Suave closed his eyes in frustration. He hadn’t showered or had a decent meal in over twenty-four hours. And he was so tired that he felt like he would fall over any minute.
“Also, I assume money is not a problem?” Mr. Gold peered at Suave over the bifocals sitting on his little crooked nose. “A bail hearing doesn’t guarantee you’ll get bail.”
“It always comes back to the almighty dollar, doesn’t it?” Suave smiled cynically. “No, money is not an issue. Do what you have to so I can get out of here.”
Mr. Gold clapped his hands in glee, a big grin now on his face, neon dollar signs flashing in his eyes. “You got it!”
Suave looked at him and shook his head. “Is Daddy Lizard here?”
“He’s outside. They won’t allow him back here to see you, though.”
“Okay, ask him to call Monica at her parents and see if she and the kids are okay. Also, he should keep this thing on the down low.”
Mr. Gold bobbed his head and jumped to his feet. “All right, let me see about getting you out of here.”
Suave replied, “Cool. Listen...” But Mr. Gold was already rushing through the door without a backward glance at him. I need another lawyer, Suave brooded. My life depends on it.
“All you need is me.”
Surprised, Suave spun around on the chair. But no one was there. He turned his head to the left, then the right, his eyes traveling all over the room, but he was the only person there. “This stress is getting to me.” He shook his head and winced at the sharp pain that sprinted across his forehead.
“Come to me, my son, and I’ll give you rest.”
“Here we go again.” Suave chuckled dryly. “You want to give me rest, huh?”
“In me you will find peace, my child.”
Suave leaped to his feet, the unbalanced chair crashing to the dirty floor. “I’m not your child! Leave me alone!”
“What’s going on in here?” a police officer asked as he entered the room, his hand on the gun on his waist. “Is there a problem, sir?”
Suave inhaled deeply and exhaled, unfolding his fists as he tried to get ahold of his anger. “No, there is no problem,” he said, his voice shaking a little. But his nerves were still on edge. Whether or not he wanted it, “The Voice” was slowly but surely getting to him.
Chapter Thirty-nine
“Your Honor, the supposed evidence that the police have is a watch with my client’s name on it,” Mr. Gold informed the judge. “Anyone, including the real killer, could have bought that watch, engraved Mr. Brown’s name on it, and dropped it at the crime scene.”
“Your Honor, the police collected drops of blood from the backseat of the victim’s car that we believe is from the killer,” the prosecutor replied. “We believe that this will be a match with Mr. Brown.”
“We believe? Your Honor, this man was arrested for first-degree murder. The police need hard cold facts for this serious charge.”
“Your Honor—”
The judge held up a hand, cutting off the prosecutor. “Mr. Newman, did the blood analysis report note that it was Mr. Brown’s blood in the victim’s car?” He looked pointedly at the prosecutor.
“Well, hmmm, we haven’t gotten back the report as yet, sir.”
“Your Honor, in that case, I demand that my client be granted bail,” Mr. Gold remarked.
“Sir, Mr. Brown is a very wealthy man. If he’s granted bail, he can flee the country, and we will never see him again.” Mr. Newman glanced over at Suave, sitting at the table.
“Mr. Brown is the father of eight children, all of whom are living here in Jamaica,” Mr. Gold told the judge. “He also owns many businesses all over the country and has no intention of running anywhere. Sir, not only does my client have strong ties in this country, but he is innocent and is eager to have his day in court so he can clear his good name.”
The judge glanced over at Suave. “I have to agree with the defense. The police don’t have enough evidence to hold Mr. Brown for first-degree murder. Until the blood analysis report comes back and positively states that it is Mr. Brown’s blood at the crime scene, I think he is entitled to bail.”
Suave’s heart flew to his throat, and his breathing became irregular as he gripped the edge of the table. He was getting bail!
“The defendant should hand over his passport to the court and be warned not to leave the country. Bail is granted in the amount of $200,000.” The judge pounded his gavel.
Happiness filled Suave’s eyes. He got bail.
“Congratulations, Mr. Brown. You got bail.” Mr. Gold held out his right hand to Suave.
Suave stood to his feet and shook his lawyer’s hand. “Thank you. Good job up there.”
Mr. Gold smiled, glanced around the courtroom from the corners of his eyes, before leaning in close to Suave’s ear. “We owe Mr. Newman $50,000,” he whispered, “and the judge another $50,000.”
“Mr. Newman?” Suave looked perplexed. “The man was fighting for me not to get bail.”
Mr. Gold glanced around again, noticing that the courtroom was almost empty. “He had to make it look convincing,” he told Suave in a very low voice. “But everything was already set before we came here.” He winked with a big lopsided grin on his face.
Suave snickered, shaking his head. “I see. Get with Daddy Lizard, and he’ll arrange everything with my accountant for the bail and the other fees.”
“And remember mine too,” Mr. Gold added quickly. “That will only be $50,000. I’m giving you a huge discount.” He nudged Suave playfully with his elbow and chuckled.
“Of course.” Suave’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I want out of this place today. It’s Friday, and I don’t want to spend the day here. Make it happen.”
* * *
“Whoa, slow down, man.” Daddy Lizard watched as
