“But, Tony, I don’t understand.” I grabbed hold of his arm, needing to feel him somewhere. Something to ground me right now. It didn’t matter how angry I was at him; he was my center. “Why is she making it sound like trying to get Sadie to leave Alan is a bad thing? He was beating her.”
“And there is no fucking record of it because she refused to press charges, Simon.”
“But everyone in town knew.”
Tony closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Please just stay quiet, and I will explain everything later.”
“Mr. Gallagher, what do you have to say?”
Tony peeled my hand from his arm and stood. “Your Honor, Mr. Nelson is an upstanding member of this community. He owns a business that the town relies on.”
The she-bitch snorted, and I turned at the growl behind me. I hadn’t realized anyone was in the gallery. Goliath sat right behind me, glaring at the woman trying to put me in prison. With him were King, Cash, and many other Silver Shadows and their old ladies. Men and women who had become my friends.
“He has lived in Diamond Creek his whole life. His only ties are here in this town.”
“His parents live in Florida, Your Honor,” the she-bitch interrupted. “And his sister is currently unaccounted for.”
Uncle Alex sighed heavily and looked at Tony. “Mr. Gallagher, are you willing to take full responsibility for your client’s whereabouts until trial?”
“I am, Your Honor.”
Uncle Alex looked behind us to the gallery. “Mr. O’Rourke.”
“Yes, Your Honor.” King stood with his hands clasped together in front of him.
“Are you able to spare Mr. Gallagher for the foreseeable future?”
“Absolutely, Your Honor. Consider him yours.” King sat back down with a smirk, and Tony dropped his chin to his chest. My head was on a swivel as I looked back and forth between King and my uncle.
“What’s going on?” I whispered.
“Quiet,” Tony hissed. He looked up at Uncle Alex.
“What is going on here, Your Honor? What does Mr. O’Rourke have to do with any of this?” the she-bitch asked.
Ignoring her question, Uncle Alex proclaimed, “I am setting bail in the amount of one million dollars. Is that satisfactory for you, Ms. Winthrop?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
I wanted to smack the smug grin off her face.
“Mr. Gallagher, I presume bail can be arranged?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Good. Once bail has been paid, Mr. Nelson will be fitted with an ankle monitor and be on house arrest until the trial. Mr. Gallagher, you will stay with Mr. Nelson to ensure he is able to continue to work.” Uncle Alex looked my way. “Simon, Anthony will be staying in your home to make sure you are where you need to be at all times. You are not to leave your home unless Anthony is with you. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” I knew better than to address him as anything different while in the courtroom. My parents had drilled that into Sadie and me when we were growing up. Though Idoubted they ever expected us to be in his courtroom for anything other than witness testimony.
Certainly not on trial ourselves.
Uncle Alex slammed the gavel down and stood, leaving without a word to anyone. I remained in my seat, shocked at the turn of events. I’d had everything planned out. I’d done my research for months, waiting for this opportunity. It should have been flawless.
“Anthony, the state is open to a plea deal.”
“No,” he growled.
The she-bitch looked in my direction. “You are required to take the offer to your client.”
