Page 110 of Precise Justice

“Sorry, your Honor.”

Hughes continued by saying, “Bail was set on a single charge of second degree murder for the death of the defendant’s mother, Priscilla Powell. She now has five counts of first degree which is certainly much more serious. Her incentive to flee is significantly higher.”

“Possibly,” Marc said without waiting for the judge’s permission. “But their case, as thin as it was, has not gotten any better. Plus, there is no reason to believe she will run. If anything, bail was set too high, with Judge Lundgren being told first degree indictments were coming.”

“Your Honor, if I may,” Hughes started to say.

“No, you may not,” Foster said. “I’ve heard nothing to indicate bail should be changed. If you find something, we can revisit it.”

“Unless she runs,” Hughes said.

“You’ve presented no evidence to indicate that is more likely now. Anything else? No? Okay, come up, please, just the lawyers.”

When the three lawyers reached the bench, Foster told his court reporter they were off the record.

With his white noise machine blocking their conversation, Foster quietly asked, “Mr. Kadella, you don’t have to tell me of course, but are you thinking about an insanity plea?”

“You’re right, your honor, I don’t have to tell you, yet,” Marc replied.

“Scheduling. I want a scheduling conference next week. We can do it by phone. Today is Wednesday. How about next Tuesday, the eighteenth? Everybody available?”

All three acknowledged they were.

“Okay, let’s say nine o’clock, Tuesday morning the eighteenth. Agreed?”

They answered in the affirmative after which the lawyers went back to their respective table.

Foster read the scheduling date and time into the record then checked his calendar.

“I have March tenth open for an omnibus hearing,” Foster said. “It’s a Monday within the twenty-eight day requirement. I’ll set aside the entire day.

“Mr. Hughes, any reason to believe it will take longer?” Foster asked.

“No, that should be sufficient, your Honor,” Hughes answered.

“Mr. Kadella?”

“That’s fine, your Honor,” Marc said.

“Anything else?”

Neither party responded, which allowed Judge Foster to adjourn.

FORTY-TWO

Marc took a moment to speak to the prosecutor. While he did this, Maddy and Robbie waited at the defense table. After a couple minutes the two prosecutors walked off toward the back exit. Knowing Maddy was sneakily watching him, Marc did his best to avoid watching the lovely backside of Celia Raines as she walked off. It did not work.

“I saw you looking at her,” Maddy said when Marc sat down.

Marc dropped his chin with a forlorn look which caused Maddy to bust out laughing.

“It is so much fun to tease you,” she said. Maddy leaned forward, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

“Hey, none of that. This is a court of law,” they heard a very familiar voice say.

“Look what the wind blew in,” Marc said.

Tony Carvelli, an ex-MPD detective, retired, now private investigator came through the gate in the railing.