Truth on the brink, p.14
Truth on the Brink, page 14
As for her personal life, the judge had never been married but supposedly had a “close friend” of some sort, with much debate on what gender the mystery person was. Jack recalled she had a heavy crush on Case back in high school that was never reciprocated, and he wondered if Abi ever knew about it. Such a thing could make the courtroom dynamics even more interesting, which might be the last thing Devlin needed.
On the other hand, what if she held a grudge against Abi after all these years? Might that work in Devlin’s favor? That’s ridiculous. The judge may be prickly, but surely she was fair and professional.
In terms of her career, Jack knew only what Egg had shared with him about what happened to the judge between high school and taking the bench. After college, she had tried her hand in education as the Amberton High School Assistant Band Director for a few years, then as city clerk over in Haughton before going to law school. Just a few months earlier, she had been chosen as Justice Court Judge in a special election after the prior judge dropped dead right in the middle of the eighteenth green of Amberton Country Club. Now, Jack couldn’t help picturing Faith Anne holding Devlin in a headlock. He wondered if the winds of change had blown the wrong way for the kid that day on the golf course.
Judge Foster nodded to her left at the woman seated across the aisle from Devlin and his attorney, Egg Eggleston.
The woman returned the nod and held the judge’s gaze confidently. “County Attorney Abi Reynolds for the state, Your Honor.”
For Jack, the room temperature went up ten degrees in an instant. Two of the people he cared most about in the world were on different sides of the aisle, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. He had hoped Abi would recuse herself under the circumstances, but she said there was no need for the preliminary hearing. She would turn it over to the district attorney’s office for the grand jury, if the case held together long enough for it to get to that. And the way things were going, he wasn’t optimistic.
Jack glanced three rows behind Abi at the hulking figure with a scowl on his face and arms folded over his chest. It unnerved him to see Abi Reynolds and Buster Shane on the same team. Ronny didn’t deserve to die, but Jack had a strong suspicion he had brought some trouble on himself.
And maybe his brother Buster deserved some of the blame. The former high school football star had a reputation for being wrapped up in drug movement in the area. He had gone to jail a couple years back for some type of assault—drug related, almost certainly. Now he was out, and the rumors had been swirling. Even Abi had mentioned his name as a person of interest in the drug war, if not an investigational target yet. And now his brother was dead. Did he have something to do with it? Jack vowed to find out.
Buster broke his stare at Devlin and glanced at Jack. Neither looked away.
The judge’s voice intervened. “Would the defendant please step to the podium?”
Devlin glanced backward over his shoulder as he stood, and Jack gave him a supportive head tilt. Tammy grabbed Jack’s hand. Her palm was sweaty and cool, and Jack squeezed it in an attempt to reassure her. Lena Cole made an indistinguishable sound behind them. Jack wished Case could be there but understood why he wasn’t. Case had to sleep beside Abi.
“As you have heard, my name is Judge Faith Anne Foster. Please state your full name and date of birth for the court.”
“Devlin Jason James. October 18, 2000.”
Judge Foster peered at some papers before her for a few seconds. “And that makes you eighteen years of age, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Your Honor will do fine.”
“Yes, ma’am. I mean, Your Honor. Sorry.”
“The time to be sorry may or may not come, but it is not now. Now is the time to be certain.” The judge watched Devlin through narrowed eyes for a moment then flattened the downturned curve of her lips into what may have been her version of a smile. “Now. Mr. James, I see that you have obtained legal representation with Mr. Eggleston. Is that correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Good. And I assume he has informed you of all your rights, as did the arresting officers?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“And you understand that this is not a trial? Today my goal is to learn the basis of the case against you, gain understanding of your particular circumstances, and set bail accordingly.”
Devlin nodded and told her he understood.
