Bound and Broken: Claimed by the MC

Chapter 7 - Ameilia

"Okay," I say after another few hours of putting everything in order. "Everything in here is ordered, the old case files, everything we have on Miller, I have the affidavit date highlighted and here is a timeline of events."

"Amazing," Raven says through a yawn. "I have a draft emergency motion ready to challenge the detention. Let's swap and look over what each of us has done. We can't have any mistakes."

"Agreed," I say readily. I can't stand the thought of James behind bars again. Mostly because the whole attack only happened because they needed to save Raven. Maybe what they did wasn't right, maybe feeling sympathy for someone that k.illed people is wrong. But if they hadn't gone there I have no doubt in my mind Raven would have paid the ultimate price. And she has become one of my closest friends, if not thee closest friend I have. So James being put in jail for saving her, is something I can't let go.

After Raven finishes going through everything I gave her she sets it all down and sighs. "Either someone screwed up or someone lied."

"Honestly, with all the stuff the club has been put through I'm betting that it's a downright lie."

"I've got sustenance," someone yells, making me jump. I know Luke is keeping an eye on things and it's unlikely anyone would get in here that wanted to hurt us, but I wasn't expecting another person to be here this early in the morning. I check my watch again, five in the morning. Another few hours and we can start making calls.

"You're a lifesaver," Raven jumps up and grabs the bags of what I'm assuming are food, from Tony.

"Hey," Luke snaps, "I'm the one that told him to bring food."

"But he's not a prospect anymore. Can you still make him do stuff like that?" Tony bursts out laughing at the look on Luke's face, and honestly it is pretty comical.

"Actually, Raven, he can. He's still the VP, but I wanted to bring you guys food anyway. We all want to do whatever we can to make sure James gets out ASAP."

"But weren't you partying the night away? Are you sure you were okay to drive?" Raven asks, sounding concerned. I smile a little, their relationship is so sweet. They've been through a lot together and you can tell how much they care about one another. In a completely brotherly and sisterly way. It's really nice to see that kind of relationship between them. One based on mutual respect.

"Nah, I'm good. I hadn't been drinking too much before James was arrested, and we all stopped once that happened. Anyway, there's a bunch of food in there. I'll run back to the car to grab the coffee."

"I think we have everything ready. I'm going to double check we have all the correct numbers to call first thing, then I'm going to try to get a little sleep," I tell Raven. "You should try to sleep too, a well prepared mind is sometimes our best defense."

"I know, you're right I should," Raven says, yawning again. "I'm gonna eat some of this food first though, here," she tosses me a breakfast sandwich, which I readily devour. Then I make sure I have all the correct numbers written down, set my alarm, and try to get some sleep. Next thing I know a loud siren is waking me up and I almost fall of the couch where I fell asleep. I jump up my heart racing, before I remember where I am. I hear a laugh and look up to see Luke standing there trying to cover his laughter up, but failing miserably. I narrow my eyes at him.

"Sorry, you just looked like you were about to just fall right over, you good?"

"Yeah, I forget how jarring my alarm can be."

"Yeah, Jesus Christ, it sounds like a tornado warning siren or some s.hit," Tony adds and we all chuckle. Luke goes to wake Raven up, and I start making calls. Raven joins me a few minutes later and between the two of us we call the court clerk, the D.A.'s office, the jail, the probation office, and anyone else connected or assigned to James's case.

"Got it!" I yell, "his first court appearance is scheduled for this morning at nine."

"That's in fifteen minutes," Raven yelps as she jumps up and runs into the bathroom in her office. I follow knowing that we both keep a change of clothes in there for times like this. It takes us five minutes to get ready. We literally changed our clothes, brushed our teeth, and threw our hair up in ponytails. Then we race out the door and to the courthouse. We get there right as they are dragging James in, and the prosecutor looks surprised to see us, but not unhappy which seems a little suspicious.

"Your Honor," the Prosecutor starts, before diving into all the bulls.hit we knew he would spew. After going through the warrant, and recommending that James be held in custody until his upcoming trial, and that these charges be added the judge steeples his fingers at looks at James.

"You know young man," the judge says addressing him. It would be comical to see someone addressing James as a young man, except this judge is about 70 years old. "I'm inclined to agree with the Prosecutor here, given the evidence presented to me. But I've also been given a bit of your history with their office, so I'm willing to extend the time we have here to listen to what your lawyer has to say."

"Thank you your Honor," James says standing and addressing him with that deep voice of his.

"Your Honor," Raven says after the Judge asks her to share what she has, "the state alleges Mr. Collins directed an attack occurring on May 22nd. However, the affidavit supporting the arrest warrant was signed on May 1st, that is three weeks earlier than the alleged incident that took place."

I see a glimmer of hope when the prosecutor's start whispering to each other and all start going through the papers they have. One of them even runs outside while making a phone call.

"Counsel, can you explain this discrepancy?" the Judge asks, as he looks over the paperwork he has been handed again.

"It's nothing more thank a clerical error," the prosecutor says, though he's stumbling slightly over his words.

"A clerical error?" Raven asks, "on the central document that was used to deprive my client of his freedom? Your office has quite the history of clerical errors where my client is concerned. They also have a habit of using a man with a bias against my client as their confidential informant."

"And who is that informant?" the Judge asks.

"Travis Miller, your Honor. He has a documented history of trouble with my client as he was removed from joining their club due to his penchant for violence against women. This is the man the prosecution is using to make their case against my client."

"I'm declaring a half hour recess while I take some time to look over the prosecutions previous charges against this man. I don't believe I have the full story of what is going on here." The judge bangs his gavel then leaves to go to his chambers.

"You're doing a great job," I tell her. "There's no way he's going to hold James with all of these inconsistencies."

"Well hello there Firefly, it's good to see you too," James says, drawing my attention to him. "Please though, don't let me interrupt the two of you talking about me like I'm not here." Luke laughs behind me, and I can feel my face turning red.

"S-sorry," I finally mumble out. "Are you okay?"

"I am now," he gives me a smirk that I'm sure has melted the panties off of multiple women. God he's gorgeous. "You know if you keep staring at me, I'm going to take it as an invitation." I shake my head, realizing I have in fact been staring at him. And my cheeks are starting to burn once again.

"Leave her alone James," Raven admonishes him. "Now, I want to know what happened while you were being held last night." We start talking about his time in the holding cell, but he assures us that no one bothered him after Raven left. Then she fills him in on what we learned last night. By the time she's done the judge has reentered.

"I'm not comfortable holding this defendant based on the current record." He says, once he has begun the proceedings again. "And to be quite honest, I'm not comfortable with what this prosecutors office is doing either. I read the original summary judgment for the defenses motion to suppress evidence and for sanctions. And I have to say, I'm as troubled as Judge Reynolds was. Your office is on thin ice with this man here. I suggest you think long and hard about your evidence and informants going forward. I am releasing the defendant immediately. Your contempt for this man has become clear, and I guarantee it will threaten your upcoming trial. Get out of my courtroom, and rest assured I will be following up with Judge Reynolds to ensure she has involved the Attorney General and Internal Affairs."

I breathe a sigh of relief when the judge bangs down his gavel. James is free to go.