Betrayal - Fern Michaels [42]
Kate held her breath for what seemed like minutes before releasing it. She wanted Alex home, no matter where home was at the moment.
“Mr. Wykowski, I do not care to do the state’s job. Do you have anything to add to Mr. Conroy’s request?” Judge Stowers shot the ADA the evil eye.
“The state sees no reason to hold Mr. Rocket at this time. However, I would ask that the court issue certain conditions upon Mr. Rocket’s release.” Lyle Wykowski managed to speak his first complete sentence without blundering his words.
“You have specific conditions, Mr. Wykowski?” Kate watched the debate between the judge and the ADA. He proved himself more inept with every word that spewed from his mouth. Kate was confident the charges against Alex would be seen for exactly what they were; nothing more than a child trying to gain attention. She caught Alex’s eye and granted him another smile, only this time it was for real.
“Given the nature of the charges, the state requests Mr. Rocket wear a monitor.”
“Your Honor, this is extremely unreasonable!” James shot up from the defense table. “The embarrassment it will cause to Mr. Rocket is unnecessary.”
Judge Stowers pinned James Conroy to the floor with her glare. “Mr. Conroy, it is not the court’s wish to cause or bring any form of embarrassment to your client. Your client should have thought . . .” The judge hastily grabbed the papers from her secretary before she finished. “I am going to grant the state’s request. In light of the charges, the state is being extremely generous to your client.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” James knew when to keep his mouth shut. He hated that Alex would have to endure the indignity of wearing an ankle bracelet, but the judge was right. She could have denied him bail entirely or asked for a very large cash bond.
“Your Honor, I would also like to request Mr. Rocket be placed under house arrest,” Wykowski added, as though this additional punishment had just occurred to him.
“I’ve made my ruling, Mr. Wykowski. The court will let it stand.”
“Yes, okay. Your Honor.” The ADA shuffled through more unorganized papers in his plastic bin.
Kate was truly amazed the state hired such low-caliber attorneys. In this case, she was more than happy. Most likely their slackness in screening ADAs would benefit Alex.
“Since the Rockets are here in Collier County until this matter is resolved, I’m going to set the date for the grand jury hearing one week from today. Does the state or the defense have any objection?” Judge Stowers asked.
James was surprised at the swiftness of Judge Stowers’s decision. He’d been prepared to ask the court to speed things up. Now that would no longer be necessary.
“I have no objection, Your Honor,” James stated for the court reporter, who stared at him, waiting for his reply.
“The state doesn’t object, either,” Wykowski said.
Again, the judge rolled her eyes at the ADA. “Mr. Conroy, once your client has been released into your custody, you will need to take him to the Department of Corrections so that he may be fitted with an ankle bracelet.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” James smiled at Kate.
In a matter of seconds, two sheriff ’s deputies entered the courtroom from the side door the prisoners had used. The accused were whisked away before Kate even had a chance to mouth good-bye to Alex. She told herself it didn’t matter because soon enough Alex would be released.
Outside the courtroom, James took Kate’s hand and led her into a private conference room. “It will take a couple of hours for Alex’s release. From there, I’ll drive him over to the DOC building. If you want to meet us there, I’m sure Alex will be happy to see his wife.” James said all of this with a big smile plastered across his thin face.
“I can’t see him before then?