Page 25 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

The homicide detective answered on the second ring. “DuBois.”

“It’s Sabre.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I just got a message,” she said. “And I don’t think it’s a joke.”

“Read it to me.”

Sabre glanced at the screen. “Take the case… or the girl dies.”

“Where are you?”

“The courthouse parking lot.”

“Stay there.”

“I’m not in danger—”

DuBois cut in, voice firm. “Stay there.”

She didn’t argue. “All right.”

“Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“I’m five minutes out,” he said. “Don’t go anywhere. Better yet, go inside. Hang with the bailiffs.”

The line clicked dead.

~~~

DuBois didn’t take five minutes. He took three. He pulled in fast in an unmarked sedan, then crossed the lot to the courthouse door, eyes already scanning everything—cars, people, movement. Sabre came out to meet him.

“Let’s see what you’ve got,” he said.

Sabre handed him her phone.

He read the message. “What do you know about the number?”

“I didn’t recognize it, but my guess is it’s from a burner.”

DuBois nodded. “Figures.” He handed the phone back. “Who’s the girl?”

“I think it’s meant for a potential client, named Bay Mercer. She says she’s fifteen, and she’s here on a murder charge.”

“You question her age?”

“She looks younger than that to me.”

“Who did she murder?”

“Allegedly”— Sabre emphasized the word— “a man named Todd Maddox.”

“He’s not my case.”

“I know. He’s out of El Cajon. Greg Nelson is the homicide detective.” Sabre paused. “I called you because you’re my friend.”