Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I bet Hendrix paid him plenty to rule against me the way he had on every motion or objection my lawyer had issued—not that he did much.
Judge Lahaska looks up. She’s a woman in her sixties, and her gaze lands on me. There’s no softness or kindness or even understanding in her blue eyes. Her lips are pursed and her jaw is tight. Even so, I can read her easily. She can’t stand me.
“All right.” She clears her throat. “I agree with the order overturning Mr. Sokolov’s conviction without prejudice.”
That figures.
The prosecuting attorney leaps to his feet. “In that case, the state fully intends to retry the convicted felon.”
Rosalie turns to face him, her eyes sparkling and her color high. “My client is no longer a convicted felon, so I suggest you watch your mouth, Counselor. I’ve been looking for a good slander case to take on.”
Pride filters through me and I smile, allowing her to see my amusement. Her intelligence is impressive, and I find that I like that more than I expected.
The judge taps on a keyboard. “All right, why don’t we go ahead and set this thing for a preliminary hearing. Counselors?”
The judge and prosecuting attorney land on a preliminary trial date, three weeks from today.
Rosalie nods. “That’s acceptable, although I’m giving the court notice that Mr. Sokolov is going to appeal the court’s ruling denying the motion for an overturned conviction with prejudice. I doubt I’ll be heard by the trial date.”
The judge sighs. “Let’s leave this on the docket for now and file a motion for a continuance when you have more information.”
“Of course.” Rosalie smiles.
The prosecuting attorney glares at her, at me, and then turns and bustles out of the courtroom.
“That was fun,” I whisper to Rosalie.
“Behave yourself,” she whispers back. “We’re not done yet. I like that we’re getting all of my hearings done in one morning. If anything, the judge is efficient.”
I glance to my side as Lillian, dressed in a loose-fitting long skirt, walks inside next to Samuel La Vinci, who’s been her attorney for as long as I can remember. Apparently, her days of wearing tight dresses are over. She looks at me evenly, glances at Rosalie, and then takes her seat. The woman seems smaller than I remember.
“All right,” the judge says, shoving folders to the side before grabbing another one, this one gray, unlike the other blue ones. Must be an easy way to differentiate between criminal and civil matters. “Let’s take out the civil motion to unfreeze the funds of Alexei Sokolov.”
“Thank you, Judge.” Samuel stands, his voice firm and strong. The guy’s around fifty and there’s heated warmth when he glances at Lillian. So they’re more than business acquaintances? Not that I care. He gives a pretty decent argument about my days as a playboy and how I wasted money, and he adds the fact that I’ll be tried for first degree murder again, so the money should be preserved.
Rosalie makes a couple of objections, and the judge mostly rules against her. I lose interest in the byplay until Rosalie stands up and starts to speak.
“I find it unnecessary to address the fact of whether or not Mr. Sokolov wasted money, considering it was his money.” She looks down at the documents. “Your Honor, as it stands right now, my client has been charged with a crime. He has not been convicted, and there’s a good chance he’ll never be tried again once I appeal your earlier ruling.”
I hide a smile. It’s enjoyable watching her poke the judge. Though I really do need money. Sooner rather than later.
“Therefore, there’s no legal reason for Mr. Sokolov to be cut off from his own money.” Rosalie then launches into a series of legal terms that bore me, so I start to plan the rest of my day in my head. Finally, she sits, her scent of vanilla wafting toward me.
My cock wakes up, wanting another taste of last night.
The judge ruffles through several file folders and a couple of books before looking up, her eyes sparking again. Man, she really doesn’t like me. It’s rare. Most women do. She’s probably read the trial transcripts. Truth be told, I look guilty, but many people had conspired to make that happen.
The judge once again looks like she is chewing on lemons. “I agree with Mrs. Sokolov that irreparable harm might come to the funds if the court allows them to be wasted. However, Mr. Sokolov makes a good point that the funds are his to waste. Thus I grant the motion.”
Relief relaxes my spine.
The judge grabs her gavel and slams it on the counter. “The court’s adjourned.” Standing, she slips out of the courtroom without looking at any of us.
Rosalie turns. “Apparently, you’re loaded again.”
Lillian and her attorney disappear down the corridor, and he has an arm over her shoulders in a protective stance.