Judge Foster gave the half smile again and turned to Abi. “Ms. Reynolds?”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” Abi stood and clasped both hands before her. She wore a classic, dark-navy suit, and her long, black curls were gathered at the nape of her neck by a barrette, with a few strands flowing independently at the edges. Jack couldn’t see her eyes from his angle, but he knew they would be blue enough to make the suit’s color seem one shade lighter than it was. She glanced at Jack for a split second with pursed lips. Jack knew what the look meant. This is difficult for all of us, but I’m going to do my job. She cleared her throat and began.
“Two days ago, on the morning of Saturday, October 27, 2018, Ronny Shane was found dead at the bottom of Logan’s Bluff, along the Timtullah River near the Amberton Lock and Dam. The state believes, based on the evidence available, that he was pushed to his death sometime during the night before. The defendant, Devlin James, was heard threatening to kill Mr. Shane the night before after an altercation during a football game. In addition, we have video showing Mr. James driving to Logan’s Bluff near the time Mr. Shane was killed. We have tire tracks matching those of Mr. James’s truck at the scene of the crime, and we recovered an envelope with Ronny Shane’s initials containing two hundred and fifty dollars from Mr. James’s truck. Based on information we have obtained, the two of them were in an ongoing dispute over a young woman. We believe Mr. James owed Ronny Shane that sum of money for drugs and decided to kill him rather than pay it. Not to mention the fact that killing Mr. Shane would eliminate him from the love triangle.”
Lena’s gasp was one of many in the courtroom.
“Order!” Judge Foster banged her gavel, and her cheeks burned red. “This is not the place for dramatic outbursts. We are gathering information about the state’s case. If you aren’t certain you can handle it, please leave now. Because I am quite certain I can handle you.”
So that explained the money in the envelope. Jack wanted to reach two rows up and smack Devlin on the back of the head. One, for not telling him—why was he holding out, anyway? Two, for being so stupid over a girl. Was he stupid enough over her to kill Ronny Shane? Surely not. And three, drug money?
“Objection, Your Honor.” Eggleston had his hand raised while the judge quieted everyone down. “That was inflammatory.”
The judge frowned as if the attorney had blurted out he liked green eggs and ham. “Um…Mr. Eggleston, there is no jury here, remember? I’m smart enough to see through any rhetoric either of you throw at me. But if it will make you feel better, let’s try again. Ms. Reynolds, would you care to rephrase that last part?”
Abi gave a cooperative nod. “It is our belief, Your Honor, that Devlin James’s intent was to pay the victim what he owed him but had a change of heart and decided to instead eliminate him due to greed or love or both.”
Money, love, jealousy, anger, hate. She had latched onto all the top choices. Good grief, Abi. Why do you have to be so thorough on this one? Jack hoped Egg would come through. Otherwise, Devlin was in trouble.
“And is it the state’s belief that this crime was premeditated?”
“It is, Your Honor. Murder in the first degree.”
Judge Foster nodded at Abi and turned her attention back to Eggleston, who again had his hand raised.
“May we approach, Your Honor?”
The judge frowned and gestured for the attorneys to approach the bench. “This better be good.”
“What’s going on?” Tammy whispered to Jack. Devlin looked back at them again with a puzzled upturn of one eyebrow.
Jack shook his head and put an index finger to his lips. The last thing he wanted was for Judge Faith Anne Foster to get her feathers ruffled. No headlocks, please, metaphorical or otherwise. Metaphorical. That’s a word Jet or Case might use. They would be impressed he thought it. Too bad neither of them was here. This could get interesting.
Jack locked his eyes on the meeting at the front of the courtroom, waiting.
And then all three sets of eyes turned to look straight at him. Egg pointed at him and spoke in an animated manner. Jack didn’t know whether to shrink in his seat or stand. Then Judge Foster pointed at him, and for a split second he hoped it was because Tammy had been talking. But he knew that wasn’t the reason.
“Mr. Masterson,” the judge said. “I need you to report to my chambers. Now, please.” She banged the gavel. “Fifteen-minute recess. Bailiff, stay with the defendant. Take him to the holding cell if I’m not back in five.”
