Vicious Cycle by Terri Blackstock

Author:Terri Blackstock
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Suspense, Contemporary, Thriller, Fiction
ISBN: 9780310289203
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2011-02-21T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 30

Monday morning came with a blaring alarm, jolting Barbara from a nightmare. Sleep had been challenging, and when it finally came, it had been riddled with dreams of Lance and Emily in Jordan’s condition, bruised and swollen, lying limp on a motel bed.

But they weren’t in that condition. They were healthy and whole.

Apparently, Maureen hadn’t left the hospital before Karen’s shift was over, and Lance had been forced to spend another night in jail. She hoped he was still in lockdown. His arraignment was sometime this morning, so she shook away her fatigue and got ready. She had to be there at nine and wait through all the cases until they got to Lance. Emily’s graduation was at one, so they might be cutting it close. She refused to consider the possibility that the judge wouldn’t let Lance out today.

Kent met her at the courthouse and sat beside her as all the felony and misdemeanor cases were heard. She fidgeted through cases of DUIs and domestic violence, shoplifting, and drug possession. Judge Hathaway seemed terse and irritable as he set bond on each case quickly, uninterested in explanations or excuses.

When those in street clothes had all been heard, they brought in the inmates, still in their prison clothes. When Lance came in, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, Barbara burst into tears. He looked at her with round, pleading eyes. “Mom,” he mouthed.

She gave him a reassuring nod. If John, her husband, had a glimpse from heaven, he would be ashamed that she had let their lives get so out of control. The sight of her son in prison garb almost sent her over the edge.

Kent took her hand, and she fought her way back from the land of regrets and remembered that this was not Lance’s fault. His life had not spiraled out of control. This was just a glitch—and they would solve it soon.

When the judge called Lance’s name, Barbara sprang up and went to the small wall separating the gallery from the bench. She hoped he remembered what she’d told him the night Lance was arrested.

“You’re his mother, right?” the judge asked her.

“Yes sir,” she said.

He waved her in. “Come on up.”

She stepped through the small door and hugged Lance as he went to stand before the judge. He looked so young, so vulnerable. But he had no cuts or bruises. The lockdown had kept him safe.

Gus joined them at the front.

“Lance,” the judge said, “I’ve looked at your case, and it appears that you’ve been charged with kidnapping of an infant. Is that right?”

“Yes sir, but I didn’t do it.”

“This is not the time to plead your case,” he said. “I’m just here to set your court date.”

“Your honor,” Gus cut in, “we’re asking that you let him out on bond. He’s a minor. He doesn’t have transportation. It’s not likely that he’s going to flee.”

The judge read the file through reading glasses perched on his nose. “All right, then, I’m setting your bond at fifty thousand dollars.

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