“I’m going to recess for fifteen minutes,” Laurent announced. “I’d better hear the patter of Detective O’Conner’s feet before that time is up.” He stood and stormed off the bench, barely giving the bailiff any time to call out the “All rise.”
The instant the chamber door closed behind Judge Laurent, Pigeon dove toward Finley. The two engaged in a hushed and intense conversation, and after about half a minute they broke apart and got onto their phones. Calling their bosses? Or tracking down O’Connor? They ended their respective phone conversations and conferred again—with a few dark looks cast Tolya’s way and mine. Finley moved to the judge’s law clerk and spoke quietly to her before she disappeared into Laurent’s chambers. A few minutes later she returned, gave Finley a nod and beckoned to Tolya, and both attorneys headed to the chambers.
More time passed, while the other prisoners looked askance at me. Finally Tolya and Finley exited the chambers and resumed their places. Once again I tried and failed to get any signal of reassurance from Tolya. Laurent resumed his seat and cleared his throat.
“After consultation with the district attorney and the counsel for the defendant it has been agreed that a proper bond pursuant to the Louisiana code of criminal procedure is 25,000 dollars.”
I clenched my hands together to control their shaking as relief swam through me. Tolya turned to me with a look of pure triumph. Twenty-five grand was a hefty chunk of cash, but if I used a bondsman I’d only lose about three thousand. Still hurt, but nowhere near as devastating. Judge Laurent rested his sharp gaze on me. “Ms. Gillian?”
I hurried to stand. In my peripheral vision I saw Tolya rise as well. “Yes, your honor?” I said.
“You are not to leave this jurisdiction without permission of the court nor are you to speak to any witnesses. Do you understand?”
“Yes, your honor. I do.” The knot of dread began to tease apart. This wasn’t over, but I’d regained some ground.
And, more importantly, I could go home and take a damn shower.
? ? ?
It took over three hours to process out and fork over several grand to the bail bondsman. That effectively wiped out my savings, but I’d worry about the future of my finances another day.
“Keep your head down and stay out of trouble,” Tolya ordered after he gave me his card with his contact information. “And don’t talk to any more detectives. Except Pellini. I’ll find out when the next court date is and will be in touch with you before then.”
I thanked him effusively and would have hugged him, but I figured that with my current level of stench it would be a mean thing to do.
Eilahn, Idris, and Pellini were waiting in the jail foyer when I finally stepped out of the lockdown area. Carl as well, to my surprise. He gave me a faint smile. “Taking you up on the offer to join your team,” he said.
“Thanks,” I said fervently. “We sure can use the help.”
Tension eased from Eilahn’s posture as she passed an assessing gaze over me, and it hit me how difficult this had been for her. I had little doubt she’d been close by, monitoring and ready. If I’d run into serious trouble, she’d have used all available resources to teleport into the jail and get me out—obviously a last resort for any number of reasons. Her, I hugged. She wouldn’t give a crap about my funk. She held me close for several seconds then released with me with a satisfied nod.
“Let us leave this place,” she said, and I didn’t argue. How the hell could people be repeat offenders? One night in jail was enough to make me want to stay home and take up knitting.
The heat enveloped me as we stepped out, and I finally stripped off the sweatshirt. Even with only the tank top on, I was ready for AC again by the time we reached Pellini’s truck. Pellini climbed in and cranked the engine, while Idris took the front passenger seat, and I got into the back of the cab with Carl. Eilahn, of course, zoomed off on her motorcycle.
“Bryce and Jill had a busy night,” Pellini said as he pulled a manila envelope off the dash and passed it to me. “They went through all the surveillance footage from outside the Katashi base and established a pattern of when people come and go.”
“Sweeeeet,” I said and wasted no time checking out the contents. Damn, those two had worked their butts off. Several pages of various camera stills showing cars leaving, clear enough to discern who was in each car with only mild squinting. Another page with exact times cars left and returned during the period we’d been monitoring. “Looks like there are three teams—each with a summoner and a security person.”
“Right,” Idris said. “Gina Hallsworth and Leo Carter, Tsuneo and Jerry Steiner, Tessa and Angus McDunn.”