Judge & Jury Read Online Free PDF Page B

designated for private conversations.
    “Huh?”
    “ In my office, Ms. DeGrasse, ” Sharon Ann ordered her.
    Slowly Andie rose and, with a roll of the eyes, followed the dour court clerk into the cramped bathroom.
    “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, Ms. DeGrasse,” Sharon Ann snapped as soon as the door had closed.
    “W-what I’m up to?” Andie stammered. “I didn’t say anything that everyone in that room hasn’t already thought to themselves.”
    Even her sister, Rita. It had been the first thing out of her mouth. Doesn’t it make you a little worried? I mean, they know you, Andie. It’s Dominic Cavello. They know where you live. You didn’t need to be a mother to be worried. Just human. The whole selection process had been right out in the open. “Listen, Sharon Ann, I . . .”
    “You’ve wanted off this thing from the very beginning.” Sharon Ann cut her off. “I’m not having anyone poisoning this jury. You got your wish—you’re history, lady.”

Chapter 11
    ANDIE RETOOK HER SEAT back in the jury room, blushing, a little embarrassed and hurt. A few minutes later the door to the courtroom opened again, and she found out just what the judge’s clerk meant.
    Sharon Ann stuck her head in. “We’re not quite ready yet.” Then she pointed a finger toward Andie, motioning her up. “Ms. DeGrasse . . .”
    A flutter of nerves went down Andie’s spine.
    “Can you come with me, please? And you can bring your things.”
    Andie slowly got up, flashing a resigned look around the table. She was gone!
    She followed Sharon Ann into the courtroom, which, to her surprise, was hushed and packed. And all eyes seemed to be centered on her. She felt really embarrassed now, like she was being publicly marched into the boss’s office and fired—just for speaking her mind.
    Sharon Ann led her through a side door in the courtroom behind the judge’s bench. A marshal was guarding the hallway. Sharon Ann motioned flatly. “Go in. She’s waiting for you.”
    Andie stepped inside the large, book-lined room. Judge Seiderman looked up from behind a desk covered with papers.
    “Ms. DeGrasse.” She peered over her reading glasses. “It’s come to my attention you seem to have a bit of nervous stomach of the mouth.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “You have trouble keeping your mouth shut, don’t you?” The judge looked at her sternly. “It might’ve been amusing during jury selection, but now. . . . We’re about to start an important trial, not a theatrical audition. I can’t afford any troublemakers on this jury.”
    Andie stood her ground. “If you’re talking about what I said in there, I actually thought it was a pretty legitimate question.”
    “ What, Ms. DeGrasse?” Judge Seiderman looked up impatiently.
    “Everyone heard our names during selection. And where we live. If we’re married or not. Or have any kids. Anyone in their right mind would be concerned. Certainly, people have raised questions.”
    “ People? ” The judge arched her brows.
    “I don’t know. My sister. My mother. When I told them I was on this case. That can’t exactly be a shock to you.”
    “Why we opted for how we conduct this trial is the court’s business, Ms. DeGrasse. All you have to know is that if we thought there was the slightest danger to the jury, I assure you it would be our first concern.” Judge Seiderman sat back. She took out an official slip and reached for a pen. “You’ve wanted off this trial from the beginning, haven’t you?”
    “I guess. Maybe last week, but . . .”
    “But what? I’m about to give you your wish.”
    Andie’s heartbeat accelerated. Last week she would’ve killed to hear those words. But over the weekend she’d begun to have a change of heart. She started to see this as a chance to do something decent, something good. She hadn’t done a whole lot before to help people. Never served in the armed forces or the peace corps. Never volunteered for much in the