Chapter 56
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A.D.A. Douglas looked at the nervous new attorney. She turned and whispered to Danny, who was
sitting behind her. "Federchuk is going nowhere. He drew a rookie lawyer I've never even heard of. I'll
be surprised if this kid speaks above a whisper."
"When the judge says that, I'll breathe easier. Seems like we were here just yesterday. I just hope and
pray no one goes to the judge ex parte this time and gets him bail."
"That won't happen again, l'll guarantee that. He's proven he's a threat and a flight risk. The same
judge is pulling arraignment duty, trust me; he'll remember. If he doesn't, I'm here to remind him." The
A.D.A. smiled. "And believe me, I'll be only too happy to remind him."
Meanwhile …
George was sitting in the waiting room. He spied Dennis Goodweather also waiting for his arraignment.
He tried to catch the disgraced lawyer's eye, but the attorney just stared at the floor. "I didn't see you
at grub time. You in special custody?"
"I eat in my cell, alone." Dennis answered without looking up.
The bailiff came in. "Come on, Federchuk. You're up next."
"Da."
Once the bailiff was distracted, George growled at Dennis as he passed by, close. "Watch your back,
Dennis. It's dangerous in jail." He smiled when he saw the broken attorney tremble.
The bailiff grabbed George by the arm. "Quiet. Come along, comrade."
The courtroom was fuller than at George's last arraignment. This time, he had a court appointed lawyer,
the kid looked straight out of law school, but the felon struggled to keep his face unreadable.
Both men entered the courtroom and George deflated a bit when he saw Judge Randall. He was
escorted to the Defendant's table and sat down. The bailiff handcuffed him to the chair with a warning
eyebrow.
"Hello, Mr. Federchuk. May I please call you George?" The young lawyer stammered. "I'm Caleb
Burlingame, your public defender. Anything you want to say to me before you're arraigned?"
"Not guilty."
"Say that when the judge asks." Burlingame said distractedly while he busied himself with his court
required paperwork.
George rolled his eyes; he probably knew more about American courtroom procedures than Rich
Greenly, but he could work with him. After all, this was the only way.
"The State of New Jersey vs. Giorgi "George" Federchuk. The charges are…."
"Wait a minute!" Judge Randall removed his glasses. "Didn't I hear this case last week? I'm sure I did.
Same charges?"
"New charges, Your Honor." The bailiff referred to his call sheet. "The charges added are attempted
murder, murder, conspiracy to commit murder. Menacing. Trespassing. Rape and illegal disposal of
human remains."
"So, you managed to get bail, despite my ruling, and went right back to work, huh? Well, this time there
will be absolutely no bail."
"Your Honor, Caleb Burlingame for the defense. Ah, my client hasn't entered a plea yet, sir."
Burlingame said shakily.
A.D.A. Douglas turned and met Danny's eyes with an 'I told you so' expression.
Judge Randall nodded his head in difference to the point of law. "Fine, as you say. I got ahead of
myself. Mr. Federchuk, your plea?"
"Not guilty."
"Remanded. A 'no bail' in his file and computer records." The gavel banged. "Any other business for
this defendant?"
"No sir." Caleb managed to squeak out.
The judge called for the next case as the bailiff escorted Federchuk to his holding cell. After locking the
cell door, the bailiff escorted Dennis Goodweather to the defendant's table.
"Hello, Mr. Goodweather, I'm public defender Caleb Burlingame. It is an honor to meet you, sir. I
applied to your firm a couple of weeks ago. I guess you've been too busy to let me know if I got the job
or not."
Dennis looked at the young lawyer incredulously. Was he kidding or rubbing it in Dennis' humiliating
situation? He searched the youthful face looking at him rather hopefully. He was about to answer when
Judge Randall banged his gavel for attention and silence.
"The State of New Jersey vs. Dennis Goodweather. Charges are accessory to murder, after the fact;
conspiracy to commit murder, after the fact. Embezzlement. Enterprise corruption. Falsifying court
documents. Comingling client's funds."
