by Madison Nova
I opened the file the Order provided and looked at the witness statement. "Your neighbor said that he heard loud screaming from your apartment. Not just one scream."
"I don't know," she replied "I woke up with one scream from her room. There may have been screaming before I woke up."
"You said that you opened your eyes and you only saw Kara on the floor. Why didn't you run to get help?"
"She was laying there and I saw blood," she had a bit of anger in her voice. "I had to make sure she was okay."
"And you didn't think that he could still be in the room at that time?" I asked making sure to see what her reaction would be. "He could have easily been standing behind you."
"Well, he wasn't." She said back to me, "I don't know why I didn't run to the door, and instead try to see if my best friend is still breathing." A tear fell down her cheek as she took the cigarette to her mouth.
"Can you describe the man who was in the room?"
Kamala looked at me. "He had..." she stopped.
"It's okay," I said softly, "you can tell me anything."
"I was tall, and looked pale. I couldn't see his facial features completely. Most of his face was hidden behind her head. His eyes had a glow to them. Something you'd only find in the movies."
She was probably waiting for me to dismiss her. "What was he wearing?"
"He was wearing a metallic red waist coat. Thats all I can describe."
I decided to not push further. We sat there in silence till Backum knocked at the door asking if I am done. "Her parents just arrived outside and wanted to have a word with you Alexa when they heard your here."
"We just about done here Backum," I said closing the file. He nodded at us and closed the door. "Is there anything you want me to tell them Kamala?"
She said nothing and instead that kept her head down. I reached over the table to grab her hand.
"I believe you," I told her. In the moment I felt that it was something she needed to hear. That someone is on her side. "Tomorrow morning I will be at court early to make sure everything is in order. I can't promise you that you will be granted bail, but I can promise you that based on everything I know of this case so far and my believe in you. I will fight to get you out of here."
Something that Dickson taught me: Never make a guarantee or promise to a client. Tell them the worst case possibility and that you going to do your best.
CHAPTER NINE
When the gates of the police cells opened for fresh air, I made my way outside and lit a cigarette. This was not the situation I was expecting when I first walked into the police precinct. The information on the file was given to me way too soon in the investigation of the case. Kamala is in way more trouble than I previously thought.
"Excuse me," I heard a voice from behind. Immediately by his features I could tell that he was Kamala's father. With a flick the cigarette disappeared.
"Mr. Russ, I am Alexa Santana from Carter Dickson Attorneys." I introduced myself quickly.
"We never instructed you to represent her."
"Our instructions comes from friends of your daughter. They handled all the financial aspects of the case already. Our firm specializes in criminal matters. And you'll find your daughter is in very capable hands." I reached into my jacket and handed him one of my business cards.
"If you wish to instruct someone else we will respect your wishes."
He looked down at his phone and I could tell he was trying to reach his attorney. "Our attorney was suppose to be here over an hour ago. His not answering his phone."
"Does he practice criminal law?"
"No," he replied. There was a moment of silence as he inspected the business card. "You say you already been paid?"
"In full Mr. Russ," I said seeing that his calculating any financial costs in a murder case. "I just spoke with your daughter and she is fine with us as her legal representatives. You however can decide at anytime with your daughter to change attorneys."
"How is she doing?" he asked "They won't allow us to see her till after the arraignment tomorrow." A stupid procedural rule that was implemented after the legal system got rid of the jury system in 2025. Only legal representatives are allowed to consult with their clients.
"She is doing fine," I said with a fake smile. "She knows she didn't do anything wrong. They brought her in and charged her because - as usual - they are lost. Tomorrow morning I will do my best to make sure she can be home with you. You will however be required to put forward any bail amount the court deems necessary in this matter."
"Of course," he said with a sadness in his voice. "She would never even hurt a fly. I don't understand why they would arrest her."
"In their mind Mr. Russ the dots connect to point to her as the culprit. It's easier for them to arrest someone now, and later parade that it was good investigative work that caught the real culprit." Sometimes I say stupid shit.
He nodded in agreement and turned around. Before walking back inside, he said: "Please make sure my daughter goes home tomorrow."
I smiled at him and walked to my vehicle. All I could think about is the weapon Helen is hunting. If any weapon is found, they would have enough to deny her getting bail. As I reached my car door and it slided opened I turned around and saw Mr. Russ standing with another woman crying. Must be the mother I thought. They don't know about vampires or anything about the supernatural elements that fills the world. I felt sorry for them, their daughter is caught up in the workings of the supernatural. They are not the first to be causalities in as a result of the hidden world and sure won't be the last. It's amazing how everything has been kept hidden from everyone else. Somehow, we have managed to make humans believe we are creations from their imaginations.
What is more amazing is the fact that we are able to continue to do so in an age where droids are around every corner taking away personal freedom. The orders and societies of the paranormal has perfected the system to keep the world under a veil.
I climbed into my car and activated the auto drive function. "Destination?" blinked on the dashboard.
