“And now everything is different.Can’t really explain it.Just is.”
They pulled up to the Stanley Mosk Courthouse ten minutes before Rachel McDavid’s arraignment.
“I’ll text you when I’m done.”
“Julian…”
“Everything’s fine, Ernie.Don’t worry.”
“Right.What do I have to worry about when my friend is going off the deep end over a woman for the first time ever?”
“Nothing to see here.”
“Whatever you say, Counselor.”
Julian got out of the car, looked both ways and dashed across the street and up the stairs to the courthouse that was his home away from home.He greeted the security officers by name and thanked them for ushering him through the metal detector with their usual respect for the time of busy people.
He entered the courtroom in time to see Rachel, wearing an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, being led into the room.The cuffs were removed before she sat at the defense table.
Julian sat behind her.“Rachel.”
The woman who turned toward him bore almost no resemblance to the woman he’d last seen a week ago.“Julian, you have to find my kids!They took them… They should be with my sister.She can’t get anyone to tell her where they are.”
“I’ll find them and do everything I can to reunite them with your sister.What else can I do for you?”
“I… I don’t know.I did what I had to.He… he was going to kill us.He had a hunting knife.”
“That’ll matter to the judge.”
The courtroom was called to order for the arraignment of Rachel McDavid in the matter of the fatal shooting of her ex-husband.
“How does your client plead?”the judge asked the defense attorney.
“Your Honor, my client pleads not guilty due to self-defense.She was under the protection of a domestic violence restraining order when her ex-husband broke into the home where she and her children were staying.Police found a hunting knife on his person.We believe he intended to kill her and the children after losing custody of them in a recent family court matter.Mrs.McDavid defended herself and her children and likely saved their lives.We ask that she be released on bond while this matter is adjudicated.”
The judge turned to the district attorney at the other table.“We have no objection as long as she remains local.”
Julian stood.“Your Honor, Julian Remington, Mrs.McDavid’s divorce attorney.May I please address the Court?”After the judge gestured to give him permission, Julian said, “Her minor children were taken into emergency custody, and we’d request that they be returned to her as quickly as possible.”
“Are there other firearms in the home?”the judge asked.
Rachel shook her head.
“No, Your Honor,” the defense attorney said.
To the DA, he said, “Please see to the return of the children by the end of the day.I’ll set a hearing in this case for one month from today.What’s next?”
As the judge and his clerk turned to the next case, Julian leaned in to speak to Rachel.“I’ll wait for you to be released and drive you home.”
“Thank you,” she said tearfully as she was led away by the sheriff’s deputy.
While he waited for Rachel, Julian texted Mattie to let her know he’d be at the office as soon as he got Rachel settled at home.
Glad to hear they’re letting her out.
Me, too.Were you able to push my morning meetings?
All set for this afternoon.
