the state charges this morning. May I approach the bench?”
The judge motioned to her, and she brought documents to the bench, then handed a copy of the same papers to Scott. Jane felt faint. This couldn’t be happening. The judge wouldn’t release Will with a first-degree murder charge. Will would stay incarcerated until trial. Even worse, he’d be remanded to the adult jail unless Scott was able to get a stay on that because of his age.
The judge perused the documents and looked at Scott. “What do you have to say, Mr. Foster?”
He cleared his throat. “This is a gross miscarriage of justice, Your Honor. My client was attacked by the deceased, and in defending himself, Mrs. Dixon fell into the water. When he tried to help her, she ordered him away. He’s just a kid, only fifteen, so he did as she directed. He didn’t strike her with anything. There’s no evidence he hit her. He left his tackle box and fishing pole at the river, where anyone could have taken it and attacked her. Further investigation will prove someone is trying to implicate an innocent child. We are asking for his release into the custody of his parents.”
“A hidden tackle box was found in his closet with her hair and blood on it. And his fingerprints,” the judge pointed out. He stared for a long moment at Will before he sighed and turned to his bailiff. “Request granted, Ms. Chan. Bailiff, please transfer Mr. Dixon accordingly.”
Jane gasped and leaped to her feet. “Your Honor, please! This is not right.”
Judge Cole’s expression was kind. “I understand your dismay, Chief Hardy, so I won’t sanction you for your outburst. You must let justice play out in this case, and I have to protect the community.”
Scott splayed his hands at his sides. “Your Honor, I beg the court to allow the lad to stay at juvenile hall in light of his very young years. He just turned fifteen. An adult jail would be beyond harmful to him. You know this, sir.”
The judge pressed his lips together and glanced from Will to Scott, then back to Will. He finally nodded. “I’ll grant that request. Juvenile court can retain custody.” He exited the bench and vanished through the back door.
Will turned toward Jane. “Mom, what’s happening?” His eyes were filled with horror and fear.
Ignoring protocol, Jane went past the railing and embraced him. He quivered like a frightened puppy, and she had to use all of her strength to keep from sobbing against him.
She patted his back. “We’re going to get you out, Will. Your dad and I will spend every minute finding out who did this. Stay strong.”
“Yes, we will,” Reid vowed at her side.
He had his arm around both of them, and Jane hadn’t realized he’d followed her.
The bailiff took her arm. “I must take him now.”
At least his voice was kind and understanding. It could have been worse. Jane released Will and stepped into the circle of Reid’s strong right arm. Her legs were wobbly, and she wasn’t sure they would hold her much longer. Nausea roiled in her stomach, and she had to swallow the bile at the back of her throat.
She sent an appealing glance at Scott, who shook his head.
He put his hand on her shoulder. “There’s nothing we can do today. I’ll talk to Wendy and see if we can reach some kind of agreement.”
“No plea deal! Will is innocent, and he’s not pleading guilty to anything.”
“Of course.”
“And we need a bail hearing since he’s being charged as an adult.”
“I’ll get that done.” Scott’s flat tone told her he didn’t hold out much hope.
She watched the bailiff lead Will off before she let the tears flow against Reid’s chest.
Twenty-Two
“Everything about this is wrong.” Jane sank on the hard seat she’d vacated and looked up at Reid, Olivia, her father, and Megan. The courtroom had emptied, and only the five of them remained.
She eyed the judge’s door. Maybe he’d listen if she talked to him in his chambers.
Olivia leaned across her walker and took her hand. “It won’t do any good, Jane.”
In spite of her trouble speaking, Jane had no problem understanding her. “I know. But it’s so wrong, Olivia! I’ve spent my whole adult life upholding the law and justice. It has failed me at the most crucial time in my life. I feel like I’ve wasted all these years for something that’s false.”
Olivia maneuvered around until she could sit beside Jane. She took her hand