The prosecutor visibly swallows. “We’re trying to figure that out, Your Honor, and I haven’t found a good answer. Orders came from high above, but nobody quite knows what that means.”
“That doesn’t sound suspicious,” I retort. Of course, I must be careful because Alexei engineered the entire situation. He put himself in a cell with a murderer in order to protect my friend. He risked his life to save her, someone I consider my sister. The only reason he gave me the truth is because if there’s one hit out on her and it doesn’t work, there’ll probably be another one.
She hadn’t seemed even remotely surprised when I told her the news. I can ask Alexei to keep her safe, but I still have to talk Ella into receiving help. She’s a stubborn one.
The judge shakes her head. “You know, I have to agree with Miss Mooncrest. I don’t know where the breakdown of procedure occurred, but Mr. Sokolov could have been killed. He is innocent until proven guilty, and yet you sent him to a prison.”
The prosecuting attorney plants both hands on her desk. “I don’t know what happened, Judge. I really am trying to figure it out.”
Apparently, money can buy almost anything. A fact that I do not appreciate.
The judge reads through several papers. “In light of the fact that Mr. Sokolov was nearly killed due to the state’s negligence, I’m more inclined to rule in his favor in this matter. Bail is set at one hundred thousand dollars.” She slams down the gavel.
I look over my shoulder as Garik exits the courtroom, no doubt on his way to pay the entire amount.
A sense of calm settles in my chest. Good. Alexei can come home with me.
“One more motion, Your Honor,” the prosecuting attorney says.
I glance her way, surprised.
“This is based on new information, and we haven’t had a chance to notify Mr. Sokolov.” The woman hands me several pieces of paper. “We have a motion to remove Ms. Mooncrest as the attorney for the accused.”
“Why is that?” Judge Flanders asks as the prosecuting attorney hands her a stack of papers.
The prosecutor steps back behind her table, her spine straight and her posture about perfect. “We just filed these with the court, Your Honor. We believe Miss Mooncrest is having an affair with her client, and we need to question her regarding this case. The letter opener is owned by her, and she could put Mr. Sokolov in the same room with it, but we need her as a witness. Attorney-client privilege does not extend to illegal acts.”
I stare down at the documents, which swim in front of my face.
The judge drops the stack to her desk. “Miss Mooncrest? It would be inappropriate for me to decide this on an ad hoc basis like this. Please prepare a response, and we’ll have a hearing—” she shuffles through a calendar—“a week from today at nine in the morning. At that time, you may wish to employ your own counsel.” She bangs the gavel down again.
The prosecuting attorney winks at me. “We’re just getting started, Mooncrest.” She turns and walks away from the counsel table and down the middle aisle of the courtroom.
I look at Alexei. “This is a problem.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” He gestures me ahead of him, and he follows me out to where we meet Garik in the hall.
“I already paid the bail,” he says, handing over an envelope. “Here’s all your stuff.”
I don’t object to this uncommon procedure. Alexei should have to go through a discharge procedure and collect his own belongings, but, apparently, they’re not finished throwing money around.
We walk toward the doors, and through the glass, a multitude of reporters and cameras are waiting. We’ll have to go right through them to reach the parking area.
“The back exit is just as bad,” Garik says grimly.
I take a deep breath and walk outside with Garik in front of me and Alexei behind me as if they’re flanking me.
Alexei’s shoulder is damaged, and so I should try to protect him from anybody hitting his arm.
Lillian Sokolov rushes forward, shrieking. “You killed my son. You killed my son.”
She goes for Alexei, and Garik swiftly wraps an arm around her waist and swirls her away, planting her back on her feet.
“Back off, lady,” he barks.
“You killed him,” she screams, tears running down her face, her graying hair a disheveled tangle around her shoulders.
Alexei’s jaw hardens, and he looks at all the cameras. I do the same. This is a freaking disaster. Every potential juror we’ll receive in a pool will see this.
