Chapter 18: Victim Statement

The bail hearing was on Monday at nine, in a courtroom with wood paneling and a flag.

The state wanted Heidi's bond tightened.

Her lawyer wanted it left alone.

The victim, the clerk had told me on the phone, had the right to be heard.

I sat in the front row on the prosecutor's side with my leg brace out in the aisle.

Dane sat on my left with his splinted hand in his lap.

Nolan sat on my right, in the suit he wore to testify, and said nothing.

Behind us, the gallery was full.

Half of it was Heidi's.

Her classmates had come in sweaters and little gold crosses, and they stared at me.

Mrs. Brackett sat in the second row behind the defense table, in black, with a handkerchief in her fist.

Heidi came in through the side door in a cream cardigan.

Her hair was braided.

She looked fifteen years old, and I knew exactly what that was for.

Her lawyer talked first.

"Miss Brackett is a twenty-year-old scholarship winner with no record," he said. "She made a terrible mistake in a panic."

He glanced at me.

"The victim has a documented history of pressing the emergency alert on this family's own app."

I felt Dane go rigid beside me.

"Your Honor," the prosecutor said, "the victim would like to respond."

I took the crutch and went to the lectern.

The judge looked at my leg brace, at the crutch, and then at me.

"Ms. Hartnell. Take your time."

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