Chapter 6 — No Bail Before Monday

Detective ReyesMr. Cole. I need your signature at the bottom of the complaint.

AdrianGive me the pen.

Adrian signed the indictment against the arm of the chair without reading it a second time and handed the folder back.

Detective ReyesThe judge denied bail for both Camille and Gerald Ashford this morning.

NoraOn what grounds?

Detective ReyesFlight risk and witness intimidation. Two of your household staff got calls just after midnight.

AdrianWhich two?

Detective ReyesChief Dawson, and the woman who runs the east wing. Both of them reported it before six without being asked.

AdrianGood. Make sure the corridor footage is mirrored on three separate servers.

Detective ReyesThe district attorney's office holds the master copy. Honestly, sir, it's about as clean a case as I have worked in eleven years.

NoraThank you for everything, Detective.

Detective ReyesJust the job, ma'am. You look after yourself.

He put his hat back on, nodded once to Adrian, and went out into the corridor. The door swung shut on its arm and the room was quiet.

NoraAdrian.

AdrianMm.

NoraNine days.

AdrianNine days what?

NoraThe camera. It went up nine days before.

AdrianThe insurers wanted it after the Fenwick break-in. I signed the rider because it was cheaper than arguing with them about the premium.

NoraAnd if you hadn't signed it?

Adrian did not answer for a while. Out in the corridor a trolley went past and somebody laughed at the far end of the ward.

AdrianThen it would have been her word about a housekeeper's daughter, against yours.

NoraThat's the part I keep going back to.

AdrianDon't.

NoraNine days, Adrian. That's all it was.

AdrianI know.