhere along the line.”

“I’d be here even if you were guilty, Kelly.” He turned to the policewoman, his arm around Kelly’s waist. “We’re going to have to make some time here, the prosecuting attorney is meeting us downtown and sitting in while the police question you. Is that all right with you, Ms. Jones?

“Sure thing. I hope the kid gets a break.”

Sam steered Kelly toward the exit signs, with Officer Jones on one side.

“Are you telling me I can get a hearing and not have to do any jail time?”

“I’m afraid there’s going to be at least one night. After that I’ve got a hearing with the court set up for four o’clock tomorrow. It depends on if
they set bail for you at that point. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure they do, Kelly. I’ve had a friend of mine working on some of the leads I’ve gotten on Raymond’s murder. It’s a cold trail, but a pretty obvious one. You know, Kelly, if you hadn’t run out on Raymond, you probably would have been killed along with him.”

She shivered, remembering that day. A hundred times she had thought about the two men in the hallway, their search through her suitcase. Sam’s words gave her a cold chill.

“One more thing,” Sam said quietly. “I’m pretty sure the reason Raymond married you was because he knew things were getting out of control and if you found out anything…well, a wife can testify against her husband, but her credibility comes into question. That, and it’s a great front for the customs people saying you are on your honeymoon.”

“Marital motivation,” Kelly said dryly. Somehow that made perfect sense to her when she thought back to the circumstances surrounding their marriage.

As he walked into the courtroom, Sam could see the judge was tired, and on final hour of the day. That wasn’t good, but they were lucky to
get on the calendar, so they’d have to take what they got. The assistant deputy prosecuting attorney assigned to Kelly’s case was young and fresh out of law school. During the police questioning last night the woman was a little shaky in her role as prosecutor rather than that overzealous rabidity that earmarks newly assigned attorneys, which was lucky for them. Peter Brody was sitting at the defense table with Kelly beside him. Sam knew Kelly’s case was in good hands with Peter, but he decided to argue for bail himself. He just couldn’t let anyone else do it.

Sleep had eluded him last night. He had paced Peter’s house until Peter’s wife Fran made him stop and eat something. Thinking of Kelly in a jail cell had made him crazy, just crazy.

Today Kelly looked so vulnerable. She was wearing clothes his mother had picked out for her and sent along: a simple white blouse, light blue cardigan sweater, and slim khaki tan skirt. She had no makeup on, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He looked at her and could see the stress in her beautiful face. He hoped the judge would see innocence there, too.

He sat down at his place between Peter and Kelly and gave her a gentle touch just as Judge Kratt called the case.

“Bail hearing for Miss Kelly Atwood Bianchi…
what’s your position on this, Miss Randolph?” the judge finished.

Miss Randolph stood up. “Your Honor, the prosecutor asks that the defendant be held without bail pending trial. She’s a known flight risk, there is drug trafficking involved in this case, and after hearing the police questioning last night we believe she very likely murdered Raymond Bianchi.”

So much for shaky. Miss Randolph looked over to the defense table and caught Sam’s eye. She’d put on her dark grey power suit, and she had a glint in her eye. Sam sighed. He kept his hand on Kelly’s arm and could feel the tension going through her body into his fingertips.

“And what have you got to say about this, Pete?” Judge Kratt was certainly being informal, Sam noticed.

Peter rose. “Your Honor, Sam Grayson is admitted in the State of Washington and appears here today as associated counsel pro hac vice. He’s been working on the case.” Peter indicated Sam’s presence and handed some papers to the court clerk, who passed them up to the judge.

“The Court recognizes Sam Grayson. Make note of that please.” The clerk nodded in confirmation.

Sam stood up and addressed the judge. “Your Honor, my client left town after a quarrel with
her husband, who struck her across the face. Raymond Bianchi was in fact alive when she last saw him. I have submitted several affidavits that indicate she had no knowledge of Mr. Bianchi’s death when she left L.A.”

