by Mary Abshire
“I believe so,” Bryce said. “These charges are her first and from what Troy told me, she touched the money but tried to return it.”
“Yes, she did. I saw her try to give back,” Andrew said.
“My argument will be she was mistaken as a prostitute. The men thought she appeared like one and gave her money. She attempted to return it according to a witness. She doesn’t have any criminal past and intent to solicit cannot be proven,” Bryce said. “If you’re willing to testify, I will mention that as well. I believe we have a solid case.”
“I’ll testify. You can count on me,” Andrew said.
“Glad to hear it. If I get a feeling the judge is wavering on setting a hearing, I’ll remind him there’s no supporting evidence and my client has grounds to sue since she’s been held over forty-eight hours. Judges don’t like to hear those two statements together,” Bryce added.
“Do you need to talk to her before the hearing?” Andrew asked.
“No. I pulled the report. Troy informed me of what you had told him, so I don’t need her statement.”
“Don’t worry, Bryce will get her out,” Troy said.
Andrew believed Bryce would too. He had little doubt Troy would bring an incompetent lawyer to help Emily. And while Andrew thought his interrogation with Sergeant O’Henry wouldn’t be an issue, he wondered if he should mention it. He hated to think he’d said something that would delay her release. Before he would say anything, he needed to know what Troy had told Bryce.
“Can I speak with you alone for a moment?” Andrew asked Troy.
He rolled his eyes before he faced Bryce. “Would you excuse us for a few minutes?”
“Certainly.” Bryce withdrew a phone from his pocket as he walked away.
“What the fuck did you do now?” Troy asked in a deep, condescending tone.
“I resent that.”
“Get the fuck over it. What do you want?”
His attitude and sneering comments annoyed Andrew. Troy needed to move past Andrew’s mistake. Harping on it only created more friction between the two of them. Maybe Troy wanted that, but Andrew didn’t. The tension among them wouldn’t benefit Emily either.
“How much does he know?” Andrew asked.
“Nothing more than he needs to know. Why?”
“Does he know about the other lawyer?”
“I told him you were meeting with the old lawyer to fire him. That’s it. What’s the fucking problem?”
“A sergeant downstairs interrogated me about the lawyer’s death.”
Troy crossed his arms. His purse dangled near one of his elbows. “What did he ask you?”
“Was the lawyer acting normal? When did he fall out of his chair? Did I see her hurt him? Did I hurt him? Is she my girlfriend—”
Troy made a spitty noise. “Is that all?”
“He tried to catch me in a lie several times. He’d spoken with Emily before he called me into the room. I think she might have said something to him about food poisoning or bad food. He asked me if I knew anything.”
Troy stepped closer. “And what did you tell him?”
“I told him I didn’t know. I told him I had to leave to find another lawyer before her hearing. He had me leave my contact information with one of the officers before I came up here.”
“What name and number did you give him?”
“I gave him a bogus last name and fake address.”
One of Troy’s eyebrows twitched. “Smart man. For a change.”
“Can you stop with the comments? I let you hit me. I deserved it. Now let’s move on.”
Troy lowered his arms and put his hands on his hips. The straps of his purse slid down to his wrist. “Oh, I’m not done with you yet. The only reason I haven’t beaten your ass is because Emily likes you.” His fierce glare warned Andrew of his strong displeasure.
“Fine. But for Emily’s sake we need to move forward.”
“Oh, we will.” Troy gave a single nod. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“No.”
“Good. Should anything go wrong with this hearing, I will hold you responsible,” he said before he turned and walked away.
Andrew followed at a distance. Trepidation sprouted inside him. Andrew didn’t fear physical harm from Troy, but he feared what Troy could say to Emily. They had a bond and all Troy had to do was convince her to walk away from Andrew. She’d listen to him. Troy had twenty years’ worth of friendship and loyalty whereas Andrew had a few weeks’ worth. Andrew couldn’t compete.
