Part 46 (1/2)

She heard her name called by many different voices. Her name sounded ugly. Though her eyes stayed steady, looking straight ahead as she walked up the courthouse steps, Tara was aware of the faces around her. Curious faces, angry faces. Mouths opening and closing and saying things that she couldn't quite make out. Tara pushed away a microphone without hostility. She muttered no comment like a mantra, but stopped when it was clear no one was paying attention. She was almost to the door when someone cut through the clutter, someone caught her attention. In fact, the man caught everyone's attention. The roar faded to a murmur and Tara, surprised by the sudden quiet, stopped. The man stepped forward. He didn't put out his hand.

He had no microphone. He had with him children.

Four beautiful children.

They didn't really need an introduction but he made it anyway.

”I'm Marge Hogan's husband. These are her children. The ones that were born.” Tara remained silent. She couldn't look at the little ones so she held the man's gaze. His eyes were red rimmed She was sure they had looked that way since his wife's murder.

”Why didn't you just turn him in? Why didn't you put an end to this?”

”Mr. Hogan, I couldn't,” Tara said quietly.

”I was bound by the law, by an oath I took.”

”That's more important than us? Than these kids? Keeping your word to a killer is more important than letting a good woman rest? What kind of woman are you?”

Tara lowered her eyes then looked at him once more.

”I'm an attorney, Mr. Hogan. This is the United States, and everyone has their rights.”

”What about my wife's right to live, lady?”

Tara couldn't listen any longer. She'd never put a face to a crime the way this man forced her to do. She walked through the courthouse doors, a roar of disapproval following her. Behind her, two guards stood well within view of the crowd. She felt their opinion as she pa.s.sed. Putting her briefcase on the conveyor belt, Tara walked through the metal detector. No one spoke to her, but everyone looked. She wanted the day over, but it had to begin first.

Pulling open the door, Tara walked into the courtroom where Woodrow Weber sat confidently at the prosecutor's table. Behind him was Charlotte, dressed in an exquisite blue dress. Everything was in place: her pearls, her poise, her loyalties.

She offered Tara a sad, pitying smile that was all mixed up with a little chin-lift of encouragement.

Across the aisle to the right. Donna looked chic in a black dress piped with gold. Tara walked past her slowly, knowing she would stop at any sign that Donna was willing to talk. Tara was through the bar and into the well. Donna hadn't even bothered to lift a finger. Behind her, there was a murmur of excitement from those counting themselves lucky to be at this impromptu hearing. She put her briefcase on the counsel table and suddenly the room was silent.

Bill Hamilton appeared, escorted into the court by a female bailiff.

G.o.d only knew what people were thinking as they gazed upon this man. Did they think Bill Hamilton handsome? Did the women sigh at his smile? Were they curious about him? Frightened of him? Tara had thought and felt all these things for so long, she no longer felt anything.

Tara let him be placed next to her, stopping the bailiff before she unlocked Bill Hamilton's shackles.

After the hearing, they could do as they pleased. While he sat next to her, he would be chained.

”Come on, little lady,” Bill cajoled.

She would have preferred him gagged.

Bill settled back with a chuckle when she ignored him. He was turning to flash Donna a smile when the court was called to order. Judge Timothy De Mar presiding. People stood. People sat. The judge spoke.

”In the case of The People vs. Hamilton, counsel, please make your appearance for the record.”

Woodrow stood straight and ready.

”Good morning, Your Honor, Woodrow Weber on behalf of the people.”

He nodded to Woodrow, then swiveled toward Tara.

”For the defense?”

”Tara Limey for defendant Hamilton, who is present in custody before the court.” Tara's fingertips touched the table. She was tired.

”Good morning, Your Honor.”

” ”Morning, Ms. Limey. Now, shall we see what we have here?” The judge tucked his hands in the wide sleeves of his robe. Tara remained standing.

He looked at her frankly.

”This hearing has been placed on calendar at your request, Ms. Limey.

We weren't set for pretrial conference *til next month.

As I'm sure counsel is aware, this court is very busy and doesn't look favorably upon hearings being scheduled on short notice. You wreak mayhem on my clerk's schedule and she didn't become a public servant in order to work.” Those in attendance chuckled politely. Judge De Mar seemed pleased.

Then he got down to business.

”What's so important, counsel?”

Tara swallowed, the laughter grating on her nerves. It had been a long few weeks. The end of her personal trial was in sight and it pained her that no one truly understood the import of this moment. She cleared her throat.

”Your Honor, I respectfully request to be relieved as counsel of record. I believe my client has the means necessary to retain a new lawyer.”

To her right, almost, but not quite out of her view, Bill Hamilton started then caught himself.

Slowly a grin spread across his face. She heard him whisper ”hot d.a.m.n.” He may have terrorized her, but she had the last laugh. She had sucker punched him. Judge De Mar didn't miss a trick.

”Is your client aware of this request, Ms. Limey?”