“Order in the court!”

Mr. Yates crumpled to the ground with a thud.

Someone in the audience began screaming.

“Order in the goddamned court!” the judge shouted at the top of his lungs. “Someone find my damned gavel!”

Several people scurried around, looking under the tables and chairs.

“Well, I hope you enjoyed your fun,” the judge hollered over the roar of the voices. “Because that’s the last fun you’re gonna have for awhile. Ms. Gardner, I hold you in contempt of court and sentence you to thirty days in county jail. Spencer, get her out of my courtroom!”

Chapter Fourteen

After a lot of chaos and confusion, the bailiff took me out of the courtroom. He didn’t handcuff me, but I suspected he was too upset that he was getting incarcerated himself. Against my better judgment, I snuck a glance at Mr. Deveraux, expecting to see him gloat. Instead, he looked horrified. And guilty. Guilt over what?

I was too upset to give it much thought since my worst nightmare was coming true. The entire time I’d been suspected of Momma’s murder, I’d fretted about being thrown in jail. And here I was being tossed in the slammer for tampering with a case.

What was Joe going to say?

Oh, crappy doodles. What was Violet going to say?

Bailiff Spencer took me down to the basement and for once I was glad for the slow elevator. It bought me a good five minutes. He led me through the hall and stepped into the entrance of a tunnel. The gaping hole reminded me of a dungeon and my claustrophobia kicked into high gear. My heart raced. I dug in my heels, grabbing hold of the edge of the wall, and started to cry.

“No! I can’t go in there…I’m…”

The usually uptight bailiff must have been shaken up by his own pending doom. His grimace fell away and he gave me a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. It’s just a tunnel. We’re walking through it to the county jail.”

“But…they’re…gonna lock… me up.”

He sighed and gripped my elbow. “It’s gonna be okay. I promise. Judge McClary can’t really sentence you to thirty days. The most you’ll be there is five.”

I sobbed even harder. Five days? Locked in a tiny room? I fell to the floor, hyperventilating.

The bailiff’s eyes bugged out and he swung his head around looking for help. Dealing with a hysterical woman who had flopped on the floor was most likely not part of a bailiff’s training. He was clearly out of his element.

I sat on my bottom, snot and tears flowing when Neely Kate rounded the corner.

“Rose?”

“Neely…Kate…” I squeezed through my closed off throat.

She knelt beside me while poor Bailiff Spencer looked more dismayed. “What happened?”

“I’m going…to…jail.”

“Why?”

“Contempt of court,” the bailiff said. “She was investigating the case.”

Neely Kate put her hand on my arm and rubbed. “Why would you do that?”

“Because…he’s…innocent.”

“Oh,” she sighed and pulled me into a hug, my head on her shoulder, and she rubbed my back. “There, there. Judge McClary is a hothead. Everyone knows that. He’ll change his mind. How long did he give you?”

“Thirty…days.”

“Oh.”

“But he can’t do that,” the bailiff said. “The most he can give her is five.”

Neely Kate leaned back and gave me a bright smile. “See? Things are lookin’ better already!”

I nodded, trying to calm down. I’d brought this on myself. While I understood that fact, it didn’t make it easier.

Neely Kate handed me a tissue from her pocket, which thankfully was unused. I wiped my face, sucking in big gulps of air. Bailiff Spencer gave me an impatient look.

Neely Kate whispered in my ear, “You have to go, Rose. Are you ready?”

I nodded, my body shaking. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”

She helped me up while the bailiff watched, his face drawn tight with anxiety. He must’ve been worried I’d freak out in the tunnel.

Thinking the same thing, Neely Kate clasped my hand in hers and looked at Spencer, her jaw set in determination. “I’m comin’ with her to the county jail.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Thank you.”

We took small steps as we eased into the tunnel. Thankfully, it wasn’t very long and I could see the end within twenty feet. I kept my eyes on the other side and willed myself to put one foot in front of the other, squeezing Neely Kate’s hand so tight I was sure I’d cut off her circulation.

Once we emerged, it was a short walk to the county jail, which I supposed came in handy when transferring prisoners to court. But I wasn’t ready to be locked up yet. How was I going to survive days and days of confinement?

The rest of the process was a blur. Neely Kate had to leave me at the front desk. After handing over my purse and my ring, the only jewelry I wore, they took my picture against the height chart. I’m sure I looked quite the mess with my red nose and tear-streaked face, although it might have been better than some of my hideous elementary school photos. Next they took my fingerprints and let me use the phone.

I wasn’t sure who to call. I would have called the attorney Violet hired when I was suspected of murdering Momma, but I couldn’t remember Deanna’s phone number. I briefly considered calling Joe, but he was up in Little Rock and I didn’t want him to take off work.