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)
“What happened then, Mr. Caleb?” Judge Whitmore prompted Caleb to continue when he paused for too long.
Caleb blinked several times as if pulling himself back into the moment. “Then he turned on me. He didn’t hit me. He tried to get me to…” He trailed off, his angry gaze so filled with accusation and loathing I was worried the judge would see into Caleb’s very heart and know the boy was capable of killing Doug. Then Caleb cleared his throat. “He tried to get me to help him punish my mom for… something. I don’t remember.” Caleb turned to the judge. “I would never, ever hurt my mother, Your Honor. For any reason.”
“Of course you wouldn’t. Then what happened, Mr. Caleb?”
“He was angry, but he left. He stormed out of the house and took off. I made Mom pack a bag and we left. Mom was too hurt to drive so I called…” Caleb trailed off, clearing his throat before starting again. “I called a friend who sent Ms. Thompson to pick us up.” I could see the tension in him. Caleb was choosing his words carefully, not wanting to reveal anything that could possibly get someone else in trouble with Doug. He was a powerful man in the city, and his reach was long.
“I see.” Judge Whitmore looked from Doug to Caleb and back. I was sure the other woman could feel the tension from both father and son. It was something that had been building for months. Caleb hadn’t known everything, but he’d known something was wrong, and whatever it was centered around his father.
“Your Honor, we would like to know who this person is so we can question them ourselves.”
“As I’ve already told you, Mr. Todd, this is a hearing. Not a trial. There are no charges being filed, only a hearing on the appropriateness of emergency custody of your client’s son. You are not entitled to anything at present.”
“Again, I would like to note my objection for future appeals.”
“I’ve had enough. Either you’re too stupid to understand, or just a petty, mean-spirited person who believes he’s above the law. Either way, I’m finding you in contempt of court. You were warned multiple times and refused to change your attitude so here you are.”
“I’ll take care of the fine before I leave, Your Honor.” Mr. Todd’s smile was filled with as much contempt as the charge. But so was Judge Whitmore’s.
“Oh, I don’t think you quite understand, Mr. Todd. You’ll most certainly pay a fine, but that’s not the extent of your punishment. You’ll also spend one hundred eighty-six hours in jail that I will not allow to be commuted to house arrest. I’m sure at some point you’ll call someone who can make this all go away for you, but until that time, I hope you’ll use your stay in the county’s correctional facility to reflect on your behavior today and contemplate how you could have handled things with me differently. I’d also suggest you think about how you treat others, Mr. Todd.” She turned to Caleb. “Now, Mr. Caleb, do you want to stay with your mother?”
“I do, Your Honor. I don’t want anything to do with my father ever again.”
“All right then. I believe you’re an intelligent, articulate young man and are more than capable of deciding who you want to stay with.”
“I don’t want to ever have to go back with him, Your Honor.”
“That’s between you and your mother. I’m not putting restrictions on you being able to contact your father if you wish. Assuming divorce proceedings are eventually finalized, custody will be determined at a later date. I have every confidence your wishes will be heavily considered at the appropriate time, Mr. Caleb.”
“Will you make it so he can’t call us? I don’t want him bothering my mom, and I have my own phone.”
Judge Whitmore studied both Doug and Caleb for a long moment before responding. “I think that in this situation, I’m going to grant your request, Mr. Caleb. You’re not to contact your son or your wife for any reason, Mr. Doug. If there is an emergency, you will go through nine-one-one and let the authorities contact her. Failure to follow these conditions will result in a contempt charge and land you next to your lawyer in county.” She addressed Lana. “Ms. Thompson, is there anything more you wish to discuss?”
“Not at this time, Your Honor. Thank you.” Lana’s tone was soft and respectful. It was obvious she had seen this scenario playing out in advance, assuming her side of the table minded their manners. I thought we’d done a fantastic job. I suppose now it was time to reap the benefits of our restraint.
“Mr. Devereaux.” Judge Whitmore inclined her head. “Might I have a private word with you?”
Riot looked from Caleb to me, then to Lana. “Keep them here and stay with them. Do not let them out of your sight.”