Adverse Possession (The Anna Albertini Files #3) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,62

learn.”

“Hi,” Kurt said, holding out a hand. “I’m Kurt.”

She finally smiled. “Kelsey.” They shook hands and she might’ve perked up more. “Do you work with Anna?”

“He’s our private detective,” I said before he could answer. It was a good cover, and we should probably stick with it since we’d been telling people that. “I want him in the courtroom to take notes on any witnesses if Orrin has any.”

Kurt released her and somehow seemed to step closer at the same time. “I’m also there to make sure you’re both safe. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” He smiled and a charming dimple twinkled in his left cheek, visible even through his thick beard.

Kelsey preened.

I looked at her.

She shrugged. “I’m young.”

That was true. “All right. Let’s do this.” I walked across the marble steps, and Kurt beat me to the door, opening it gallantly for both of us. I tried really hard not to roll my eyes. “Even though the charges are all felonies, preliminary hearings take place in the misdemeanor courtrooms.”

The courthouse was built when the timber and mining companies were prosperous in the area, which meant Italian marble, real cherry wood, and gorgeous sconces. During the eighties, the building had been expanded, and that included a lower level where the magistrate courtrooms were, among other court divisions. I walked down the stairs and proceeded to the first magistrate court, which was decorated in eighties-style salmon colored benches.

Orrin already sat at the prosecutor’s table up past the benches and wooden railing. “We’re it for today,” he called out.

“Okay.” I strode up the aisle and opened the swinging door for Kelsey, motioning her to our table. “How long do you need for this hearing?”

Orrin looked up from a stack of papers. “Between one and two hours, I think.”

I took out several legal pads and pens with red, blue, and black ink.

Kelsey leaned over. “Can’t I waive this part if it’s not important?”

I lined up my pens and angled toward her. “Yes, you can waive the preliminary hearing, but it’s very important.”

“You said we probably won’t win,” she argued, looking over my shoulder at where Kurt had sat behind us.

“We probably won’t,” I agreed. “The state just has to show probable cause for this to continue, and that’s a pretty low bar to meet. However, this is our chance to see their evidence and lock any witnesses into their testimony. Plus, we’re fishing here. It’s a chance to start our defense.”

She frowned. “You’re not going to put on any defense during this hearing?”

I sighed. She wasn’t getting this. “If there’s a miracle and Orrin has no evidence, I’ll put some on so the judge will dismiss. But Orrin is going to have evidence, or we wouldn’t be here. So just look at this as part of the process.” I gently touched her shoulder. “I know it’s hard, especially since Orrin is saying you did something you did not do, but we need to go through this. It’ll help you in the end.”

She lifted her chin. “All right. Who do you think are the witnesses?”

“One will be a police officer, and other than that, I don’t know yet. But this is good because I can cross-examine them for more information.” I wondered who the cop would be.

The side door opened and a bailiff with a full beard stepped inside. “All rise.”

We all stood and Judge Williams strode to the bench. A light pink blouse peeked through at the top of her black robe. Her salt and pepper hair highlighted the pretty angles of her deep brown face. Her eyes were intelligent and seeking, and she had an air of serenity about her. “Good afternoon. Please sit.” She took her seat.

Her assistant walked behind her to sit at a desk next to the judge’s bench. She handed over a large case file.

Judge Williams slipped reading glasses onto her nose and read the case name and case number. “All right. Mr. Morgan? Are you ready to proceed?”

“Yes, your honor,” Orrin said.

“Ms. Albertini?” the judge asked.

I reached for the black pen. “The defense is ready, judge.”

“All right. It appears that the parties have stipulated that Danny Pucci was the victim of a homicide, so those facts are not in dispute here today. The matter in dispute is whether or not the defendant helped facilitate the death. Let’s do this.” The judge nodded at Orrin.

“The state calls Detective Grant Pierce to the stand,” Orrin said.

Another bailiff opened the rear door, and Pierce strode down the