Jordan knew it could not be that simple. She believed that Walker had been planning to farm out a drug-addled Avery to one of his friends two years ago, and she would bet he had done the same with Elena. Jordan had met up with Elena on Sixth Street a month ago and warned the woman to find a new man. Elena had looked nervous, worried that someone would overhear Jordan and she would later pay a price. She had all but run from Jordan.

The judge went through a lot of preliminary legal talk and finally got to the point of the hearing. “After careful consideration of the facts, I’m setting bail at two hundred thousand dollars.”

The sum sounded high, but for Walker, finding a bail bondsman and the required 10 percent down payment would not be hard.

Jordan shifted in her seat as Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez gasped. A jolt of anger shot through her, and keeping her emotions in check was a struggle. It was not fair. Walker belonged behind bars. He should not be able to walk until his day in court. Elena should be alive.

Walker’s shoulders slackened with relief while Mrs. Sanchez wept softly.

“Mr. Walker, until such time as you can arrange bail, I’m remanding you to the city jail,” the judge said.

Jordan sat so still. She was pissed. But she shoved it down deep and, after the judge left the room, walked up to the Sanchezes.

“Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez,” she said, aware Walker and Sunday could hear her. “I’m Detective Poe. I’ve been following your daughter’s case. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Mr. Sanchez wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Sorry does not do us any good, Detective. That animal will be out on the street. He should be in jail.”

“It’s bail. The charges are still pending.”

“He’ll be long gone over the border before his time comes,” Sanchez said. “He’ll get away with murdering our only child.”

“No, he will not.” Jordan handed them her card. “If you have any questions, feel free to call me. I’ll call you as soon as I know more.”

“Thank you,” Mrs. Sanchez said.

As Jordan turned to walk them out of the courtroom, she caught the triumphant glimmer in Walker’s eyes. He winked at her and puckered his lips into a kiss. Sunday’s gaze followed Walker’s. Amusement twinkled in his blue eyes before he nudged his client out the side door.

Anger and resentment burned Jordan’s gut. How would she have handled herself if Avery had died?

She walked the couple to their car in the lot, offered more condolences, asked if there was anything she could do.

Mr. Sanchez said, “I could kill that man. He deserves to die.”

Mrs. Sanchez laid her hand on his arm. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not, Constance? I could kill him.”