Page 100 of Ozzie

“This is it,” Durango says.

I snap out of my fantasy as Ozzie and Lightning are now standing next to a man in a suit at the table in front of the judge.

“I see you’ve requested your clients be released on their own recognizance. Does the prosecution object?” the judge asks.

A younger man at the next table stands up. “Yes, your honor, I do. Both of these men are former military and currently work for a security firm. They have passports and the ability to leave the country. They also both have assets to sustain themselves with no need to return to the United States.”

“What?” I ask Durango. “That’s insane. He’s making them sound like criminals!”

The judge arches a brow in my direction.

“Counselor?” She looks to the man standing next to Ozzie.

“Your honor, as the prosecution states, both men are not only former military, but both served in the special forces and were highly decorated. They fought for the United States. They certainly wouldn’t abandon it.”

The judge leans back.

The prosecutor shakes his head. “Well, they certainly abandoned upholding the law when they killed all those men in the warehouse, and they gravely injured Chuck Bradshaw, a beloved member of this community.”

What the hell is going on? I glance at Durango, and he’s staring straight ahead, his expression unreadable as usual.

The judge leans forward again. “I’ve taken what you’ve said under advisement. Due to the seriousness of the crime, no bail will be set for either of you. You will remain in custody until your trial,” she says.

“What? No!” I stand.

“Order!” the judge yells.

Durango pulls me back down next to him and wraps his arm around my shoulder. Ozzie slumps his shoulders but doesn’t say a word. Lightning doesn’t show any emotion.

“How long until their trial?” I ask Durango.

“I don’t know,” he says.

The other two men go in front of the judge one at a time. Each is granted bail and thanks the judge. The judge leaves the room, and Ozzie, Lightning, and the other two men are led away. Ozzie stares down at us as he walks by.

“I’ll fix this,” Durango says to him.

He nods.

Once they are out of the room, the defense attorney walks down the aisle fast, but Durango jumps up and corners him at the door, then they both step out into the hallway.

No, this can’t be right. He was on an assignment. He was trying to protect someone. This must be a misunderstanding.

I leave the room and find Durango in the hallway with clenched fists. He leads me back to his car, where he calls Reed.

“Whoever Jerry hired wasn’t here. They had a public defender who helped the prosecutor more than them. Bail was denied.”

Reed is angry and yells through the phone. “Okay. I’m calling my dad now.”

He ends the call and leans back in his seat. “I can’t believe we have to leave them here.” He glances over at me.

“Can’t Jerry do something?”

“Reed is going to call him.”

“Have you been arrested before? How often does this happen?”

“No, and never.”

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