Page 5 of His Verdict

Professional,I remind myself sternly.Be professional.

I stand and make my way to the defense table, my heels clicking against the marble floor with what I hope sounds likeconfidence. Jasper is already seated when I reach him, his hands folded on the table in front of him like he's attending a business meeting rather than a criminal proceeding.

"Good morning," I murmur as I set my briefcase down and arrange my files.

"Ms. Sutton." His voice is low enough that only I can hear it, and the way he says my name makes something warm unfurl in my stomach. "You look lovely today."

I shoot him a sharp look. "This is a courtroom, Mr. Wolfe. Not a dinner party."

His smile is unrepentant. "Noted. Though I maintain that observing beauty is appropriate in any setting."

Before I can formulate a response that's both professional and cutting, the judge begins.

"Good morning, counsel," Judge Harrison says as he settles behind the bench. He's in his sixties, with silver hair and the kind of stern expression that suggests he's seen every possible variation of human stupidity and isn't impressed by any of it. "This is the matter of State versus Wolfe. I see we have Mr. Wolfe present with counsel. Ms. Sutton, I presume?"

I stand, my voice steadier than I feel. "Yes, Your Honor. Olivia Sutton for the defense."

"And for the state?"

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Brown rises from the prosecution table. She's in her forties, with steel-gray hair pulled back in a severe bun and the kind of sharp suit that screams competence. I've watched her in court before—she's brilliant,ruthless, and has a conviction rate that makes other prosecutors weep with envy.

"Jessica Brown for the state, Your Honor."

Judge Harrison nods and consults his notes. "Mr. Wolfe, you're charged with theft of technology equipment and intellectual property in the first degree. The bail was previously set at fifty thousand dollars. Ms. Brown, does the state have any objection to the bail amount?"

Brown stands again, her voice crisp and authoritative. "The state believes the current bail amount is appropriate, Your Honor. While Mr. Wolfe has no criminal history, the nature of the charges suggests sophisticated criminal knowledge. However, he does appear to have ties to the community and a stable address."

Something about the way she phrases that makes my skin prickle with unease. I glance at Jasper, but his expression remains perfectly calm, almost bored.

"Ms. Sutton?" Judge Harrison turns to me. "Any objection to the bail amount?"

I rise, grateful that my voice comes out steady. "No objection to the amount, Your Honor. However, the defense would like to note that Mr. Wolfe has been fully cooperative with authorities and poses no flight risk."

"Duly noted." Judge Harrison makes a note on his file. "Mr. Wolfe, please stand."

Jasper rises beside me, and I'm suddenly aware of his height, the way he seems to command space even in restraints.He stands with his shoulders back and his chin up, meeting the judge's gaze directly.

"Mr. Wolfe, you're charged with theft of technology equipment and intellectual property in the first degree. This is a felony. Do you understand the charges against you?"

"Yes, Your Honor." Jasper's voice is clear and respectful, with just the right amount of deference.

"How do you plead?"

I feel rather than see Jasper turn slightly toward me. This is the moment—the formal declaration that will set everything in motion.

"Not guilty, Your Honor.”

Judge Harrison makes another note. "Very well. Plea of not guilty is entered. Now, regarding conditions of release." He looks up at both tables. "Ms. Brown, does the state have any special conditions to request?"

Brown consults her notes. "The state requests that Mr. Wolfe surrender his passport, report to pretrial services weekly, and refrain from accessing any computer systems belonging to Meridian Technologies or its subsidiaries."

"Ms. Sutton?"

I stand again. "The defense has no objection to surrendering the passport or weekly reporting, Your Honor. However, we would like clarification on the computer access restriction. Mr. Wolfe's livelihood depends on his ability to work with technology systems. We request that the restriction belimited to Meridian Technologies specifically, not all technology work."

Judge Harrison considers this. "Ms. Brown?"

"That's acceptable to the state, Your Honor."