Swallowing his fear, he caught up to Troy and Bryce near one of the courtrooms. The doors were shut and the sign near the door listed the name of the judge along with the type of court.
“This is the court she will be appearing in. Since we have about an hour to wait, we can go in or stay out here. I’m going inside so I can get a feel for the judge presiding,” Bryce said.
“I like your way of thinking,” Troy said. “I’ll join you.”
“Three’s company.” Andrew smiled at Troy.
“Just make sure you don’t sit near me,” Troy said before he tugged on the handle.
Bryce held the door open after Troy strode into the room. He gestured for Andrew to head inside. A guard near the door glanced at him as he entered. Andrew guessed maybe ten people were in the audience. Two lawyers and a man in cuffs stood at the front, facing a judge sitting behind a five-foot wall. Troy chose a row in the middle of the waiting area. Andrew walked down the main aisle and then into the row behind him. He sat to the right of Troy. Bryce took a seat one over from Troy and to Andrew’s right.
The wood chair was a tight fit for Andrew’s muscular body, but at least he had a clear view of the front. All Andrew had to do was wait an hour to see Emily. It didn’t seem like a long time, but he knew it would feel like an eternity.
Worry crept into his mind again. Based on Troy’s attitude and comments, Andrew got the impression Troy wanted to get Emily away from him. Andrew suspected Troy would want to have a long talk with her after the court released her. He wouldn’t stop Troy, but Andrew would ask for an equal chance to defend himself. He’d made a mistake and regretted it, but one error didn’t make him a bad person to be with. His blunder shouldn’t inspire her to leave. At least, he hoped it wouldn’t.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Emily stood in the hall with her back against the wall and her cuffed wrists in front of her. A guard waited by the door and another at the end of the line. Terri and four other women stood behind her. They were cattle being led to a slaughter. The judge was the butcher. Emily hoped the butcher would take mercy on her.
Since she’d returned to her cell, she’d spent her remaining time pacing until the guards came for them. She feared Andrew had said something that would jeopardize her release. Not that it would be his fault. She’d been in such a rush after he’d destroyed the demon that she hadn’t thought about coordinating their stories. The error was on her. She hoped like hell her oversight wouldn’t cost her more time in jail.
“Think they’ll go easy on you?” Terri asked softly.
“I have no idea.” She hated not knowing.
“If you get out, what are you going to do?”
“Take a long hot shower and brush my teeth.” The grittiness on them disgusted her. And while she didn’t have bad body odor, her skin felt dirty. Her flat and matted hair needed combing too.
“I figure they’ll send me to Riker’s since I don’t have money for a bond. It’s not the Holiday Inn, but at least I’ll get to clean up.”
The door to the court swung open. “Carrie Reynolds,” the short male guard inside said.
“That’s me.” She took a step forward, but paused before leaving. “Good luck,” she said to Terri.
She gave her a thumb up. “You too.”
After a deep breath, Emily strode into the courtroom. The short guard walked beside her. An older man with white hair and glasses, dressed in dark attire, sat behind a five-foot b
ench facing the audience. He had his head tilted down as if he were reading something. Several feet away there were two desks before rows and rows of seats. A younger man with dark hair and dressed in a slightly oversized blue suit stood near one of the desks, looking at a manila folder. In the audience, Emily spotted Troy. He wore a blonde wig and a shiny red shirt. She’d seen him wear the outfit before. He looked classy. Andrew sat behind him. His lips were pressed together and the look of concern on his face was one she knew well. A man with brown hair and wearing a sharp gray suit stood in the aisle in the audience. As he buttoned his blazer, she spotted an expensive watch on his wrist.
“People versus Carrie Reynolds,” said a female officer standing near the judge behind the tall bench. She climbed down the steps and headed toward them.
“That’s your cue,” the male guard next to her said quietly.
“What do I do?”
He pointed. “Walk up to the bench and stand in front of it.”