"Home," I said and my seat moved backward. I placed the file in front of me and opened it up once again.
CHAPTER TEN
The court was quiet on the Thursday morning when I arrived for my first murder case. The security greeted me as always with a low toned "hi" as I made my way past them. It seemed the District court was quiet as I made my way to the bail court. A specific court for all cases dealing with the first appearance and bail of accused who has been arrested by homicide and major fraud units.
The prosecutors circulate in the courts and as I entered the bail court I saw Adam going through the police files with Helen sitting next to him. It was clear that they were discussing Kamala's case.
"Good morning," Adam said without taking his eyes off the file. "Carter told me you'd be here. Seems you are going to have two lucky days in a row. We were just discussing your client and decided to not oppose bail in the case. The investigation is still however incomplete. So we going to ask for a remand for a few things to be added to the file before handing you a copy of our case."
"That suits me fine," I replied. "How much are we looking at regarding the bail."
"One million." Helen said while standing up. "But we going to require that she stay in the city. Her family got a place in the suburbs that her mother use when she is this side."
"Let me make sure they can afford the amount." I said turning around and walking out the court. Thank God for Carter and his influence, I thought looking around for her parents outside the court. I saw them both sitting in a corner with Mr. Russ holding his wife's hand while his head was lowered. Seemed to me he was praying.
"Good Morning Mr. Russ," I said nodding at his wife. "I just spoke to the prosecution and we are having a back and forth about the granting of bail. How much will you be able to afford if bail should be granted?" No use in telling them that bail is not being opposed. Anything can happen with a Judge preceding. He might
decide not to agree with Adam and keep Kamala inside. Making an attorney who promised them bail look incompetent. Better to under play the situation.
"It doesn't matter what the amount is," he said looking at his wife who was having a hard time keeping herself together, "we just want her back home."
"If bail is granted she would have to stay in your suburb home this side."
He nodded and as I turned to walk back to court the thought of his lawyer popped into my mind. Was he still alive? I thought to myself. Quickly I turned around: "The attorney you were trying to reach last night? Have he got back to you?"
"Well, he told me to trust in your firm. A matter like this should be dealt with by someone with the necessary knowledge. Please make sure she goes home with us Ms. Santana." I nodded at the request. It was a relieve to know the Order did not off the poor guy.
"The court droid will announce when the court start. You can make your way to the gallery then. Hopefully we can get her home shortly thereafter."
Back inside the court I took my seat at the attorneys bench with another attorney who seemed nervous. "First day at court," he said pressing his handkerchief against his head trying to start a conversation. "I usually handle divorce cases. Couldn't get out of this. Need the money." The story of many attorneys in this city. With the advancement of artificial intelligence the workload people need an attorney for as become less and less required. Criminal lawyers however seem to be hard to replace.
I had no words of comfort for him. The past two years in the District courts has harden me to these talks. The truth is that I don't know many lawyers who actually love this work in any shape or form. It pays the bills. Maybe back in the day it provided a good living, but these days it's just there to pay the bills. Only reason I am doing this is to get closer to the underworld higher ups in my search for answers.
Adam signaled me that I will be first and that I should get ready. I accessed the court system and validated my credentials. As it loaded the Judge walked in.
"All raise," the court orderly stated as we stood up. My colleague followed my lead and bowed to far down splitting the graphical holographic display on our defense table. I pulled him up in annoyance and placed him in his seat.
"First case for the day your Honor, is the State versus Kamala Russ. May we proceed." Adam said in his overly prosecutor voice with a fake British accent. The Judge waved in a circular hand motion to continue.
Kamala Russ were brought out from below the court and placed behind us in the accused box. Bail court had a different set up then the usual courts, all accused was placed in cells downstairs. They had to stand in the box facing the Judge to determine their freedom. I made a quick turn around to make sure she sees me. She looked a bit better than our last consultation the night before.
"Ms. Russ appears before court today on a charge of murder. She is represented by Ms. Santana this morning. We have consulted with the lead investigator in this matter and all is in agreement that there is no need to oppose bail in this matter with certain conditions put in place, as the court pleases. The prosecution would ask the court to condition Ms. Russ to not leave the district of the court. Her family has a temporary residential home at 134 Intakana road, Goodwin which falls within the court's district. The amount suggested is one million dollars. Further, we request a remand of this matter for the investigation to be completed." He sat down and the Judge went through the displayed information in front of him. I sat patiently waiting for an indication from him to address him. After thirty seconds, he looked up at me.
I stood up: "Your Honor, the amount suggested is suitable in this matter and my client would strictly follow any conditions imposed upon her by the court."
"One Million is too low," he replied followed by "In a matter like this I am setting her bail amount at Two Million Dollars, it is clear that she or her family would be able to secure that amount for her freedom. Next case."
"As the court pleases," I said and turned around to smile at my client.
She was taken back downstairs, as I closed the necessary files. My colleague was seeming to be having a short anxiety attack as Adam mentioned his client's name.
