Chapter 45

CHAPTER 45

T HE SMALL SPARTAN COURTROOM HELD only a few people. Glass and his attorney were seated at one counsel table. A sullen-faced man in a light brown suit was seated at the other. Directly behind him in the front pew was a woman in her forties dressed in a dark pantsuit. The pair were conversing in low voices.

Saxby went over to join them and the three started talking in whispers. She pulled out the legal papers Glass’s attorney had served her with and the other woman glanced over them.

Devine, Walker, and Odom were seated in the front row.

Devine watched as Glass gazed around the room. He looked refreshed and relaxed. And Devine couldn’t understand why, unless the man already knew what was going to happen today.

And he might.

Saxby rejoined them, looking, Devine thought, a bit shell-shocked. When he asked her what was wrong, she waved him off. “Later,” she said irritably.

The bailiff told them all to stand, and Judge Judith Mehan appeared from behind the bench and took her seat. She was in her fifties with graying hair cut short, and her black robe hung loosely over her. A court reporter sat off to the side, her fingers hovering over her stenographic machine.

Mehan said, “Let’s get to it. I have a heavy docket today.” She shuffled some papers in front of her. “Are Mr. Daniel Glass and Miss Betsy Odom in the courtroom?”

Glass’s counsel and the sullen-faced man, who identified himself as the government lawyer representing Odom’s interests, reported that their clients were present.

Mehan said, “I’ve looked over the financial records of Mr. Glass. He clearly has the resources to provide for his niece. However, I understand that there is a pending criminal case against him? I obviously would like to hear more details about that.”

The woman in the dark pantsuit rose and said, “Your Honor, my name is Nancy Fine and I’m a United States Attorney. I represent both the Department of Justice and the FBI in this matter and have material knowledge of the RICO case that has been filed against Mr. Glass.”

“Then let’s hear from you, Ms. Fine. And I’ll need to look at the relevant court filings.”

Devine glanced at Glass, who did not seem bothered by this at all. Then he looked at Saxby and noted that the woman looked, well, ill.

“Your Honor, that is all now a moot point,” said Fine.

“Why?” exclaimed the judge. “I consider it extremely important as to whether this court will allow Miss Odom to be placed under Mr. Glass’s guardianship.”

“It’s a moot point because the Department of Justice has withdrawn its case against Mr. Glass.”

Devine noted that Nancy Fine looked like she wanted to strangle someone as she kept her gaze rigidly on the judge.

Devine shot Glass another look. The man also seemed surprised and even upset by this development, which puzzled Devine.

Mehan said, “Are you telling me that the entire prosecution has been withdrawn?”

“Yes,” said Fine, her teeth actually clenched.

“May I ask why?”

“We have… lost several witnesses critical to the DOJ’s prosecution of this case. And our inability to prove our case by the requisite burden of proof compels us to withdraw the charges at this time.”

“With prejudice?” asked Mehan, meaning that they could not be brought again.

Fine hesitated, glanced darkly at Glass, and said, “That apparently depends on circumstances of which I have not been made aware, Your Honor. So, for now, they are withdrawn without prejudice.”

Devine looked at Glass once more. He buttoned his coat and then ran one hand over his smooth head. Not looking happy, he leaned into his attorney and said something. The lawyer said something back, which did not seem to please his boss at all.

“Thank you, Ms. Fine,” said a clearly befuddled Mehan.

Fine nodded and threw a dagger glare at Glass, who did not even acknowledge her.

Devine whispered to Saxby, “What in the hell is going on?”

She shook her head and whispered back, “Not now. After.”

Mehan said, “All right. I would now like to hear from Betsy Odom.”

With Saxby’s prompting, Odom slowly rose, walked up to the bench, and was directed to a chair by the bailiff, where she was sworn in.

She took her seat and the judge said, “Ms. Odom, my name is Judith Mehan and I would like to ask you some questions, if that’s all right?”

“Sure, okay,” said Betsy in a tight voice, and squirming a bit in her seat.

“May I call you Betsy?”

“Sure, yeah.”

“How long have you known your uncle, Betsy?”

Odom glanced in Glass’s direction and said, “Um, we only just met the other day.”

“He has not been in your life until the other day? Do you know why that is?”

Odom swiped nervously at her hair. “Um, not really. We moved around a lot, I mean, me and my mom and dad. And… and I had to keep making new friends, although I really wasn’t good at that,” she added. “So, um, it was really just me and my parents… you know.”

She looked so uncomfortable by this admission that Devine’s heart went out to her.

“Did your parents ever discuss your uncle with you? Why he was never around, or part of the extended family? And do you recall what they said?”

“Not really, no.”

“No, they never mentioned him, or no, you don’t recall what they said?” asked Mehan in a gentle voice.

Odom glanced over at Devine. He nodded his head and looked reassuringly at her.

“My mom liked him. But I don’t think my dad liked my uncle very much, so I guess maybe that’s why he wasn’t, you know, around.”

“Do you know why your father disliked your uncle?”

Odom hesitated and then said in a soft voice, “No, I don’t.”

“Were your uncle’s legal issues ever mentioned by your parents?”

Odom shook her head, prompting the judge to tell her she had to verbalize her answer for the court reporter.

“No, they never talked about that stuff, at least not with me.”

Mehan nodded. “All right, Betsy. Now, since this will impact you most of all, I want to hear from you about this guardianship petition sought by your uncle. Do you want Mr. Glass to be your guardian?”

“I… I don’t think I have any other family.”

“Granted, that is the case, but you still have the right to make your wishes known to the court.” She glanced at Glass. “Like whether you desire Mr. Glass to be your guardian.”

“Where will we live?” asked Odom.

“Since he is no longer subject to prosecution, at least for the time being, I would imagine he can live wherever he chooses. But where do you want to live?”

Odom shrugged and bit her lip. “I… don’t know. I’ve just lived with my parents in some… places. I’ve never been, like, on a plane, or out of the country or stuff.”

“Duly noted. So, is it your desire to have Mr. Glass become your guardian and live near here, or somewhere of his choosing?”

Glass whispered urgently into his lawyer’s ear. The man rose and said, “Your Honor, pardon the interruption, but just to be extremely transparent, my client will agree to maintain his home wherever his niece wants. Whether it’s here or somewhere else. It’s up to her and he will strictly abide by her wishes.”

Devine stared at Glass. He did not look confident now. He just watched his niece anxiously and rubbed his thumb and forefinger together in what looked to be a sign of stress.

“All right, thank you, counsel. And this court will hold him to that,” she added firmly. Mehan turned back to Odom. “Given that, Miss Odom, do you or do you not desire Mr. Glass to be your temporary guardian? For your information, if you do, and guardianship is granted to him, it is only valid for sixty days. During that time Mr. Glass is entitled to petition the court for permanent guardianship and any other available legal rights, including adoption.”

Everyone stared up at Odom, while she looked only at her hands.

“Betsy? Miss Odom?” prompted the judge. “I know this is very difficult, and if you’re not prepared to provide an answer now, that is perfectly—”

Odom straightened up, looked at the judge, and announced, “I want Travis Devine to be my guardian.”