Chapter Ten
The following morning, Bryn went to find Talbot in the IT suite because he wanted to know how he was settling in. He poked his head around the door and was confronted by banks of equipment, rows of computers and a steady background hum.
“And this is why I don’t come in here,” he muttered. “I hate computers.”
“Hush your mouth, young man.” A large African American woman with a strong southern accent glared at him. “I’ll have no blaspheming in this office.”
“Yes, ma’am. Sorry, ma’am. I was looking for…”
“Hey, Bryn!” Talbot’s head appeared from behind a monitor. “This is way better than I could have dreamed.”
“You’re okay, then?”
“I had the best night’s sleep. I have my own room and bathroom! And Camille is my boss and she’s setting me up on the systems and I’m going to get all kinds of training and…”
“Slow down!” Bryn laughed. “I just came by to see how you’re doing. Gunnar and me are going to the courthouse for the day. I didn’t want you to think we’d forgotten about you.”
“I would never!”
“Have you finished interfering with my staff, Bryn Ashton? You may be an augur but you’re not too big to put over my knee if you keep disrupting the smooth operation of my department.
” Camille had her hands on her ample hips and Bryn took that as a sign to retreat.
He backed out of the room. “Good luck, Talbot.” You’re gonna need it.
“Catch you later.” Jesus, are her eyes bulging?
And why do people keep threatening to spank me?
He made a run for it before Camille made good on her threat, and went to find Gunnar.
“Are we leaving?” Bryn asked when he found Gunnar hovering near the exit. “I went to see Talbot. His boss is way too scary.”
“Yeah, we need to get going, and Camille is a sweet lady. She’ll look after him like he’s her own son. Also, she makes the best callaloo soup. You in the right head space for witness checking?”
Bryn shrugged. “Sure. I’d rather be working on the Walmart serial killer case, but it is what it is. This mafia trial is a big deal too.”
“True and it has already been delayed thanks to the jury tampering you uncovered.”
“We uncovered.”
“Agent Bell and his team have plenty to get on with on the Walmart case. Maybe they’ll solve it without us.”
“I admire your optimism.”
Gunnar drove one of the GCR’s armored vehicles to the courthouse because this trip wasn’t just him and Bryn. Warden was accompanying them and he’d given Emmett permission to join them, to gain some experience. Bryn and Emmett were in the back, Warden had claimed shotgun.
“Does everyone understand the process we’re going through today?” Warden asked. “I know Gunnar does, but what about you two?” He turned, pinning first Bryn then Emmett with an intimidating stare.
“In theory, yeah,” Bryn said. “But I’ve never been in a real courtroom.”
“Nnnn…no, sir,” Emmett stuttered, blushing to the roots of his hair.
Bryn stared at him then gave him a slow, knowing smile. Emmett’s eyes widened and his cheeks got even redder.
“Pre-trial prep has already happened. That’s when both the prosecution and the defense compile a list of potential witnesses. They swap lists to allow for objections and preparations. Most of the witnesses have been subpoenaed to ensure their attendance in court.”
“Most?” Bryn questioned.
“There are several types of witness where it generally doesn’t happen.
If a witness can be easily discredited or has a history of perjury, people who don’t have the mental or physical capacity to testify, those who are protected by attorney–client privilege or doctor–patient confidentiality, that kind of thing. ”
“And if they’re outside the jurisdiction,” Gunnar added. “Sometimes it’s not feasible to compel attendance, especially if people are abroad.”
“Because this is a high-profile case,” Warden continued, “measures may be taken to protect the identity of some witnesses. They might testify from behind screens.”
“What about the press?” Emmett asked.
“The court might limit media access, but this case has huge public interest. I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“So when do I get involved?” Bryn asked.
“Once the witnesses have been sworn in. They have to swear to testify truthfully. You’ll read them to check that’s the case. Where it isn’t, we’ll get you to take a look for memory and intent.”
“Will this happen before anyone else is allowed in?” Emmett asked.
“On this occasion, yes. Opposing counsels will be there, the judge and court staff, but not the defendant or the public.”
