Page 35 of Two Kinds of Stranger

‘That’s the first piece of luck Elly’s had. I like Bernice,’ said Kate.

‘Me too. I just hope Judge Busken behaves himself. He’s normally fine, but sometimes he gets ideas. No good ever comes from a judge with ideas.’

‘He’s been pretty reasonable this morning. No one has pissed him off so far. I think things might turn out okay today, touch wood,’ she said, and tipped her fingers to the bench beneath us.

It wasn’t long before Bernice entered the courtroom, Bill Sacks behind her.

Bernice called the Elly Parker case. Kate and I made our way to the defense table. Soon as the name of the case was called, I saw something flash over Busken’s chops. He recognized the case. He must’ve heard about it on the news–who hadn’t? Still, it made me nervous, and I suddenly had a bad feeling.

Kate and Bernice went through the formalities. Elly was led into court, in handcuffs and tear-stained prison sweats, wide-eyed and trembling. I told her to take a breath, and that this hearing would be over in a few minutes.

‘Your Honor, the prosecution opposes bail. This is a double homicide. The defendant is a high-profile individual, but the People recognize the defendant has a clean record. If the court is of a mind to grant bail, we would ask for bond to be set at one million dollars. . .’

Bernice had read our financial statements. She was being fair. And I silently thanked her.

‘One million?’ asked Judge Busken. ‘Isn’t this the TikTok murder case that is all over the news?’

Oh shit.

Busken was having an idea.

‘Correct, Your Honor. I’ve spoken to the probation and bail officer regarding the defendant’s circumstances and financials. One million dollars should be sufficient to secure the defendant’s attendance. The sum is in keeping with the seriousness of the charges. It is however a matter within the discretion of the court,’ said Bernice.

Before Kate or I could say anything, Busken was straight out of the traps. Like all judges, he wasn’t a fan of publicityfor bad decisions. If this was a case that came under media scrutiny, the last thing Busken wanted was some legal analyst on CNN criticizing him for setting bail too low. The general public figured that anyone who was remotely famous was also a multi-millionaire, and of course this couldn’t be farther from reality. Busken wasn’t thinking about the defendant, or securing her attendance at trial – he was thinking about column inches and the media saying he was soft on celebrities.

‘The court has to be assured that the defendant will return for trial, and it is cognizant of the defendant’s celebrity and financial means. I will set bail at a bond of one million dollars. . .’

I heard Kate, beside me, breathe a sigh of relief, her shoulders easing out of a knot as she exhaled. We could just about secure a bond that amount.

I was still holding my breath. Busken hadn’t finished.

‘. . . and a further cash deposit of one million dollars. Next case.’

Kate objected, I objected, Busken gave us a dirty look and the clerk was already calling the next case. Elly just about had enough to pay the percentage court bond of one million. She didn’t have a million in cash on top of that.

Elly Parker was shaking as the correction officers on either side of her half dragged her out of court. Panic had taken her limbs; she wasn’t resisting the officers.

She could barely stand. She said, ‘What’s happening? What’s happening? What’s happening to me?’

I turned to Kate, said, ‘Go tell her I’ll have her out in forty-eight hours.’

‘I’m not going to lie to her. Where the hell are you going to get a million dollars cash?’ she asked.

I pressed my lips together tightly.

Kate got the picture.

She shook her head, said, ‘I don’t want to know.’

10

Eddie

As Kate ran off to grab a quick word with Elly, I stopped Bernice in the hallway.

‘Hi, Eddie, I’m sorry. I tried. You should appeal. Busken is way out of line,’ she said.

‘An appeal will take too long. I appreciate you being straight up. How’s the kids?’