Judge Kratt peered at Sam through his half glasses, looked down to his desktop, ruffled through some papers and read something. The time he took to do that was dead silent and made Sam’s heart practically stop. He looked over to see Kelly clutching a shredded up tissue, her knuckles white.

“Mr. Grayson, just for the sake of argument, I might also conclude that your client left the state, changed her name and hid to avoid prosecution. I’m inclined to see her as a flight risk myself.”

“I will personally vouch for her continued appearance in court, Your Honor.”

“It’s my understanding you are only assisting on this case due to a personal interest, Mr. Grayson, and that you are from Surrey County, in Washington, and are occasionally their interim prosecuting attorney. It seems to me you don’t have the freedom to take on that responsibility. You may be needed in your own jurisdiction. Plus there is the matter of your personal relationship with the plaintiff. In truth, you
should recuse yourself from any further involvement in this case.”

Sam turned to look at Kelly again. Yes, he had a personal relationship with the plaintiff, and he’d be damned if he’d see the woman he loved behind bars.

To his surprise, Kelly stood up and spoke to a policewoman, who then accompanied her out of the courtroom. She looked pale.

She was loosing hope, he sensed.

Peter Brody stood up, abruptly. With his neatly trimmed beard and round physique he reminded Sam of an Irish bar keep rather than a top criminal attorney.

“Please excuse my client for a moment, Your Honor, while we continue.”

“Fine. Do continue, please, Pete,” the judge said.

“Now, Howard, let’s come up with some kind of compromise here. Sam here has a sterling reputation, and we are working on some solid leads in this case. We don’t want to see this girl in a holding cell for the next month while we wait for a court date. Besides, she’s pregnant.”

Sam’s mouth dropped open, and he stared with complete shock at Peter. “How the hell would you know that?” For the moment, Sam forgot they were standing in front of a judge.

“She’s thrown up four times since we’ve been here, sport, and I have three kids of my own. I know what a pregnant woman looks like.”

Sam practically climbed up the judge’s bench and spoke. “Your Honor, I’ve gotten to know Miss Atwood over the last few months. She came to our town to make a new life for herself. She didn’t hide, she took a job, she organized a benefit for a community center and she agreed to marry a very public, well-known attorney in town. These were the actions of a person who had no idea she was wanted for a crime.”

Miss Randolph interrupted. “Which could have been a very carefully devised plan on Miss Atwood’s part, your honor.”

“Including getting pregnant?” Sam practically shouted.

“Why not? That’s a nice touch.” Miss Randolph sneered.

“Counsel, please direct your comments to the bench. Miss Randolph, your position is noted. Please sit down.” Judge Kratt gave the prosecution a lifted eyebrow.

Sam took a deep breath. Don’t let your opponent rile you into a shouting match. Judges hate that, even friendly ones. Focus on your own journey. Just like a swim meet. “Your Honor, I met Kelly when she came to my office in hopes of
obtaining a divorce. I’ve provided you with a stack of character references, and if I have to chain myself to Miss Atwood to make sure she shows up for a trial, which most likely won’t take place once further evidence is brought forth, I will.”

“Further evidence of what sort?” The judge rested his chin on his folded hands.

“Two men were seen entering the victim’s building by Miss Atwood at the exact time of the murder. Yesterday we did some preliminary sketches and are trying for a match. We believe these men killed Raymond Bianchi.” Sam had cooled himself down to a boiling simmer. His brain was spinning like a computer hard drive trying to coming up with a way out of this for Kelly, and a way to get this wrapped up so he could talk to her now. His heart pounded with adrenaline, but he kept his words under control. He had an idea. He hoped to God it worked.

“If I might continue your honor, instead of chaining myself to the defendant, Miss Atwood could be released to Mr. Brody’s custody with a security bracelet. She’ll stay in this jurisdiction and no one can say you didn’t do your job.” Sam’s blood was rushing in his head. He stared at the judge as if he were deciding a death sentence…Sam’s.

