Page 27 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

He came around his desk and shook her hand. "It’s been a while."

"It has."

"I hear you’re trying to escape juvenile court."

She smiled. "I’m thinking about it."

"Nobody ever really escapes."

She laughed softly.

He motioned toward a chair. "DuBois filled me in. He said somebody's trying awfully hard to make sure you stay on my case."

“Before we get started on the phone, have you learned anything about Bay Mercer?” Sabre asked. “Who she is, her parents?”

“We have a name we’re pretty certain isn’t real. We have an age that even you question. And we know nothing about her parents or who this guardian is. She wouldn’t tell us anything, so we have nothing to go on. I’ve interviewed stubborn teenagers before, but this one’s different. I think it’s because she’s protecting someone other than herself.”

“I agree.” Sabre sat and handed him her phone. "Here’s why I'm here."

Nelson looked down at the screen. The text was short. Take the case... or the girl dies.

Below it was the sender's number: (619) 555-4817

"Do you recognize it?"

She shook her head.

Nelson studied the message another moment before looking up. "Tell me how this connects to Todd Maddox."

"I don’t know for sure that it does.” She told him about Bay insisting on her by name. About the hearing. About declining the appointment because of the text and Judge Hammouri appointing Ethan instead.

When she finished, Nelson folded his arms.

"So, whoever sent this knew Bay was going to ask for you."

"Apparently."

"And they wanted you on the defense."

"Or wanted me involved somehow."

Nelson nodded slowly. "I don't like coincidences."

"Neither do I."

He picked up the phone again. "I've got a forensic examiner downstairs. He can make a logical extraction while you wait. You'll get your phone back before you leave."

"I'll need it."

"I figured."

He stood. "I'll also get preservation requests out to your carrier today. If we're lucky, they'll identify the originating carrier. If we're unlucky..."

"It's a burner."

He gave a slight nod. "Probably. But even burners leave footprints. If another message comes in..."

"I'll call you."