Kamala's parents were outside already when I walked out the court room. A security droid was hovering in front of them requesting whether they would be able to make payment the amount immediately. "Move aside," I stated and the droid slowly moved backwards. "Can you transfer the amount immediately?" I asked already knowing that he could.
"Yes."
I signaled the droid to return. "The moment the money is cleared I want my client to be released through the back doors. Do you understand me?" It blinked a green happy face on its monitor. With that I turned back to Mr. And Mrs. Russ.
"She will be released from the back entrance. It's easier for her to immediately get into a vehicle. She would want to wash after the past two days she had. I'll make a turn tonight to discuss things further with her." As they were thanking me I spotted Helen walking out the court. I quickly excused myself and made my way towards her.
"Did you find the weapon?" I immediately asked.
"Yes," she stated walking out the turnstiles of the court house. "Your client is not allowed near that apartment Alexa. We making sure we didn't miss anything. The knife has been sent to the labs for analysis. Like I told you the last time: Your client is in deep shit."
I let her walk off ahead without saying anything further. This is just great, I thought taking out a cigarette. There is always unwanted fucking surprising in this gig.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
"You seem to be on a roll Ms. Santana," Sammy's mechanical voice greeted me as I stepped through the office door. "I am in awe of your expertise. The moment I get my body sorted, you will be the first I will be taking out on a date."
I just smiled at his silliness and checked the mail on the reception desk. Juliet was sitting back frowning at Sammy's rumblings. "You do realize that it will never happen. Askomo's law!" she exclaimed to Sammy with another empty soda can in her hand. She could go through five can's in an hour. We used to have a very early 2000's vending machine in the firm where you actually had to push in coins to get a can. The can's started to disappear. It didn't take a genius to figure out Sammy and Juliet found a way to bypass the required coin system. Carter decided to get rid of the thing after refilling it three times. Now we just stock enough for her to go through a month.
"Asimov law!" Sammy screamed out. "You just being jealous that I would NEVER ask you out on a date. I keep telling you woman, that you are not my type!" He hovered to the kitchen door which was directly behind the reception desk. "I swear you have no culture whatsoever in you. Mr. Grover would you prefer a juice or soda? I would go for a soda. I believe we only got two cans left due to this woman."
"A juice Sammy." Chase Grover, the firm's personal investigator, said behind me. I hadn't notice him behind me on the sofa. He was sitting laid back on the sofa while listening in on the conversation. "Well done Alexa," he said lowering himself further on the sofa. "Your first murder case. Too bad your assisting those low-lives." Referring to the Order of Vampyr.
I decided not to reply to his answer. He still had an effect on me and our previous conversations always led to why the two of us never worked out.
I still wanted him and some nights I would be tempted to call him. My body was still drawn to him.
"Mr. Grover came in at just the right time," Juliet said to me. "We have one of the Order of Vampyr's men waiting for you in the consultation room."
I sighed. A vampire coming in during the day just meant one thing: Something serious happened in the Kamala case. Grover gave off a growl. "Don't start something in here Chase, this is a neutral zone. He is a representative of our client."
"You have no idea who is in there do you?" he asked sitting up straight. "It's that thing they call the Enforcer." I had no idea what he was going on about and just continued to skim through the mail.
"The Enforcer is here?" Sammy asked
returning with a can of juice. "I had no idea that it WAS HIM!" he sounded excited. "My records finally has a face to him. The notorious vampire that won the battle of Garash."
I immediately understood who they were talking about.
"Thirty wolves was laid to rest in one evening when they released him onto the battlefield." The words made Chase growl again, but Sammy seemed to unnerved by the emotional reaction his words had caused.
"Quiet Sammy," I said in soft authoritative tone.
"This is amazing," Sammy kept going. "We have a legendary vampire in our offices. Do you think he would go on a date with me once my body in complete?"
"Shut up!" Juliet snapped. "Can't you see you are upsetting Mr. Grover?"
He turned around, "Oh." Sammy said "I keep forgetting your not a touched but a wolf Mr. Grover." Chase just sat there in silence trying to ignore the situation. The battle of Garash was the turning point in the supernatural world. After the slaughtering of the wolves a peace treaty was entered to ensure a similar event never happen again. The packs wanted the Enforcer to be executed and the Orders agreed to punish him in terms of their own laws. This never happened.
"Let me go and attain to our guest," I said walking pass Chase. I could sense his frustration and felt for him.
As I entered the consultation room, our guest was seated at the window watching people walk by. We had absolute non-reflective windows installed due to our peculiar clientele. "I understand his frustration" he said still looking out at the street. "If it was me I'd be determined to lay someone like me to rest. Whether I was ordered to do what I did, or not." He slowly turned around. He had a scare running through his left cheek. A clear indication he was not a true blood but turned. "Its been awhile since I could gaze upon them going about their lives during the day. They act so differently when the sun is touching their skin."
He was paler than most vampires I have encountered.
