Free Judge & Jury by James Patterson, Andrew Gross Page A

the finger, Mr. Kaskel. And if it’s shown in any way that this is tied back to your client . . .”
    “It’s okay, Hy.” Dominic Cavello restrained his lawyer. “I understand how the judge must feel. She has to do what she has to do. It’s just that I have friends who feel a certain way as well, and the problem is, they have to do what they think is right, too.”
    “ What did I just hear? ” The judge’s gaze was electric, drilling in on Cavello’s eyes.
    “I tried to tell you from the beginning, Your Honor,” Cavello said, “we’re never going to see the end of this trial. What can I tell you? That’s just the way it is.”
    I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. Even for a bull like Cavello, to direct such a bold threat at the court was extraordinary.
    “Agent in Charge Pellisante,” the judge said, never flinching.
    “Yes, Your Honor.”
    “I’m calling a recess for the day. I want the jury sent home. In the meantime, I’ll decide how this proceeding is conducted from here on in.”
    I felt I had to voice my opinion. “The jury should be sequestered, Your Honor. We can no longer take responsibility for their safety. Or even your own. We’ve mapped out various locations. I can have protective custody in motion as soon as you give the word.”
    “Nick,” Cavello clucked, turning my way, “it’s a big city. Hey, maybe you ought to be watching your back, too.”
    I stepped forward to take a slug at him—but someone behind me, this big, burly marshal, held me back.
    “Do it, Agent Pellisante.” The judge nodded. “Set the wheels in motion. Sequester the jury.”

Chapter 25
    AROUND NINE THIRTY that night, Andie was folding towels in Jarrod’s bathroom. Her darling son was in his pj’s, sitting up in bed with a schoolbook open on his lap, but he was staring off into space.
    “Mom, what’s a promontory?” he called to her.
    Andie came out and sat on the edge of his bed.
    “It’s like a piece of land that juts out into the ocean.”
    “Then what’s a peninsula?” he asked next, flipping the textbook page.
    Andie shrugged. “I guess it’s a larger piece of land that juts out into the ocean.”
    That day, for the first time in a week, she had picked him up from school. The judge had excused them all before noon, and the rumor mills were buzzing. The newspapers and TV commentators were saying threats had been made. Maybe against some of the jurors.
    Andie had asked for some time with the judge and finally mentioned how she had found her windshield smashed in two nights before. Judge Seiderman told her it probably wasn’t related. But that wasn’t exactly making her feel safe and secure right now.
    “So, then isn’t every piece of land in the world kind of a peninsula?” Jarrod shrugged. “I mean, look at Florida. Or Africa and South America. Doesn’t everything stick out into the ocean at some point, Mom?”
    “I guess.” Andie tucked in his blanket and sat brushing back his soft, light-brown hair.
    “Hey,” he said, squirming, “I’m not a baby.”
    “You’re my baby, always will be. Sorry, but that’s the deal.”
    Andie’s hand stopped abruptly at the sound of the doorbell.
    Jarrod sat back up. They both looked at the clock. It was after ten. “Who could that be, Mom?”
    “I don’t know. But one thing I do know, Einstein.” She took the book from him. “It’s lights out.” She bent and gave him a kiss.
    “’Night, Mom.”
    Andie went into the hall to answer the bell. She turned the lock and cracked open the front door slightly.
    She did a double take.
    It was that FBI guy she’d noticed in the courtroom, the nice-looking one. And there was a uniformed police officer with him. No— two police officers, a man and a woman.
    What were they doing here at ten o’clock?

Chapter 26
    HE HELD UP his FBI shield for her to see. “I’m sorry to surprise you, Ms. DeGrasse. May I come in? It’s important.”
    Andie opened the door. The FBI guy was dressed nicely,