Suspect Passions by V.K. Powell

Author:V.K. Powell [Powell, V.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781602820531
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2010-11-11T06:00:00+00:00

*

“I’m a little surprised you chose to wear your uniform,” Regan said as they made the short trip across the courtyard to the judicial building. It felt like the dead-man’s walk to Syd.

“Why wouldn’t I? I’m being sued for an act committed during the performance of my duty. Wearing anything else would be disrespectful to the uniform and, quite frankly, would seem as if I’m trying to distance myself from the job, which I’m not.”

Syd heard a snort from the squatty man a few feet to one side. Regan had positioned herself between Syd and Dean Bell, but he kept modifying his pace and jockeying back and forth to stare unabashedly at her.

“Did you say something?” Syd challenged him.

Before he could reply, Regan said, “You look very competent.”

Syd ignored another salacious glance from Dean Bell. Right now she had more important things to worry about than some pervert eye-groping her. Her stomach seized into a bundle of knots as they entered the courtroom. She’d been in every courtroom in this building, and the federal equivalent, hundreds of times in her career, but never as the defendant. This judge’s bench seemed more imposing, the defendant’s table more ominous, and the bailiffs she normally spoke to and joked with seemed more detached. It was as if some cruel master had reached into her life and jerked it inside out, making her the subject of a menacing legal system.

The room felt cold and unwelcoming with its institutional gray walls. Only a few people were scattered in the rows of wooden pews. Syd recognized members of the city attorney’s staff, an assistant district attorney, a couple of Internal Affairs supervisors, and members of Lee Nartey’s family. They stared at her like she was a leper.

The bailiff called the court to order as a kind-looking white-haired woman strode to the bench in the black regalia of her position. Syd recognized the judge and immediately felt more relaxed. Judge Chamberlinck had a reputation for fairness, integrity, and swift justice, and that’s exactly what Syd wanted. The sooner she was out of this situation and could move on with her life, the better.

Judge Chamberlinck motioned for everyone to be seated, then looked at Regan and Bell with what Syd interpreted as a cautionary glare and began. “Counsel is reminded of my earlier warning regarding protocol in this proceeding. I assume you are both willing to stipulate to the events of the case and move directly to arguing aggravating and mitigating factors. Is that correct?”

Regan and Bell answered in the affirmative.

“Mr. Bell, you may begin.”

Bell stood, pulled at his tie, and walked to the small podium in front of the judge. “Your Honor, on the night in question Mr. Lee Nartey, the deceased, was going home from the mall on foot, minding his own business, when he was accosted in a darkened corner of the parking lot. According to his dying declaration, all he saw was someone pointing a gun at him. By North Carolina law we are permitted to defend ourselves against the use of deadly force.

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