Page 73 of Declan

Penny stops in front of us, and we all look up at her expectantly, knowing she didn’t stop by just to shoot the shit. She sighs and turns her focus to me as she says, “You’re wanted down at the station.”

“What for now?”

“They want to formally charge you,” she replies. “Best to get it over with so they’ll hand over their evidence, and I can contest the preliminary hearing based on the fact they don’t have shit.”

I rise, stretching as I ask, “Do you think they’ll make me wait for a trial date from jail?”

“No way,” she replies. “They’ll likely set your bail low due to your lack of criminal record and low-flight risk. And there’s also the fact it would be nearly impossible for you to go unnoticed. Plus, the press would eat them alive.”

I smile, unable to hide my delight at her typical unimpressed cutthroat attitude. “How do you know they don’t have some big smoking gun that’s gonna take me down?”

She snorts as she turns to exit the room, saying over her shoulder, “‘Cause this is Hollywood, Declan. Everyone’s full of shit.”

28

A Misleading Misdirection

Declan

Thearraignmentwasuneventful,and Penny was correct in her guess that they wouldn’t insist I was a flight risk. Even with my private jet and my buckets of money, the likelihood I’d be able to go unnoticed for long was nil, and I handed over my passport willingly.

Penny immediately went to work tearing apart the prosecution’s discovery files and somehow managed to get the preliminary hearing set for within a few days, so at least my life as a charged criminal has the capacity to be short.

Not wanting to go against her wishes, I manage to stay away from Issa, though it has taken a significant amount of interference and handling by everyone, even Jessica, who also has been unable to connect with Issa. Jessica appears offended that Issa isn’t seeking her out for help or at least commiseration, but I imagine Issa feels it’s best to keep her cards close to her chest as there’s less chance for anyone to fuck up her plans, even accidentally.

Of course, Penny advised everyone to stay clear of Issa, though she refused to explain if this was because she’s suspicious of my wife’s motives or if she knows more than she’s letting on. I wouldn’t put it past my long-time lawyer to have some grand scheme in mind, and even if it grates on my last nerve, I do my best to keep my head down and my eye on the proverbial prize at the end.

By the time we stroll into the preliminary hearing, I am almost out of fucks, but I have to keep my mouth shut and go with the flow per Penny’s instruction.

The fact this entire hearing is a farce is irrelevant. I have to go through the motions and act and react accordingly, all things I’m not known for.

Dare, Tony, and Matt all accompany us into the courtroom, taking seats in the galley directly behind our assigned counsel table, and we sit there, waiting for the opposing counsel to arrive.

Several people come in and sit on the other side of the gallery, and I turn my chair so I can speak to Penny while also keeping an eye out for Issa. I know she’ll be in the courthouse today, but I have no idea if she will be in the gallery or waiting outside, and I’m desperate to get a look at her, even from across the room.

All too soon, the bailiff straightens, announcing the arrival of the judge to the bench, and we all rise, then wait for him to be seated before resuming our earlier positions.

I face my chair forward, though I can’t seem to stop myself from glancing behind me to see if Issa has snuck in. About the tenth time I do so, Penny kicks me under the table, and I turn my focus back to the proceedings, only then realizing the prosecution has been discussing the case with the judge.

Penny listens intently, taking notes as needed and occasionally throwing out an objection or asking for clarification. Mostly, she mutters under her breath just loud enough that the prosecutors will hear her, but not so loud that the judge can.

Or so we thought because after one partially sharp comment that has the prosecutor glaring daggers in her direction, the judge sighs and rubs his hand over this face tiredly then says, “Ms. Wolf, please.”

Apparently, this judge has met Penny before and is well-versed in her ability to rattle people with her well-placed personal barbs. She smiles at the judge pleasantly and replies, “My apologies, Your Honor.”

He gives her a warning look, and she manages to remain contrite as the prosecutor stands and says, “We have the sworn statement from the spouse of Mr. Hughes, Marissa Munroe, who chose to waive her spousal privilege in order to answer our questions.”

The judge interjects, “And why would Ms. Munroe do this?”

The prosecutor appears momentarily startled by the question, but he quickly recovers and states, “She said she wanted to help us get to the bottom of who killed Mr. Schmidt.”

Penny stands. “We make an oral motion to suppress the testimony of Mr. Hughes’s spouse, Marissa, based on the grounds that the original recording has been lost or destroyed, and therefore, the defense’s ability to impeach her is seriously jeopardized.”

The judge looks to the prosecution and asks, “Is this true? A vital part of your case has gone missing?”

The lead counsel stands, appearing a bit sheepish as he responds, “It has not been accounted for in the most recent inventory of evidence; however, we do believe it will be located.”

Penny interjects somewhat snarkily, “You’re accusing my client ofmurder,and youbelievethis crucial evidence will be located.”

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