He gave them both a smile and headed out. Halcyon closed the door behind him, then went back into the kitchen to give Marina a hug.

“This is going to work out,” she said.

“How is this going to work out?” Marina asked. “Unless Chastity decides not to press charges, which we both know isn’t going to happen, Avery is going to trial.”

“They might offer a plea deal,” Halcyon said. “Something that isn’t a felony. Remember, that’s not Judge Leger’s decision. If the DA wants to make a deal, then he will. And as far as I know, the LeDoux don’t have a connection there.”

“As far as you know.”

Chapter Seventeen

Two hours later, Avery got her opportunity to stand before the judge. Luke had attempted to bargain with the DA, but he’d held firm on felony assault. Chastity’s nose was broken and had been set. Her father had beaten Luke to the DA’s office and provided pictures of the nose, complete with all the blood on her scantily clad torso, and her eyes, which already had dark marks circling them.

It wasn’t really surprising, as Halcyon had done some poking around and found out from a friend of the drummer that the DA had a young girlfriend his wife didn’t know about. If Halcyon could get that information with a couple of phone calls, so could Preston LeDoux. The DA wasn’t going to be any help.

Luke was waiting for them at the courthouse when they arrived. He’d exchanged his jeans and T-shirt for a suit and dress shoes and Marina had to admit he looked the part. He’d even attempted to comb his slightly long locks into a more professional look.

“This shouldn’t take long,” he said as they walked inside. “All Avery will have to do is plead not guilty, then I’ll ask for bail. This part is easy so please don’t worry. You’ll have Avery home this evening.”

Marina felt somewhat reassured given his confidence. Halcyon, who’d remained insistent that everything would be fine, relaxed a bit, and Marina knew her sister was far more worried than she was letting on. They went inside and took seats. Judge Leger glanced at them as they sat and he frowned. Preston LeDoux sat directly behind the DA and shot an openly hostile look at Marina. It was all she could do not to give him the finger.

“I’d love to slap that smug look right off his face,” Halcyon whispered as they sat.

Marina nodded. Slapping him did sound more satisfying than the finger. Unfortunately, neither option helped Avery. A door on the side of the courtroom opened and the sheriff walked through with Avery.

In handcuffs.

A wave of nausea passed over Marina and she felt herself sway in her seat. Halcyon put an arm around her shoulders to steady her, but Marina could feel her sister shaking as she squeezed. Marina had never seen her daughter so scared. So defeated.

The nausea fled and anger coursed into its place. If Harold were in sight, Judge Leger would be hearing a plea on two assault charges. Marina was so mad that her chest and head felt as if they would burst. She clenched her jaw, grinding her teeth together to keep from screaming. Her hands formed fists so tight that her nails dug into her palms. The pain barely registered.