Chapter Seventeen
Arraignment
Kate watched, fuming, as Jessica was led into the magistrate’s court and seated in the front row. She could see the way that the belly chain dug into the poor girl’s waist. The scene replayed in Kate’s mind over and over. She should have expected some kind of reaction out of Jessica. She should have been ready to stop her. All of this could have been avoided.
“All rise,” the bailiff announced as the door behind the judge’s bench opened and the black-robed man swept into the room.
“Stay seated,” the grey-haired man quickly announced. Kate returned to her seat. The courtroom was empty. Kate was grateful that Jessica was not going to be arraigned in front of a full court.
“Now calling case number nine eight dash three two seven, your honor,” the bailiff into
