C25 Chapter 25

Zane lay on the bunk in his cell. He had slept little the night before. Terry brought him breakfast and he picked at it without much of an appetite. He hadn’t demanded his one call yet. He didn’t know who to call.

There was no point in calling Sanchez. He hadn’t been in touch since Zane had spoken to him. He sure as heck wasn’t going to call Amanda. After the pain, he had seen in her eyes the night before he doubted she wanted anything to do with him. Brian had not done the necessary arrest paperwork the night before since it was so late. He was released from his cell to sit in an interrogation room so Brian could complete the paperwork.

He passed the forms to Zane. “Why don’t you complete them and save us a lot of time.”

“Sure, let me go to the toilet and I’ll wipe my ass with these forms. You’re the one who’s getting paid now do your fucking job.”

Brian smiled and took the forms back. He filled in what he could and asked Zane for the details he didn’t know. When the forms were completed Zane was returned to his cell. A short while later Zane was visited by an attorney he didn’t know.

“Hi, I’m Jared. I’ll be your attorney.”

Zane shook his hand. He was speechless. Jared looked like he was all of twenty years old. He wore black-rimmed glasses. His eyes reminded Zane of an owl as he blinked. Perhaps it was the lenses of the glasses. He was thin and looked as if the wind would snap him in two.

“What do you know about the law?” Zane growled.

“I’ll have you know that I am qualified and have passed the bar exam. I was top of my class.”

“Law school and court are two different places altogether,” Zane commented.

“Well, if you don’t think I can do the job, I’ll tell the government to find someone else.”

Zane waved his hand in resignation. He doubted he was going to win anyway. He was sure that even this attorney had been chosen for him by the corrupt network within the police department to ensure that he would lose his defense.

“No. I’m fine with you. Just make sure you have enough diapers for court,” Zane said drily.

“Speaking of court, we’re expected there in thirty minutes.”

Judge Borth exited his chambers and everyone stood as commanded by the bailiff. Judge Borth sat down and banged his gavel. The bailiff spoke for all to hear.

“Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Thomas K. Borth is presiding.”

Everyone sat down and Judge Borth looked at the file before him. The court was the fullest Zane had ever seen it. He looked around trying to find a friendly face but he saw no-one he could count as a friend.

“The State vs Zane Hartman,” Judge Borth announced. He looked at Zane. “I honestly never believed I would see the day Zane.”

“Your Honor,” was all Zane could say in reply.

Jared and the district attorney went through their preliminary arguments. Jared argued that he just been appointed to the case and had just arrived in town a few hours earlier. He had almost no time to prepare. He advised that his client was entering a plea of not guilty and asked for bail to be set on the premise that Zane was well known in the community, innocent until proven guilty, and was not considered a flight risk.

Judge Borth agreed and there was no objection from the prosecution either. Bail was set at one hundred thousand dollars. An impossible amount for Zane to pay. Zane was remanded into custody and returned to his cell. Jared left but assured him he would return later so they could prepare for the case.