Page 68 of Dirty Judge

I waited until I saw her drive away, and then I opened my briefcase and looked at my latest notes on the case.

Super harsh ruling but…five deaths.

Rich parents donated to prison library

Parents Swore Alcohol Test Was Tainted

Why Wouldn’t He Allow the Second Test in at Trial?

Nothing struck me as too out there, but then something he said a while ago crossed my mind.

“Because you didn’t look in the right place…”

Still, I didn’t believe he was dirty in the slightest, and there had to be something else at play here.

At least, I was hoping.

I picked up my phone and called my old hacker friend, Max.

“I was wondering when I was going to hear from you again.” There was a smile in his voice. “What do you want me to hack into today?”

“Judge Ashton’s phone records and emails for the three years before and after the Grant Jenkins case.”

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” He snapped. “You want me to get into a sitting judge’s emails?”

“Are you saying you can’t do it?”

“I’m saying it’ll take me about two weeks.”

“Thank you.”

“Ohhhh no you don’t.” Mara looped her hand in mine the moment I stepped into chambers. Then she led me in the opposite direction of my desk.

“What did I do?”

“Nothing at all,” she said. “But Judge Ashton isn’t having a good morning, so I’ve initiated Code: Black.”

“What does that mean?”

“Everyone works on the third floor today whenever we’re not in court.”

“Okay…” I furrowed my brow as she walked me into the hallway. “Is he sick or something?”

I held back on saying “He seemed fine when I was texting him earlier.”

“He’s dealing with a lot on his plate today.” She pulled out her phone and showed me the screen.

My jaw dropped as I read the front page of my former paper.

The Ugliest Case in This City Returns This Month—Along with the Ugliest Judge and His Tainted Gavel

“It’s from an opinion editor,” I said, remembering the woman’s byline. “Why the hell is it on the front page?”

“Because they think if they can create the smoke, Judge Ashton will lead them to a fire.”

“Is there one?”

“No, never.” She glared at me. “He’s the best judge in the world and you know that.”