“And will they have been told that this is going to happen and how it works?” Gunnar asked.
“Only once they’ve all arrived. We didn’t want anyone absconding before Bryn reads them.” Warden turned away. “This is a bit of a test run for us and a first for the court system. With augurs being so rare, only the highest profile cases will have the option of our assistance.”
“There’s no parking at John Adams, I’ll go to Center Plaza on Somerset, it’s only a short walk from there,” Gunnar interjected. His local knowledge meant that they were walking along the street less than ten minutes later.
Bryn stared at the court building. “Impressive.”
Emmett bounced. “As well as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals Court, this place has the Social Law Library, the oldest law library in the country. It’s amazing. I’ve been there lots of times.”
“Geez, you get excited by the weirdest things,” Bryn muttered.
“No yucking on his yum. We all have our fetishes,” Gunnar said. Bryn knew he was grinning even though he was walking behind him and couldn’t see his face.
“I think Emmett has more than most,” he said under his breath.
When they got inside and through security, Bryn couldn’t help but be impressed by the courtroom.
There were high ceilings with decorative moldings, wood-paneled walls and huge windows, though they were covered by blinds for additional security.
The judge’s bench was on a platform at the front, with the witness stand to one side.
The jury box was on the other side. Separate tables for the prosecution and defense faced the judge’s bench and behind them were rows of chairs for the public and media, separated by a low barrier.
He tugged at his shirt collar, wishing he’d worn a T-shirt like he usually did. “Where do you want me?”
“Sit at the prosecution’s table,” Warden said. “That way we can get each witness to come sit next to you, then move to the public seating once they’ve been cleared. When you’re done, they’ll be removed from the courtroom until they’re called to give evidence.”
“Okay.” Bryn took his seat. “Who’s asking the questions?”
“I am,” Warden said. “The judge has agreed to that. He’s happy to be read, too. He’s an old friend and a good man. He doesn’t want there to be any doubt that the proceedings are fair.”
Emmett moved to a seat in the public area and Gunnar took up a position in front of a window where he had a good view of everything.
He took his gun out of his shoulder holster and held it with deceptive casualness.
Bryn had no doubt he was ready to use it should he need to.
Gunnar caught his eye and winked at him.
Stop looking so fucking gorgeous. Damn he’s distracting. Bryn drummed his fingers on the table, both nervous and impatient. He took off his gloves and sunglasses. May as well be all-in from the start. Warden stood behind him, not helping his nerves.
There was a palpable tension in the air as the gaggle of witnesses came in, accompanied by three armed court security officers.
The witnesses went to sit in the jury box.
A few seconds later the judge arrived. Tall with a beaked nose and steel-gray eyes, his gaze flickered across everyone in the room.
He hesitated when he got to Bryn but gave him a brief nod before turning to the collected witnesses.
“I’m Judge Franks. I want to thank you all for being here today.
You’ve been briefed on what’s about to happen and we’ll get through it as quickly as possible so that proceedings can begin.
” He took the seat next to Bryn then offered his hand.
Bryn took it. The judge’s palm was dry and warm, his grip gentle.
Bryn pressed the fingers of his other hand against the judge’s wrist.
Warden stepped up. “Judge Franks, is there any reason you know of why you should not preside over this trial?”
“No.”
“Truth.” Bryn was relieved.
“Have you ever had any dealings with the defendant or with Salvatore Russo?”
“No.” The judge was icy calm.
“Truth.”
“And finally, has anyone bribed or threatened you in order to influence the outcome of this case?”
“No.”
“Truth.” Bryn let go of the judge’s hand.
With the example set, Bryn got through the first three witnesses without incident. The fourth, a tiny middle-aged woman of Asian descent, was obviously nervous as she took the seat next to Bryn.
“It’s okay,” he said. “It won’t hurt. You won’t know anything’s happening.” Her eyes darted around the room but she extended her hand for Bryn to take.
Warden asked the first question. “Ma’am, is there any reason you know of why you should not bear witness at this trial?”
