The first person she recognized in the courtroom was her mother, Nancy, seated with her boyfriend Danny. He wore jeans and a Bud Light T-shirt, in contrast with Jane’s mother, dressed for the occasion in a navy blue suit. There was a small crowd in the courtroom, mostly people waiting for other cases, Jane assumed.
She saw Paul, her long-suffering public defender, emerge from the judge’s chambers followed by Assistant District Attorney Noonan, the man she recognized from her arraignment. Paul sat beside her. He nervously rubbed his nose aggressively and wiped his fingers on his slacks before he said, “We’re in luck.”
The bailiff announced the judge, and all in the courtroom stood. A gray-haired woman appeared and sat at the bench in the high-backed leather chair.
“This court has come to order,” the bailiff announced before reading the docket number. The judge cleared her throat and spoke. “In the matter of the State of California versus Jane Innes, the state is unable to proceed at this time.” The judge shot a glare at D.A. Noonan before she peered over her bifocals, “Miss Innes, you are released forthwith.”
Jane heard her mother gasp.
“Bear in mind, however,” the judge continued, “because this dismissal is without prejudice, the district attorney may file charges at a later date, at their discretion. Is that understood?”
“Yes,” Jane said.
“You are ordered to report your whereabouts on a weekly basis with the Sheriff’s office. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
The woman sized Jane up for a moment before the gavel came down. Paul said, “Let’s speak in the hallway.”
Jane turned to her mother. They embraced over the railing. The bailiff read the next docket number. As they left the courtroom another case had already begun.
In the hallway Paul pulled Jane aside. “Your case was dropped because evidence the prosecution was counting on fell apart,” he said. “If they can bring more, they’ll charge you. It’s their strategy to buy time.”
“What evidence?”
“The timeline once hotel’s video surveillance was reviewed. It shows you were nowhere near Wolff’s room before he was last seen.”
“Then who was?”
“They haven’t determined.”
“Veronica,” she said.
“Realize they’ll have you followed.”
“Why?”
“To lead them to the missing money.”
“I don’t have it.”
“They don’t know that.”
“Misdirection,” Jane said.
“Miss who?”
“No, misdirection, like a magic trick. I was Veronica’s decoy. To throw everyone off her scent.”
He rubbed his nose again, said, “Do yourself a favor, stay out of trouble.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Chapter 4
To celebrate Jane’s release Danny took everyone to lunch. He insisted on Tam O’Shanter, a classic L.A. meat-and-potato eatery styled after a Scottish pub. With its drooping Tudor style architecture and stained-glass windows, Jane thought the place could be something at Disneyland—like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride—but with a well-stocked bar.
They were led to their table by a young waitress in a short plaid skirt. For drink orders Danny and Nancy chose beer. Jane opted for wine. She really could use a drink—and keep ’em coming.