“That’s not enough. We need hard evidence to get a warrant or to make an arrest.”
“You didn’t have much when you had Conner arrested.”
“We had a witness who saw the gun in his closet and another independent witness who heard him threaten to kill the victim.”
JP sighed. “Conner is a really good kid. Granted, I don’t know him well, because we just met. But based on what I’ve learned about him so far, I don’t believe he could kill anyone, even in self-defense. He’s kind and sweet and he’s had a rough start.” JP studied the investigator’s face. “I know how important family is to you, Larry. I know you’d move heaven and earth to protect one of yours, especially if you believed in him. I’m just asking you to follow up on this lead.”
“You know the prints won’t hold up in court. We have chain-of-custody issues.”
“I know, but if you check the prints on any of these items, and they match the prints on the cell phone, then you know Roxy was involved. When you get your warrant, I’ll bet you’ll find the shoes that match the footprints. And you can get more of Roxy’s fingerprints for court. I know you’ll find a way to get to the truth. That’s all I’m asking for—that you find the truth.” JP stared at Villareal. “Unless you’ve changed a lot since we worked together, I know you don’t want to see an innocent kid convicted. You couldn’t live with yourself.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Chapter 70
“I just got a call that Conner’s case is going on calendar this morning,” Sabre said to JP.
“Do you know why?”
“No. The call came from the DA’s office. I guess I’ll see when I get there.”
“Can I go? I want to be there for Conner.”
“Of course. But let’s take separate vehicles. I’ll drop off Morgan at school on the way, and I’ll meet you there.”
“Do you have other cases on calendar?”
“Just a couple. But Bob can handle them, if I need to leave.”
“That works for me,” JP said. “What do you think the hearing is for?”
“I hope it’s a dismissal, but I’m afraid to count on it.”
“What else could it be?”
“Any number of things. Problems in the Hall, maybe another fight. There are all sorts of reasons for special hearings. Whatever the cause, it needs immediate attention or we would’ve gotten more notice.”
~~~
When they arrived at the courthouse, Sabre went directly to the attorney’s lounge to check for reports. She found a one-pager and smiled broadly as she read it.
“Are they dismissing his case?”
“Yes, they’ve arrested Roxy.” Sabre read further, then said, “When Villareal told Muriel that Roxy’s fingerprints were on the phone, she spilled.”
“So, the man came through,” JP said. “He must’ve checked the prints on my thermos.”
“It doesn’t say anything about a forensics test, so maybe he just bluffed.”
“Either way, it worked.”
Sabre summarized what she’d read so far. “Roxy apparently caved right away when they confronted her, but she gave the same story Muriel had—that it was an accident—except it was her at the crime scene. Roxy claims that she saw how badly Bullet had beaten her mother and couldn’t take it anymore. She went to scare him.”
“My guess is that she went because he was her supplier.”
“Maybe.” Sabre read further. “It says her shoes match the footprints, so they have a solid case against her.” She shook her head. “Roxy was too stupid to throw away the gun or her shoes. Just the phone.”
“And Muriel was covering for her daughter, so that’s why she didn’t know exactly where the phone was in the canyon.” JP shrugged. “Or maybe she didn’t really want us to find it.”
“You know what’s hardest to believe?” Sabre said.
“What’s that?”
“That Roxy got up early enough to commit the crime.”
“Her mother’s beating must have been loud enough to wake her.” JP tensed at the thought.
Bob walked into the lounge. “Good morning, Sobs. Nice to see you, JP. Are you here for a hearing?”
“They’re dismissing Conner’s case.” Sabre grinned.
“That’s great news.” Bob walked over to the box where the petitions were housed for new cases. “And look, there’s a petition on Conner.” He picked it up and found the corresponding report. “They arrested his mother?”
“Sabre figured it out,” JP said.
“How?” Bob asked.
Sabre let JP do the talking. He explained about Muriel covering for someone and what the evidence revealed. “Sabre remembered something Conner had said about how his grandma always did things for Roxy. Then she realized Roxy matched the approximate weight and shoe size of the killer—and she had the gun. She was the only other person Muriel would’ve covered for. Muriel didn’t want Conner to go to prison either, so she tried to take the blame herself. She thought her daughter would fare even worse in prison than Conner, but up until the end, Muriel still thought she could sacrifice herself.”
“Wow.”
Mike, the bailiff, came into the attorney’s lounge and told them the judge was ready. Sabre hadn’t had a chance to speak to Conner before the hearing, but she didn’t want to delay it. The sooner they had the hearing, the sooner Conner would be released. They followed Mike to the courtroom, and Sabre sat at the table. JP waited in the back. Within five minutes, Conner was brought into the court. The look on his face told her he didn’t know why he was there.
The bailiff seated the boy next to Sabre. “It’s all good,” she said, as the judge took the bench. “Well, it’s mostly good.” She realized Conner didn’t know his mother had been arrested. She wasn’t sure how he would take it.
The clerk called the case, and the parties were introduced, including JP.
