Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“Your Honor. You can’t start until my client arrives. He has the right to face his accusers. Also, I have multiple important clients who need me at a moment’s notice. The phone stays with me.”
“Sure he has the right to face his accusers. Which is why he was called here today. If he chooses not to show up, that’s his choice. If he chooses not to show up, that’s his choice. Also, either the phones goes with Officer James, or you go to jail and this hearing is over. Then I’ll let the young man go with whomever he chooses, which I likely will anyway given your client’s conduct regarding respect for the court by not showing up. Because it’s inconvenient for such an important man to wait on something as trivial as emergency custody of his own child.” She raised an eyebrow. “Your choice.”
When he sighed and handed over his phone, she continued. “Now. This hearing is for emergency custody of Mr. Caleb Harrington solely to his mother, Mrs. Violet Harrington, temporarily suspending the parental rights of Mr. Douglas Harrington. Is that about the gist of it?”
Lana stood, her shoulders back. “It is, Your Honor.”
“Very well. Now, for ease of communication, I’d like to use first names with the affected parties. So,” she addressed Doug, “Mr. Douglas.” Then she turned to Violet and Caleb. “Mrs. Violet. Mr. Caleb. Does everyone understand?” When everyone acknowledged her, she continued. “Now where would you like to begin, Ms. Thompson?”
“Mr. Caleb is here today, willing to explain.” Lana placed a hand on Caleb’s shoulder.
“Your Honor, this is highly improper!”
“No, Mr. Todd. Your client might think he’s better than everyone else, but in my courtroom, he’s on the wrong side of the bench.” She turned, her sharp gaze focusing on Caleb. “Young man, for the record, are you Mr. Caleb Harrington?”
Caleb stood up straight. “Uh, yes, I am, Your Honor.” He added the last part as he cleared his throat, clearly nervous but trying so hard to do and say the right thing.
“Good. Who’s your friend?” She met and held my gaze.
Caleb turned, looked down at me, and swallowed. The kid was trying his best, but this was an unfamiliar situation. I could relate to where he was coming from. I’d literally been there.
Slowly, I stood. When I straightened, I put a light hand on Caleb’s shoulder. “My name’s Quinn Devereaux, Your Honor. I’m here to support Mr. Caleb, so he knows he’s got a protector for him and his mother. Someone to stand up for them.” I could see Violet’s shoulders slump as I spoke. The woman was… beaten down. She was expecting to lose this hearing and have her world shattered.
“That’s great, Judge Whitmore.” Mr. Todd waved a hand toward me. “Have a thug here to intimidate my client? On behalf of Mr. Harrington, I demand you make this guy leave immediately.”
“Oh, Mr. Todd,” Judge Whitmore shook her head in a way that said she was sorry for the guy when she really wasn’t. “You’ve just earned contempt charges. The fine won’t be light and there will be no getting out of paying.” The guy opened his mouth, probably to protest or some shit but Judge Whitmore continued. “The next offense for you opening your big mouth and not following my rules, Mr. Todd, will be a night in jail. You might manage to get yourself out on bail before morning, but I’m willing to bet you’d love to avoid those few hours you’d be in a holding cell -- with several other men awaiting their arraignment.” Then she addressed me. “Mr. Devereaux, I happen to know your current circumstances.” She didn’t elaborate. “I’m inclined to believe you’re not here to cause trouble.” She raised an eyebrow like she was an overly patient teacher waiting for the correct answer from a slightly naughty first grader. I didn’t take offense.
“No plans on starting trouble, Your Honor.” I tried to smile, but not very hard. This wasn’t my courtroom or my problem in any way, and I was already pissed as fuck at this Doug Harrington prick. “I’m here to support Mr. Caleb and his mother. Nothing more.” I paused, glancing over at the little weasel, Todd. “Though, I won’t lie and say I won’t be thinkin’ about causin’ trouble.” I let my Southern accent out in a rolling drawl as full of sarcasm as it was geniality. “Just a bit.”
“A bit of trouble I can handle, young man. Just mind your manners and I think we’ll all be fine.”
Even though my anger still smoldered, I felt my lips twitch. I liked this judge. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Chapter Two
Violet
I knew the second two police officers escorted Doug into the courtroom things were going to go bad for me. The only question was how hard it would be on Caleb. Doug hadn’t physically hurt Caleb, but I knew he was capable of it. For some reason, though, he’d held himself back until now. I wasn’t sure what had changed, but there had been a definite shift in power dynamics. Doug was having to be more aggressive with Caleb to keep his dominance, so when Caleb laid down his ultimatum -- leave Doug or Caleb was going to kill him -- I had to leave. I absolutely believed Caleb would kill Doug if he had half a chance.