It took the officers little time to take Xander to the station, and once he was printed and processed, Xander was taken right to a holding cell. He expected to be locked in a general cell with other prisoners, but was instead left in a cell by himself. He was expecting to be taken to a room for interrogation, something you’d see on television, but that never seemed to happen. Maybe it was just a waste of time since he had already asked for his lawyer so the point was moot. He was in that cell for about a half hour before someone in uniform came to get him. He was walked back out into what seemed like a lobby of desks and then shown to a room which was more fitting to what he had pictured from television. The small table and a few chairs around it, the one way mirror, it was all there. Xander seemed rather fascinated by it all, but that feeling went away when the detective that took him away from the restaurant and Lauren came into the room carrying a file. Again, very cliché, Xander thought to himself as he watched the detective walk up to the desk, and sit himself down.
“Take a seat, Mr. Hopkins.” He detective started. “We have a lot to talk about.”
“I’m afraid not,” Xander said, refusing to sit down. “I’m not answering anything without my lawyer present.”
“You really want to wait that long?” the detective asked.
“I don’t think it will take that long,” Xander confessed. “My father got the word out and I assume he’s one his way as we speak.”
“Fair enough,” the detective said, opening his folder. “I’ll do the talking then. I assume you know why you’re here?”
“I’m not even going to answer that.” Xander replied defiantly.
“Alright,” The detective continued, “We have a case that you assaulted a woman named Danielle Waters. She claims you did something to her at a party a few months ago. Some very bad things.”
Xander was tempted to say something, but understood that anything he said could and would be used against him in a court of law. He leaned up against the wall with his arms folded and said nothing. As much as he wanted to scream his innocence from the rooftops, his Dad was right and he was to keep his trap shut. The detective could sense his defiance and carried on. He started to take photos out of the folder and place them on the table.
“You need to see these,” the detective said, “Cause this isn’t a game, Xander.”
Xander refused to even look at them, because regardless of how bad those pictures where and what might have happened, none of it was committed by him. He never had more than a drink that night, never blacked out and never even met the person in question, so he was not responsible for the horrors that may have occurred. He wasn’t going to look at them and give the reaction everyone watching behind the glass wanted. They were no doubt looking for any kind of sign that might suggest guilt and then they’d pounce on him like sharks sensing blood in he water. He just stood there leaning up against the wall, saying nothing and refusing to interact with the detective who was pretty much talking to the walls at this point. It was at this point where the door swung open, and Xander’s gladiator had arrived. Russell Benson had a mean look on his face as he charged into he room, and scanned the room to see who was inside.
“Good morning,” Russell started, glancing over at the detective. “Please vacate the room so that I may confer with my client.”
“Excuse me?” The detective asked.
“You heard my lawyer,” Xander said, finally speaking up for the first time in what seemed like forever. “The same lawyer I’ve been asking for the entire time I’ve been here.”
“Good man,” Russell said, as he kept the door open and gestured. “Come on, pitter-patter.”
The detective stood up, “We’re not done here.”
“Oh, yes you are.” Russell said, “Now pretty please with sugar on top, get the fuck out of here!”
The detective had a sour look on his face, but complied and vacated the room. Once he was gone Russell slammed the door shut and deeply sighed. Xander was about to say something but Russell pointed at him, and stopped him from talking.
“Not one word,” Russell said, tapping on the two way glass in front of Xander. “Just because no one’s in here doesn’t mean it isn’t standing room only out there. Did you ask for me the moment you were detained?”
“Yes,” Xander answered.
“Alright,” Russell said, taking a deep breath. “Let’s get started.”
“Was I indicted?” Xander asked, “I thought it would have taken a grand jury at least a little time to go through all the evidence.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“They skipped the grand jury,” Russell said, as he walked over to the table and placed his briefcase on one of the chairs. He looked down at the photos that were put there by the detective. “They wanted to stick your nose in this, like you were a dog that just peed on the floor.”
“I didn’t respond to any of it,” Xander said, “I can’t react to something I had nothing to do with. Why did they skip the grand jury?”
“The D.A. seems to think he’s got a solid case,” Russell said, as he started to stack the photos and put them back into the file the detective brough in with him. “That means we’ll be moving on with a preliminary hearing instead.”
“What difference does that make?” Xander asked.
“We’ll get a chance to see their case early,” Russell said, “And it’s meant as a scare tactic, hoping we’ll panic and want to settle. Any kind of settlement would also help your accuser in civil court, and Burgess gets a high profile conviction. It’s a sound strategy, but it’s not going to work. Not with me here.”
