Free Scream Catcher by Vincent Zandri Page A

tall-backed swivel chair, hands interlocked at the fingers. His eyes are peeled not on Lennox or on Jude who, along with Mack and P.J. Blanchfield, occupy the Prosecution table on the opposite side of the recently constructed, marble-floored court. The judge’s eyes remained fixed instead on a beefy, tattooed and leather-vested Wild Bill Stark who also stands directly before the bench.
    “And you’re certain you can verify the presence of the defendant inside your establishment at the hours indicated by the prosecution’s complaint?” begs the Judge.
    “I have him recorded on security video,” Stark announces, big baritone voice rattling the courtroom. “It’s been surrendered as requested.”
    Mack leans towards his son, whispers into his ear.
    “I wanna see that video.”
    “Your honor,” the tall, blond Blanchfield interjects, “I’ve yet to view that video and would like a chance to have it examined prior to the Preliminary Hearing should you grant one.”
    “Naturally, Ms. Blanchfield. But before we proceed any further, might I point out that your eyewitness—the single individual you base your accusation on—was discovered knocked unconscious as the scene of the crime. Now while I have no doubt that a homicide took place, I do have my doubts that anyone got a good look at it in all that rain and all that darkness. Certainly I’m not calling Mr. Parish a liar, but before you proceed with an action you might want to consider that you are working with an unreliable eyewitness. And might I further enlighten you that Mr. Stark has never before appeared before this court for having committed any offense. Not even for a traffic violation. Which leads me to believe that his security tape is legitimate and/or untampered with.”
    Mack, leaning into Jude again.
    “Money talks,” he says. “Just ask Wild Bill Stark.”
    “We have probable cause, your honor,” Blanchfield says, her voice not seething with authority but more like a timid whisper. “And an M.O. that appears to match the previous two Lake George homicides of 2008 and 2010.”
    “Duly noted,” Mann goes on. “Also another north county citizen has been robbed of his life not to mention the fact that your eyewitness nearly took a bullet to the brain. What all this means of course is that I must play this one out to its rightful conclusion and do it fast. There could be a killer on the loose. With that in mind, I’ll offer up a Preliminary Hearing in the matter of Christian Jordan but only if you have enough proof and evidence to support a case of murder in the first degree, and only if your eyewitness proves himself reliable. I don’t want to waste Captain Mack’s time if the real killer is still out there somewhere just waiting for the chance to pounce on one of our fine tourists.”
    “And the request for the Defendant to be remanded to the Warren County Jail, your Honor?” Blanchfield quietly pushes.
    “Denied,” Mann exclaims. “I know it’s highly unusual in the case of murder, but I have an eyewitness who was rendered unconsciousness. More importantly, it’s one man’s word against another. I am not in the business of locking up innocent people, especially at the height of tourist season. Lake George has an image to uphold and public relations to consider. Therefore this court agrees to release this man on two-hundred-fifty thousand dollars bail bond pending a return for the Preliminary Hearing which I am personally scheduling for three days from now on Friday, fifteen August.” Eyes now on Jordan/Lennox. “Mr. Jordan you will make your bank check or licensed bond payable to Warren County, care of the Town of Lake George. You will surrender the materials directly to the Bailiff immediately subsequent to these proceedings along with your passport if you have one.” Setting half glasses back on the crest of his nose. “Any questions? Anything I’ve missed?”
    P.J. Blanchfield sets a hand on Mack’s shoulder before