“No.”
“Lie.” As soon as Bryn spoke, the woman tried to pull away. She yanked her hand hard then stood, tipping her chair over.
“They threatened my family, said they’d burn my children alive…”
In the jury box another witness stood. “Me too. They had pictures of my wife and children.”
Two more people got to their feet but before they could speak, Bryn heard a muffled metallic click. He glanced at Gunnar, whose sharp ears had caught the sound too.
“Everybody down!” Gunnar yelled. Bryn threw himself to the floor then crawled under the table.
He tried to see what was happening but there was chaos with witnesses and lawyers running everywhere.
Warden had a gun in his hand. Emmett had disappeared, presumably on the floor between the chairs where he’d been sitting.
One of the court officers fired his weapon and there was a scream.
“Why’s he firing at the witnesses?” Bryn’s panicked brain took a few seconds to compute that it was the court officer who was the threat.
Bedlam followed. Shrieks filled the air, witnesses trying to hide or pushing toward the exits.
The other court officers scrambled, hands fumbling for their own weapons, but their colleague kept firing.
One of them was hit and fell to the floor next to Bryn.
Part of the guy’s head was missing. Bryn squeezed his eyes shut.
“Fuck.” He turned his head before opening them again.
Not everyone was running. Gunnar rolled from cover and fired at the rogue court officer. The bullet caught him in the hip and he dropped to one knee, cursing. He fired indiscriminately, forcing Gunnar to dive to the floor.
He’s too exposed! Bryn didn’t know what to do but before he could move, a shot from the opposite side of the room took the officer out. He fell and his weapon clattered to the floor.
Bryn scanned the room, heart pounding. Warden, his expression hard as stone, lowered his weapon. Bryn crawled out from beneath his table.
“Is everyone okay?” It was another of the court officers who spoke. He walked toward Bryn and Warden.
“Yes, I…” Bryn gasped as the man grabbed him around the neck, pressing the barrel of his gun into Bryn’s ribs.
“Nobody move or this one dies.” He walked backward in the direction of the exit, pulling Bryn with him. “The boss will love getting his hands on you. The trial’s fucked, you’ll earn me a nice bonus.”
“Let him go,” Gunnar said, aiming his gun at the man’s head.
“Not a chance. You won’t risk hitting this one.”
A single shot rang out and Bryn’s captor dropped like a stone. Bryn ran to Gunnar, searching the room to see who’d fired. Emmett, white-faced, dropped onto a chair, gun in hand.
“What the fuck?” Bryn exclaimed. “Emmett gets a gun but not me? So not fair.”
“That’s your take on this dumpster fire?” Gunnar asked.
“Yes.” Bryn pouted.
“You want this one?” Emmett held his out but Warden extracted it from his grip. “Nicely done, Emmett. I’m proud of you.”
“You are?” A smile spread across Emmett’s face and his eyes brightened.
“Always.” Warden patted his shoulder.
“You see that, don’t you?” Bryn asked Gunnar. “Those two…”
“Yeah, I see it. You okay?”
“Yeah. Those guys aren’t, though.” He gestured at the dead bodies on the floor.
“One injured witness too. What a fucking mess.”
“Will this stop the case going ahead?”
“I guess.”
“No,” Warden interjected. “You can read the rest of them, Bryn. The threat has passed. Let’s not give Russo what he wanted.”
Bryn shrugged. “You’re the boss.”
“Indeed. Gunnar, if you could get the bodies moved and make sure the injured witness is given medical attention. Then we can get on with this.”
The judge came to stand next to Warden. “How could these men have gotten past security vetting?”
“They may have only been paid off recently. Russo has money to burn. It’s more important than ever that this trial goes ahead. We need to show him he’s not above the law.”
“You should get the augur a bulletproof vest,” the judge said.
“Hmm.” Warden scowled.
“More like a Kevlar onesie,” Gunnar said.
“I’m right here!” Bryn yelled. “Line up the damn witnesses so I can go drown my trauma in chocolate milkshakes and overdose on Twinkies.”