Leah’s parents had a stunned expression on their face. They were beginning to grasp how bad things were for their daughter.

Kate bent over Leah. “Leah, the judge will ask you how you plead. You need to tell the judge whether you are guilty or not guilty.”

Leah’s eyes widened. “I don’t…know.”

“Of course you are not guilty, Leah,” her mother said. It was fear, not anger, that caused her sharp tone.

Kate grasped her client’s hand. “At this stage, I would advise you to plead not guilty. Once you plead, the Crown will have to disclose their case, and we can discuss your options, especially immunity.”

“O…kay.” Leah’s eyelids drifted closed.

There was a knock on the door.

Kate straightened.

John Hillcroft walked in. Kate’s heart pounded a little faster. She hadn’t expected that the Chief Crown would be handling this himself. Now, she was up against the best Crown in the province. And the man whom she hoped would hire her at some point.

She could not screw up.

“Kate…” Hillcroft held out his hand. “Good to see you. I’m the Crown for this case.”

She shook his hand, her grip firm. “I understand that the arraignment is scheduled for…now? And here?” she asked. “It’s a bit unusual, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but Ms. Roberts isn’t the first accused we’ve arraigned in hospital. Sorry for the late notice. Judge Fitzgerald notified us that this was his only availability. We let Eddie Bent know. He’s the counsel of record.”

“Please add me to the list. Eddie’s got a trial that has been extended by at least a week.” Eddie had dropped that bomb during his phone call.

“I presume you are now working for him?” His eyes flickered over face. She could not miss the slight nuance in his voice. Kate had not taken his advice to avoid Eddie, and it was duly noted.

“I’m his new partner,” she said, her voice brisk. “We have launched a new firm. Bent & Lange.”

“Congratulations.” There was no irony in his voice.

Kate smiled. “Thank you. Is Judge Fitzgerald on his way?”

“Yes, I believe so.” Hillcroft’s gaze quickly took in the panic on Leah Roberts’ face and the protective stance of her parents. “I’ll wait in the hallway.” He left the room, flipping through a file folder labeled R. vs. Roberts.

Regina vs. Roberts. The Queen—Regina—versus this woman who lay at death’s door, who had inexplicably broken into the house of a paraplegic and his dying wife, and then was shot at point-blank range.

First case as a bona fide defense lawyer, and it’s this one. Into the fire you go, Kate.

Within a minute of leaving, Hillcroft materialized in the doorway. “Judge Fitzgerald and the clerk have stepped off the elevator. We will begin shortly.”