13
The courtroom was packed, the bailiff standing in the corner. The judge was Thompson, so at least Jack had that on his side, as the man was a stickler for propriety. This was just a preliminary hearing to get bail, but that wouldn’t stop Jack from attempting to have the charges tossed out.
He stood with everyone as Iris was led in, wearing her clothes from the day before, her hair sticking up. He heard Suzanne gasp behind him and whisper, “Mom…” He didn’t glance back but hoped Karen could keep everyone in line.
Iris forced a smile as she was led to the table and sat down, and he instantly put his arm around her back and leaned in.
“Just follow my lead,” he said. “Game face, like I told you.”
The court clerk read off the charges: “Murder in the first degree.”
He had known that was