"How do you plead?" Judge Randall stifled a yawn.
Dennis Goodweather was tongue tied.
"Not guilty." Caleb Burlingame spoke for his client.
"The People on bail."
A.D.A. Douglas addressed the court. "The People ask for one million dollars, cash or bond."
Judge Randall was in no mood. "Cash only. Next." The gavel banged.
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"Well, those two are on ice." Danny said as the squad drove back to their office. "I doubt any
shenanigans will go on this time."
"I doubt it, that judge looked pissed the Russian managed to circumvent his orders." Lou opined from
the front passenger seat. "I'll bet dollars to donuts the judge will check the status of those two every
morning."
"Caleb Burlingame seems too inexperienced to try any fancy dancy legal maneuver." Chin added from
behind Danny.
"Heaven help anyone who goes against that judge, he will skin them alive." Kono chuckled.
"I didn't see George make eye contact with anyone aside from his lawyer." Danny observed. "Did you
guys notice that?"
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Caleb Burlingame A.K.A. Rich Greenly walked down the courthouse steps. Piece of cake, he could have
been a lawyer. What was the big deal?
He got in his car and loosened his tie. Easily distracted, the copycat wondered who came up with the
necktie. Stupidest and most uncomfortable item in men's fashion.
It was a short drive to his loft. After checking his watch, he realized he was home in time to watch that
decades old fireman show. He was almost giddy thinking about a possibility of a big building fire.
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"Okay. Let's see what we can see." Lou had set up the laptop and loaded the first micro card. "I had
Miss Kono sitting in the back of the courtroom. She filmed everyone coming and going until George was
arraigned."
They ran the hour of footage double time and noticed nothing unusual.
"That was a bust. Next!" Danny said.
Lou loaded up his own micro card. Again, nothing earthshattering.
Next, came Danny's micro card. Yet again, nothing significate.
Finally, Lou loaded up Chin's micro card. Since he was in uniform, Chin was placed by the defendant's
waiting room door. His camera faced the well of the courtroom.
Again, Lou played it at double time.
"Freeze it!" Danny bellowed as he jumped to his feet.
Lou did as he was told. "What did you see, Sarge?"
"Look at Federchuk's face. He recognizes his lawyer!"
Lou played it back. "You caught it, boss. Georgie tried to cover his reaction but not in time."
Danny pointed to the paused picture. "Find out everything we can about Caleb Burlingame. I want to
know his shoe size, what position he sleeps in – his dog's name!"
"We're on it, boss. I'll print out some hard copies of this guy." Lou was already at work.
Chin swiveled his chair and got on the phone. "I'll get academic and employment records. Kono, you
get his home info."
"On it." Kono was typing away on her laptop.
Danny took the first hard copy photo off the printer. "I'm gonna go see if this guy is at all familiar to
McGarrett."
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Gracie was bouncing in the back seat, clearly enjoying the basic navy car. Rachel was sitting with her in
the backseat with Charlie was seat-belted in between them.
Catherine smiled as she pulled into the loading/unloading zone at the neighborhood elementary school.
"You have a good day in class. We'll be here to pick you up, sweetie."
"And learn your lessons well, darling. We'll have another tea party when you get home." Rachel
promised.
"Tea party!" The children announced happily.
Grace got out and went to Steve's window; her face was concerned.
He quickly rolled the window down. "What is it, little ladybug?"
"You'll be here when school's out, won't you?"
"I'll be here to pick you up with your moms, Charlie and Catherine."
"Promise?" She put her hand on his door.
Steve crossed his heart and put his hand on hers. "Absolutely, I promise."
The schoolgirl grinned at him and ran off to join her classmates who were making their way to their
homerooms.
"Bye, Gracie." Charlie called. He giggled when he saw his big sister turn and wave.
"What time does school let out?" Catherine asked as she drove away.
"Two thirty." Rachel answered.
Catherine looked at Steve. "Set your tactical watch. I want to be here no later than fourteen fifteen."
