Standby Counsel: A Monica Spade Novel by Alexi Venice

Author:Alexi Venice [Venice, Alexi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction & Literature
Publisher: eBookIt.com
Published: 2020-08-25T22:00:00+00:00

27

After they replaced the angry Mr. Everhart, the final, complete jury was seated. Judge O’Brien dismissed the larger pool of people who waited restlessly in the gallery. Disguising their smiles, so their friends and neighbors who remained in the jury box wouldn’t see their relief, the dismissed folks quickly grabbed their outerwear and fled from the civil duty of deliberating a gruesome murder trial.

Lucky bastards, Monica thought, as she watched them go.

“At this time,” Judge O’Brien said, addressing the jury, “you are the 14 jurors who will remain for the duration of this two-week trial. We usually start court at 8:30 a.m. every morning and go until about 4:30 p.m. each afternoon. I usually have a break at 10:15 in the morning and another one at about 3:00 in the afternoon. Whether the jury goes out for lunch or orders in, our lunch break is about one hour. Does anyone have any special dietary requests or problems with this schedule?”

A young female juror raised her hand and Isla, the elderly jury bailiff, dashed over to her. They had a hushed conversation, then Isla went to the Judge’s bench and conveyed the message in whispered tones.

The judge nodded his understanding, and Isla returned to her seat. Judge O’Brien thought about his choice of words for a second, then said, “We’re going to revise the schedule somewhat. We’ll break for lunch around 12:45 each day for an hour. After we resume court, we’ll take a break a few hours later. For the first couple of days, our afternoon will be flexible until we fall into a routine. Does this sound acceptable to everyone?”

Even though he used the word “everyone,” he specifically focused on the juror who had relayed her request to Isla. She smiled and angled her head, patting her heart. The women on the jury warmed to Judge O’Brien for his accommodation, and Isla looked proud of herself, winking at the young female.

“What was that all about?” Stela asked Monica.

“Looks like that juror has a special need. I’ll find out at break.”

“Do that. It might affect my case.”

Exercising great restraint, Monica didn’t say, Not everything is about you, because the reality was that this entire trial was about Stela. She probably has the IQ of a genius, Monica thought. And she’s paranoid, but that’s probably the result of her line of work. Who wouldn’t be? Am I paranoid if a guy shows up at my house and strangles me?

Judge O’Brien cleared his gravelly throat and resumed speaking. “Okay, since it’s about lunchtime now, we’re going to break. I understand your box lunches are here. When you return, I’ll read some instructions to you, then each party will give their opening statements. At this time, the jury is excused. All rise.”

Everyone in the gallery rose and watched the jury unenthusiastically shuffle out, with the exception of the Romanian grandmother, who had a spring in her step and a smile on her face.

After the jury left and everyone resumed their seats, Judge O’Brien

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