TWENTY-THREE
JUDGE Faith Anne Foster pivoted around her desk with surprising grace for someone with a linebacker physique. In one seamless motion, she settled into her leather chair, adjusted her robe, and gestured for Egg and Abi to sit in the two chairs across from her. Jack looked for another chair but didn’t see one. “You can stand, Deputy,” the judge said. “This won’t take long. Do you have something to say?”
Jack swallowed hard. He should not have sent Egg that text the night before, but he was upset. It was only because he and Case had found more evidence in one day than Egg could find in three lifetimes. He had no actual intention of knocking Egg’s big nose through the back of his skull, then or any time, even if he did lose the case due to negligence. But would the judge believe that?
Jack gulped again. Could he go to jail for this? He would do community service if it would keep him out. He had done it before. Maybe if he showed adequate remorse, he would only get a reprimand. “I’m sorry, Your Honor. We’ve all been under a lot of stress. I kinda just lost my head. Devlin is a good kid, and we’re very close, and—”
“Mr. Eggleston, please get Mr. Masterson in the same zip code as us. Heck, I’ll take the same area code.”
Egg cleared his throat. “Jack, this about what happened at your house Saturday night. With Lily.”
“Jack, are you okay?”
He ignored Abi’s question, trying to pivot to what Egg had said and make a note to buy him dinner for what he had not.
“Mr. Masterson, if you have something to tell me, please spit it out.”
“Uh, yes. Yes, your Honor. I think someone else killed Ronny, and they don’t like me trying to prove otherwise.”
“Prove otherwise? I thought as a deputy you would try to prove the truth.”
“I do, Your Honor. I just don’t think saying Devlin James committed a murder is the truth.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You were saying?”
Jack nodded and fought the urge to move from his position. He always thought better when he was pacing. “Saturday night, when I came home, I had my great-niece Lily with me. I saw someone lurking in my garage, and I jumped out to chase him. When I came back to my truck, Lily had been moved.”
“Wait.” Abi whirled in her chair, eyes wide in alarm. “Lily? Was she hurt?”
“No, no. She’s fine. He moved her from her car seat to the front.”
“Moved?” the judge asked. “And how do you know it was a man?”
“She’s only four. Someone moved her from her car seat.” He explained how she was unable to unbuckle herself and had told Jack “that man” had moved her.
The judge scribbled on a notepad. “And how do you know this wasn’t just a silly prank? One of the defendant’s friends, perhaps?”
“Like it or not, Jack, that is a valid consideration,” Abi said. “Devlin James has had some shady friends. And Tammy hasn’t always been rock solid, either. How do we know she didn’t put someone up to it?”
Jack glared at Abi. Why did she have to go there? Sure, Tammy had a history of some addiction problems, but that was in the past and all related to her depression before it was properly treated. Did Abi throw that jab because she was mad at Case, disapproved of Tammy as Jack’s romantic interest, or was she just doing her job? He knew her well enough to know it had to the be latter. Still, this whole situation was so…confounding. Too many connections across the aisle of justice.
Jack took his phone from his pocket and pulled up a photo. “This doesn’t look like a prank or distraction. I found this stuck in her waistband.” He passed his phone to the judge.
She scowled as she examined the image and read the message. Stay out of it and let justice be served. Next time I won’t give her back.
Judge Foster passed the phone to Abi. “You submitted this for analysis, I presume?”
“I did,” Jack said. “Nothing back yet. But clearly this is a kidnapping threat.”
Abi returned Jack’s phone to him. “You have Lily somewhere safe?”
“Yes.” That reminded him. He needed to call and check on Janie and Lily as soon as he got out of there. He had promised to let them sleep late, so he hadn’t talked to them yet. Janie was off and holing up at her friend Meg’s, so they should be fine. But still…
“And you think it means what?”
“It has to be referring to mine and Devlin’s relationship. He and I have grown close. And it’s no secret I’d like to prove he’s innocent. If that is the truth, of course.”
“Sounds to me like this person is saying he’s guilty. I’m not sure how this helps the defendant at all.”