The man in the blue suit moved in front of the judge. Following the guard’s instruction, Emily headed for the same area.
The guy in the gray suit approached from her right. He stopped between the two desks. “I represent Carrie Reynolds, your honor, may I approach?”
She should’ve guessed he’d taken over as her new lawyer. The gold watch and tailored suit indicated style and sophistication. Both could represent he was an arrogant prick, but Emily doubted Troy would choose such a person to handle her case.
“You may approach,” the judge said.
Emily came to a stop in front of the bench. The man in blue stood a few feet to her right.
“You’re honor, police watched Ms. Reynolds talking to a couple of men in the subway,” the man beside her said. “She asked for money—”
“Objection,” the guy in gray said, standing to her left.
“Continue,” the judge said.
“According to the police report, she obtained money in exchange for sex. The State recognizes this is a first offense and asks for a bond of twenty-five thousand. A future hearing date should be set to review the charges,” the guy in blue said.
First offense? What about her Florida charges? Emily kept her lips sealed. Andrew had mentioned to the demon earlier to check on her Florida case because he believed the charges had been dismissed. She’d thought it was odd he’d brought them up. Maybe Troy had removed more than her prints from the database. She wouldn’t put it past him.
The judge looked at her before facing the lawyer on her left. “And you are counselor?”
“Bryce Thompson. My client did not ask for money for any reason. According to my client and a witness at the scene, the men put the money into her hands. Again, she did not ask for money. She did not attempt to take the money. She tried to give it back, but the police arrived and arrested her. My witness is here to testify.”
The judge looked at the guy on her right. “Counselor?”
“She touched the money, your honor. The police at the scene believed she was soliciting.”
“Did the arresting officers hear the conversation prior to her touching the money?” the judge asked.
“The report does not indicate such, your honor. As I said, we recognize this is her first time,” the man in blue said.
“Your honor, the arresting officers jumped to conclusions. The men mistook my client for a prostitute. She doesn’t deny touching the money. She tried to give it back. A prostitute wouldn’t do such a thing. My witness can testify she attempted to return the money. This error on the fault of the police is costing us time and money that could be better utilized on criminals.”
The judge closed the folder in front of him and met her gaze. “Did you ask the men for money?”
“No, sir.”
“Did you offer them sex at any time?” the judge asked.
“Absolutely not, sir.”
“Your honor,” Mr. Thompson said. “Given the lack of evidence to support the charges made against my client, I move for a dismissal.”
The judge turned to the man in blue. “Counselor, he has a witness. You don’t have any evidence.”
“The State objects,” the man in blue said.
“Of course you do, but I’m granting the dismissal. Next,” the judge said.
The female guard arrived at his side. The judge handed the folder to her and she gave him one in exchange.
Mr. Thompson faced Emily. “We’ll be waiting outside.”
“That’s it?” she asked.
“Slam-dunk case. I told Troy that after he told me about your situation. Go get your things.” He patted her shoulder as he passed by.
Emily stood in shock. In less than a few minutes, the lawyer had managed to convince the judge to dismiss the charges. It all seemed too easy and unreal.
Not wasting another second, she headed back the way she’d came. Andrew beamed with excitement. She smiled at him and waved her fingers. Troy had his back to her as he strode up the aisle toward the exit. For a brief moment she thought it odd he hadn’t acknowledged her and was leaving so quickly. But then, he held most of his emotions in check. The only one he allowed to appear was anger. His response wasn’t so surprising after all.
The cop near the door directed her to another one in the back. A world of relief fueled her happy heart as she left the courtroom. Soon she’d have her freedom.
A different officer of the female persuasion waited for her in the hall. She took hold of Emily’s arm and escorted her to the elevator. The walkie-talkie near her shoulder clicked on and someone spoke, but she ignored it. They waited a few minutes for their ride to arrive. Emily looked around for Terri. She’d hoped to tell her goodbye, but now she doubted she’d get the chance.
