Kay hated being given cases because of the color of her skin.
“Why don’t we have Brandon do it?” she asked, referring to one of her black colleagues.
“Because Brandon can barely win a seat belt violation case.”
Kay wanted to ask why he was even on the team then, but she knew it was because Brandon’s grandfather was one of Sam’s biggest contributors. Kay wanted to name one of the other blacks in the prosecutor’s office, but she knew it was moot. Yes, it was an added bonus that she was black working this case, but she knew Sam really wanted her because of her winning record.
“We need a win on this case. We’ve got to have a win on this case,” he said as if he were reading her mind.
Kay studied the mug shot of the young boy and something drew her in. Something about him seemed familiar. Maybe it was the eyes. She’d seen a lot of criminals and this kid didn’t have criminal eyes. But judging from the report, he was a criminal.
She skimmed the report some more. “So, he shot a decorated police office. Wow, and the cop had a newborn baby?” she asked.
“Yep. And even though he’s guilty as sin, there’s talk that the cop provoked him and you know with everything going on with all the police brutality cases, folks are already all riled up. I wouldn’t be surprised if Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and the rest of them show up.”
Kay didn’t know who “the rest of them” were, but she let it drop. She knew Sam well. He wasn’t racist. He was scared. This case could create some serious problems.
“Okay, fine. I’ll take a look at it and get to work. Who is his defense attorney?”
Sam shrugged. “Don’t know yet. Kinda got this under the table. You think you can handle this one last case, and your election?”
She glanced at the crime scene photos again. “Not only can I handle this case,” she said as she tucked the folder under her arm and stood up, “but it’ll give me great pleasure to put this hoodlum in jail on my way to the mayor’s office.”
Sam’s shoulders sank with relief. “Now that’s what I like to hear. My ace ADA is on the case, so old Sam can rest easy.”
17
* * *
* * *
God was testing her. Truly testing her to see just how much she could handle. That’s the only thing that could explain this latest blow she’d just been delivered.
“Bail is denied.” The white-haired judge in the tweed blazer and wrinkled white shirt slammed his gavel.
“Judge Humphries . . . ” Perry Roberts began.
“Boy, what part of denied do you not get? The de or the nied?” the judge asked, his bushy eyebrows narrowing as he peered over his rimmed glasses.
Gloria wanted to pass out. She knew when the judge walked into the small Jasper courtroom, minus a robe, looking like the leader of the “good ol’ boy” system, they were in trouble.
She glanced over at her terrified son. When they’d brought him out and she saw the bruises on his face, the way he looked beaten and broken, her heart felt like someone was doling out their own beating on her.
Gloria knew that Perry had tried his best. A longtime member of Mount Sinai and a friend of the family, he was retired but agreed to come back and help them with this case. It had been two weeks since Jamal was arrested. Two of the longest weeks of her life, second only to the eight days she didn’t know whether her son was dead or alive.
Gloria had spent the first week after Jamal’s arrest refusing to speak to her husband. The first two days he’d given her space. But by day three, he was demanding they talk. When she refused, his frustration turned to anger. And when she declined to go to church with him on the Sunday following Jamal’s arrest, that anger had turned to fury. But Gloria didn’t care. He had betrayed their family in the worst possible way and she never planned to forgive him for it.
The only reason she had let some of the anger go was because Perry had returned to town and told her it was crucial that they present a united front at today’s bail hearing.
But as Elton reached for her hand, Gloria once again drew it away. It was going to take a lot of prayer to ever truly forgive her husband.
“Please transport the prisoner back to his cell. Court is dismissed,” the judge said, motioning toward the bailiff.
“Mama . . .” Jamal reached for her like he used to do when he was a baby and she was the only one who could comfort him.
The tears Gloria had been fighting back came at full force at the sound of her son’s childlike voice as the bailiff dragged him away.
“It’s okay, baby,” Gloria called out after him. “We’re gonna get you out of here!”
And just like that, he was gone. Whisked back to his cell, as Detective Martin, whom Gloria hadn’t even noticed in the back of the courtroom, grinned his approval. This time, when Elton went to hold her, she let him. Otherwise, she would’ve collapsed to the floor.
“Let’s go in the conference room and talk,” Perry said once the judge had dismissed them. He led them into a small conference room right outside the courtroom.
“What just happened?” Elton asked.
“What you can expect in a place like Jasper.” Perry sighed as they all sat down around the table. “Overall, we’ve got some good people in this town. But we have a lot of folks with the old way of thinking. That’s why we have to ask for a change of venue. I have no doubt they’re going to expedite this trial. There are only three judges in Jasper. Two of them are just like Judge Humphries.”
Gloria knew that was coming. The national media had caught wind of the story and somehow her son had become the poster child for both police harassment and “Young Thugs Gone Wild.” She didn’t want to lead a cause. She didn’t want the attention.
Gloria just wanted her son home and their boring life back.
“Okay, so a change of venue should be good, right?” Elton asked. “We don’t need a jury full of folks who have already condemned Jamal.”
