Wrong Side of Forty

by DeLeon, Jana

  Halcyon raised an eyebrow. “You don’t watch the news in our world, do you? Buying your kid’s way into a university isn’t a good look for parents right now.”

  “It wouldn’t matter,” Marina said. “If this gets to a conviction, no medical school will accept her anyway. A doctor is all she’s ever wanted to be.”

  Alexios nodded, looking sad. “I understand. And I’m so sorry I can’t help. Despite your questionable wardrobe choices, I really like you, Marina. And these LeDoux sound like they could use a karmic adjustment. If anything changes on my end, I’ll let you know.”

  He shuffled out and Halcyon checked the porch before turning back to Marina.

  “That still freaks me out a little,” she said.

  Marina nodded but her thoughts weren’t on Alexios and his invisible condo.

  “What if Luke won’t help us?” Marina asked. “There’s no way we can find an attorney who will come here today. And you and I don’t know enough to keep Avery from being railroaded.”

  “You mean our last name isn’t LeDoux.”

  Marina’s cell phone rang. Adelaide.

  “I talked to Luke,” Adelaide said as soon as she answered. “I told him it was an emergency and to get to Halcyon’s house now. He should be there in a couple of minutes. I still have that sharpened shovel.”

  Adelaide hung up before Marina could even reply.

  “Well?” Halcyon asked.

  “Luke will be here in a few minutes and Adelaide’s shovel is still sharpened.”

  “Good God, I’m going to have to start liking that old broad.” Halcyon looked over at her and narrowed her eyes. “What’s that constipated expression for? I haven’t seen it since high school, when you had a crush on Mark Walker and had to partner with him on a science project.”

  Damn Halcyon and her mind reading. Or face reading.

  Marina sighed. “When Luke thought I was a poacher, I might have been wearing my pajamas when I ran out of the cabin after Snooze.”

  Halcyon stared. “Post-hot-flash pajamas or pre?”

  “Pre, but I’d just gotten out of the shower. A very hot shower.”

  Halcyon put her hand over her mouth but she couldn’t stop the laughter that was intent on coming. It started with a giggle, then went on to full-out chortling.

  “Oh my God,” she said when she finally caught her breath. “You were totally rocking a tank and undies. Were they sexy undies at least?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “It does if this Luke is good-looking.”

  Marina sighed. “Bright pink boy shorts.”

  “Nice. This is going to be interesting.”

  Marina shook her head. She’d had enough interesting to last a lifetime. What she desperately wanted right now was boring.

  Absolutely. Stunningly. Boring.

  * * *

  Marina was almost to heart attack point when Luke knocked on Halcyon’s door. She was strung so tight she actually snapped the handle right off the coffee mug she’d been holding. Fortunately, it was empty, although she had no idea when she’d actually drunk the coffee her sister had poured her. Maybe she should cut back on the caffeine.

  She shook her head. Who was she kidding? Death was the only way to decrease her current level of stress.

  Luke introduced himself to Halcyon, who pointed to the kitchen and strolled behind him, mouthing to Marina, “He is so hot!”

  Marina ignored her completely. Unless Judge Leger had started batting for the other team, Luke’s hotness wasn’t going to make a bit of difference to the job ahead of him. Marina hopped off her stool and extended her hand as he walked into the room.

  “Thank you so much for coming,” she said. “I’m sure Adelaide told you how desperate the situation is.”

  He nodded. “She gave me the highlights reel. I’m really sorry you’re going through this—all of it. Can you tell me what happened?”

  Marina relayed what Avery had told her, deviating occasionally to throw in some backstory when he asked questions to clarify. When she was done, he shook his head.

  “And this girl’s father is the local sue-happy lawyer, whom half the town is in debt to?” he asked.

  “I’m afraid so,” Marina said. “And it gets worse. Judge Leger is his second cousin.”

  A flash of anger passed across his face and he shook his head. “This is exactly the sort of thing that sent me into the woods, away from people.”

  Marina felt her chest tighten. “If you don’t want to help, I completely understand.”

