Page 83 of Bit's Bliss

“For the record, who is that?”

“Eberly Warwick.”

“She’s lying!” I shouted, jumping to my feet. “She’s lying!” I repeated. “I wasn’t there.”

My uncle, who was seated at the table with Zin, turned to me when the judge banged his gavel and called for order.

“Eberly, take your seat. We’ll handle this.”

“Judge, I have to object again.” Zin’s tone was harsh.

“Approach the bench.” He turned to the other lawyer. “You too.”

My entire body shook as Nancy was dismissed from the witness box after being told she was excused. I stared at her as she reentered the gallery, but instead of taking a seat, she walked out of the courtroom. Not once did she look at me. I was about to stand to follow her when Trevino put his hand on my arm. “I’ll go.”

“Let him,” said my uncle.

A few seconds later, I heard the judge adjourn the hearing for fifteen minutes. “In my chambers, now,” he barked at Zin and the other lawyer as he left the bench.

“What’s happening?” I asked my uncle when he turned to face me.

“My guess is that my son is asking the witness’ testimony be tossed since he wasn’t given prior knowledge of her appearance.”

“Mr. Oliver? Ms. Warwick?” a man in a uniform said when he entered the courtroom.

“I’m Mr. Oliver,” my uncle responded.

“The judge wants the two of you to join them in the chambers.”

“Who is that?” I asked when Uncle Michael motioned for me to follow him.

“The bailiff.”

“He isn’t the same one who was in here earlier,” I whispered as he led us through a door. By the time my uncle realized I was right, it was too late.

24

BIT

Ifollowed Nancy as she raced out of the courthouse and into a vehicle waiting right outside. She made it down the same steps and into the car before I had the chance to see the driver. As it sped off, I took several photos, including a close-up of the license plate.

Knowing there was no way I could get to my truck in time to follow them, I returned inside.

“What the fuck?” I muttered when I entered the courtroom and found it was empty. I was about to call Eberly when the clerk returned from the back.

“Where is everyone?” I asked.

“The attorneys are still in with the judge.”

“What about the woman who was seated here earlier?” I motioned to where Eberly and I had been sitting.

“No idea. Maybe she left.”

I’d placed the call when the door opened again and Zin walked in, followed by the other attorney and the judge. His brow was furrowed when he approached me.

“Hang on,” I said as I listened to her cell ringing endlessly.

“Do these belong to someone?” asked the bailiff, walking through the same door and holding up two cell phones, one of which was ringing.