“Oh, you definitely need a change of venue. But I can’t do it,” Perry said.
“I know you’re retired and came out of retirement just for this,” Elton said, “but we need you, man.”
“I know that,” Perry replied. “And I wish that I could deliver.” He patted a folder that was in front of him. “But this is more than I can handle. I’m old, Reverend Jones.”
“Yeah, but you used to be good.”
“Used to be,” he echoed. “I’m sixty-eight years old. I haven’t tried a case in five years.”
Gloria hadn’t been able to speak. She just clutched the wad of tissue in her hand as she rocked back and forth.
“I can file the change of venue for you,” Perry continued. “It’s best to go to Houston. If I were you, I’d work on finding someone there right away.”
“We can’t afford one of those pricey attorneys,” Gloria said.
“We’re struggling to hold on at the church as it is,” Elton added. “You know the economy has hit us especially hard and tithes and offerings are way down and it’s just by the grace of God we’re even still hanging on to the building.”
“I’m so sorry,” Perry repeated.
“We don’t know any attorneys in Houston,” Gloria cried, the sinking feeling in her stomach intensifying.
“Shoot, we don’t know any attorneys but you,” Elton said.
“And I simply can’t do this justice,” Perry said with finality.
“So what are we supposed to do?” Gloria asked.
Perry pushed a card in their direction. “This is an attorney named Riley Manning. He got his start in my office and I’ve kept tabs on him. He’s a good guy and real good at what he does.”
“But he doesn’t know Jamal like you do,” Gloria protested.
“He’s good, though,” Perry replied. “He’ll represent Jamal well. I am so sorry and I wish that I had better news
for you, but you have to get a change of venue and there’s no way I can take on a criminal trial in Houston.”
Gloria stood, clutching her purse to her chest. “Thank you, Perry.” She turned around and headed out the door. She had to get out of there before she had a serious breakdown.
“Thanks, Perry. We’ll call him,” Elton said.
Gloria didn’t say anything on the walk back to the parking lot. Once they were inside his pickup truck, Elton reached over and took her hand. “I’m sorry, honey. This is stressful on us all.”
She wasn’t interested in his apologies. She pulled her hand away. “What are we going to do, Elton?”
“I just don’t know.”
They sat in silence for a minute, then Gloria said, “Maybe we can do a fund-raiser at the church, like a legal defense fund-raiser.”
Elton shook his head. “No. I can’t go before those people and ask them for a dime.”
“Why not? This is your son we’re talking about.”
“Because we have a small church, that’s why. We’ll raise what? At most, five hundred dollars? That won’t even pay for the consultation, let alone a whole defense.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“Well, we can just go with a public defender.”
She quickly dismissed that idea. She couldn’t let her son’s life hang in the hands of an overworked public defender. “What about this Riley guy?”
“We can’t afford him. Even if he works us a deal, we can’t afford it.”
“We can mortgage the house.”
“That is my daddy’s house,” Elton said, horrified at the suggestion.
“And this is your son.”
Gloria knew that most mothers were closer to their sons, but given their circumstances, she would’ve thought Elton would have a stronger connection. But since Jamal’s birth, it was almost as if Elton had animosity about the disruption in their lives. And now she was seeing a side of her husband that was the ultimate manifestation of that.
“My son had no concern for me when he decided to hang out with thugs. Now look at where it’s left him,” Elton grumbled.
She didn’t bother responding to that and just turned and stared out the window.
After a silent ride, Elton turned the car into their driveway, turned the car off, and said, “Call the Riley man. But unless he’s planning to do it for five hundred, or pro bono, or out of the kindness of his heart, then we just need to get ready because our son will be going away for a very long time.”
Then he got out of the car like there was nothing else that needed to be said.
18
* * *
* * *
This had been the longest two hours of Gloria’s life. That’s how much time it took Gloria and Elton to drive from Jasper to Houston to meet with Riley Manning. Gloria had been thrilled that he’d agreed to meet them on such short notice. Elton hadn’t shown much emotion, saying he didn’t want to get his hopes up.
They rode in silence most of the way, the tension between the two of them unlike anything she’d ever felt before. Gloria prayed that this wasn’t an indication of things to come. For the most part, she and Elton had always enjoyed a decent marriage. While he had his boorish ways, she knew that Elton Jones was a man who loved his family. He just didn’t know how to show it. He didn’t know how to move past the past.
Elton was also a proud man who hated for shame to be brought his way and this was the pinnacle of shame.
“Do I get off here, or keep going around on 59?” Elton asked as they approached downtown Houston.
Gloria had been struggling to forgive her husband. But until her son was safe, she just didn’t see how that was possible. Her mother had, however, convinced her that holding on to anger right now wouldn’t do Jamal a bit of good. That’s the only reason she was trying to work with Elton—for her son.
Gloria glanced down at the directions that she’d printed out. “You’re supposed to get off on Highway 59 and take that first right. His office is between Main and Fannin.”
