Bradley Pullings stood next to Nita Lassiter at the defendant's table.
'She does. Your Honor.'
'Very well,' Ross-Gorden said, deciding to be a bit more explicit for Lassiter's sake.
'I have reviewed the arresting officer's written report, and the transcript of Ms. Lassiter's tape-recorded confession. I find that there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial on the charges of first-degree murder. How does your client plead?'
'Not guilty, Your Honor,' Pullings said.
'Do you plan to engage a co-counsel with criminal defense experience?'
Ross-Gorden asked Pullings.
Bradley blushed.
'Yes, Judge.'
'That would be wise.' Ross-Gorden inclined her head at ADA Marshall, who took the cue and stood.
'We ask the court that Ms. Lassiter be held without bail, Your Honor.
She has confessed to the premeditated murder of a police officer, which is a crime punishable by death if the defendant is found guilty. We believe, based on the serious consequences to the crime, she might be a flight risk.'
'Mr. Pullings?' Judge Ross-Gorden asked.
'Ms. Lassiter is a doctor of veterinary medicine, a professional woman of excellent reputation, a businesswoman, and a property owner,'
Pullings replied.
'Moreover, this is the first time Dr. Lassiter has ever appeared before a court of law as a defendant in either a criminal or civil matter. She is not a flight risk, nor is she a danger to society. I ask the court to release Dr. Lassiter on her own recognizance.'
The door at the rear of the courtroom opened and Kerney slipped inside.
Ross-Gorden nodded slightly in his direction and spoke directly to Pullings.
'You are new to my court, Mr. Pullings. I have made it a practice since assuming the bench to allow investigating and arresting officers to make a statement at preliminary hearings, if they so choose.'
'May I ask for what purpose. Your Honor?'
'Frequently their impression of the defendant is helpful to me.'
'I have no objection, Your Honor.'
'It is not a decision you can object to, Mr. Pullings,' Ross-Gorden replied gently.
Pullings blushed again.
'Sorry, Your Honor.'
Ross-Gorden turned her attention to the back of the room.
'Mr. Kerney, you are the investigating officer in this case. Do you have something to say for the record?'
'Yes, Your Honor.'
'Come forward.'
Nita Lassiter swung her head around as Kerney moved to the railing. She bit her Up and dropped her gaze when he looked at her.
'What is it you would like to say to the court?' RossGorden asked.
'I don't think Ms. Lassiter will flee your jurisdiction, Your Honor,' he said.
'I believe she is a woman with a strong sense of right and wrong who feels a great deal of guilt about what she did. If I may. Your Honor, I suggest that reasonable bail be set.'
'That recommendation will not make you very popular with your fellow officers,' Ross-Gorden noted as she watched Wesley Marshall glare at Kerney.
'Or with the prosecutor, for that matter,' she added.
'I realize that. Judge.'
Before Marshall had a chance to react, Ross-Gorden swung her attention back to Pullings.
'Your client's attempted suidde troubles me, Counselor. Therefore, I order that she be held in custody pending the results of a psychiatric evaluation. Should the evaluation show that Ms. Lassiter is not a danger to herself, bail is set in the amount of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, cash or property. This hearing is closed.'
Kerney turned to leave.
'Mr. Kerney,' Judge Ross-Gorden called out.
'Ma'am?'
Willene Ross-Gorden smiled.
'The morning newspaper noted your promotion. Congratulations, Chief.'
'Thank you. Judge.' He watched Nita, Pullings, and the deputy sheriff move to a side door. Before Lassiter stepped through the doorway, she stopped and looked back at him. Kerney couldn't read her expression. the district courtroom ate up the center core of the courthouse. Prom the main lobby, two hallways ran along both sides of the courtroom, leading to various county offices. In the lobby, a large plate-glass window separated two entrances at the front of the building.
Through the window, Kerney could see Wesley Marshall surrounded by a group of reporters and camera crews, eager for the prosecutor's latest pronouncement.
Three television station vans equipped with satellite antennas were parked in the lot, sending live feeds back to the studios in Albuquerque.
Without being noticed, Kerney walked to his car parked on the side of the building. Robert Cordova leaned against the driver's door, wearing clean jeans, running shoes without laces, and a worn but serviceable navy pea coat.
Kerney was surprised to see him. Marda Yearwood had supposedly arranged for Robert to stay at a halfway house in Albuquerque. Before he could ask Robert what he was doing back in Torrance County, Cordova stood on his tiptoes and punched Kerney in the jaw.
Kerney picked Robert up by both arms and held him against the side of the car. Robert's feet flailed at Kerney's shins.
'What are you doing here, Robert?' Cordova's punch had a sting to it, and Kerney held him tight to avoid another blow.
'Why aren't you at the halfway house?'
'I ran away. I came back to kick the shit out of you.'
'Why?'
'Because the television said you shot Nita,' Robert answered, trying to butt his head against Kerney's face.
Kerney kept him pinned against the car at arm's length.
'Calm down.'
'Tuck you, calm down. Put me down, dammit.'
'Will you behave if I do?'
'Did you shoot Nita?'
'I had to,' Kerney explained.
'She was trying to kill herself.'
'Nita would never do that.'
'I swear it,' Kerney said solemnly.
'She's going to need your help, Robert.'
Cordova squinted at Kerney with one eye and stopped thrashing his feet.
'What do you mean?'
'You know why she killed Paul Gillespie. You need to tell me what happened.'
'I saw the asshole rape her, man.'
'Will you tell me exactly what you saw?'
'What good would that do?'
'You're a witness, Robert. What you say can help Nita.'
'You're just trying to fuck her over some more.'
