Free Knox's Stand by Jamie Begley Page A

Knox’s clothes to the receptionist. The woman rose from her seat and then went through the clothes before handing them to the sheriff. He looked at Diamond while taking the clothes from his secretary then excused himself, going into the rooms where the cells were.
    Thurman turned at the sheriff’s abrupt departure, seeing Diamond standing by the front desk.
    “Quick work, Diamond. I heard you finagled him onto the docket.”
    “Nothing has changed, David. This shouldn’t affect his bond. He hasn’t tried to flee and has no intention of doing so.”
    He laughed at her. “I think you’re misjudging your client. I think when he realizes his case just went into the dumpster that he is going to run.”
    “He won’t.”
    “He’s a known member of a motorcycle gang, what makes you think that he’s not going to run?”
    “Because he didn’t kill her, David. Did you even research the man you are trying for murder?” Before he could say anything, Diamond filled him in on the facts that she had learned. “He graduated at the top of his class in high school before going into the Navy at eighteen where he stayed, becoming a navy seal. He has served on several dange rous missions before becoming elite at search and rescue. He has donated his time to several countries after natural disasters to help recover victims. He’s also very wealthy; several of the patents that The Last Riders have are his and the products the patents are on sell extremely well. One is a hatchet that turns into a small shovel so that rescuers can use it to help get victims out that are covered in ruble.
    “So, no, I don’t think a man who is extremely sensitive to others in dire circumstances killed a young woman to steal her jewelry when he could easily buy her the whole jewelry store.”
    Thurman turned pale at Diamond’s information. “Why didn’t my investigators find out about his money?”
    “They didn’t dig deep enough. The business is in The Last Riders’ names, but I did a patent search with Knox’s name. He keeps his money within the business for his own reasons. I haven’t asked, but from what I gather, he could care less about his wealth. His bike isn’t even an expensive make.”
    David shrugged, gathering his wits. Diamond could practically see the wheels turning. “The money just makes him an even bigger flight risk. He has the funds to leave the country. Thanks, Diamond.”
    “Tell yourself that, Thurman, if it makes you feel better for putting a veteran that has honorably served his country and still volunteers his time in dangerous situations behind bars. I don’t happen to think Judge Creech, a veteran himself, will see it the same way.” Diamond turned on her heel, running into the sheriff who had come up from behind.
    “I agree also. I don’t think he’s a flight risk, and why would they call that tip into the state police and not the sheriff’s office?”
    “Probably because the tipster knows the preferential treatment The Last Riders receive from you,” Thurman said with rancor.
    The Sheriff gave Thurman a look of steel. “I think it’s more likely that they thought that someone from this office would recognize their voice. This is all premature bullshit anyway; until the final autopsy report comes back from Frankfort, you’re way ahead of yourself.” The sheriff didn’t back down from Thurman.
    “I didn’t realize there was a question about the autopsy?” Diamond said. It was the first time she had heard that the autopsy was in question.
    “There isn’t,” Thurman prevaricated.
    “There is,” The sheriff disagreed.
    “David, if you’re using your power to railroad an innocent man...” Diamond stared at the man, aghast at the thought of someone with his power trying to push an innocent man into prison.
    “He had the jewelry! How innocent could he be?” Thurman retorted nastily.
    “That house is never locked during the day when everyone works at the factory next door, and with the influx