Chapter 15
Wednesday morning
Sabre hurried into the courtroom and glanced at the counsel table.
Bay’s court-appointed attorney, Ethan Vale, was reviewing a file with quiet focus.
Jacket off, sleeves rolled, tie slightly loosened.
He looked up when Sabre neared, pleasant recognition flickering across his face.
Next to him was Bay, watching not the room, not the judge’s bench, and not her own attorney, just Sabre.
“Calling the matter on calendar,” the clerk announced. “People versus Mercer.”
Bay stood. Ethan rose beside her.
Sabre remained where she was, off to the side, not counsel of record.
Judge Hammouri took the bench, composed and steady, eyes scanning the room. “Appearances,” she said.
“Ethan Vale for the minor, Your Honor.”
“Deputy District Attorney Smithers for the People.”
A pause.
Judge Hammouri’s gaze shifted. “Ms. Brown, you’ve been requested by the minor to represent her?”
Sabre stepped forward just enough to be seen clearly. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“Can you show evidence that you represented her in a previous case?”
“No, Your Honor. I don’t recall that I have, even though Ms. Mercer seems to think so. I have gone through my past cases thoroughly, but I can’t find anything that fits.”
“Ms. Mercer, your request is denied.”
“No!” Bay’s voice cut through the courtroom, sharp, desperate, raw.
Heads turned. The bailiff stepped closer. Bay didn’t care.
“She has to!” The girl shouted, pointing at Sabre. “She has to or I’ll die!”
The courtroom fell silent. Judge Hammouri spoke calmly. "Who told you that?"
Bay's breathing quickened. She looked down and said nothing.
"Ms. Mercer."
Still nothing.
The judge waited another moment before turning to Ethan. "Mr. Vale, Ms. Brown, and County Counsel, please approach the bench."
"Yes, Your Honor."
Once they were at the bench, the judge asked, “Have any of you informed the defendant or anyone else about the text messages?”
"No, Your Honor."
"I didn't expect otherwise. You may return to the counsel table.”
Once they were settled, the judge said, “We’re back on the record. Mr. Vale, has your client said anything to you about a threat?”
“Your Honor, my client has been difficult to communicate with.”
“That’s an understatement,” the judge said.
A faint ripple in the room. Vale didn’t react. “I believe she’s frightened, but she has not provided specifics.”
Hammouri nodded, then looked at Sabre. “And you, Ms. Brown?”
Sabre chose her words carefully. “The minor has not informed me of this, Your Honor.”
Bay’s eyes locked onto Sabre again. “I’ll tell you.”
Sabre didn’t move.
“I’ll tell you,” Bay said again. “Just you.”
Sabre kept her voice calm. “Not just me.” Sabre nodded toward Vale. “Your attorney needs to be present.”
Bay’s expression shifted—frustration, hesitation, something else underneath.
“No,” she said. “Just you.”
Sabre stepped closer and leaned over so the judge couldn’t hear. “That’s not how this works.”
“It is if you want the truth,” Bay shot back.
“You don’t get to set the rules,” Sabre said evenly. “Not here.”
Bay’s hands clenched at her sides. Finally, she said, “Fine. Him too.”
Sabre whispered to Vale what she wanted. He glanced at Bay.
Judge Hammouri cleared her throat.
“Ms. Brown, are you requesting involvement?” A brief pause, then the judge continued, “At this point, I’m inclined to remove that option. But before I do, I have a couple of questions.”
“Of course, Your Honor,” Sabre said.
“Have you ever represented the defendant in the past?”
“Not that I’m aware of, Your Honor. I do not recall her name or her face, although I understand she would have changed a lot if it was many years ago. I have searched the records for anyone named Bay Mercer and have not found any.”
The judge rubbed her forehead.
“Your Honor,” Sabre said. “I would like the opportunity to speak with the minor, alongside her counsel, before any further decisions are made.”
The judge turned to Vale. “Are you okay with that, Mr. Vale?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Very well. This matter is in recess. Return in thirty minutes.” The judge looked back at Bay. “You will meet with Ms. Brown and your current counsel. And you will answer questions.”
Bay didn’t respond.
Judge Hammouri shifted her gaze back to Sabre and Vale. “And when you return,” she said, “I expect clarity.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” they responded in unison.
The bailiff turned to Sabre. “I’ll take her back to an interview room.”
“Thank you.” Sabre headed out.
Vale followed her. “Can I talk to you before we meet with her?”
“Of course.” Sabre assessed the other attorney. He looked younger than he probably wanted to.
“I think you should take the case.”
Sabre almost smiled. “I just declined it in open court.”
“I think you should reconsider.”
Sabre crossed her arms loosely, not defensive, just steady. “Why?”
Vale gestured back toward the courtroom. “Because she won’t talk to me. You saw that. She’s waiting for you.”
Sabre held his gaze. “That doesn’t mean I should take the case.”
Ethan shifted slightly, adjusting the file in his hand. “With respect, it kind of does.”
Sabre shook her head. “No. I’ve been getting messages with threats and ultimatums. Someone besides Bay is pressuring me to take the case.”
“And you think—”
Sabre cut him off. “I know what happens if I take it for that reason. I lose control. Every decision I make will be shaped by whoever’s behind the threats. I won’t practice law like that.”
Ethan was quiet for a moment. “That’s a big assumption,” he said finally.
“No. It’s experience.”
“What if the threat is real?”
“Then we deal with it without giving them what they want.”
Ethan rubbed his jaw. “Bay says she’ll be killed. The text said the same thing. You can’t just walk away.”
“I’m not walking away from her,” Sabre countered. “I’m walking away from being controlled.”
“So, where does that leave Bay?” he asked.
“With you, on record. And with me as advisor. Bay needs an attorney who’s making decisions freely, not reacting to threats.”
“And you think that’s me?”
“I think you’re capable,” she said. “And I think you still believe the system works.”
Ethan gave a small, almost reluctant smile. “Most days.”
“Good,” Sabre said. “She needs that right now. And you heard what Hammouri said. She’s not happy with Bay’s attitude, and she does not like to be bullied. She’s not going to let her choose.”
“Do you think the judge has made up her mind?”
“I do. I know her pretty well. This is her way of letting us off the hook. Well, me at least. If she makes the decision, Bay will have to stop her manipulation.”
He shifted his weight. “And what about you?”
“I’ll help if you want me to.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow slightly. “In what capacity?”
“Whatever you need,” she said. “Strategy, background, anything I can do from the outside.”
“But not on record, or as co-counsel? And not advising the client directly?”
Sabre shook her head. “Only with you present,” she said. “Your case. Your call.”
Ethan watched her for another moment.
“You trust me with it?”
“Yes. I do.” Sabre paused.
“Do you think Bay is Hannah?” Vale asked.
“I can’t be certain, but I don’t think so. My gut tells me no, but I could be wrong.”
“All right,” Vale said. “Let’s go see what Bay has to say.”