Busted and Bail Money (Cozy Mysteries on the Open Road Book 2) by CeeCee James

Author:CeeCee James [James, CeeCee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-05-13T16:00:00+00:00

14

The three of us shuffled through the heavy oak door of the courtroom. I flinched a bit as our footsteps echoed with a hollow thud in the vast, silent chamber. I was freaking out, there was no denying it, and I struggled with every tool I’d ever used as an actress to appear calm.

Collin smiled at us encouragingly. I nodded back and faked a smile as the morning light hit our faces through the high, narrow windows. Squinting, I turned.

“Let’s go,” Collin advised. We walked into the courtroom that smelled faintly of lemon oil and age.

Archie stood at the front, waiting for Collin. He was usually so composed, but today his face bore the strain of the impending trial, his skin pale under the fluorescent lights. Even his tweed jacket seemed to hang heavier today, the fabric rough against my fingers when I finally reached him to give him a supportive squeeze.

“Hang in there, Archie,” I whispered, trying to infuse strength into my words.

“Clara, my dear.” He gave me a hesitant smile. “I hate to admit it, but I’m a tad bit scared.” Archie’s voice was barely above a whisper, and I could see the strain on his face from the situation.

“No worries, my friend. Keep looking up.”

After one last pat to his shoulder, Jane and I took seats in the back. The wood of the bench creaked under us. I caught the scent of the lavender soap from the bed-and-breakfast, a small comfort in this tense environment.

“It’ll be okay. Collin has us,” Jane murmured to me, her voice a quiet anchor.

Meanwhile, Collin set out his papers on the desk. Both Archie and he hugged, the sound of their jackets rustling, and Collin patted him on the back with a reassuring smile. “We’ll get through this, buddy,” I heard Collin say.

After a moment, the judge entered. She was a stern woman with spectacles perched on the edge of her nose. The two of them approached the front where the judge looked up from her folder.

I glanced around and swallowed hard, tasting the dry air of the courtroom. It seemed unusually quiet. Was it always like this? The only sounds were the rustle of papers, the soft ticking of an old clock on the wall, and the occasional cough from the back, each one seeming louder in the silence.

The judge cleared her throat, the sound echoing through the room like a gavel, as she began the court case. “Mr. Fontaine, what do you say to these allegations?” Her voice was clear, carrying the weight of authority.

Collin answered for him, his voice steady but firm, resonating with confidence. “Your Honor, there’s no motive here. Archie has been a pillar of the community, and there’s no history of conflict between him and Thomas Keating. We believe this might be a tragic misunderstanding or an unfortunate coincidence.” I could hear the sincerity in his voice, the subtle tremor of hope.

The judge glanced down at the papers in front of her, her expression unreadable behind the reflection on her glasses.

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