Page 111 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

Sabre’s eyes stayed on the pad. There were too many kinds of people who fit that description.

“Do you really think this can change the case?”

Sabre answered carefully. “I think it can change how the case is understood.”

“And Bay?”

Sabre took a breath. “That depends on whether she starts really helping before someone realizes she already has.”

Silence followed.

Vale stood. “I’ll get the motions filed tonight.”

After he left, Sabre looked out through the glass panel in her door at the empty hall. “Whoever did this,” she said quietly, “didn’t just hide two girls. They built a life around the hiding.”

JP stood, and put his hat on. “Then we’d better find the builder.”

Chapter 42

Wednesday morning

Sabre waited until the deputy closed the interview-room door before she sat down across from Bay.

Bay looked controlled, but only on the surface. Her posture was straight, her chin level, and her eyes alert, but she kept glancing at the door as if expecting someone to appear and reset the world.

Sabre set her folder on the table and sat down. “Before we talk, you must understand we have the same rules. Anything you tell me goes to Mr. Vale.”

Bay looked away.

Sabre updated her first. “We’re in court Friday. It’s a readiness conference before the preliminary hearing. The prosecution wants to move fast. They think they have enough.”

“I told them I killed Todd.”

“And if you keep saying it without context, explanation, or a lawful reason, then you’ve handed them a gift.”

Bay’s jaw tightened. “I’m not changing it.”

“I didn’t ask you to.” Sabre’s voice sharpened. “But I am asking for something usable.”

Bay said nothing.

“Right now,” Sabre continued, “we have no real self-defense claim. No defense-of-another claim. No coercion claim. No alternate suspect. Nothing Mr. Vale can put in front of a judge without getting laughed out of court.”

Bay’s eyes narrowed. “Are you always this cheerful?”

“Only when I’m losing.”

That almost got a smile.

Sabre pressed on. “We also can’t realistically ask for your release.”

Bay stiffened. “Why not?”

“Because judges ask where you’ll live, who will supervise you, whether you’re stable, whether you’ll return to court.” Sabre held her gaze. “You have no verifiable residence, no family contact I can present, and no one stepping forward.”

Bay’s eyes tightened with emotional pain.

“You expected someone to come,” Sabre said quietly.