Page 101 of Precise Justice

“I’m engaged to Maddy, remember? She has your home phone number, too. That she hasn’t given me. I’m sure your wife would like to know how she got it.”

“Oh, God,don’t go there. That’s all I need is to have to explain that. The boss knows Mrs. Kadella.

“Okay counselor, why are you calling?” Jefferson asked.

“Just curious about where you are on this Klaw Hammer Killer case the media talks about,” Marc disingenuously replied.

“Not a chance, counselor,” Jefferson said. “Now who are you…”

“A little birdy told me your detectives served search warrants on Robbie Powell yesterday. Just wondering what you found,” Marc asked.

“Because you’ve been retained by her, Roberta Craig-Powell, correct?”

“Um, well, ah, yeah, now that you mention it,” Marc said.

“Sneaky damn lawyer. I couldn’t tell you anything anyway,” Jefferson said. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“I am, comes with the job. I called to let you know I have been retained. Is she going to be arrested?”

“I can’t tell you that, either,” Jefferson said.

“Yes, you can. If you’re getting an arrest warrant, let me know. I’ll bring her in. You don’t need to drag her out of school or any of that nonsense. No Gestapo stuff.”

“Hey, don’t give me that! If we can’t act like histories most efficient law enforcement agency, the Gestapo, what’s the point of becoming a cop?”

“I can’t believe you said that out loud. I’m glad I’m recording this,” Marc said.

“You are not,” Jefferson said.

“You’re right, I’m not,” Marc replied.

“Are you? That’s illegal,” Jefferson said sounding worried.

“Actually, no it isn’t. But, you’re right, I’m not. What can you tell me?” Marc asked.

“Always a pleasure having these little chats, counselor. Tell you what, next time, have Maddy call. She might have more luck. Have a nice day.”

THIRTY-NINE

Dear Diary: February 1

This is the first entry into my fifth diary. The police have confiscated the other four. I’m really scared about how they will use what I wrote in them to help convict me of these murders. Plus, the embarrassment that will come from some of it. From now on, it probably won’t matter anymore, I will be more careful. I never thought what I put in my diaries would become public.

Marc Kadella called earlier. Thank God he’s my lawyer. He found out the police have a warrant for my arrest. He contacted someone he knows with the prosecutor’s office. They agreed to let him bring me in. We have to be there at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. Then they will book me, process me and make the arrest official. The truth is, Dear Diary, I am terrified. If I get put in jail with all of the criminals, what will they do to me?

I have to try to get some sleep. Marc told me to wear jeans, a sweatshirt and sneakers. Like I don’t dress that way every day.

Marc believes the judge will allow bail. He says he believes that because their case is so thin. Dad has insurancemoney coming. He said he would pay for my bail. Marc assured him he would get it back as long as I don’t run and make all of the court appearances.

Marc, with Maddy tagging along to make Robbie feel better, had delivered her, as promised, to police custody at precisely 9:00A.M.Being unable, not allowed, to go with her and hold Robbie’s hand, Marc and Maddy left before 10:00.

Robbie’s first appearance was scheduled for the same day at two o’clock. The arraignment judge was an older man, Daniel Lundgren. At age 69, Lundgren was less than a year away from mandatory retirement. He had volunteered for arraignments. The chief judge, Sally Taylor, agreed and Lundgren was treading water while shopping for a new boat and set of golf clubs.

Marc and Maddy, along with a packed elevator, got off on the 11thfloor. They turned left, took one look at the hallway and stopped. Robbie’s case was all over the news and in the morning paper. By looking at the crowd in the hall, they knew the courtroom would be full.

Instead of trying to shove their way through, they turned back and went to the security entrance. This was a back way in to the court rooms and guarded, behind the courtrooms in the hall where the judges’ chambers were. Marc pushed the buzzer and a few seconds later a sheriff’s deputy appeared.

“Hey! Hi, Maddy. What’s new? How’ve you been?” the deputy asked her while ignoring Marc.

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