ZERO HERO (The Kate Huntington Mystery series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

he’s not in good shape. Is there any way you can get down to the jail and see him today?”
                Kate perched on the edge of an armchair and tried to wrap her brain around what she was hearing. “Did he do it?”
                “From what I can tell, probably not,” Rob said. “The guy was also a friend of his. He was trying to talk him into cleaning up his act. Says the man was still very much alive when he left him.”
                Kate did a quick mental review of her schedule for the day. “I don’t think I have anybody right after lunch. I’ll have to double-check but I should have at least a semi-decent window to go down midday.”
                “I’ve gotta go to the office for a couple client meetings. I’ll be back here by twelve-thirty. The bail hearing’s at one. It would help if you were there for that, if you can make it.”
                “Are we likely to be done by one forty-five?”
                “Yeah, probably by one-thirty. Bail hearings tend to be quick and merciless.”
                “Tell Pete I’ll be there by twelve-fifteen, and I’ll stay for the bail hearing.”
    ~~~~~~~~
                Pete was an only child. His working class, widowed father had moved to a trailer park in Florida. The assistant prosecutor contended that Peter Jamieson had very little tying him to the Baltimore area. He was a flight risk. She requested bail be set at a million dollars.
                Rob stepped forward. “Your Honor, that’s a ridiculous amount.” The judge arched an eyebrow at him. Rob continued undeterred, “Mr. Jamieson has no history of violence. He’s only had one prior arrest for drug possession. He’s in therapy.” Rob gestured toward Kate. “And he’s been clean for eight months. He’s currently on medical leave from the Baltimore County fire department. He values his career very much and is not about to jeopardize it by jumping bail for a crime he did not commit.”
                The judge looked at the assistant prosecutor. “Do you have Mr. Jamieson’s record, Ms. Gerard? And by the way, where is Mr. Fitzsimmons today?”
                “He uh, had a previous commitment related to another case,” the young attorney stammered. She located the relevant paper in her briefcase and handed it to the judge.
                “I’d also like to point out, Your Honor,” Rob said, “that Mr. Jamieson’s drug use was directly related to the post-traumatic stress syndrome he’s experiencing as a result of his heroic efforts as a first responder on 9/11.”
                Kate felt Pete squirm beside her. She put a restraining hand on his arm.
                “Mrs. Huntington is Mr. Jamieson’s therapist,” Rob said.
                The judge glanced up from the single sheet of paper in front of him. He looked her way but didn’t ask her any questions.
                “Bail is set at $250,000.” The judge brought the gavel down.
                Kate and Rob were granted a short meeting with their client before he would be taken back to his cell. While Rob told Pete what would come next in his case, Kate was mulling over another issue. A bail bondsman would require a ten percent fee. Even she couldn’t afford $25,000, but maybe she could raise it. Although she had no clue how she would do that.
                When she mentioned the possibility, Pete shook his head. “I can handle being in jail. I was about to be evicted anyway. This way at least I’ve got a roof over my head and three meals a day.”
                Rob scribbled something on a sheet of paper and slid it across the table, then handed Pete his pen. “That gives me permission to enter your apartment and remove your belongings. I’ll put them in storage.”
                “I can’t afford