  “No,” he said. “That’s not it at all. I definitely want to help. I’m just trying to figure out the best way that I can, given all the things stacked against you. How long has this Judge Leger been in office?”

  “I don’t know,” Marina said. “Twenty years? Maybe longer?”

  “And when is the next election?” he asked.

  “Next year,” Halcyon said.

  “And can I assume he’s not interested in retirement any time soon?” he asked.

  “No way,” Marina said. “He’d die in that chair if the state would let him.”

  “Besides,” Halcyon said, “there’s no one to run against him. That’s why he’s still in the seat. Young blood doesn’t want a career out here in the sticks, and the older ones couldn’t beat him or they already would have.”

  “Sounds familiar,” he said. “But it’s not entirely unworkable. People like Leger act like they’re untouchable but if he’s not interested in giving up his seat, then he’ll be constantly watching for any challengers and avoiding anything that might sway a vote to new blood. It’s possible to find someone younger who’d live out in the sticks. Trust me, a lot of us grow weary of bigger-city politics and hassle after a few years.”

  “Unless you can whip up a threat by this afternoon, I’m not sure how much good could come of it,” Marina said. “What do I need to do? What’s going to happen? I’m sorry for all the questions, but I’ve never done this before.”

  “Most decent people haven’t,” Luke said. “First, I need to see Avery.”

  “But the sheriff—” Marina started.

  “Don’t worry about him,” Luke said. “The sheriff is legally bound to let me see my client. I’ll talk to her and prepare her for her appearance in front of the judge. She’ll plead not guilty and we’ll ask for bail. Given that it’s a first offense, I would normally say it wouldn’t be high, but in this situation, he might push the envelope. You be prepared to post bail and we’ll have Avery out by this evening.”

  Marina let out a breath of relief. “Really?”

  “I can’t imagine him denying bail,” he said. “Even given the circumstances. There’s simply no grounds. Your daughter is not a threat to anyone but Chastity and she’s hardly a flight risk. He will probably issue a restraining order for her to stay away from Chastity, though.”

  “How is she supposed to do that when Harold has that thing living in Avery’s house?” Halcyon asked.

  “Unfortunately, that’s where your husband comes into the equation,” Luke said. “If he kicks Avery out of the house, then she can’t return there, and it doesn’t sound like he’s interested in being a good parent at the moment. Avery lives on campus, right?”

  “Yes, but she still has a room full of things at Harold’s house,” Marina said. “It’s not like she left for college expecting her entire life to explode back in Last Chance.”

  “Of course not,” Luke said. “But to prevent Chastity from inciting any more violence, it might be a good idea to get Avery’s things out of the house.”

  “Unbelievable,” Marina said. “It’s bad enough I find myself homeless at forty-eight, but now Avery is homeless at eighteen. None of this is right.”

  “She can live here,” Halcyon said. “You’ve only got one bedroom at the cabin. I have the spare room and plenty of storage for Avery’s stuff. Not like she’s going to be here much anyway, but she’ll have a safe place for her things and won’t have to worry about com
ing to visit and seeing things that put her in the red. At least, not in the place she’s calling home.”

  “I think that’s a really good idea,” Luke said. “Unless you have any more questions for me, I’m going to try to negotiate something with the DA first. Then I’ll head up to the sheriff’s department and get Avery ready. I need you to document everything you can about the LeDoux and Avery’s history with Chastity. It would also help if I knew which players were beholden to Preston.”

  Marina gave him a grateful look. “I don’t know how to thank you, much less repay you.”

  He shook his head. “I wouldn’t take payment for this. Besides, I’ve owed Adelaide a favor for a long time.”

  He gave them both a smile and headed out. Halcyon closed the door behind him, then went back into the kitchen to give Marina a hug.

  “This is going to work out,” she said.

  “How is this going to work out?” Marina asked. “Unless Chastity decides not to press charges, which we both know isn’t going to happen, Avery is going to trial.”