They didn’t say anything else as Elton navigated off the freeway. They pulled up in front of the high-rise building and were met by the parking valet.
“Can you tell us where self-parking is?” Elton asked, making it clear they weren’t interested in the valet’s services.
The valet pointed to the left as Gloria rolled her eyes. Heaven forbid her husband shell out fifteen dollars for valet parking. But she knew that right about now she didn’t need to be saying anything about money. Even with their retirement, they wouldn’t have money to cover a lengthy trial. She’d spent years as a secretary for a local insurance company, but they’d shut down two years ago and she hadn’t worked outside of the church since. So their money was tight.
They parked in the self-parking garage and made their way inside.
“He’s on the thirteenth floor,” Gloria said, looking at the card that Perry had given her.
Elton still didn’t say a word as he pushed the up button.
Gloria was just going to let her husband have his moment because her attention here needed to be focused on convincing this man to take her son’s case.
She and Elton made their way into the upscale office and were greeted by elegant furniture and contemporary art. Awards touting the firm’s record adorned the walls, as did newspaper clippings about several of their cases.
Elton said what she had been thinking. “This man is not about to work for us pro bono,” he mumbled as he looked around the office.
“Shhhh. We’re going to think positive.”
“Hmph,” he muttered.
Gloria took the lead as they approached the receptionist’s desk. “Good afternoon, we’re here to see Riley Manning.”
“Is he expecting you?”
“He is. We have a one o’clock appointment. We’re a little early.”
“No problem.” The receptionist smiled. “Have a seat. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Gloria nodded, then motioned toward the lobby sitting area for Elton to take a seat. They both sat down and the look on Elton’s face said he’d rather be anywhere but here. But Gloria wasn’t going to concern herself with her husband’s discomfort. Right now, they were on a mission.
“Hello.”
They both stood to greet the man who had just walked over to them.
“I’m Riley Manning.” He extended his hand. His demeanor was commanding. With strong features and an athletic build, Riley was one of the nicest-dressed men she’d ever seen. Gloria could see why he would be powerful in the courtroom.
Elton shook his hand. It wasn’t often that anyone intimidated him, but Gloria could tell that her husband was nervous. “Elton Jones. This is my wife, Gloria.”
“Nice to meet you. Sorry it’s under these circumstances.” He pointed to a conference room. “We can just go in here and chat.”
Gloria led the way as the three of them moved into the room. After they were seated around a long mahogany table, Riley jumped right in.
“So tell me a little bit about your case. Perry filled me in on the details. He was an awesome mentor to me, so when he tells me this is something I should consider, I need to consider.” Riley tried to smile to relax the tension in the room. And while Gloria tried to feign a smile, Elton didn’t bother.
“We don’t have any money,” Elton blurted out.
Gloria wanted to die. He was always talking about embarrassing someone and that was the epitome of embarrassing.
Riley chuckled. “Yes, Perry explained the situation to me. How much do you have?”
“Nothing. We have nothing. We’re barely making it now,” Elton said a little too quickly.
“Well, there are some legal funds that can assist, but we’re not at that point yet. I’ve read up on your son’s case and I want to be clear: he
does admit to shooting the police officer, right?”
“He doesn’t have any choice but to admit it since he filmed it,” Elton snapped.
“Yes,” Gloria interjected, darting hard eyes at her husband. “He admits it, but it was an accident, and happened only after the officer attacked him. He was scared for his life, and that’s what we want to make sure comes across. The jury has to know it was an accident, brought on by a cop that was harassing and threatening him, even though he wasn’t breaking any laws. My son isn’t a murderer. He’s a good boy who got caught up in a horrible situation.”
Riley held his hands up. “Okay. No need to convince me. If Perry vouches for the kid, then I’m on board.”
Gloria got excited. “So you’ll take the case?”
“Whoa, hold up. We have to be clear on this. If Perry vouches for your son, this is something that I would consider. Unfortunately, I just don’t know if I can do your case justice.”
Those were not the words that she wanted to hear. “Please, Mr. Manning,” Gloria pleaded. “You’re our only hope. They’re expediting this case, trying to make sure it’s resolved quickly.”
“I get that, and I understand your need for a defense, but my issue isn’t whether I think this is a case worthy of representing, because I do. I’m hesitant for other reasons. Number one, my caseload is already overwhelming.”
“Isn’t this a big firm?” Gloria asked. She wasn’t trying to be snippy, but she didn’t know what could be bigger than this case.
“Hold on,” Riley said. “That’s not my main problem. My main issue is that I’m getting married in three weeks and I promised my fiancée I would not take any new cases. We’re taking an extended vacation so I will be out of pocket for a month. You can’t afford that.”
Gloria knew it was wrong, but she wanted to tell him that he could get married anytime, that right now, her son’s life was on the line so that should take precedence over everything else.
He must’ve seen the dejection on her face because he said, “Let me see what I can do and I’ll get back to you.”
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