The Tenth Case. Joseph Teller

came when she was sexually assaulted. That’s when she finally reached out for help. The problem was, she didn’t know whom to reach out to. Instead of calling me or asking to see a captain, she phoned the corrections commission.”

      “Those clowns?” said Burke.

      It was true. The commissioners belonged to an oversight group, separate and apart from the corrections department, and were loathed as meddlers by everyone in the prison hierarchy.

      “How was she supposed to know?” asked Jaywalker. “Anyway, they began investigating. I’ve got one of the commissioners here in court, if you want verification. They interviewed officers, lieutenants, even a captain or two. Or at least tried to. Needless to say, that only made things worse. Now my client gets attacked by inmates on an hourly basis, and the C.O.s not only look the other way, they write her up for instigating. She’s been put in an impossible position.”

      “She’s put herself in it,” said Burke.

      Sobel ignored the remark. “Okay,” he said, “the first thing she needs is medical attention.”

      “With all due respect,” said Jaywalker, sensing his opening, “the first thing she needs is to get out of there.”

      “Maybe my office could get her transferred to Bedford Hills,” said Burke. “Or a federal prison.”

      “There’s a problem with that,” said Sobel. “As soon as I do it with one, I set a precedent. Next thing you know, we’ll have busloads of inmates showing up with self-inflicted wounds, looking to get transferred out.”

      Jaywalker bit down on the inside of his cheek, willing any thoughts of self-inflicted wounds to evaporate from the judge’s mind. “Is there any chance you’d consider some kind of bail?” he asked. “I’m afraid that if she doesn’t get out, we’re going to have another death on our hands.”

      “Did you say bail?” yelped Burke. For someone who should have seen where this was going, he seemed incredulous. “This is a murder case.”

      Sobel held up his hand, but Jaywalker decided it wasn’t meant for him. “Look,” he said, “she’s not going anywhere. Take her passport, strap an ankle bracelet on her, lock her up in her house.”