  “They might offer a plea deal,” Halcyon said. “Something that isn’t a felony. Remember, that’s not Judge Leger’s decision. If the DA wants to make a deal, then he will. And as far as I know, the LeDoux don’t have a connection there.”

  “As far as you know.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Two hours later, Avery got her opportunity to stand before the judge. Luke had attempted to bargain with the DA, but he’d held firm on felony assault. Chastity’s nose was broken and had been set. Her father had beaten Luke to the DA’s office and provided pictures of the nose, complete with all the blood on her scantily clad torso, and her eyes, which already had dark marks circling them.

  It wasn’t really surprising, as Halcyon had done some poking around and found out from a friend of the drummer that the DA had a young girlfriend his wife didn’t know about. If Halcyon could get that information with a couple of phone calls, so could Preston LeDoux. The DA wasn’t going to be any help.

  Luke was waiting for them at the courthouse when they arrived. He’d exchanged his jeans and T-shirt for a suit and dress shoes and Marina had to admit he looked the part. He’d even attempted to comb his slightly long locks into a more professional look.

  “This shouldn’t take long,” he said as they walked inside. “All Avery will have to do is plead not guilty, then I’ll ask for bail. This part is easy so please don’t worry. You’ll have Avery home this evening.”

  Marina felt somewhat reassured given his confidence. Halcyon, who’d remained insistent that everything would be fine, relaxed a bit, and Marina knew her sister was far more worried than she was letting on. They went inside and took seats. Judge Leger glanced at them as they sat and he frowned. Preston LeDoux sat directly behind the DA and shot an openly hostile look at Marina. It was all she could do not to give him the finger.

  “I’d love to slap that smug look right off his face,” Halcyon whispered as they sat.

  Marina nodded. Slapping him did sound more satisfying than the finger. Unfortunately, neither option helped Avery. A door on the side of the courtroom opened and the sheriff walked through with Avery.

  In handcuffs.

  A wave of nausea passed over Marina and she felt herself sway in her seat. Halcyon put an arm around her shoulders to steady her, but Marina could feel her sister shaking as she squeezed. Marina had never seen her daughter so scared. So defeated.

  The nausea fled and anger coursed into its place. If Harold were in sight, Judge Leger would be hearing a plea on two assault charges. Marina was so mad that her chest and head felt as if they would burst. She clenched her jaw, grinding her teeth together to keep from screaming. Her hands formed fists so tight that her nails dug into her palms. The pain barely registered.

  Harold, the life ruiner and coward, hadn’t even bothered to show his face.

  If Marina had felt even a moment of doubt about her marriage ending, it was gone. Nothing he could do would ever make up for not being in this courtroom, supporting his daughter over the situation he had created. Marina was certain she’d never hated anyone more in her life.

  Avery looked over at her and Marina gave her what she hoped was a reassuring nod. Avery didn’t need her anger right now. She needed support. If Avery could sense that Marina thought everything would be all right, then Avery would think everything would be all right. Despite all her noisemaking about being an adult, Avery still wasn’t mature enough to handle this. Not on her own.

  The bailiff called them to session and Judge Leger rapped his gavel. He motioned to the sheriff, who had Avery stand, then to the DA, who rose and presented the charges against Avery. When the DA was done, the judge looked at Luke.

  “Please introduce yourself to the court,” Judge Leger said.

  Luke rose. “Luke Abshire. Counsel for the defendant.”

  “I don’t believe I’ve had you in my court before, Mr. Abshire,” Judge Leger said. “I was under the impression you were the game warden.”

  “That’s correct, Your Honor. But I hold a law degree and am licensed to practice in Louisiana. I’m representing Ms. Trahan.”

  Judge Leger looked somewhat confused and definitely displeased but he turned to look at Avery. “Ms. Trahan, how do you plead?”

  “Not guilty,” Avery said, and Marina’s heart clenched at how scared she sounded.

  “Your Honor,” the DA began, “we’re asking that bail be denied. Even though this is her first offense, Ms. Trahan is an adult, not a child. Given that Last Chance is a small town and Ms. Trahan’s attack on Ms. LeDoux produced some horrific injuries, we feel she’s a danger if released.”