“Young man,” Judge Feldman said. “I’m sorry you had to experience our court system and the juvenile detention facility. Sometimes it takes a while for the wheels of justice to start rolling.” Conner glanced at Sabre with a creased brow, as if he understood, but was afraid to hope. The judge continued. “The case of Conner Eugene Torn is dismissed with prejudice.”
Conner smiled. “It’s over?” he asked Sabre.
She nodded.
“I understand there is a petition filed in the dependency court,” the judge said. “Is that correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” DDA Benson said. “In Department One.”
Sabre stood. “Judge Hekman said she would hear the case immediately after this one, Your Honor. The attorneys on that case are already assembled, so if Conner could be brought to that courtroom right away, it would be appreciated.”
The judge looked at the bailiff. “Can you take the minor now?”
“Yes, sir,” the bailiff said.
“And please start the paperwork so the minor can be released as soon as possible,” Judge Feldman said.
Sabre and JP left the courtroom.
“What happens now?” JP asked.
“It depends on what authority Chucas and Wagner have to act on their clients’ behalf. It’s a new case, so we’re back to detention, and the parents will have the right to a jurisdictional trial, which they would lose, since they’re both in custody. Then they’ll have the right to a dispositional trial to determine where Conner lives. If they don’t contest anything, the case will go quickly. The Department is recommending detention with you. The only other alternative would be foster care.”
“Would they do that?”
“There’s no reason to.”
“So, Conner will be coming to live with us…er…me?”
“Is that what you want?”
“If that ain’t a fact, God’s a possum.”
Sabre laughed. “That’s a yes?”
JP gave one nod of his head. “Yes, ma’am. That’s a yes.”
Chapter 71
Sabre, JP, and Conner stop
ped at In-N-Out for lunch. JP couldn’t remember ever seeing anyone enjoy a hamburger as much as Conner did. The boy thanked them both for the lunch and for helping him and his sister. Someone had taught the kids good manners. JP was pretty certain Grandma got the credit for that one. She was basically a good woman in spite of her misguided efforts.
They all were quiet as they finished their lunch, then Sabre’s phone rang. She answered and had a brief conversation. “That was Lori, the social worker. She said they arrested Soper and Rankin on drug charges, both manufacturing and distribution. Apparently, they were partnered with Bullet.”
Conner shrugged, but didn’t comment.
“Did you know they were selling drugs?” JP asked.
“I know they used something, but I didn’t know what. I figured they were selling it, because my mom was getting it somewhere.”
“And your dad? Did he use drugs?” JP spoke before he thought. He wished he hadn’t put Conner on the spot. He didn’t really want to know the answer anyway.
“Are you kidding?” Conner shook his head and wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Dad hated drugs. He not only gave us regular lectures on the evils of drugs, but he set an example. He said he used some when he was young, but he wished he hadn’t. He didn’t even drink that much around us. He’d have a beer or two, but he never got drunk.” Conner took a sip of soda. “He does smoke though, but he’s trying to quit.”
~~~
After lunch, they parted ways. Sabre stopped to pick up Morgan, while JP drove Conner to see his new home.
On the way, JP called Ron to let him know what had happened and to tell him he was done at Muriel’s.
“Hallelujah!”
“I knew you’d be happy, but I didn’t expect you to be this excited about finishing the job.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy about the kid getting released, but this also means I can finally have my date with Addie.”
Conner didn’t say much on the way, except for repeatedly thanking them for getting him out of the Hall. JP wondered how he was processing the news of his mother’s involvement and arrest. It had to be hard—for many reasons. He didn’t want to make Conner uncomfortable, but he had to let him know he was there for him.
“Knowing what your mother did must be hard for you.” JP glanced at Conner, who was staring straight ahead. “I’m not asking you to talk about it now, but just know that if at any time you want to talk, I’m here for you. If you have questions, or need to vent, or whatever. Okay?”
“Okay.”
When they got to the house, JP took him straight to the spare bedroom.
“This will be your space,” JP said. “I’ve been using it as an office, but I’ll move my stuff to the living room.”
“You don’t have to do that, John…Jack…Unc…What should I call you?”
“Anything you want. My friends call me JP. Your dad calls me Jacky. Morgan calls me Uncle Johnny. Sabre calls me all sorts of cute names. Whatever makes you comfortable.” JP paused. “Preferably not the cute names Sabre uses.”
“I think I’ll go with Uncle Johnny. That’s the way Dad always refers to you.”
“I like that.”
“You can still use this as an office,” Conner offered. “I just need a place to sleep.”
“No, you need your privacy, and I already have my computer at the desk in the living room. That’s where I work most of the time anyway. The sofa opens up into a bed for now, but this weekend we’ll get you a real bed.”
“You don’t need to go to that trouble.”
“It’s no trouble, and I expect you’ll be here for a while.” JP studied Conner’s face. “If that’s what you want.”
Just then Morgan burst into the room and threw herself at Conner. He picked her up and swung her around. “You’re getting too big, Morgonster.”
A smile filled Morgan’s face, and for the first time, she made no objection to his nickname.
The Advocate's Justice Page 26
