Speak of the Devil by Allison Leotta Read Free Book Online

to have a chance to appear before you, Your Honor,” Schwalm said.
    The judge narrowed her eyes skeptically, then turned to Anna. “What’s the government’s position on detention?”
    “We’re asking for a B1A hold. The defendant committed a crime of violence.”
    “Defense?”
    “Probable cause hasn’t been established. According to the government, this was a brothel. There’s no evidence that Mr. Garcia wasn’t just a paying client, whose transaction was interrupted by three men who came to commit these alleged crimes.”
    “Prosecution?”
    “The defendant was clearly with the other three men raiding the brothel,” Anna said. “Fifth paragraph, third line. ‘The defendant’s fingerprints were identified on a machete found by his feet.’ Sixth paragraph: ‘The man who was shot wore a trench coat, as did the men who fled. A similar trench coat was found in the bedroom.’ Four trench coats, four invaders. It’s our theory that the trench coats were worn to conceal their machetes, and Mr. Garcia was the fourth man raiding the brothel. Your Honor can also note the defendant’s tattoos. They’re symbols representing the gang MS-13, also known as the Mara Salvatrucha. The man who was shot had similar tattoos.”
    “Is that in the Gerstein ?” the judge asked. She was familiar with the gang; every judge in the District knew that MS-13 was one of the most violent gangs in America.
    “Ninth paragraph. Detective McGee notes that the three-dot tattoo is a symbol of the three places to which MS-13 can lead a gang member: prison, the hospital, or the morgue. The MS and the claw are also symbols of affiliation with the gang.”
    The judge’s pen moved on the paper. “I find there’s probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crimes charged. He’ll be held in jail pending a preliminary hearing, four days from now. I grant the government’s request that he have no contact with the victims.”
    Anna wrote all this on the case jacket. When she looked up, she found Psycho aiming his weird smile at her. It was unnerving. She was accustomed to hostile glares, but the inexplicable grin felt more malevolent and feral. When she met his eyes, Psycho raised his upper lip a fraction, turning it into a snarl. She got the impression that he wanted to jump across the courtroom and tear her throat out with his teeth.
    The clerk called lockup number 93. A deputy took Psycho’s arm and led him back to the holding cell. Anna shook off her unease.
    In the hallway afterward, Anna spoke to the defense attorney. “Can we get your client in to talk?”
    “I thought you’d be interested in that. I asked. He says no.”
    “First one in the lifeboat gets the best seat. I can offer him a good deal.”
    “He says he’ll never snitch. But I’ll try again. What can you tell me? What do you want to know from him?”
    “Who were his accomplices, what were they doing? And this.” Anna took a copy of Nina Flores’s photo from the file. “I want to know where he got it, and why he was carrying it around. Even if he just gives me that, we’ll be off to a great start.”
    “I’ll ask. If he changes his mind, I’ll call you.”
    “Thanks.” Anna wouldn’t count on it.
    Back at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she headed to Jack’s floor. She had to tell him about Nina’s photo. But his office was empty.
    “He’s in court all day, hon,” called Vanetta, his secretary.
    Anna spent a few minutes chatting about Vanetta’s grandkids. But she felt uneasy as she walked away. She wouldn’t feel settled until she could ask Jack about the photo. He would have a logical explanation. He always did.

9
    Howard University Hospital was a monolithic brick building on the south side of the college campus. Founded in 1862, it was initially called Freedmen’s Hospital and provided medical care for ex-slaves. Today, it was a comprehensive level-one trauma center. Anna knew and liked a lot of the staff, but visiting was rarely a