Hour Game

Chapter 88

When Eddie Battle was driven over to the courthouse the next morning in a special convoy provided by state police and uniformed FBI agents, the crowd of townspeople and media was so enormous the convoy couldn’t get through. Indeed, fueled by the national attention the story had received, seemingly everyone from a five-state area had come to watch. And there was an angry look to the throng.

“Shit,” bellowed Chief Williams as he stared out at the crowds from the lead van. “I was afraid of this. We’ve been getting death threats against Battle ever since the story broke about his capture.” He eyed the mobs in their way. “No telling if somebody out there has a gun either.” He scrutinized a group of tough-looking men standing beside pickup trucks with building materials in the beds.

“That’s probably a bunch of Junior’s good old boys, and they don’t look like they’re here to pat Eddie on the head.”

“Isn’t there an underground entrance to the courthouse?” said Bailey, who was in the rear seat behind Williams.

“Don’t you think if there were I would have already gone there? Maybe we should take him back to the jail and let it settle down.”

“Settle down! It’s not going to settle down for months. We might as well get it over with now, while we have the manpower with us.”

Williams studied the crowd some more, then barked into his walkie-talkie. “Okay, let’s move it right down the middle of the street. Take it slow; I don’t want any civil lawsuits because we ran over somebody. We’ll pull onto the lawn directly by the front steps. You clear and secure that area. I want a ring of body armor there, you understand? Then we’ll open the doors and hustle him through fast for his arraignment. But before he comes back out, we’re going to disperse this damn crowd and get these media trucks out of here, that’s for damn sure.”

“You’re gonna have a big First Amendment problem with that, Todd,” said Bailey.

“To hell with the First Amendment! I’ve got a prisoner to keep alive. Even if it’s just so they can execute him.”

The area was secured, the van pulled in front and Eddie Battle was whisked into the courthouse as screams and epithets rained down on the men encircling him, along with bottles, cans, rocks and other thrown items but fortunately no bullets.

Battle’s court-appointed lawyers met him outside the courtroom. They spoke briefly and went inside, where Eddie pleaded not guilty. His counsel didn’t ask for bail to be set, not that such a request would have been seriously considered. His lawyers might have been terrified that a free Eddie would come and visit them in the middle of the night.

“We’ll be in touch,” said his lead attorney, a tall, portly woman with a bad haircut.

“I’m sure,” said Eddie, his strong body nearly bursting out of the too small orange prison jumpsuit. “You think you can get me off with good behavior?”

Eddie and his bodyguards headed back out but were stopped by Williams and Bailey long before they got to the exit doors.

“We’re looking at a near riot out there,” said Williams. “Before we can get him out, we have to deal with it. I’ve ordered pepper spray and tear gas if they won’t disperse on their own.”

Eddie smiled. “Looks like I really lighted up old Wrightsburg’s fire, Todd.”

“Shut up!” screamed Williams, but that did nothing to wipe the smile off Eddie’s face. It just grew bigger.

“Now, you have to protect me, Todd. You can’t let them kill me or the media will be pissed. You can’t deprive them of the show. Think of the ratings. Think of the ad dollars.”

“I said shut up!” Williams moved toward him but Bailey got between them.

“That’s stupid, Todd, don’t even think it.”

“Hey, thanks, Chippy. You’ve always been such a good friend,” said Eddie.

Bailey whipped around, and his hand went toward his gun.

Now Williams stepped in. “Okay, Chip, we’re not going to let him do this to us.” He bellowed to two of his deputies. “Take him to the holding cage on the second floor. We’ll come get him when the crowd’s under control.”

“Good luck,” called out Eddie as the deputies led him away. “Don’t let me down now.”