  Marina started to bolt up and yell, but Halcyon grabbed her arm and kept her from making a huge mistake. For the first time, Halcyon was the one holding Marina back. It was usually the other way around.

  “Your Honor,” Luke said, “Ms. Trahan attends the university in New Orleans. Once she meets bail, she’ll be returning there to pursue her studies.”

  “I don’t think she should be allowed to leave town,” the DA said.

  “Why not?” Luke asked. “She’s hardly a flight risk. She doesn’t even have a passport. Besides, the alleged victim was in the process of stealing Ms. Trahan’s property when Ms. Trahan accosted her. If she’d returned the stolen items without hesitation, all of this could have been avoided.”

  The DA’s eyes widened as he realized this was not going as he’d intended. “Ms. LeDoux had permission from your client’s father to borrow the clothing. That hardly represents a robbery.”

  Luke smiled. “But as you’ve already pointed out—Ms. Trahan is not a minor. So her father can’t give permission concerning her property. Even though the domicile is deeded in her father’s name, it’s still my client’s residence. She has rights.”

  Halcyon reached for Marina’s hand and squeezed the life out of it. Marina was fairly certain she’d stopped breathing. Luke had put the DA firmly in his place.

  Luke looked back at the judge. “I’m sure if this goes to trial and the extenuating circumstances are all presented, you’ll see that Ms. Trahan was well within her rights and that charges against Ms. LeDoux are in line. In the meantime, I’m certain you wouldn’t want to upset your constituency by condemning a young woman to sit in jail over a catfight.”

  Judge Leger looked as if he’d sucked on lemons. Luke’s implication was clear, punish Avery for what her father did and the voters might turn against him. And now that Luke was in Last Chance, and waving a law degree around, there was always the lingering possibility that he might run against the judge in the next election.

  “Bail is set at one hundred thousand,” Judge Leger said. He banged his gavel and immediately jumped up from his seat and headed out of the courtroom before anyone could protest.

  Marina sucked in a breath. “A hundred thousand? Are you kidding me? I don’t have that kind of money.”

  The sheriff grabbed Avery’s arm and motioned for her t
o leave. She gave Marina a pleading look before heading out the door. Luke hurried over and Marina could tell he was mad.

  “What am I going to do?” Marina asked. “I don’t have a hundred thousand dollars.”

  “Do you have ten thousand?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “That’s what a bail bondsman will require. There’s one just down from the courthouse.” He handed her a piece of paper. “Give him this information and have him bond her out.

  “Marina?” he looked at her, clearly waiting for a response.

  “Yes,” she said. “I’m sorry. Yes, I’ll take the paper to him and get him the money. Thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say…there’s no way I could have…”

  “I’m glad I could help, but if this farce goes to trial, you’re going to need a stronger attorney than me. Preferably one with better connections than Preston LeDoux.”

  Marina nodded but she couldn’t think about that now. Right now, all she could think about was getting the bail bondsman the money so that Avery wouldn’t have to spend the night in jail. Luke gave her shoulder a quick squeeze and nodded to Halcyon before heading out. Marina turned around and saw Adelaide shaking his hand before he left. She shook her head as Marina approached.

  “I ought to put a load of buckshot in that Leger’s butt,” Adelaide said.

  “I’d shoot for the front,” Halcyon said.

  Adelaide looked at her and nodded. “One day, you and I are going to have drinks and plot our takeover of this town.”

  “Count on it,” Halcyon said.

  “Go get your girl out of that jail,” Adelaide said. “I’ve got spies all over this town. If the LeDoux try something, I’ll let you know what they’re up to.”

  Adelaide hurried off and Marina stared.

  “That woman is full of surprises,” Marina said.

  “So was Luke,” Halcyon said as they headed into the parking lot. “I thought Leger was going to pop a vein.”

  “He didn’t think we’d find representation. And he likely figured even if we did, it would be someone who would kowtow to him.”