Julia rose next to Paul as Judge Ericsson entered the courtroom. He was tall, thin, and older, with gold-rimmed bifocals and snowy white hair. He ascended to the dais, then he sat down, his hooded gaze sweeping the courtroom.
“Good morning, please sit down,” Judge Ericsson said, his voice ringing with authority. He began reviewing papers amid a tense silence and scattered coughing. He passed some papers to a bailiff, who crossed the bar of court to give copies to Bennie and Courtney, then returned to his post as Judge Ericsson read off a docket number, then said, “This is Commonwealth versus Horan. Whom do I see before me, counsel?”
Bennie rose. “May it please the Court, I’m Bennie Rosato in for defendant Courtney Horan.”
District Attorney Wilson stood up. “May it please the Court, Jim Wilson for the Commonwealth.”
“Please sit down, Counsel.” Judge Ericsson nodded. “Will the defendant please rise?”
Courtney stood up, and Bennie steadied her by the elbow.
“Miss Horan, you are here on a general charge of murder in connection with the homicide of Kay Patterson. Do you understand the charge against you?”
“Yes,” Courtney answered, her voice thin and shaky.
“Your attorney has been given a copy of the complaint accepted for filing pursuant to Rule 508. Have you been provided with that copy?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Your attorney has also been provided with copies of the warrant for your arrest and supporting affidavits. Have you been provided with that copy as well?”
“Yes.”
“Are you aware that you have the right to secure counsel of your choice?”
“Yes. Bennie Rosato.”
“Are you aware that you also have the right to a preliminary hearing?”
“Yes.”
“Are you waiving your right to a preliminary hearing?”
Courtney hesitated, looking down at Bennie, who shook her head. Courtney answered, “No.”
“Then the Court shall fix a day and hour for your preliminary, not to be later than fourteen days from today. Your counsel will be duly notified, and you will be given notice both orally and in writing. You may sit down.”
Courtney sank into the chair, and Bennie popped up.
“Your Honor, we request that bail be granted in this matter. The prosecution’s case is so thin I cannot fathom how the district attorney could charge my client at all. There’s no evidence linking her to this crime—”
“May it please the Court,” District Attorney Wilson stood up. “We request that bail be denied in this matter. Murder is not a bailable offense in the Commonwealth.”
“Ms. Rosato.” Judge Ericsson waved her into silence. “Please save your argument for the jury. The prosecution is quite correct.”
“Your Honor, regardless of the rule, to keep Ms. Horan in custody would be manifestly unjust.” Bennie stood tall. “Ms. Horan owns ahome in Philadelphia and is a regional sales manager at a national company and has no criminal record. If you incarcerate her pending trial, she will lose her livelihood. She poses no flight risk whatsoever. She will return for the preliminary hearing and any other dates the court may set.”
Judge Ericsson frowned. “Ms. Rosato, as I’m sure you know, bail is not available in the Commonwealth for these very grave charges.” He picked up the gavel and tapped it. “Bail is denied. Defendant is remanded into custody at county jail until further notification. The date for the preliminary hearing will be—”
“Your Honor, this is a travesty of justice!” shouted someone in back. “Courtney is innocent! You’re putting her through hell!”
Julia turned, shocked to see Susan rising in the gallery. She had on light makeup and was dressed in a black knit pantsuit, with her hair in its stylish silvery coif.
Bennie’s eyes flew open. Courtney whirled around, her lips parting.
Judge Ericsson craned his neck. “Did somebody say something?”
“Your Honor, please!” Susan made her way out of the pew and straightened as she turned up the center aisle. “Kay was one of my oldest friends, and you can’t do this to her granddaughter! She could have been murdered in prison! Her cellmate was murdered but it could have been her! She doesn’t belong in prison!”