page21 (1/2)

Just behind the ertips to her lips, kisses the of her breath I s here I have to assume my arrest was all over the news and I'ar Bowl, but I' closely with all departiven day

The deputy leadsis bent over at the table set about ten feet fro quietly with ADA Hammond She has a stubborn set to her chin as hebefore her and shakes her head to deny whatever he's asking He straightens up and turns to me, and after the deputy reives a hard squeeze to my shoulder

"Can I say hi to Sela and Caroline?" I ask hi not five feet away

He shakes his head and pulls his chair out from the table "Sorry Those cuffs only coo ahead and take a seat"

With a sigh, I look over ive the The courtroom is abuzz with idle chatter It's filled to al how many of those people are reporters versus perhaps fanment Or maybe even family members of victims

My head snaps to the right and I look over my shoulder at the rows of benches behind the district attorney's table And sure enough, Candace and Colin Townsend are sitting there, both of theht at me with cold, hard eyes My chest squeezes painfully, because while I'm not exceptionally close to the them, despite Candace's illicit relationship withbut the same fondness coupled with respect for my achievements

I almost half expect my parents to be close to the Townsends, so my eyes scan the rest of the seats, but I don't see the on my side of the courtroom in support of their son, and I can't really expect differently In the past two days, I'd cut both of them out of my life, and I'm still fine with that decision

Besides, had they shown up for uess is they're both holed up in the house right now probably cowering in shaedly done

"All rise," I hear as a door behind the judge's bench swings open and a bailiff steps through calling the roo with every other person in the courtrooned my arrest warrant--walks up the dais in a swirl of black robes He's a small man with ink-black hair and caraht he was Latino, but Doug told ht he was actually from the Philippines but had dual citizenship

Doug and I discussed Judge Reyes at length last night, because it see that has happened to e Reyes used to be a cries are supposed to be iht bend in favor of the defense side It's not to say he's going to wave aassured e more devoted to ensure the prosecution plays nicely by the rules

He also told n hts, read the charges against uilty or not Then Doug will have a slight battle on his hands to try to get me released on bail

"All right," Judge Reyes says as he picks up a file from his raised desk He opens it, peruses a document "We have the matter of the State versus Beckett North before us"

The judge looks up fro stands froed with first-degree murder by the state of California It's hts First, you have the right to an attorney, and if you cannot afford one, the state will appoint one to you at no cost I see you're represented by Mr Doug Shriver though, so that's a ainst self-incriive testimony that could implicate you in this crime You are also entitled to a speedy trial as well as a trial by a jury of your peers Now, I'one over these with you, but do you understand these rights as I've just read them?"

"I do, Your Honor," I say confidently, although quite frankly,

"And hoould you like to plead to these charges, Mr North?" he asks

"Not guilty," I reply with even th in my voice

I didn't fucking do it, so it's not like I'

"Duly noted," Judge Reyes says,to set the preli for Monday at ten AM"

This surprises s would move that fast

ADA Hammond stands swiftly from her chair "Your Honor, the state would ask for a bitcan be set up to ten days fronment"

Judge Reyes sounds completely bored "Actually, Miss Hammond, what the law truly says is that it can be set within ten days of the arraignue that I could set it for toood folks back on a Saturday but as it is, I have a birthday party to attend for hter so you're off the hook I'll see all parties here Monday at ten AM"

Hammond sits back down in a huff