Chapter Four
Arraignment Court
"Docket ending number 4237, The People versus Eric Slater, one count murder in the second degree," the clerk announced, handing the paperwork to Judge Alberta Hagen.
"How does your client plead, Mr. Langan?"
"Not guilty, Your Honor," answered Eric Slater, a tall, pale, dark-haired man in his '20s.
"Very well. Bail, Miss Barclay?"
"The people request remand, Your Honor," Allison replied. "The defendant harassed the victim, his ex-girlfriend Gail Sullivan, non-stop for breaking up with him, until he snapped. He followed her home from work and shot her to death in her apartment."
"Remand is excessive, Your Honor. My client is not a flight risk. He holds a steady job and has no criminal record."
"All right, then, how about this: five hundred thousand?"
"Thank you, Judge," said Langan.
"Are the people satisfied, Miss Barclay?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Very well, then, bail is set at five hundred thousand dollars, cash or bond," said the judge, banging down the gavel.
As she said, "Next case!", and the clerk announced it—
"Well, well, a newbie," said Langan, turning to Allison and extending his hand. "Trevor Langan."
"Allison Barclay," Allison said, put off by his approach, but shaking his hand anyway. "Are you sure you don't want to plead this out, Mr. Langan? My boss and I are open to making a deal."
"And what 'deal' would that be? Putting an emotionally distressed young man in prison? No, thanks. See you at trial," said Langan. Turning to his client, he added, "Come on, Eric—let's go get your bail taken care of."
Allison sighed as she followed the pair of them out of the courtroom, briefcase in hand.
Office of EADA
Connie Rubirosa
Connie sat at her desk, idly tossing the dark blue baseball Mike had left for her from one hand to the other. She'd been reviewing everything for the Sullivan case, double-checking to make sure all i's had been dotted and all t's crossed.
She looked up when there came a knock at her door, which was slightly ajar.
It was Jack.
"How's it going?" he asked with a small smile.
"All right," said Connie, smiling back.
She gave Jack the latest update on the Sullivan case.
"Sounds like you've got all your ducks in a row," Jack said.
"Let's hope it's enough," Connie said doubtfully.
"I think this case is a slam dunk, Connie," Jack said kindly. "You've been doing great. Promoting you was the right thing to do."
Connie smiled, speechless.
"You know, there haven't been two women and one man working together here for a while," Jack said, a small smile on his face. "I've got to get used to that again. There's nothing wrong with it, of course. I'm just saying it's been a while."
"Oh, I know!" Connie said reassuringly.
"But you know what's really taking some getting used to?" said Jack.
"What's that, politics?" Connie joked.
"The lack of sexual tension around here," Jack replied, an impish glint in his eyes. "Observing it was my favorite form of entertainment," he added with a smirk.
"Ha ha," Connie said sarcastically, knowing he was referring to her and Mike—but she was smiling.