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CHAPTER 23

THE JUDGE’S CHAMBERS were furnished in impersonal secondhand decor. There were no wall hangings or personal objects on his desk. Lights were on. Curtains were closed.

Yuki and Gaines sat opposite Jon Credendino and Donna Villanova, his second chair, at Judge Orlofsky’s conference table. The judge took a seat at the head. The court reporter took a chair behind and to the right of the judge.

“We’re off the record,” said the judge. “I will not permit anyone to intimidate this court. Nor will I let anyone further interfere with the continuation of this trial to its completion. However, a new secure site for this trial is required. I’d like us to discuss where and when to best continue.”

There was a knock on the door leading from the judge’s chambers to the corridor, and Orlofsky opened it. It was Ben Bukowski, the head of security.

“Your Honor,” Bukowski said. “We’ve cleared everyone from the floor except for those of you here in your chambers. The bomb squad is coming through with detection equipment, and hounds are going through every courtroom and the full length of the corridor. Given the smoke in the hallway, it does appear to have been a smoke bomb.”

“Good. Please keep me apprised.”

Bukowski also handed over a loose pile of the colored index cards that had been inside the carton with the smoke bomb, now cleared by the bomb squad.

We watched as Judge Orlofsky put on latex gloves and laid the cards out in front of him on the table.

“Okay,” he said. “Here’s the only red one, and it bears my name and address. These blue cards are all addressed to counsel by name and with your addresses. The yellow cards have the numbers of the jurors, one through twelve, plus six alternates. No names, but there are addresses.”

He flipped the cards over, looking angry and determined. He said to the group at the table, “They all say this: ‘If Dario Garza is put on trial, the judge and the prosecutors will die. The jurors will die.’

“None of us, not the officers of the court or legal counsel, can stay with the jurors, but we can get law enforcement to safeguard our homes. Does anyone have another idea?”

No one did.

Orlofsky said to Credendino, “Dario stays in our jail. The trial will be delayed until further notice. I’ll set up meetings with the mayor, the chief of police, and the DA.”

As the meeting ended, the judge let the participants out into the corridor. Yuki called Brady to fill him in, then walked with Nick Gaines down to the crowded street.