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Childress carried on smoothly, “Be that as it may, we can’t run around behind Mr. Decker to make sure he follows the law. Indeed, he was formally told by this department not to involve himself in this investigation, and yet he disobeyed that request. We had no alternative but to take him into custody, and that’s why we’re here today.”
Dickerson seemed to be wavering. “As I recall, didn’t Detective Decker solve the case behind the terrible shootings at Burlington High School a couple of years ago?”
“Indeed, he did,” said Childress. “In fact, the department awarded Mr. Decker a commendation for his work on the case, and I was there applauding as loud as anyone. This is clearly nothing personal, as I’m a big fan of Mr. Decker’s. But we have a department to run and I can’t sit by and see him do damage to it.”
“All right, I see your point.”
Bailey said, “Your Honor, this is simply a bail hearing and a chance for Mr. Decker to enter his plea.”
“Not guilty,” said Decker immediately.
“Are you represented by counsel, Mr. Decker?” asked the judge.
“Not yet, sir. I’m working on it, if it comes to that.” He glanced over at Childress and saw the man staring at him with a grim expression.
Bailey quickly said, “Because of Mr. Decker’s previous relationship with the department and his current work with the FBI, we’re fine with him being released on his own recognizance.”
Childress stepped forward. “I think Ms. Bailey’s facts need to be somewhat updated, Your Honor. Mr. Decker no longer has ties to this community. He moved away over two years ago. And he obviously no longer works for the department, which is one of the reasons we’re here today. And I have it on good authority that he may not even work for the FBI, so the points made by Ms. Bailey for his being released on his own recognizance fallaway.”
“Do you really consider Mr. Decker a flight risk?” asked Dickerson.
Childress spread his hands and said in a very sincere voice, “Again, when he was on the force, he had no bigger cheerleader than me, Judge. But he’s been gone a long time now. I can’t say that I know the man anymore. And, quite frankly, him going rogue like that after he was warned off the case, well, it does not inspire confidence, I have to say.”
Dickerson looked over at Decker. “Is all that true?”
“I still work for the FBI. And Idohave ties to the community.”
Childress jumped in. “I’m afraid that’s simply not true. He has no home here, or other property. Or job. Or—”
“My family is buried here,” said Decker quietly, looking not at Childress, but staring directly at Dickerson. “That’s why I came back to town. To visit the graves of my wife and my daughter. It would have been her fourteenth birthday.” He paused. “So my ties to this community run very deep. About as deep as they can, in fact.”
Natty clucked his tongue and rolled his eyes at this. Childress looked visibly put out by the statement. However, Bailey’s eyes watered and she looked down at her hands.
Dickerson nodded. “Mr. Decker, I accept your not-guilty plea, and you are released without bond on your own recognizance. A trial date will be set. I just ask that if you are planning to leave the area that you let the court know.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Your Honor, untilallof this is settled.”
Dickerson disappeared into his chambers. As soon as the door was closed, Childress stepped directly in front of Decker and looked him up and down. Now that the judge was no longer around, the man’s entire demeanor had changed from professional and genuine to cocksure and mean.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you’re back in town, Decker. Because your ass is going down for this.” He looked over at Natty. “What are the sentencing guidelines for this again, Natty?”
“One to three. Double that for aggravated circumstances.”
Childress stared gleefully at Decker. “Here’s hoping for aggravated circumstances, then.”
Decker looked him over. “You must not want to solve Hawkins’s murder.”
“Why do you say that?” said Childress, the grin still planted on his face.
“You assigned Natty to it. He can’t even solve the mystery of why you’re a dick.”
Bailey coughed and looked away, rubbing at her eye.
“You think you’re so much smarter than everybody else, don’t you?” barked Childress.
“No. But I know I screwed up the Richards and Katz murders. And I’m here to fix that.”
“The only thing you should be working on are your obstruction and interference charges.”
