Judge & Jury

Chapter 60

THE TELEPHONE WAS RINGING, and Monica A

She already knew who it was. Who else would be calling this late on a Sunday night? She had a crazy thought that maybe if she ignored the ring, he would go away. Everything would go back to how it had been before she had the best sex of her life.

She just sat looking at the phone, letting it ring.

"Would you answer it, please!" She and her mother were watching TV, and the ringing was blocking out the sound.

Finally Monica stood up and wrapped the cord out into the hallway. She noticed her hands shaking."Hullo."

"Hello, luv." The voice on the other end made her blood freeze.

How had she ever gotten herself into this mess? How had she been so pathetically stupid as to think he'd be interested in her? She should go to the police. She should hang up on him and call them now. They would understand; they would still trust her at her job. And if it wasn't for her mother, she had told herself over and over, she would.She would!

"What do you want?" she answered curtly.

"You used to like hearing my voice, Monica," the caller said."I'm feeling hurt. What do I want? I want the same thing you do, Monica. I want you and your mother to live a long, healthy life."

"Don't play with me," Monica spat out."Just tell me what you want me to do."

"All right," he said. He seemed to be enjoying himself."How about we meet for coffee tomorrow morning before you go to work? The café right across the square, where we met that other time. Say, eight thirty sharp. I'll fill you in on what happens from there."

"This isit, " Monica said, her stomach knotting."You promise, just this one thing."

"Be a good little girl, and you'll never hear my voice again. ButMonica, " Karl said in the sort of voice you'd use to reprove a child,"don't get any ideas. I'll do what I said I would. I promise. In fact, if I wasn't so trusting you'll be a good girl, I could do it right now. Come back in the living room.Come. "

Monica ran back into the room where her mother was watching TV.

A light shone on the window. Headlights. Then a car horn, three sharp blasts. She began to shake so hard she thought she could hear every bone in her body rattle.

Chapter 61

THAT MONDAY MORNING was the tightest security I'd ever seen for a trial. Godfather, Part II.

It was more like a show of force by law enforcement. Dozens of cops, some in armor and riot gear, holding automatic weapons, ma

Everything was by the book, exactly how I would have done it. Still, with several trials ru

Instinctively, I checked the courthouse security room, which was situated on the ground floor. Security staffers were watching monitors of all floors. Entrances, elevators, the basement garage, and the corridor where Cavello was to be transferred to and from the Manhattan County Jail. I tried to tell myself that nothing was going to happen, that everything was going to go off as pla

I was headed back up to the courtroom, passing by the lobby, when I heard my name shouted."Nick! Nick!"

It was Andie, restrained by two guards. She was waving."Nick, they won't let me in!"

I walked over to the entrance."It's okay," I said to the guard. I flashed my ID."I'll take responsibility. She's with me."

I pulled her through the jostling crowd."You were right. I had to be here, Nick. I couldn't stay away. For Jarrod, if not me."

"You don't have to explain, Andie. Just come."

I led her into one of the elevators, pushed the button for the eighth floor. There were a few others on board-a couple of attorneys, a court stenographer. The ride seemed interminable. I squeezed her hand."Hmmm," she said. Just that.

When the doors finally opened on eight, I pulled Andie to the side and waited for the other people to clear. Then I gave her the hug I wanted to give her the other night. I almost kissed her, too. It took guts to be here. To show her face. But I could feel her heart beating against me."It's okay, Andie. I'm glad you're here."

I showed my ID to a guard stationed outside the courtroom and escorted her inside. The room was still nearly empty. A couple of marshals chatting, a young assistant district attorney laying out jury forms along the lawyers' row.

Andie looked anxious suddenly."Now that I'm here, I don't know if I can do this."

"We'll stay over here," I said, placing her in the back row of the gallery."When he comes in, we'll be together. Maybe we'll wave."

"Yeah, or give him the finger."

I squeezed her hand."Nothing bad is going to happen. The evidence is even more solid than before. He's go

Chapter 62

MONICA ANN ROMANO SUSPECTED what was in the small bundle she was carrying, and it made her want to throw up.

She had taken it from the man she once trusted. Now she walked nervously across the square, showing her federal ID and passing by the guarded police barricades to the courthouse. It was the most nerve-racking thing she had ever done in her life. By a lot.

Finally, she stood in the courthouse employee line. Every bag was being opened. Even the lawyers' and their staffs'. Monica knew who was in the courthouse that day: Dominic Cavello.

"Big doings today, hon," chirped Mike, a lobby guard with a large handlebar mustache, who pulled her through the maze of people and over to the authorized perso

"Uh-huh." Monica nodded nervously. She smiled hello to a couple of familiar faces.

The guy in front of her, a lawyer with a beard and long hair, opened his case. Monica was next. Pablo, who always teased her about the Mets, caught her eye and smiled. Her heart was beating savagely. She felt the weight of the bundle pressing down on her. What if they looked inside?

The lawyer in front of her closed his case, passing through. Now it was just her and Pablo. Could he hear her heart pounding? Holding her breath, Monica stepped into the gate.

"How's the weekend, hon?" The guard took a perfunctory peek inside her handbag."You catch those Mets?"

"Sure I did." Monica nodded, closing her eyes, expecting a loud beep to go off.Her life to be over.

It didn't. Nothing happened. She stepped through. Just like every other day. A tremor of relief went through her. Thank God.

"See you at lunch," Pablo said. She started to hurry away. Then she heard him call,"Hey, Monica."

Monica A

The guard flashed her a wink."I like your hat."