Marce Tries To Spring Hando

By Bridgid and Atonia

Marce had never tried to get anybody out of jail before, she had no idea what it would take but she had saved a bit of money and figured that’s what they wanted. That’s always what it took…what people always wanted.

She parked her bike up the street from the Sheriff’s office and sat astride it thinking. Hando might not be glad to see her since she hadn’t been back since Christmas. Maybe he would understand when she told him about all the hours she had been working.

Slinging the bag over her shoulder she walked up to the Sheriff’s office took a deep breath and went inside.

Siobhan was on the phone when she walked in and she motioned for her to hang on for a moment. Ending the call, she put the receiver down and smiled at the woman.

"I remember you from the wedding. How you doing?"

Marce remembered her too, she's the one that tried to get her to leave Hando. She looked around for the Sheriff and back at Siobhan, "Um I...I want to know how much it costs to get a prisoner out of jail?"

Siobhan knew exactly who she was talking about. She stood to pour herself a cup of coffee and she offered one to Marce. "Hon. His bail's been set at two thousand. It's not much because its not a major crime. John dropped the resisting arrest charges. If he'd let those go through, your man would have been looking at prison time, not just jail time."

Placing the mug she filled on the desk in front of Marce, Siobhan sat on the corner of it. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

Two thousand...she had no idea. Marce bit her lip and eyed the coffee cup, "that's a lot of money...I didn't know it would be that much,." she felt her face go red and dropped her head letting her hair provide cover until she could get herself under control. "You couldn't take less?" she said in her little girl voice.

Marce reached out for the coffee mug, "my bike's a Harley," she met Siobhan's eyes, "its worth a lot more than 2000 quid a lot more." it was also the only thing she owned of any value. "I only have 950 in cash if he cleans up the mess will that be enough?" She thought of all the hours she put in to save that money, it was her money...she wanted Hando out.

"All we can do is go ask the judge. If you're up to a ride, I'll let John know what we're up to and I'll go with."

"I'm ready to do what I have to do...he's been in jail long enough. " Marce placed the cup back on the desk and stood up.

Siobhan gave her a bit of a strange look. "Marce. He's in jail because he did something wrong. I sure hope you know what you're getting into with this guy. I'm guessing this was not his first time in the pokey and I'd bet it won't be his last."

Feeling a little bad that she said it that way, she shrugged "If anyone can straighten him out, I bet you can. He's lucky to have you. He's lucky you care about him."

Siobhan holstered her gun and grabbed her keys. "Let's see what we can do."

Marce stopped for a moment, "you know looks can be deceiving. I know he's no angel, he's done some pretty rotten things but he's never been in jail before. He came here to start over, its not easy for him to leave all that he was behind; he's got me now and I can help him. He fucked up...but he won't again." she said holding her head up. She intended to make sure he didn't repeat this offense or commit another one.

"I don't judge people by their looks, honey. Believe me in my line of work it doesn't pan out. Hando's attitude is what set him up and the fact that he attacked John didn't set to well with me either. Anyway, I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and I believe if anyone can get him on the straight and narrow, you can, Marce."

Siobhan nudged her head toward the door. "Let's get going. The judge won't wait around for us past his scheduled hours. If anyone is a real pain in the ass,  its judges."

A short while later they were waiting in Judge Walsh's chambers. When he entered the room, Siobhan gave Marce a look as if she were telling her not to be nervous.

"Judge Walsh. We're here to pay the bail on a man who's being held in our local lockup. I'm going to vouch for him and Marce here is going to back him with her own cash."

She slid the case file on the Judge's desk. He put his reading glasses on and looked it over.

"Your name is Marce?" He asked as he looked down at the young woman. "Are you willing to see to it that this man, Hando, shows up for his hearing?"

"Yes sir I am, he will be there I promise." she answered clearly.

The judge watched Marce as she replied. He fancied himself an expert at reading people and he could feel her sincerity. He then directed his attention to Siobhan.

"Deputy, you are willing to vouch for this women?"

"Yes, I am, your honor," she replied.

He seemed to ponder for a few moments then he scribbled something on the documents in front of him. "Take this to my clerk. You can pay ten percent of your man's bail but I will hold you responsible for the rest. If he doesn't show up I will issue fugitive warrants for both of you.'

He handed the paperwork to Marce with a hint of a smile. "You take care," he said. Nodding to Siobhan "Good day, deputy."

"Your honor," she replied with a nod. Taking Marce by the arm she led her out of the chambers to the clerks desk. "You did well.. He'll hang us both if Hando's a no show. I'd probably lose my job too.."
Marce fished out the money, "he'll show...I want to thank you for doing this I know you didn't have to you could have just said...tough. Once I get Hando out and get him home...things are going to change." She gave a quick smile and a steady look to Siobhan.

"I hope you've got something to cook for supper. He'll be home by then."

They had to drop the paperwork off at the courthouse before she could get Hando out of the pen. What took a half hour may have seemed like a lifetime to Marce. At least Siobhan saw it that way. When they finally did arrive, Siobhan gave the paperwork to John and he in turn gave her the keys.

She took Marce back to the cells and opened the door. "Good luck," Siobhan said to Marce. "Hando, you're free thanks to someone who cares."