In the hearing room, Oates took a seat in the back near Torres, Nichols, and Hughes. It was a row of black uniforms. Oates studied Eli, who conferred with Bones and Marcia. The jury was in place, and as the last of the visitors came in, a news crew tried to bring in a camera, but the bailiff sent them back out.
Sandoval had not bothered to show up.
Ferrara sat down and immediately gaveled for quiet. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll have order. There being no further witnesses –”
“Ms. Ferrara,” Eli interrupted, “we wish to recall a witness. Officer Norbert Oates.”
Sitting beside Eli, Bones was startled and whispered, “Are you crazy?”
“He’s dying to do this,” Eli said softly. “Poor Ramon is not getting his day in court after all.” In fact, Eli had already sent the boy home with a new ten-do
