Chapter Four

Benji

I spent most of the night poring over the files, trying to get a handle on everything.

My assistant shot me an email at eight-thirty in the morning, letting me know that the DA, Elizabeth Carson, had set the arraignment hearing for one-thirty. I’d just arrived at my office and was getting settled in while my assistant went to grab me a coffee.

I had about twenty minutes before Stephen was due for our meeting before we headed to the courthouse. I wanted to see Trinity before the arraignment.

When Rachael returned with my coffee, I told her to let me know as soon as Stephen arrived. I needed to go over everything with him and be out of here by eleven-thirty so I could get to the courthouse, file the necessary paperwork, and prep my client for the day.

Rachael buzzed me a little while later to let me know Stephen had arrived, and I told her to send him in.

“Stephen, oh hey Clint, where's Mia?” I asked.

“She’s watching the kids with Felicity. Dave is going to open up Capulet and Montague,” Clint replied.

“So, I have the deeds for the clubs and houses like you wanted. The bank is fine to lodge a caveat as they owned outright if needed for bail,” Stephen said.

“Excellent. I don't think we'll have to use all of them as collateral if my plan works, but it's good to have the option,” I replied.

I spent the next hour going over the file with the two of them, getting up to speed on what they could provide me and outlining the plan for the day.

“Just bring her home, man. That's all I want,” Stephen said.

“That's always the aim. You know that, mate. How long have we known each other?” I replied.

“Haha, since you were still wetting your pants in the playground, mate,” Clint joked.

“And yet it's you who wets your pants now when I walk into a courtroom,” I shot back.

Clint and I laughed, but I noticed Stephen was still tense.

“You know I got this, right man? The three of us, we've been through a lot together growing up. I'm bringing your wife home today, okay?” I reassured him.

“Okay, mate,” Stephen replied.

I gave him a hug and a pat on the back as we got everything ready and headed out to the cars and down to the courthouse. Stephen and Clint had brought a change of clothes for Trinity, just like I’d asked.

There was no way I was going to let them bring her in wearing prison clothes. First impressions are everything, and I wanted the judge to see a successful woman, wife, and mother.

We arrived at the courthouse and I left them in a discovery room while I went down to the watchhouse to check on my client and get her dressed for the arraignment.

I waited outside the bathroom while she changed, then led her up to the discovery room.

An officer stayed with her while I went out to get Clint and Stephen.

When we got back to the room, I saw the look on Stephen and Trinity's faces when they saw each other. I understood then what Clint meant when he said we had to get her home by any means necessary.

Clint and I took a seat at the conference table as Stephen rushed to his wife, scooping her up.

“Baby. That was the longest day of my life without you. Are you okay? They didn't hurt you or anything?” Stephen asked.

“Daddy, I'm fine. How are our babies? I missed you all,” Trinity replied.

“They miss you, baby, so much. Mia is watching the kids and Felicity is helping her until we can get you home,” Stephen said.

“I love you so much,” Trinity said.

“Shhhh, baby, don't cry. I'm right here. You're going to be okay. I'm not going home without you today, okay? I promise,” Stephen reassured her.

Stephen held his wife close, and Clint and I tried to give them a bit of privacy.

“We'll give you guys five to ten minutes tops while we go get some coffees. Just remember there are guards outside this door. We need to get started when I get back,” I said.

“Thanks, Benj,” Stephen replied.

Clint and I headed out to grab some coffees.

“So, how bad is it, mate?” Clint asked.

“Actually, bud, I'm pretty confident I can get this charge dropped,” I replied.

“Fuck, man, you'll be our favorite person if you do,” Clint said.

We got the coffees and headed back into the room to find Stephen sitting on the couch with his wife on his lap, just holding each other.

I spent the next hour with them before I went to find Carson to get ready to go before the judge.

“Mr. Ramirez, it's been a while,” DA Carson said.

“Not long enough, hey Elizabeth,” I replied.

“But Detective Peters tells me you were looking forward to dancing,” she said.

“More so than ever now,” I replied.

“So, can we expect your client to be entering a plea today?” she asked.

“Naturally. Not guilty,” I replied.

“But of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from you,” she said.

