Betrayal
Chapter Twenty-Two
At noon, all six men and Orrin Travis were in the court room, waiting to watch
Mary's arraignment. Evie and Orrin had been granted permanent custody, because
of the situation with Mary. If Mary wanted Billy back, when she was released
from prison, she would be allowed to sue the Travises for custody. But Orrin and
Evie had already decided that they would fight for Billy.
Evie had taken Billy home, they didn't want him to have to watch his mother's
arraignment. They were hoping that he wouldn't have to have to testify about
what he had heard, that time, when Mounds had been on the phone. But, they knew
that it was a possibility later down the road.
"All please stand for the Honorable Judge Shindler," the bailiff said. After the
judge had taken his seat, the bailiff said, "Everyone please be seated... Case
number PF2076," she added.
Mary and her lawyer, Adrian Black, approached and stopped at a small table that
was a few feet from the judge. "Ms. Travis, how do you plead?"
Mary sighed, "No contest, Your Honor." They all knew that that meant she was
pleading guilty, she just didn't want to admit that she was guilty by saying it.
Judge Shindler nodded, "We will see each other again in one week, to determine
sentencing."
Adrian Black spoke up, "Judge, my client and I request that you let her out on
bail until the time of her sentencing. She has already lost her job and her
son..."
The judge cut the lawyer off, "You have got to be kidding me! My answer is no.
She is the cause of the attempted murder of a federal agent. She will remain
where she is until the time of the sentencing. Dismissed!" And, with that the
judge banged his gavel down.
UTAH
Ezra sighed as he laid on his back on the couch. He had four federal agents from
the Utah ATF agency watching him. They took twelve-hour shifts, two during the
day, two at night. He looked over at Agents Harry Mullard and Julia Sanders, who
were playing a game of cards. They and the other two agents, Neil Harrison and
Luke Milter, were all nice and professional. Even though Agents Mullard and
Sanders were involved in a card game, he could tell that they were still very
aware of everything that was going on around them. To him, that was what made a
great agent. Especially when you were watching his back.
"Hey, Agent Standish, you wanna play?" asked Julia.
They had been impressed to find out that he was part of Team Seven, that had
been dubbed "The Magnificent Seven". And, they didn't give any indication that
they had heard rumors from his days with the FBI, even though he was sure they
had. They were great agents and he really enjoyed their company. And, no matter
what kind of mood he was in, he couldn't help but give in to his desire to play
a good game of poker.
He carefully walked over to the table, still aware of his healing ribs and
injuries. "Sure," he said with a slight smile, "why not?" After he had sat down,
he added, "And, call me Ezra or Standish. The whole "agent" thing is unnecessary
now." The two agents glanced at each other, but nodded.
He took the cards, expertly shuffling them, and asked, "How about Five Card
Stud?"
As the two agents warily watched his hands handle the cards, they were both
thinking the same thing. 'What have I gotten myself into?'