After a short ride down to the subbasement, the female cop brought her to the barred window where she’d made her call to Andrew two days ago. She grabbed hold of Emily’s cuffs and then inserted a key. With a soft click, the metal came unfastened. The officer took the restraints away from Emily.
“Carrie Reynolds. Charges were dismissed,” the cop said to the man working behind the bars. Then she met Emily’s gaze. “He’ll get your stuff for you.”
“Thanks,” Emily said as she rubbed her wrists.
The cop left her and walked away.
Emily waited for the officer behind the counter to return her belongings. He stared at the computer for a few minutes while he hit a few keys. Tapping her fingers on the counter, her impatience grew at a fast rate. She had her freedom and people waiting for her. She wanted to go-go-go before anyone or anything could stop her.
The screen on his monitor changed. He studied it as he opened a drawer from his desk. He lifted a set of keys and they clanked together. “Be right back,” he said before he disappeared behind a door.
She dropped her shoulders in discontent. How much longer would she have to wait to get out of there?
He appeared minutes later with a clear bag containing her purse. On his way toward her, he set the keys on his desk. He stopped at the window and reached for something under the counter. He lifted a piece of paper and handed it to her from between the bars. “Sign and date it.” He placed a pen on the counter for her.
The form basically stated she received her belongings back in the same condition as when they were placed under police care. She hesitated to sign it since she hadn’t got her items back yet.
“Can I have my stuff please?”
“You have to sign the form.”
“Yes, but I’m not agreeing to anything until I can confirm everything has been returned to me. Do I need to get my lawyer down here?” Did this cop really take her for a fool?
Frowning, he handed the bag to her through the bars. She opened it and removed her wristlet. As quick as she could, she checked the contents. When she didn’t see her phone she had a brief moment of panic. Then she recalled Andrew had her cell. Having confirmed all her belongings were returned, she signed the document.
“Pleasure doing business with you,�
�� she said.
“I’ll buzz you through the door,” he said as he took the paper and pen.
Emily left the bag on the counter. Purse in hand, she headed for the exit. The loud buzz signaled for her to go and she did. Within minutes, she was on the main floor of the station and walking out a free woman.
The bright sun forced her to squeeze her eyes as she strode outside and down the steps. Andrew, Troy, and the lawyer stood near the parked cars. Andrew saw her first and smacked his hands together. Another wide smile had formed on his face. Hers probably matched.
“About fucking time,” Troy said, flatly.
She opened her arms to give him a hug. He stepped back and lifted his hand.
“No-no. I don’t want you near me in that thing.” He ran his gaze down here. “And I’m willing to bet you haven’t had a shower either.”
Her happiness remained evident on her face. “Nope.”
“You can hug me after you’ve cleaned up.”
“As you wish,” she said. “And thank you.”
He put one hand on his hip and gave her his diva pose. “Who else is going to save your skinny ass?”
“You’re the best. Always.”
“You’re fucking right and don’t forget it.”
Bryce stepped around Troy. “Carrie, glad to see you made it out.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Don’t thank me. Thank Troy. He paid the bill.” Bryce faced Troy. “If you don’t need me anymore…”
“We’re done. Give me a minute and I’ll take a cab with you,” Troy said. After Bryce took a few steps away, Troy turned to Emily. “I’ll give you time to clean up and rest, but we need to talk later.”
“That’s fine, but I don’t want to spend too much more time in New York. Can we talk in the morning?” she asked.
“Count on it.” He glared at Andrew. “Can you handle her for a few hours without getting her into more trouble?”
Andrew crossed his arms as he stared at Troy. His smile had been replaced with flat lips and a stern expression. “I’ll do better than that.”
Troy snickered. “Yeah right.”
Tension between the two men couldn’t be more evident from their looks and comments to each other. Troy regarded Andrew with a hatred she’d seen way too many times. What had she missed?
