Page 17 of Homecoming

“What other evidence do you have to tie my clients to this case?”

Cosgrove stared at him, unblinking. “They were the last ones seen with her before she was found dead.”

“Understood. What else?”

“That’s all I have so far. Like I said, I caught the case this morning. I’m waiting on the autopsy and other evidence gathered from the scene where the body was found.”

“I’m not sure how many murder cases you’ve worked on in your career, Detective, but this sounds like a massive rush to judgment to me. You have no forensics tying either of the Ballard brothers to her—and even if you did, witnesses put her with Keith throughout the evening, so there’s bound to be DNA that can be easily explained in court. If all you have is reports that they were seen together, that’s not enough to charge murder.”

“I didn’t file the charges. The state police did. They felt they had enough.”

“The case is circumstantial at best. Even if you get a DNA hit, I can make that go away in two seconds by conceding they were dancing and holding each other in public.”

“That’ll be up to the judge to determine. Like I said, I didn’t make the call to arrest them, and I’ve only been on the case for two hours.”

“Understood.” Dan placed his business card on the desk. “Will you please email copies of the police and autopsy reports when you have them?”

“Okay.”

“Why haven’t they been arraigned yet?” That was supposed to happen within twenty-four hours of being arrested and charged.

“The judge who presides over the Superior Court in our area has the stomach flu, and there wasn’t another judge available over the weekend. He expects to be back to hearing cases tomorrow.”

The delay in arraignment would provide Dan with grounds to appeal if it came to that in the future. “I’d like to see my clients.”

“I’ll have them brought up to a room.”

Ten minutes later, Cosgrove returned and asked Dan to follow him. He pointed to a closed door being guarded by a male Patrol officer.

“Thank you. I’ll find you after I consult with them.”

“I’ll be back in the conference room.”

“Got it.”

Dan entered the room to find his brothers-in-law dressed in orange jumpsuits. Keith was seated at the table, while Kirby paced.

“What the hell areyoudoing here?” Keith asked in a tone dripping with disdain.

“Your parents asked me to come.”

“Well, you can go back to where you came from because we don’t need you.”

Kirby balked. “Are you crazy, Keith?Of course we need him!”

“I’d rather rot in prison than have to look at his smug face.”

“Great,” Dan said. “My wife and I will be thrilled to head home today.”

“Thisis her home,” Keith said with a snarl.

Dan smiled. “Not anymore. Best of luck to you, gentlemen. From what I’ve seen of the case so far, you’re going to need it.”

“Don’t go,” Kirby said. “I want you to represent me.”

“I don’t,” Keith said.

“I assume you have the resources to hire your own attorney?” Dan asked Keith.

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