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“That decision was based on the scientific findings of the medical examiner after the conclusion of the events at Hollow of Eternal Rest cemetery, which were brought about by a chemical leak from GRUNT Labs. I’m not sure if the claimants were aware that some members of the Critter Catchers team experienced injuries during those events, leading to hospitalization as well as the injection of an experimental drug to counteract the effects. And even through all of that, they were still primarily responsible for delivering that experimental drug to the doctors in this town in an effort to save as many lives as possible. So, you see, during my review of the evidence, I found myself at a crossroads. I could focus only on the events that occurred in the months of June and July of this year, or I could look back at all that has led to this case and that event. Since the claimant is asking not only for monetary compensation, but also for the Critter Catchers business license to be revoked, I elected to take into account the full history of the Critter Catchers business.
“For that, I requested copies of police reports as well as any complaints to city hall or the county seat about the professionalism of the Critter Catchers team. While the police reports were a long and, may I say, interesting read, many of them from jurisdictions out of state, I might add, the complaints against the company were few.”
The judge paused and looked at Cody a moment, then shifted his gaze to Demmy.
“These men started their business with the intention of simply helping their clients remove unwanted animals from their homes. Along the way, however, they have made it their mission to go where others might be too afraid to step, at great personal sacrifice, which I have already mentioned. And while I appreciate their efforts, I will say I noticed the number of, shall we say, unusual cases within our fair city did not begin until the Critter Catchers opened for business.”
A small, hard nugget of fear formed in Cody’s gut. He had a very bad feeling about the direction the judge was heading.
“It is with all of this in mind that I came to the following decision.” The judge put on a pair of reading glasses and opened a file folder. “I have ruled that Cody Bower shall not be held accountable for the death of Phillip Wolek as the deceased was already, well, deceased when Mr. Bower struck him. Therefore, the Wolek family will not receive any monetary compensation for the loss of Phillip Wolek.”
Demmy let out a relieved breath, but Cody’s chest was tight, and that cold spot of fear in his gut was spinning and growing as he waited for the other shoe to drop.
“However, after further consideration, I have decided to suspend the business license for the Critter Catchers. It is my determination that after the trauma and losses of the full moon event a few years ago, and the trauma and losses of the events at the Hollow of Eternal Rest cemetery a few weeks ago, the city of Parson’s Hollow needs a break from the presence of the Critter Catchers. The suspension shall be for a period of twelve months, at which time Critter Catchers business owners Cody Bower and Demetrius Singleton may reapply to the city council to have their license reinstated.
“Let this be known as my final ruling in this matter, and this session is now adjourned.”
The judge quickly gathered his paperwork and left the room, with Leo West right behind him, rapidly speaking at the man’s back. The Woleks trailed after their lawyer, all of them shouting a variety of statements about the unfairness of it all.
“I thought it would go a different way, Cody,” Dieter said, giving his upper arm a squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
Cody nodded, unable to find any words he wanted or needed to say.
Dieter left the conference room. Cody stared at his hands, still clasped before him. He could feel Demmy beside him, trying to process everything that had happened in the last few minutes.
“That’s it?” Demmy finally said in a quiet voice. “After all that we’ve done, everything we’ve given and given up, they take away our business?”
“Looks that way,” Cody said, not able to look at him.
“And we can’t appeal?”
“I don’t… I’m not sure about that. We’d have to ask Dieter.”
“I mean, I’m kind of shocked at what happened,” Demmy said. “Aren’t you?”
Cody still stared at his hands. “Uh huh.”
Demmy leaned forward over the table and ducked his head to try and catch Cody’s eye. “The way the judge was going on about all we’ve done for the city, I thought he was going to side with us all the way, not take away our business.” Demmy pushed to his feet and rounded the table to the side where the Woleks had been seated, pacing the area behind the chairs across from Cody. “I mean, all that stuff he said about our sacrifice and how we’ve protected this town, and then he takes away our license? What the hell? Does he not want us protecting the town? Does he not want us helping the residents of Parson’s Hollow?”
“I don’t know,” Cody said, not looking up.
Demmy stopped pacing and looked at him. “Hey, are you okay?”
Cody finally lifted his gaze but was only able to briefly meet Demmy’s gaze before looking away. “We lost our business, what do you think?”
“I don’t know, I guess I expected something a little more lively from you,” Demmy said. “Some anger and a few inventive curses.”
“How’s that helped us in the past?” Cody said, the icy feeling in his gut still expanding, now reaching its tendrils into his limbs and down to his fingers and toes. “Maybe I need some time to process what this means, you know?”
Demmy was quiet, and Cody gave him a quick look. The sight of Demmy’s scared and uncertain expression forced him to look away. He hated being responsible for putting that expression on Demmy’s face.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Cody said, and got up, moving quickly to the door.
At one end of the hall, the Woleks were exchanging heated whispers with their lawyer. Cody turned in the opposite direction and walked fast, hearing Demmy practically running to keep up behind him. He found a stairwell and pushed the door open so hard it banged against the wall. All he wanted was to keep moving; as long as he was in motion, he wouldn’t have to stop and think about all the emotions inside him battling for attention.
He burst out of the courthouse into the August humidity. Sweat broke out across his body, adding fuel to the white hot iciness inside him. He recognized it now for what it was: anger. He needed to be away from the courthouse and away from Demmy and everyone else he cared about because he was about to lose his shit at the injustice and unfairness of it all, at the part he’d played in everything. But he had to hold it together a little while longer. He had to get Demmy home, and then he could drive off somewhere and let loose.
But he couldn’t let Demmy see that. If Demmy saw him lose his temper as hard and as deep as Cody knew he needed to, he didn’t think Demmy would ever get over it.