Steve did so. "Agreed."
Catherine looked in the rearview mirror. "Home, Rachel?"
"May we please go to the Grocery Queen? I need to fill our pantry."
"You direct me."
"Actually, I know where that is." Steve said happily.
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"Charlie, don't eat the apples! They aren't washed or paid for yet." Rachel looked at her giggling son.
"Every time! I swear, young man."
Steve laughed. "Are you hungry, Charlie?"
Charlie blushed as he buried his face in his mother's arm.
Steve picked up the boy and went first through checkout and allowed the women to put the groceries
on the checkout belt.
"Gum?"
"I don't think so, kiddo." Steve took the gum pack from Charlie. "Rachel, may Charlie have a Kinder
egg?"
"If you feed it to him. He loves the hidden toys."
Steve added it to their order much to Charlie's glee.
The checker finished and watched as Steve scanned his ATM card.
"Steven. What are you doing?"
"It's a team effort. You ladies shop, I pay. I'll carry it in and help put it all away. You ladies cook, I'll eat,
and even help clean up. If you allow me, I'll help cook. Fair?"
Rachel was about to protest when Catherine answered. "Deal. But we'll stow the cargo and carry the
stuff in. You can keep Charlie occupied."
Steve made a sour face. He was hoping Catherine wouldn't notice he put himself down for the physical
exertion, but he nodded. He hated this convalescence.
With their plan of attack settled, they made the trip home.
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Catherine parked in front of the house.
"I wonder what Daniel is doing home?" Rachel asked aloud, concerned that Danny's car was back in the
driveway.
"Go see. I got Charlie." Steve encouraged.
"Thank you, Steven." Rachel hurried to the front door, keys in hand. Opening the door, she called out.
"Daniel?"
"Rachel!" Danny was racing down the staircase. "Scared me. Your car was here but none of you were."
He caught her up in his embrace.
She hugged him tightly. "We took Grace to school then went grocery shopping. When we drove up and
saw your car, I didn't know what to think."
"Where's Charlie?"
"Outside with Steve and Catherine."
As if on cue, Charlie raced in and ran to his father. "Danno!"
Steve followed the boy closely, carrying a bulky cube of paper towels.
Danny caught the boy, nodded to the Commander as he hugged his son. "Hi Charlie. How's my boy?"
"Danno." The toddler repeated with a huge grin.
Catherine came in with grocery bags. "Hi Danny." She continued passed him to the dining room.
"Should you be carrying that?" Danny asked with genuine concern for the sailor.
"Quiet, you." Steve snapped. He continued walking on to the dining room.
Danny and Rachel exchanged smiles.
Catherine went back out to the car.
"I should help her." Rachel followed.
"I gotta talk at this big goof anyways. Reason I came home. C'mon Charlie, let's see what Uncle Steve is
up to." Danny went to the kitchen. "Hey Steve, do you recognize this character?"
The sailor was unpacking the groceries. He stopped and took the photo from Danny's free hand. "I've
seen him before. Let me think. He wasn't dressed like this." He leaned against the counter, face in
deep thought.
"He…."
"Please, don't influence my memory." Steve said quietly, as he continued to study the photo.
The women brought more bags in and placed them on the dining room table. They were talking softly.
Both disappeared as quickly as they came.
"I saw him at the Traveler's Oasis!" McGarrett said triumphantly. "He had a scruffy beard and his hair
was longer, messy. He was moving bags of fertilizer in Lynn's garden." He looked at the detective with a
frown. "Why? Is he the mole?"
Danny nodded. "Think so. He was moving fertilizer this morning too – passing himself off as
Federchuk's attorney at the arraignment."
Steve looked skeptical. "This guy? Are you sure?"
"We got him on body cam footage."
"Unfucking believable."
"Uncle Steve said a naughty word!" Charlie announced.
"I'm sorry, Charlie. I forgot my manners." Steve said to the child gently.
"That's okay." The child answered him completely serious.