The aftermath
Later would never come. Barbara arrived and escorted Taylor to the courthouse along with two deputies and waited outside the courtroom to be called.
"This was all so unnecessary." Barbara said.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't want to involve you in this mess." Taylor whispered.
"Well, we're in it now and have to make the best of it. Tell me what happened to get you involved with these people."
"I went to the hotel bar for a drink, hoping to find a lonely business man and make a few bucks. There were the two girls in the bar working the two men seated with them when I got there. I didn't know any of them. The house dick rousted me and tried to throw me out of the hotel. The two girls got spooked by the house dick and went to the ladies room. The two gentlemen blocked the dick from hauling me out. The conversation moved to the hotel manager and he got pissed and fired the dick, sending him home. I left the manager with the two guys and the two girls showed back up. They invited me to go with them up to their suite and I could meet their manager. He turns out to be a gay guy and we had a good time. When I got up this morning the cops were there, the girls were gone with the salesmen's wallets. I got pinched since I was still there. One of the officers grabbed my arm rather harshly and I swung at him with my purse. No harm except the bruise on my arm where he grabbed me."
"So, you didn't hurt him."
"I don't see how I could have Barbara, it was a swat, not a hard blow with a solid object."
"Okay, I think I have what I need. Just be quiet before the judge, let me do the talking unless the judge asks you a direct question. Clear?"
"Yes, thank you again. I am very sorry this happened."
"We'll deal with that later, for now we need to work on the judge."
The bailiff called them and Barbara led Taylor down the isle to the bar where they stood before the judge. The prosecutor that Taylor had met the night before was also there.
"Is the complainant ready?" The judge said.
"Yes your honor." She said.
"Is the defense ready?" The judge said.
"Yes your honor." Barbara said.
"How do you plead to the charge of assaulting a police officer?"
"Not guilty." Your honor.
"On the matter of bail, what say you Miss Prosecutor?
"We recommend the minimum your honor. The defendant has no prior record and the assault was minimal."
"Your honor, May we approach the bench?" Barbara said.
"Yes."
Barbara and the prosecutor went up to the judge and Taylor couldn't hear what they said.
Barbara returned to the rail and stood next to Taylor.
"Ms Taylor did the officer injure you?"
Taylor looked to Barbara and she nodded.
"He bruised my arm, you honor."
"I take it he grabbed you before you assaulted him." The judge said.
"Yes sir." Taylor replied.
"Case dismissed. You are free to go. Bailiff, next case."
Barbara took Taylor back to the jail with the two escorts and retrieved her clothes and valuables. The matron was there also and gave Taylor a harsh look but didn't say anything. Taylor changed clothes and they left.
Barbara was not happy when they got back home. She was silent on the drive and followed Taylor up to her apartment after they had parked the car.