“Or they want him to be found guilty. Which, if incorrect, is more likely if I’m not on the case to prove it.”
Judge Foster pursed her lips in a smirk. “Ms. Reynolds, it sounds like he fears your people will prosecute erroneously.”
Abi waved a backhand toward Jack. “That’s just Jack being Jack. Sheriff Rappaport and his team have accumulated plenty of damning evidence, and Jack—Mr. Masterson—is just having a difficult time being objective. But that’s fine. The truth is the truth. My hang-up with all this is the immense waste of the court’s time. This evidence can all be presented at trial.”
Egg raised a hand and spoke up for the first time. “Your Honor, I wanted you to hear this in chambers because for one, I believe the investigation is best served by keeping what happened at Mr. Masterson’s house private for now. More than that, though, I believe it merits a dismissal. There is as much evidence—a kidnapping threat, in fact—suggesting a perpetrator other than my client, as there is to the contrary.”
Abi snorted. “I’m just getting started out there. Deputy Nash will testify he found a pawn ticket where Devlin pawned his grandfather’s shotgun for two hundred and fifty dollars. Oh, and not surprisingly, his drug screen was positive too.”
Jack felt sick. Devlin’s grandfather, who grew up poor and never got far from it as an adult, had passed down perhaps his most prized possession shortly before his death. He used it for everything from hunting to personal protection. Always worried about Tammy, the old man had stared hard onto Devlin’s eyes and told him, who knows, he may need it to protect his momma one day. What kind of kid pawns something like that?
And a positive drug screen? Jack had always hoped Tammy’s predisposition, if one believed in such things, had not been passed to her son. Now he was beginning to wonder if he knew Devlin at all.
The judge adjusted her reading glasses while she studied her notes. “I’m not sure I agree with your estimate of the importance of a scribbled note attached to a toddler’s clothes, Mr. Eggleston, but I’ll take it under advisement. I do agree, however, the details of encounter are not to be shared for public consumption at this juncture.”
“But Your Honor—”
Judge Foster stopped Egg with a raised palm and looked at Abi. “Ms. Reynolds, do you have anything else to add?”
“No, Your Honor, I do not.”
Judge Foster nodded. “Good. And regardless of your personal feelings, may I suggest you go easy on the personal attacks, Ms. Reynolds? You know what they say about specks in the eyes.”
“Excuse me, Judge?” Abi’s face turned red, and her eyes blazed. “My husband’s name was cleared a long time ago.”
The judge gave a patronizing smile. “So you say. I’ve noticed sometimes, Abi, that you tend to get lost in the weeds at times. Ironic, under the circumstances.” She paused and brought her hands together atop her desk. “We will reconvene in fifteen minutes.”
TWENTY-FOUR
“THAT’S about as close to a girl as you’ll ever get. What’s your imaginary friend’s name gonna be?”
Kyle slammed his notebook closed and glared up at Donnie Ronald standing beside his desk, peering over his shoulder. He was more irritated at the interruption than the insult. His pencil sketch of Emma Harlow was just getting started, but he was stuck on the eyes. There was a tiny curve at the corners that he hadn’t quite captured yet. And if he didn’t get the eyes right, he might as well trash the whole thing.
“Are you gonna sit there through the next class too?” Donnie said it loudly enough for others filing out of the classroom to hear, and a few chuckles erupted.
“Mind your own business.” Kyle rushed to stand, cramming his pencil and notebook into his backpack. The bell had sounded, and he hadn’t even heard it. He had to hurry, or he would miss his opportunity.
He pushed past Donnie, who fired off another empty insult, and hurried down the hallway, weaving between other students who mostly ignored him. Emma’s text had said she would wait for him after period outside the door to the school library. Did she have something important to tell him, or did she just want to see him? Kyle hadn’t asked, and he didn’t care. Both options were equally splendid.
He rounded the corner and stopped short. There she was, as promised. But she was talking to one of the senior baseball players. He leaned in while he talked, his hand on the cinder block wall over her head as if he hoped she might climb in the jacket with him.
