Rich Blood (Jason Rich #1)(50)

Jason took in a deep breath and exhaled as the guard opened the door. “I have no idea.”





PART FIVE





37


“ALL RISE!” The bailiff bellowed the two words that started any legal proceeding, and Jason shot off his chair and buttoned his coat. Next to him, Jana also stood. Behind them, the courtroom was full to capacity. Though Jason had tried to keep his eyes in front of him when he’d made his entrance, based on the glances he’d allowed himself, most of the spectators were media types.

After a three-second pause, Judge Ambrose Powell Conrad stepped through a side door and strode to the bench. In Marshall County, the two circuit court judges were Virgil Carlton and Terry Barber. When both had recused themselves due to having been treated as patients by Dr. Waters, an out-of-county judge had had to be appointed to handle the case.

Powell Conrad was once a lifetime prosecutor, starting off as an assistant district attorney for Tuscaloosa County and eventually rising to the top post. Two years ago, he’d been elected a circuit court judge. Conrad was a bit of a celebrity in the state of Alabama, as he was heavily involved in the apprehension of noted killer James Robert Wheeler in Hazel Green, Alabama, in 2013. Judge Conrad had lost sight in his left eye during his quest to bring in Wheeler and thus wore a black patch. Because of that, a lot of local Tuscaloosa attorneys referred to him as “the pirate.”

Because Conrad had made his career as a prosecutor, he had a reputation for being a hard-ass. Though Jason had a few cases pending in Tuscaloosa, none had been assigned to the former district attorney.

“All right then,” the judge said, grunting and pushing the microphone away from him. “Please be seated.”

Jason and Jana took their seats while Judge Conrad turned to his bailiff. “Travis, what’s the deal with the mike?”

“Sorry, your honor. Judge Barber was in here doing pleas this morning. He likes to use it to be heard.”

“Well, if I use it, I’m gonna burst everyone’s ear drum in here.” He turned to the gallery. “I’m loud . . . if y’all haven’t figured that out yet.”

Nervous laughter filled the courtroom, and Jason forced a grin.

Judge Conrad leaned over the bench. “State of Alabama versus Jana Rich Waters,” he said, and his voice resonated off the walls. “Is the state ready to proceed with the arraignment?”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Shay Lankford rose and spoke with an air of complete calm.

“And the defendant?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Jason said, standing and trying to keep his legs from wobbling.

“OK, let’s get on with it. Ms. Waters, will you please stand.”

Jana did as instructed.

“Ms. Waters, to the charge of capital murder, how do you plead?”

She cleared her throat. “Not guilty.”

“All right. Will the attorneys approach?”

Jason walked around the table and strode toward the bench.

“How long do y’all need? It is the middle of August now. Can we get it tried early next year? Maybe the first week of February?”

“That’s fine with the state,” Shay said. “But we’d prefer an earlier setting.”

“Judge, we’d also like the case to be tried sooner,” Jason said. “Ms. Waters is being held without bond, and her youngest daughter is a high school junior who needs her mother. We’d ask for the quickest setting we can get.”

“You sure that’s wise, Counselor?” Judge Conrad asked, raising his eyebrows.

“It’s what my client wants,” Jason said. “She’s entitled to a speedy trial.”

Judge Conrad scrutinized him with a wry grin. It was the way you looked at someone you knew was doing something foolish.

Insane, more like it, Jason thought, forcing his own smile.

Then, after giving his head a jerk, Conrad licked his index finger and shuffled through a stapled sheet of papers. “Looks like I’ve got room the week of October 22. That’s two months out.” He paused and squinted at Jason. “Speedy enough?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Madame Prosecutor?”

“That’s fine, Judge.”

“All right then. Please take your seats.”

Once they did, Judge Conrad stood and peered out over the gallery. “The trial of this case will be held on October 22, 2018.” He banged his gavel on the bench. “Court adjourned.”



After saying his goodbyes to his sister, Jason strode down the staircase to the first floor. When he exited the courthouse, at least six microphones were pointed in his direction. He looked for Kisha, found her, and winked. She elbowed her way to the front and spoke over the crowd. “Do you have any comment on the arraignment of your sister?” They’d planned this moment earlier in the day. Kisha was to refer to Jana as his sister. Always. Jason would be owning his family connection to this case, not running from it.

“Jana is not guilty,” Jason said, glancing at the different cameras. “My sister has been wrongfully charged with this crime. The state’s entire case rests on the word of a convicted felon. A jealous handyman who they arrested more than a week after the murder of my beloved brother-in-law. It’s obvious that Mr. Pike’s story is a lie. Made up to save his own skin. My sister, Jana Waters, has been a respected member of this community her whole life, and I’m confident that a jury will see this for what it is in two months. A hatchet job.” Jason glared at several of the cameras. “This case is an outrage, and, before I’m done, the people who’ve put my sister through such misery will pay for how they’ve wronged my family.”