“Well”—the judge looked amused—“that puts a different light on things. What do you have to say, Pete?”

“I’d be more than willing to take responsibility for Miss Atwood, Howard.” Peter smiled.

“Your Honor, I object. This is all highly irregular.”

“Maybe so, Miss Randolph, but it’s my courtroom. Your objection is noted.” The judge cleared his throat and turned to the clerk. “Enter a minute order that Peter Brody, representative of the district court of L.A., will act as custodian to the defendant awaiting trial with an electronic monitor and is to keep her within city limits at all times, and report in daily. Bail is therefore waived.” He turned back to look at Peter and Sam. “How’s that Pete? And don’t call me Howard while I’m on the bench, Pete.”

“That sounds acceptable, Your Honor, Howard, sir.” Pete’s eyes twinkled. Judge Kratt gave him the evil eye, but banged his gavel down, and declared it so.

“All rise,” the clerk said as the hearing concluded and the judge rose from the bench. Sam heard all he needed and was already half way down the aisle. He jumped over a railing and through the door on his way to her.

“Kelly! Where are you?” His voice filled the entire echo chamber of a courthouse.

“Sam?”

He spotted her down the east hall, with the bailiff. In two seconds he was beside her, swept her off her feet, and spun her around.

“Echhh. Stop. Put me down slowly, you nut.”

“Now, listen. You have got to start telling me things as they occur. I want a daily account of your life for the
rest
of your life, understand?” He set her down and pulled her close to him. He tipped her chin up with his finger. “Are you pregnant?”

“I’m pretty sure. How’d you figure that out?”

He kissed her on the mouth and held her close. The policewoman leaned up against the wall with a smirk on her face and crossed her arms.

“It was Peter, and his experiences with father-hood. He just whacked me in the head and woke me up. Kelly, honey, are you okay? This isn’t exactly where I want my pregnant wife, and how the hell did that happen anyway?”

“We didn’t get to the wife part, Sam. Reverend Evans was rudely interrupted. As for
that
, I think it was a combination of pool water and passion. Are you asking me to marry you?”

“Will you marry me again, but all the way this time? We’ll have Tom lock up Lynnette for the ceremony.”

“I will. But the town is going to hate me, Sam.
I hurt their favorite son. I deceived them.”

“How did you deceive them? By being the person you always wanted to be? We’ll deal with that as it comes. The judge cut us a deal. It’s not the best, but better than cell time for sure.” He kissed her again. “I love you, Mrs. Grayson. Now let’s get you out of here.”

They headed off down the hall under the eye of the bailiff to fill out forms and formalize the judge’s orders.

“
What?
I have to wear this thing until the trial? Doesn’t it come in gold? It weighs a ton. I don’t think these guys know what the term
ankle bracelet
is all about.”

“Very amusing. I’ve heard them all you, know, and worse.” The electronics specialist adjusted a timer and fastened the lock. “There you go, you’re wired for sound, now. You might want to avoid pantyhose, and I just set you for a four-hour delay so you can get to your designated house-arrest location. I hope that’s enough. I put in extra time for traffic and dinner.”

“That’s plenty. Thanks.” Sam glanced at his watch. “I assume Mr. Brody has a release key for emergencies?”

“That’s correct. Mr. Brody, as a representative of the court, you know your responsibilities. Don’t forget your license to practice law is at stake here.”

“We’ll all behave ourselves, Max,” Peter assured the man. “Hopefully we can get this case wrapped up and dismissed before we even have to think about a trial.”

Kelly walked ahead of Pete and Sam as they left the room together. Kelly sighed and tried to pick up her left ankle with better agility. It wasn’t that bad, it just threw off her balance a bit. She stumbled along the hall, moving toward a large crowd that had gathered in the entry area. Oh, great, an audience.