He sat back. “While I understand the prosecutor’s desire for remand, I am disinclined to incarcerate a defendant for six months before that defense can be given.
“Ms. Reo.” McEnroy held up a finger before she could protest. “During this period, and throughout the trial, the defendant will be confined to his home. He is not to step foot outside those walls, and will submit to wearing a tracker to ensure same. He will surrender his passport. Bail will be set at fifty million dollars.”
“Your Honor, that’s an egregious sum.”
McEnroy lifted his eyebrows at Kopeckne. “I believe it’s well within the means of the defendant to post, and will serve as a deterrent against flight. Mr. Ebersole, do you understand the terms of your release on bond, and that said bond will be revoked, and you remanded to jail if you break those terms?”
“I… I… Yes, Your Honor. Thank you.”
“The prosecution could not object more strongly.”
“Understood, Ms. Reo. But we are still a court that adheres to innocent until proven guilty.”
“In addition, the residence in which the defendant lives, rent free, where the prosecution and the evidence contends Mr. Ebersole murdered three people, is still being processed. It’s not possible for him to enter those premises.”
“Your Honor, the defendant’s family owns another property in New York. An apartment in a secure building, which the defendant may use until his own home is cleared.”
“Very well. State the address for the record.”
McEnroy nodded his way through that. “Mr. Ebersole, do you agree to the terms of house arrest at this location?”
“Yes, sir. Yes, Your Honor.”
“So ordered. This hearing is adjourned.”
“All rise,” the bailiff announced.
Jonathan sprang up and all but fell into his mother’s arms.
Eve heard him say, “Mommy.” And though he made sobbing noises on her shoulder, he sent Eve a smug smile.
Gonna wipe that off your face, she thought. And real soon.
She didn’t speak until she and Peabody left the courtroom.
“It’ll take time to post the bond, then he’ll need to go to Central, pick up his personal effects. We’ll have him tailed until he gets to his new home.”
“Jesus, Dallas, you know he’s going to run.”
“Yes, I do.”
She waited for Reo, who came out steaming.
“Goddamn it, I hope McEnroy can live with it when that murdering asshole gets somewhere we can’t touch him. I hope he can live with it when he kills someone else. Fuck that, no I don’t. I hope he can’t live with it.”
“Nadine’s going to be outside, on the steps. She’ll want to talk to me. She’ll want you, too.”
“Just what I need.”
“After she does what she does, I need you in my office.”
“Dallas, I don’t have time to—”
“Yes, you do. I figure at least two hours, maybe more. Peabody, book a conference room. There’s not enough space in my office. Let’s get going. It’ll take me a chunk of that two or three hours to explain.”
“Start now,” Reo demanded as they walked to the elevator.
“No. Stay pissed. It’s a good look.”
