I shifted uncomfortably. “Well, you certainly do not look your age.”
She smiled. “Thank you. Now, let’s get down to business so we can get you out of here. All video and audio recording devices for this room have been turned off, so you can speak freely. Having said that, it is extremely important for you to be completely honest with me. In other words, if you did do it, you need to tell me. Understood?”
I quickly nodded and met her eyes, “Understood. I didn’t do it.”
She held my gaze for several long moments, but I didn’t waiver or look away. I knew it was some sort of test, and I was not going to fail. With a curt nod, she said, “Good. Right now, our priority is getting you a bail hearing and convincing the judge that you’re not a flight risk. From what I’ve been told, you don’t have any prior convictions or arrests. Is that correct?”
“That’s correct. I got a speeding ticket a few years ago, but that’s it.”
“Okay, the only thing I see being an issue is that you don’t live in Devil Springs, because your trial is going to take longer than the few weeks left on your contract with the hospital. Now, I have no intentions of this case going to trial, but the judge isn’t going to take that into consideration,” she explained.
I didn’t care if I had to move to Devil Springs and work at any job I could get, I would do whatever it took to get me out of jail as soon as possible, and I told her just that.
“We need to convince the judge that you’re not a flight risk. Meaning, we need to show you have a future planned here—a long-term rental agreement, a serious romantic relationship, family in the area.”
“That won’t be a problem. Copper can give you a copy of the rental agreement and Jonah will attest to the seriousness of our relationship,” I said knowingly. I didn’t want to lie to the court, but I would, if it got me out of jail.
“All right, here’s what we’re going to do.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Judge
Copper led the way to the shed containing Oliver. It was all I could do to contain myself. My girl had been arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, and I had a feeling the little motherfucker tied to a chair had all the answers we needed.
“You two stay out here and keep watch,” Copper told Savior and Coal. They both nodded, but the disappointment on Savior’s face was clear.
“Batta, remove his gag,” Copper said and moved to stand directly in front of Oliver. “Got some questions for you, boy.”
“Fuck you, cunt,” Oliver said cockily and then spit in Copper’s face.
Copper wiped his face with his hand and shook his head. “That was not a smart move, shitstain.” He reached into his pocket and turned as if he was going to walk away, but suddenly he turned back and slammed brass knuckles into the side of Oliver’s face.
“Fuck, Prez,” Splint griped. “He can’t talk when he’s unconscious.”
Copper removed his brass knuckles and wiped his face again. “He can’t talk if he’s dead either, and if he spits in my face again, I’ll fucking kill him.”
I was off to the side bouncing on the balls of my feet. I needed whatever information he had and I needed it yesterday. Bronze nudged Copper and cocked his head in my direction. Copper grimaced, “Sorry, Judge. Splint, wake him up.”
Splint snorted. “I’ll try,” he said and pulled a small packet from his cut.
I waved him off. “I got this,” I said excitedly. I had a new technique I’d been wanting to try for a while and this was the perfect opportunity.
“Batta, help me get his pants off.”
“Say what now?”
“Just fucking do it,” I snapped.
Being the good friend that he was, he did as I asked, but quickly stepped away when we were finished.
I ignored him and everyone else in the room while I put on a pair of disposable gloves and finished setting up.
“What in the actual fuck, Judge?” Copper asked.
“You know those videos where a man gets hooked up to a labor simulator?” I asked and held up the device in my hand. Then, I tapped the screen to send a jolt of electricity to the electrode attached to Oliver’s shriveled ball sack.
Oliver’s head shot up and he let out a high-pitched groan.