“Well, I've not been known to do things on a small scale. Surely you haven't forgotten already, Elizabeth,” I said.

I saw the sour look cross her face as she remembered the numerous times we’d faced off in court, and each time I’d come out on top.

“I'm extremely confident in the case our CPD have brought me,” she said.

“You should probably get some new material, Elizabeth. I've heard that line from you many times. See you in there,” I replied.

I headed back to the room, and we didn’t have to wait long before the officers came to tell us that the judge was nearly ready to proceed. We made our way to the courtroom, and Clint and Stephen took a seat behind us in the public gallery.

“You only need to speak if the judge addresses you. I've got the rest, okay?” I told Trinity.

“Thanks, Benji,” she replied.

We all rose as the judge entered and the bailiff announced the court was in session.

“Court is in session. For the District Attorney's office?” Judge Sherer asked.

“DA Elizabeth Carson, your honor,” Carson replied.

“And for the defense?” Judge Sherer asked.

“Benji Ramirez, your honor,” I replied.

“Please be seated,” Judge Sherer said.

“Trinity Joyce Gotti, you are before this court charged with the murder of Daniel Rodriguez. Would you like to enter a plea?” Judge Sherer asked.

I saw Trinity turn to look at Stephen and Clint, confused. I heard them talking, equally as confused. Time to play, motherfuckers.

“My client wishes to enter a plea of not guilty, your honor, and I wish to tender this motion for the charges and subsequent trial to be dismissed,” I said.

“On what grounds?” DA Carson asked.

“Falsely accused and arrested,” I replied.

“I'm willing to hear you out, Mr. Ramirez, but you will need to provide me with more than ‘falsely accused.’ We have plenty of people come through daily claiming false accusation,” Judge Sherer said.

“If I may approach, your honor,” I said.

“You may,” Judge Sherer replied.

I walked up and presented Judge Sherer with a copy of the arrest warrant and subsequent booking charge sheet, and provided a copy to my learned colleague, DA Carson, throwing in a cheeky wink at her for good measure.

“This is the warrant and arrest sheet, Mr. Ramirez, which I have already familiarized myself with?” Judge Sherer asked.

“May I draw your attention to the aggrieved in the matter, your honor?” I replied.

I watch the judge pore over the documents, finally catching on to my line of reasoning.

Benji - I’d like to point out to the court that the arrest warrant mentions the murder of a Mike Suarez, but the pending charges are for a Mr. Rodriguez.

DA Carson - Your Honor, there’s a reasonable explanation for this.

Judge Sherer - There usually is, Ms. Carson. But that doesn’t always mean it’s legal.

DA Carson - Mr. Rodriguez was, I mean, is an undercover DEA agent. He was using the alias Mike Suarez.

Benji - Is there anyone who can confirm this alias for Mr. Suarez? Or should I say Mr. Rodriguez? Anyone who can confirm Mr. Suarez’s identity?

DA Carson - Yes, the other special agents he worked with can confirm it.

Benji - And where would we find proof of Mr. Suarez’s existence, DA Carson? When I searched for a birth or death certificate for a Mike Suarez, I found nothing. How do we confirm that Mr. Suarez was a real person?

DA Carson - You wouldn’t find anything, Mr. Ramirez, because as I said, it was a made-up alias.

Benji - So, Mr. Suarez didn’t exist. Then how could he be a murder victim?

DA Carson - Your Honor, it’s clear that...

Judge Sherer - Enough! Both of you.

The judge takes a moment to review her paperwork before addressing the court.

Judge Sherer - DA Carson, I understand your position. However, your detectives have made some serious mistakes here. I can’t proceed with charges based on paperwork that shows two different victims for one crime and one charge, especially when the victim can’t be clearly identified or proven to exist.

Your motion to dismiss is granted, Mr. Ramirez. DA Carson, I suggest you have a talk with your detectives. This is sloppy work. Mrs. Gotti, you are free to go. The court apologizes for any inconvenience.

The judge stands and exits the room. Trinity rushes over to me, wrapping me in a tight hug.

Trinity - Thank you, Benji.

Benji - You’re welcome. But I have a feeling this is just the beginning.