ahead of mine. I’m hoping Ms. Ryder can devote herself to my case without dividing her loyalties. Especially because she’s on vacation this week—”
“Wait!” Suzannah sent him a death glare, then told the judge, “It’s a working vacation. I’ve got a very important presentation to prepare for. On electronic signatures and Internet contracting. I’m attending a conference in Hawaii next week and I have to be fully prepared. I don’t have time to do anything else. And I don’t have the skills either! I’ve never handled a jury trial—”
“Counselor?”
“Yes, Your Honor?”
“Are you familiar with the concept of a gag order?”
The audience laughed at the play on words, knowing that a gag order involved statements about the case made outside the courtroom, not in it. Still, there was no misunderstanding Taylor’s meaning.
He was saying that Suzannah was babbling. And it was true, but she couldn’t seem to make it stop.
“That’s pretty funny, Your Honor,” she admitted. “I’ll be quiet now. I promise.”
“Thank you.” He arched a stern eyebrow. “The last thing I want to do is interfere with your little junket to Hawaii, but some of us have real work to do. Did you happen to take a criminal-law course when you were in school?”
“Of course, Your Honor. But—”
He held up his hand to silence her, then continued. “Did you take criminal procedure?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Evidence?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“And last but not least, did they teach you anything about your ethical obligations? To this court, for example? Are you aware that I have the power to appoint you to represent Agent Russo?”
She nodded, too miserable to argue. “May I ask what he’s charged with, Your Honor?”
A hint of a twinkle invaded Taylor’s green eyes. “That would be murder.”
“Oh, God…”
“I didn’t do it, Suzy,” Justin assured her. “I swear I didn’t.”
“Suzy?” The judge’s scowl had returned. “Just what is your relationship with the defendant, Ms. Ryder?”
“I don’t have a relationship with him, Your Honor.”
“Well, you do now.” Taylor turned his attention to the two defense attorneys who had been hovering nearby, clearly too intimidated to speak. “I want you gentlemen to assist Ms. Ryder, since by her own admission she’s borderline incompetent. But she’s Russo’s choice, and I’m going to respect that. At least for the moment. Agent Russo? Are you comfortable allowing these men to remain involved?”
Justin pursed his lips, then nodded. “As technical advisors, sure. But I want to be able to talk to Ms. Ryder in complete confidence. And I want her to make all the decisions about my representation.”
“Agreed.” Judge Taylor squared his shoulders. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have other cases on my docket. Unless Ms. Ryder wants to regale us with more irrelevant tidbits about her vacation plans, I suggest we move on to the issue of bail.”
“Your Honor?” The assistant district attorney, a petite brunette in a severe black suit, spoke for the first time, her tone guarded. “The People strongly feel that Agent Russo represents a flight risk.”
“A flight risk?” Suzannah rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? Look at him. He’s too cocky to run.”
“That’s a novel defense,” Taylor muttered. “Care to throw in any traditional arguments, just for fun?”
Suzannah shrugged. “Obviously, Your Honor, the fact that he’s standing here right now shows that he intends to cooperate fully. I mean, he could have gotten away from these two clowns any time he wanted.” She grimaced in quick apology toward the defense attorneys, then continued. “It’s not like my client could get out of the country even if he wanted to. As an FBI agent, there has to be a file on him a mile thick. Prints, DNA, photos, and a list of all his relatives, friends—assuming he has any—and travel patterns.”
The prosecutor was shaking her head. “The fact that he’s a federal agent doesn’t lessen his flight risk, Your Honor, it contributes to it. You’ve seen his file. Working undercover—in disguise—is one of his specialties! In fact, he has made a career out of seducing and conning people.”
“He did all those things for his country,” Suzannah reminded her. “And this is the thanks he gets? Just because of one little…well, misunderstanding?”
“A second-degree misunderstanding,” the prosecutor retorted.
“Forgive the interruption, ladies, but could I get a word in here?” Judge Taylor fixed a stare in the prosecutor’s direction. “I can understand Ms. Ryder’s exuberance, because she’s obviously still giddy over her appellate triumph.” He paused as the audience laughed nervously, then he growled again. “From you, Ms. Armstrong, I expect better. In fact, I demand it. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” The brunette slunk backward until she was flush against the counsel table.
“Agent Russo?”
“Yes, sir?”
“This is your lucky day. Thanks to Ms. Ryder’s innovative arguments on your behalf, I’ve decided to place you in her custody.”
“Thanks, Your Honor.”
“Wait!” Suzannah shook her head frantically. “I never consented to that. My custody? I don’t even know what that means. I mean, I know what it means generally, but in this context—”
“It means you’re vouching for him,” the judge explained. “And I don’t need your consent. This is still my courtroom, is it not? Which means I’m in charge. And from now on you’re going to listen, not talk, while I walk you through this, step by baby step. Is that clear?”
She nodded.
“I want you to spend some time with your client today. Listen to his story. Evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. Consult with his former counsel as appropriate. Then come back here—all of you, Ms. Armstrong included—tomorrow morning. I’d like an update at that time.”
“And at that time, if it’s clear I can’t effectively represent Agent Russo—”
“My God, Ryder! Do you want me to hold you in contempt?” The judge snorted. “I’m starting to believe your claim that you’re incompetent.”
“Your Honor?” Justin interrupted. “I’m going to have to insist that you treat my attorney with respect.”
Oh, God… Suzannah stared down at her hands, silently warning him that he was only making things worse.
When Judge Taylor finally managed to respond,
