Objection Objection Objection.I cut my eyes at Chuck Rich. The man remained seated on his butt in that damned chair. He looked distressed, but still. He should’ve been on his feet, raising hell. The wordmurdershould never have been uttered in this hearing.
I hadn’t intended to take over. They gave me no choice. I looked down at the defense table and met the young woman’s eye. “Dr. Gaines,” I said, “please describe for the court your ties to this community.”
She paused, stole a look at her lawyer. He gave her an encouraging nod and whispered something.
The defendant cleared her throat as she rose from her seat. “Your Honor, I moved to Union Springs after completing my residency. I have a family practice, a medical office here in town.”
“How many patients?”
“Oh, gosh.” She took a moment to think. “Just under four hundred, I believe.”
“Do you own property in the community?”
“I lease the building where I conduct my medical practice. But I own a house, a residence up on the hill.”
I nodded at that. Everyone knew about the hill. Our town was poor, but the prettiest houses were built on the high land to the east of town.
“Dr. Gaines, do you understand your obligation to appear in person at the trial of your case?”
“I do, Your Honor.”
“And are you affirming that you will be present in person for all hearings and matters scheduled by this court?”
“I will, Your Honor. I swear it.” She was gripping the counsel table with both hands.
“Bond remains at ten thousand dollars.” I picked up the gavel. Gave it a tap rather than a bang. No need to raise a ruckus this time.
Looked down at the DA just in time to catch his expression.
The man was livid.
CHAPTER
20
After the arraignment of Bria Gaines, I made my escape. Ran from that courthouse like a coward.
Didn’t exit through the front door, though. I’m no fool. I figured the press would be jockeying for prime position in front of the courthouse, hungry for some footage of the key figures in the case ofState v. Bria Gaines.I’d come to terms with my new reality, understood that I was more newsworthy than I used to be.
That’s why I headed for the back door, keeping my head down. Almost made it. Stood an arm’s length away from the exit when Earl Hodge, the mayor of Union Springs, popped out of the probate office.
“Judge Mary! Hold on, I need a minute!”
He hustled up to me and grabbed my arm, right above the elbow.
What the hell?
I stared at his hand for a moment and then raised my eyes, fixed them on his. He got the message. Let go of me, took a step back. Thrust his offending hand into a pocket.
“Sorry, Judge, but I’ve been meaning to talk to you. About this abortion case.”
I literally groaned, couldn’t help it. Took a breath and repeated my go-to line. “I can’t discuss this matter with you.”
“Not the facts. Nothing like that. Just the situation, you understand?”
I didn’t. He must have read it on my face; he quickly added, “I need to lay out the situation it’s putting us all in. You know, the city.”
I didn’t ask for any details on the city’s situation. I was itching to get away. “It’s a felony case, Earl. We see them all the time. And this isn’t the ugliest set of facts I’ve heard in my courtroom. Isn’t the most horrific crime I’ve presided over this year.”
