"Bennett, Cherie - Sunset Island 009 - Sunset Scandal" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bennett Cherie)

"Everything okay?" Jane asked in a worried tone. "I heard the phone ring before."
Emma sat down on her bed. "No, everything's not okay. Kurt's been arrested," she said.
"Kurt?" Jane repeated in a shocked voice. "What happened?"
Emma told Jane everything that Kurt had told her about his arrest, including the fact that his arraignment was scheduled for nine, less than four hours away.
"What's an arraignment?" Emma asked.
"It's when a defendant is brought before a judge, formally told what he's been arrested for, and bail is usually set," Jane said.
"You mean I can bail him out of jail?" Emma queried.
"Yep," Jane said. She sat down on the bed next to Emma. "Listen, Emma, I know Kurt, and if he says he didn't do this, he didn't do it."
Emma smiled at her gratefully.
Til tell you what we need to do," Jane continued. "The two of us should go down to the police station. I'm licensed to practice law in Maine, and while criminal law isn't my specialtyЧI haven't done an arraignment since right after law schoolЧI think I could handle it."
"That'd be great! I'll post bail!" Emma nearly shouted with joy.
"Okay, let's put some clothes on, and I'll meet you downstairs," Jane said, turning to the door. "Meet you in fifteen minutes."
Emma pulled on a pair of cotton pants and an oversized sweatshirt, and quickly washed her face and brushed her hair. By the time she got downstairs, Jane was already waiting for her.
They drove to the police station in silence. After they parked the Hewitts' car in the nearly empty lot, they walked inside, Jane carrying a small briefcase.
"Fortunately," Jane said to Emma as they hurried inside, "most of the cops probably know Kurt personally. I wouldn't be surprised if Judge Easton knows him, too. That'll help at the bail hearing."
Inside the police station, the desk officer had Jane fill out some forms indicating she was going to represent Kurt at that morning's arraignment. Then, after Jane told her that Emma was her assistant, the desk officer patted both Jane and Emma down for weapons before leading the two of them to the dank cell in which Kurt was being held.
"Ackerman!" the desk officer yelled as they approached. "Counselhere to see you."
Kurt nearly jumped for joy when he saw Jane and Emma.
"God, I've never been so glad to see anyone in my life," he said, putting his arms around Emma.
Emma held Kurt dose. "It's going to be fine now," she assured him. She loved him so much! Their earlier fight seemed like such a stupid waste of time.
Kurt pulled away from Emma and looked at Jane. "Can you help get me out of here?" he asked. "I don't know how this could have happened! I didn't do it!"
"Kurt, calm down," Jane said in a very businesslike voice. "I'm going to level with you. You are in a lot of trouble. The good news is you are being charged for burglary,
not armed robbery. There was some confusion about the pocket knife you were carrying. But burglary at least is not nearly as serious as armed robbery. Eventually, you are going to get to tell your side of the story. But this morning, the judge isn't going to care whether you did it or not. He's only going to tell you officially what you're being charged with, and then set your bail."
"But I didn't do it!" Kurt repeated in a ragged voice. "Doesn't anybody care about that? I'm totally innocent! They should drop all the charges!"
"They're not dropping the charges today," Jane said softly. "So let's talk about bail. Emma has agreed to post it for you."
Jane took out a yellow legal pad, and Emma watched her ask Kurt a series of questions about his job, his family, and his school record, carefully noting each answer.
"This stuff is for the bail hearing," she explained. "They're going to want to see that you're not likely to jump bail and leave the island. By the way, do you know Judge Easton?"
"He was my Little League coach!" Kurt exclaimed.
"How'd you get along with him?" Jane asked.
"Great, until I struck out twice in the big game against Old Orchard Beach." Kurt tried to smile.
"Well, we'll see if he still holds it against you." Jane patted Kurt's shoulder. "We'll see you in court in a few hours."
Kurt and Emma quickly embraced, and then Jane and Emma left.
Could he possibly have done it? Emma found herself wondering. No way! But she couldn't erase a tiny, niggling doubt in the back of her mind. He's always been unhappy about being so poorЧand burglary is one way to get rich quick. But no, I know Kurt better than that. He is the most moral, most ethical person I know. He'd sooner starve to death than steal from someone.
Jane and Emma went out to breakfast to pass the time, although neither of them found they could eat anything. Jane drank three cups of coffee and Emma managed to swallow a cup of tea. How can I eat, she thought, while Kurt is stuck in jail, scared out of his mind?
Nearly three hours later, Jane sat at the
defense table in the small Sunset Island courtroom, while Emma sat in the front of the tiny spectator area. A young lawyer from the district attorney's office sat at the prosecution table. A bailiff entered and shouted "All rise!" Judge Easton strode in. Emma could see that under his judicial robes he wore a plain sweatshirt and trousers.
"Be seated," Judge Easton said in a strong Maine accent. "Just one case on today's docket. Arraignment and bail hearing, case number three-four-eight-three-seven-nine. People versus Kurt Ackerman. Please bring in the defendant."
The bailiff went to a side room and re-emerged with Kurt. Kurt was wearing a jail-issue orange coverall. He looks like a criminal! Emma thought, shocked. The bailiff escorted Kurt to the table where Jane was waiting.
Reading from a folder in front of him, Judge Easton announced that Kurt had been charged with a single count of burglary, and cited the section of the Maine penal code Kurt was charged with violating. "How do you plead?" the judge concluded.
Jane stood and spoke for Kurt. "The defendant enters a plea of not guilty," she said in a clear voice.
"Bail portion of the hearing," Judge Eas-ton said, looking at both the prosecutor and Jane. "Does the state have anything to say before I set bail?"
The district attorney rose. "The people recommend setting bail at fifty thousand dollars to prevent the possibility of flight by the defendant."
"Counsel?" Judge Easton asked, looking at Jane.
Jane stood and argued that Kurt's family were longtime residents of the Sunset Island community, that Kurt held two jobs on the island, and that he was a good student at the University of Maine. She requested that Kurt be released on his own recognizance, without having to post any money.
Judge Easton considered all this in silence, and then spoke. "I've known the defendant for many years. He's not going to run away. Nonetheless, this is a serious crime you're charged with, Kurt. I'm setting your bail at five thousand dollars. And Kurt?"
Kurt spoke for the first time. "Yes, Your Honor?"
"Don't you strike out on me again. You jump bail, we're going to find you, lock you up, and throw away the key. Trial is set for October twenty-third. Court adjourned!"
An hour later, Kurt was free. Jane had driven them all back to the Hewitts' house, and then politely excused herself so that Kurt and Emma could talk alone. Kurt and Emma sat on the back porch and drank steaming-hot mugs of coffeeЧa first for Emma, who always drank tea. But it had been a long night for them both.
Kurt looked directly at Emma with red-rimmed eyes. "Thanks. For everything," he said softly.
"You don't need to thank me," Emma answered.