switched it on. The baby’s heartbeat was strong and steady, a good sign. “Who is your OB-GYN?”
“My what?” Ruby moaned again and clutched her belly.
April exchanged a worried look with Page, then focused on the teen. “You haven’t had any prenatal care?”
Ruby laid back on the bed and Page put her hand on the girl’s. “How old are you, sweetie?”
“Nineteen.”
Page would eat April’s stethoscope if the girl was more than fifteen. She narrowed her eyes. “Try again. How old are you?”
The girl sighed. “Okay, I’m eighteen.”
Page looked over at April, who hid her smile. From one of the drawers, she pulled out an IV kit and held it up for Ruby to see. “I’m going to start an IV on you. That means a long needle. So while I’m doing that, I’ll let you think back on when your birthday really is.”
“Why’s it matter how old I am?” Ruby grunted as Page inserted the needle into her vein. “I take care of myself. That’s what matters.”
“I don’t doubt that, but we need to get your parents’ consent after a certain point if you’re under seventeen.” Page taped the needle into place on top of Ruby’s hand then took the saline bag the other nurse handed her. “This is a life-threatening situation, so we can treat you now. But when you’re stabilized, we’re going to need to get that consent.”
Ruby frowned at Page as she hung the saline bag on to the IV stand next to her. “I consent.”
April’s amusement faded. “Do you have any parents?”
Another contraction hit and Ruby doubled over, ending any further questioning. They worked to get the medication injected into the IV so that they could stem labor before it got too far along. Page’s beeper went off and she made a face. “I’ve got to get back upstairs, April. Do you want me to send Dr. Achatz for a consultation?”
“I’ll call her if labor progresses. Thanks for your help.”
“Nursing never really stops.” Page addressed Ruby, “I’ll check on you later. After my shift.”
“Why?”
So much for trying to be nice. “In case you need someone to talk to. That’s why.”
The girl waved her off. “I told you. I take care of myself. I don’t need anybody.”
Page gave a short nod and left the room, but she felt what had just happened would stay with her for the rest of the day.
* * *
THE JUDGE ENTERED the courtroom and Mateo stood, tugging on the shoulder of the young man beside him to do the same. Scotty still refused to name names and the assistant district attorney had refused to make a deal. So here they were, facing a judge.
The Honorable Jeffrey S. Gorges sat, and everyone in the courtroom followed his example. The bailiff called their case, and Judge Gorges opened the file and perused it, even though Mateo knew he’d be prepared already. “Counselors, approach the bench for a moment.”
Well, this was something new. Mateo stood and straightened his suit jacket before walking up to the bench along with ADA Pam Everett. Judge Gorges peered down his long nose at them. “I thought a deal was going to be negotiated in this case.”
Pam glared at Mateo. “Talk to Mr. Lopez. His client won’t divulge the information, so there is no plea bargain, Your Honor.”
“I’ve told my client what he’s facing, but he won’t talk.” Mateo gave a halfhearted shrug. Whether Scotty tried to save his own neck or not, Mateo wouldn’t lose any sleep if the kid did time. Whoa. When had he become so cynical? He cleared his throat. “He wants to go right to sentencing, Your Honor.”
Judge Gorges let out a big sigh. “Third strike, counselor. You know what that means.”
“Yes, sir, and so does my client.” Mateo looked at Scotty, who stared defiantly back at them. “He’s willing to plead guilty and face the consequences.”
“He’s too young to be put in a system that will chew him up and spit him out.” More than a hint of resignation tinged Judge Gorges’s words. “We’ll proceed then.”
Pam smirked at Mateo. He tried to ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and walked the few feet to the defendants table. He sat next to Scotty and leaned in to the boy. “Last chance to change your mind about what happens next. The judge is willing to listen if you have some names. Otherwise, we go right to sentencing.”
Scotty faced the judge. “Whatever. Let’s just get this over with.”
“Your friends will forget you while you’re in prison. You know that, right? Once you’re gone, you’re no use to them. They also won’t remember how you kept quiet.” He hoped that the kid would listen to reason and save his own skin, if nothing else.
“But they’ll remember if I squeal. No thanks.”
The judge glared down at them. “Will the defendant please rise?”
Mateo stood and brought Scotty to his feet.
Judge Gorges, his facial features somber, his hands folded before him, spoke with the authority he’d been given. “Scott Arthur Rodriguez, with respect to the six counts of larceny, how do you plead?”
Scotty stared straight ahead, but didn’t say a word. Mateo muttered to him, “It’s either guilty or not guilty, kid.”
The bravado from before seemed to be fading. Scotty took a deep breath, then another. “Guilty.”
“Your Honor.”
“Guilty, Your Honor.”
The kid’s voice cracked on the last word, and Mateo felt his anger and disillusionment melt slightly. Scotty hadn’t even finished going through puberty, yet he faced incarceration for at least a year. It hadn’t been that long ago that Mateo had faced the same pressure of a gang and succumbed to it before getting out. But he had gotten out, while Scotty seemed resigned to a future of courtroom sentences and jail stints.
Judge Gorges closed the file in front of him. “Mr. Rodriguez, you understand that since this is your third conviction and because of your refusal to assist the police that there will be no leniency?”
Scotty nodded until Mateo nudged him. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“Then I see no other choice. Scott Arthur Rodriguez, you are to be remanded to the authorities at the Wayne County jail until a bed is open in the Wayne County juvenile delinquent facility for a term no longer than eighteen months.”
Mrs. Rodriguez shouted and rose to her feet.
Judge Gorges pounded his gavel. “Order, please.” He switched his attention back to Scotty. “You’ll be jailed with the adult male population, men who are hardened criminals. Is that what you want, Mr. Rodriguez?”
Gorges couldn’t be serious about this. Scotty had shoplifted, not hurt or killed anyone. It was a minor crime. Mateo said, “Your Honor, the defendant is only thirteen. There must be another location, another option—”
“With overcrowding in the juvenile facilities, this is our only option. So let me ask again, how do you plead, Scotty?”
The kid seemed on the verge of tears. “Guilty.”
Judge Gorges stood and motioned for the deputy who stood on the edge of the courtroom. “He’s all yours then.”
The deputy approached the defendant’s table with cuffs in his hands. Scotty turned to Mateo, the panic in his eyes evident. “He’s really sending me to the adult jail?”
“He is.”
“I didn’t think...”
Mateo