“So what happens now?” Xander asked.
“Now you’ll be shown back to your cell, and held overnight.” Russell answered, “Tomorrow morning you’ll be arraigned, so you have to spend one night here and then we’ll get you our on bail.”
“Will you have enough to cover it?” Xander asked.
“I don’t have to worry about it,” Russell replied, “Jefferson already told me your father will cover it no matter what it is.”
“So what happens after that?” Xander inquired.
“After that we’ll have the preliminary hearing, probably the next week.” Russell said, as he walked over to the window. “And I intend to use this hearing to get this gross fabrications tossed out.”
“We can do that?” Xander asked.
“If we get lucky,” Russell said, “If the judge believes there is sufficient grounds, it just means we do it all again in front of a jury. We get two kicks at the can to get this tossed, so despite what the think that gives us the advantage.”
“If that favors us,” Xander said, as he walked up to the table and sat down. “Then why do it? Why not go through the grand jury.”
“Public opinion matters here,” Russell said, not taking his eyes off the glass. “They think having you do the public handcuff shuffle will sway a jury pool enough to give them an edge. Problem is I have a good record with prelims so they’re going to have to fight just to get to the next round. You hear that Dick, you’re about to step into the ring with the champ. You better bring your A game.”
Xander enjoyed his lawyer’s confidence, and that gave him a chance to calm down but his lawyer could sense his uneasiness.
“Just take it easy,” Russell said, “It’s one night, and we’ll have you home by the next morning. I get that it will be tough but you’ll do fine. Get some sleep and we’ll see you in court first thing in the morning.”
“I hear you,” Xander said, “And don’t say a thing, Right?”
“Correct,” Russell confirmed, “Not one word. You hear?”
“Crystal clear, Sir.” Xander said, “Not one word.”
It was a this point when the detective returned, and inquired if he was ready to answer any questions. Upon refusal, Xander was led back to his cell to await arraignment the next morning and face the charges. Russell watched his client get escorted away and exited the room himself. Dick Burgess was out there waiting for him.
“You think you’re ready for what I have?” Dick asked, feeling rather confident.
“I think that I’ve got a few days to get ready for the prelim,” Russell said, as he strolled closer to the confident attorney for the people. “I’ll not only be ready, you might be surprised with the rabbit that I pull out of my hat.”
“You might be surprised by mine as well,” Dick said, walking away.
Russell usually didn’t like to puff his chest out in public, but at the moment he had to put on a strong face for his client and let everyone know that he was ready to fight anything and pretty much anywhere. He also had Mac working around the clock on the case, and he was sure that she’d be working even harder knowing that the client had been arrested. Mac may be the best, but even Russell knew a lot was being asked of her with very little time to spare. He was going to have to be really nice and even helpful to the investigator to assist her with anything she needed.
Russell walked out of the detective’s den and when he returned to the first floor, Allister was there waiting for him in the lobby like a good soldier.
“You didn’t have to wait here,” Russell said, rather surprised.
“I was alright,” Allister replied, “I was making some calls, and looking into things while I waited so the firm and the client are being billed while I wait.”
“Fair enough,” Russell said, as he started to walk out with him. “Burgess seems to think his case is solid, but we’ll find out next week. What are you hearing?”
“I’m hearing the victim is less than eager to testify in front of a jury,” Allister claimed, “To the point where the grand jury was bypassed. There’s almost two dozen people at those things, and can be very intimidating.”
“Dick’s hoping we see the case a prelim and get so scared he’ll get a settlement,” Russell said, as they emerged from the station and back into the street.
“That’s a bold strategy,” Allister said.
“It won’t work,” Russell declared, “If Mac doesn’t find us something for the prelim, I guarantee that she’ll make sure we have everything we need by the actual trial. She’s already following her nose, and it’s scary for the other side when that happens.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t get angry for being taken off her case,” Allister said, “I heard she has quite the temper.”
“Oh she got angry,” Russell corrected, “Let’s just say I took one for the team.”
“Wait here,” Allister said, as he reached the street. “I’ll get the car and swing around to get you.”
“Alright,” Russell said, “Thanks for your help, Allister.”
“Anytime,” Allister said as he crossed the street to walk over to the parking garage where he stashed his killer vehicle.
While he was waiting for the car, Russell’s cell phone started to call out. He answered the phone, aware of who was calling just by listening to the ringtone.
“Mac,” Russell said, “What have you got?”
“I hit paydirt, Russell.” Mac said, sounding pleased with herself.
“Alright,” Russell said, eager to hear more. “Give it to me straight.”