Halcyon reached for Marina’s hand and squeezed the life out of it. Marina was fairly certain she’d stopped breathing. Luke had put the DA firmly in his place.

Luke looked back at the judge. “I’m sure if this goes to trial and the extenuating circumstances are all presented, you’ll see that Ms. Trahan was well within her rights and that charges against Ms. LeDoux are in line. In the meantime, I’m certain you wouldn’t want to upset your constituency by condemning a young woman to sit in jail over a catfight.”

Judge Leger looked as if he’d sucked on lemons. Luke’s implication was clear, punish Avery for what her father did and the voters might turn against him. And now that Luke was in Last Chance, and waving a law degree around, there was always the lingering possibility that he might run against the judge in the next election.

“Bail is set at one hundred thousand,” Judge Leger said. He banged his gavel and immediately jumped up from his seat and headed out of the courtroom before anyone could protest.

Marina sucked in a breath. “A hundred thousand? Are you kidding me? I don’t have that kind of money.”

The sheriff grabbed Avery’s arm and motioned for her to leave. She gave Marina a pleading look before heading out the door. Luke hurried over and Marina could tell he was mad.

“What am I going to do?” Marina asked. “I don’t have a hundred thousand dollars.”

“Do you have ten thousand?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“That’s what a bail bondsman will require. There’s one just down from the courthouse.” He handed her a piece of paper. “Give him this information and have him bond her out.

“Marina?” he looked at her, clearly waiting for a response.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m sorry. Yes, I’ll take the paper to him and get him the money. Thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say…there’s no way I could have…”

“I’m glad I could help, but if this farce goes to trial, you’re going to need a stronger attorney than me. Preferably one with better connections than Preston LeDoux.”

Marina nodded but she couldn’t think about that now. Right now, all she could think about was getting the bail bondsman the money so that Avery wouldn’t have to spend the night in jail. Luke gave her shoulder a quick squeeze and nodded to Halcyon before heading out. Marina turned around and saw Adelaide shaking his hand before he left. She shook her head as Marina approached.

“I ought to put a load of buckshot in that Leger’s butt,” Adelaide said.

“I’d shoot for the front,” Halcyon said.

Adelaide looked at her and nodded. “One day, you and I are going to have drinks and plot our takeover of this town.”

“Count on it,” Halcyon said.

“Go get your girl out of that jail,” Adelaide said. “I’ve got spies all over this town. If the LeDoux try something, I’ll let you know what they’re up to.”