“Sir, the jury has spoken.”
“They got it fucking wrong!” He swings at the officers. “The jury got it wrong!”
I watch them carry him away in cuffs and tears, feeling my chest ache at a scene I know all too well.
Nothing like Lady Justice fucking someone over…
When the hall is quiet again, I walk toward the lead clerk’s office.
Scarlett
Hey…
It’s Friday now. I need to talk to you about something important.
“Shit.” I sigh and make a mental note to call her later.
“Is there any moral line you won’t cross, Jameson Fucking Tate?” Julia steps in front of me as I approach the clerk’s office. “Like, any?”
“We really don’t have to talk every time we run into each other, Julia…” I say. “I have some business to handle.”
“At this point, I’m not sure if the bar on your morals can go any lower.” She ignores my comment. “It’s already in Hell.”
“You seem really obsessed with the Hell metaphors lately.” I hold back a sigh. “I could’ve sworn I sent you a thesaurus last month.”
“I received it.” She rolls her eyes. “I only need thirty seconds of your time.”
“Tick tock.”
“Are we adding the Brennan case to our settlement list, or are you hell-bent on putting on a dramatic performance for it in court?”
“Depends,” I say. “What are you offering?”
“Five years in prison, no post-release probation.”
“We’re going to a goddamn trial.”
“Three years in prison,” she counters, “with two years post-release probation.”
“We’restillgoing to trial.”
“Five years house arrest with strict conditions.” She always has to save her “best offer” last. “Your client pays all legal fees and restitution to the victim.”
“You want my client to pay himself?” I ask. “Has the definition of ‘victim’ changed recently?”
“That’s my best offer and you know it, Jameson,” she says. “Undefeated record or not, this case isn’t worth him risking his freedom with a jury.”
Okay, enough.
“Your evidence is circumstantial at best,” I say. “Your client is unlikable as hell, and if you think I won’t bring up the fact that he killed four puppies when he was a teenager—which will automatically get the jury on my side—you’re delusional.”
“Fine.” She throws up her hands. “Have Rachel call me with your ideas and we’ll negotiate.”
“Give me until tomorrow.”
“Will do.” She lets out a breath. “You know, not that it matters to you or anything, but I’m somewhat grateful that I never see you in any of my special victims cases.”
“What do you mean?”
