Speak of the Devil by Allison Leotta

Author:Allison Leotta [Leotta, Allison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781451644852
Publisher: Touchstone
Published: 2013-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

28

The brief that Psycho’s newly appointed attorney filed later that day didn’t surprise Anna. The Motion to Change Bond Status, based on Anna’s Brady letter about Tierra’s new story, was a standard effort to get Psycho released from jail. The judge scheduled the hearing for the next morning.

Anna walked to court with McGee. He tried to distract her with gossip, even as he scanned the street to make sure no one was hiding in the bushes with a machete.

D.C. Superior Court was the court of the people. Anna and McGee got at the end of a long line of civilians snaking through the brick patio before the main doors. Lawyers and cops had to wait with everyone else. Inside, the atrium swarmed with people looking at the big electronic board listing courtrooms, mothers dragging kids by one arm, and lawyers having last-minute or first-time conferences with clients on the plastic chairs bolted to the walls. Escalators crisscrossed the atrium, going up six flights. Anna and McGee rode up to the third floor.

Judge Susan Spiegel’s courtroom was as tattered as all the others in D.C. Superior Court. It was windowless, with a low ceiling of stained fluorescent panels. Threadbare mustard-colored carpeting covered the floor. The courtroom was packed with people waiting for their own hearings.

McGee didn’t need to be there; Anna could handle this hearing alone. He had volunteered to escort her, though, and she was glad.

Although court personnel usually sat in the first row, McGee gestured for Anna to sit with him in the last row. He wanted the wall at his back.

“Nobody’s going to attack me in court,” Anna said. “There’re metal detectors and armed CSOs.”

McGee shrugged and offered her a stick of gum.

The judge took the bench at precisely nine thirty, but Anna and McGee had to wait another two hours, as the judge called case after case before theirs. Anna’s attention drifted as alleged murderers, rapists, and robbers had their status conferences, sentencings, and probation revocation hearings. She checked her phone discreetly a few times. Judge Spiegel would yell at her if she noticed.

Anna thought longingly of the federal District Court, across the street, where attorneys got set times for their hearings, showed up, and were done. Once she brought federal charges, the Superior Court case would be dismissed, and she would try her case there.

A little before noon, the clerk finally called, “United States versus Jose Garcia, aka Psycho.” Everyone took their places. A deputy Marshal brought Psycho out from the holding cell hidden behind the courtroom. He wore the usual orange prison jumpsuit, and the same inappropriate smile. He didn’t look at Anna as he was led to stand next to his lawyer.

“Frank Ciopobi, for Mr. Garcia,” the new lawyer said.

“I understand you’ve been appointed to take over this case. The court is grateful for your service.” Despite the shabby courtroom, Judge Spiegel was smart and efficient. But she was perpetually cranky, with a permanent vertical crease between her eyebrows. This introductory politeness was likely the warmest she would be during the entire proceeding.

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