Accomplice Liability: David Brunelle Legal Thriller #7 (David Brunelle Legal Thrillers) by Stephen Penner

Author:Stephen Penner [Penner, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-08-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Brunelle didn’t want to arrive too early for the hearing on Jacobsen’s motions. Early meant sitting in the judge-less courtroom, trying to make small talk with Jacobsen. That sounded terrible. It wasn’t that Jacobsen was a defense attorney. Brunelle had plenty of friends who were defense attorneys, and he’d enjoyed plenty of pre-judge conversations with the likes of Jessica Edwards and Nick Lannigan. It was that Jacobsen was a jerk.

So he swung by Carlisle’s office and the two of them walked to the courtroom together, timing it to arrive just as the clock struck nine. If he was going to have to engage in small talk, Brunelle would much rather it be with Carlisle than Jacobsen.

“So, I got a voicemail from Jackson,” he informed her on the way. “He said the interview with Keller went well. No details though. And no word from her attorney yet either, so I assume everything went well.”

“Yeah, ‘her attorney,’” Carlisle replied with a grin. “Robyn something, right? What is up between you two?”

Brunelle considered denying anything between him and Robyn. In a way, he would have been right. But instead, he said, “It’s a long story.”

Carlisle laughed. “I bet.”

“Anyway,” Brunelle pushed on, “I can’t wait to hear what Keller said, but no report from Jackson yet.”

“When do you think we’ll get it?” Carlisle asked. They were almost to Judge Quinn’s courtroom.

Brunelle shrugged. “Before next week’s hearing on the motions to sever, I hope. Jackson probably has the report already. It’s likely just waiting approval by a supervisor. Every report has to be approved by a supervisor before we see it. For new cops, that’s important. For senior detectives, it’s just so much red tape.”

Brunelle opened the courtroom door for Carlisle and they entered the chamber. As expected, Jacobsen was already there, but his client was with him too, so there wouldn’t be any small talk. It was just the two of them this time—no other defendants or defense attorneys. It almost felt lonely in the otherwise empty courtroom.

Before Brunelle and Carlisle had even reached the prosecution table, the judicial assistant asked them if they were ready. Brunelle stole a glance at the clock. It was 9:00 exactly. Quinn was punctual, he’d give her that. He’d also give her that she was a good judge, with reliable instincts based on years of experience. But right then, punctuality was front and center.

“We’re ready,” Brunelle confirmed.

The judicial assistant made a quick, mouth-covered phone call—to the judge’s chambers, Brunelle knew—and a few moments later, the Honorable Susan Quinn took the bench.

“Is the state ready to proceed, Mr. Brunelle?” she asked once everyone had returned to their seats following the traditional bellow of “All rise!”

Rather than reply himself, Brunelle looked to Carlisle, who stood up and responded. “The state is ready, Your Honor.”

Judge Quinn smiled. “Will you be handling the motion then, Ms. Carlisle?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Carlisle replied. She didn’t need to mention that she’d also written the briefs. Quinn was a conscientious judge. Everyone knew she’d read the briefing, and it was Carlisle’s signature at the end.

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