Free The Price of Candy by Rod Hoisington Page A

for release on bail.”
    “Good. Custody is always the thing. Number
one for anyone arrested is to get out of custody. You can be
arrested and back on the street until your trial. But custody puts
you in coveralls behind bars. The arraignment is at four this
afternoon at the county courthouse.”
    “Moran has no case against me.”
    “Unfortunately, innocence is beside the
point. State attorneys usually get what they want from a judge. As
you know, the arraignment isn’t a trial. He just has to convince
the judge something’s going on. You’re facing many weeks in jail.
The judge isn’t likely to cross Moran, as he must deal with him
every day. If Moran wants you held without bail, he just might get
his wish. If he does agree to release you on bond, do you have any
money for bail?”
    “You know I don’t have a dime. Brother
Raymond has a little. He signed for my tuition loans, but I make
the payments. I doubt he has any money. You’ve probably heard, at
present he’s running around in Milan with Meg Emerson, his wealthy
stockbroker girlfriend. She’s a magician when it comes to money and
they’re going into business together. They’re starting a retirement
planning firm.
    “When she said going into business, she
didn’t mean hanging out her shingle in Park Beach. She’ll deal
exclusively with Fortune 500 companies. Raymond will soon have a
big bank account. I need to catch up. Here I am mid-thirties and my
only asset is my car, gorgeous as it is. Meg told me they would
hire me as counsel if I wanted to go into corporate law. I don’t
want that. I want my own office in Park Beach defending the little
people who the system considers powerless. That’s what’s going to
happen if Moran will get off my back long enough for me to pass the
bar and get my license.”
    Kagan said, “I’ll sign for your bail bond if
it comes to that.”
    * * * *
    Two hours later, at the arraignment, she
entered a plea of not guilty and Kagan requested release on
personal recognizance. As feared, Moran objected and requested no
bail and remand of the prisoner to the custody of the sheriff.
    Then Kagan spoke up unexpectedly, “Your
honor, may we know the name of the other alleged conspirator?”
    The question appeared to surprise Moran and
he was flustered momentarily. “...The co-conspirator is...Abigail
Olin.”
    “And where is Abigail Olin at the present
time?” Kagan asked.
    “What do you mean, where is she?”
    “Was she also remanded?”
    Moran now realized where this was going and
looked abashed at the judge. “Your honor, that’s different. Mrs.
Olin was released on her recognizance when the charge against her
was manslaughter of a prowler....”
    Kagan interrupted quickly, “Your honor, why
should my client, who may or may not have in truth conspired, be
remanded if the alleged murderer is walking around?”
    The judge struck his gavel, “The prisoner is
released on personal recognizance. Next case!”
     
     
     

Chapter Eleven
     
    Later that same day, around six o’clock,
Sandy skipped happily down the courthouse front steps. “Getting
those handcuffs off is delicious. Thanks Jerry.”
    “An imperfect freedom, I’m afraid,” Kagan
said. “Out of custody although still under arrest. Moran could
still find a reason to go back before the judge and have your bail
revoked.”
    “At least I’ve some time to try to straighten
all this out. So far not a single night in jail. You’re hot stuff,
you know it? Now how do I get my car and things?”
    “I checked. There’s no hold on your vehicle,
however they’re holding your cell phone and laptop for evidence.
I’ll drive you out to the sheriff’s office to get your vehicle and
other personal items. We’ll stop somewhere and buy a throwaway
cell. I know you’d be lost without a phone.”
    “I’m lost without my laptop.”
    They drove out to West County and after
obtaining the release of her Miata from the auto pound, she thanked
Kagan again and he left.