Nodding, I took a gulp of my whiskey. Lately, I’d taken the losses harder than I had when first on the bench. The cases seemed to be getting more violent, more horrific, and mostsomehow falling into a gray zone where jurors had a difficult time convicting.
“It’s a shit world out there, man. I’ve often thought what it would be like if the good guys were in control,” Chase grumbled. “You know. Like doling out the appropriate punishment for these motherfuckers?”
I lifted my eyebrow, taking another deep puff. At some point I’d need to stop smoking the damn things before they killed me. Although in my mind, some crazed murderer who’d crossed my courtroom would be a more likely candidate. “That’s called anarchy. That’s why we have a system in place.” Words I’d said one too many times. Maybe to try to convince myself it was true.
“I don’t know. It would be nice.” Maverick shrugged and grabbed himself one of the thick cigars. This was the only time I smoked, a sheer indulgence my doctor would tell me I didn’t need, yet I didn’t give a shit.
Maybe I was just getting too old to play cops and robbers, the game I used to love as a kid. My father had known when I was four years old, I would choose law as my profession.
“Alright. Let’s roll, boys,” Kendrick said as he rubbed his hands together. “Whose turn is it to deal?”
I held up my hand. “My house. My rules.” Time to forget about the bullshit and somewhat whacked judicial system. I was ready for some serious down time.
And winning. I never liked to lose.
“You’re such a cheat,” Gabriel tossed out.
“Hey. A man’s gotta take a stand in his own house.” I dealt the cards while holding the cigar between my teeth. I was thankfulfor living close to the water, the fresh air keeping the stench from lingering after they’d left.
“Alright, gentlemen,” Chase said in his usual I-don’t-take-shit voice. “Get ready to lose. I’m feeling lucky tonight.”
The rest of us groaned in response, prompting hm to throw up his middle finger.
“I think I’m the lucky one,” I said while looking over my cards. Two aces were a damn good start. Tonight was my night.
An hour later and my enthusiasm had waned. I pushed back from the chair, still trying to decipher how the hell I’d lost with a full house, not once but twice.
“Read ‘em and weep, boys,” Chase said as he gathered the mound of coins, ceremoniously dragging them closer.
“He’s cheating,” Kendrick insisted.
“Yup,” Gabriel threw out and also rose to his feet. “Do you have any tequila?”
I laughed. “Have at it, buddy. I’ll stick with whiskey.”
“So… Did you guys hear about Jacob Jones?” Chase asked, immediately lifting an eyebrow and glancing in my direction.
As soon as he mentioned the name, I bristled.
Chase had known exactly how I’d react.
The vivid, bloody images of the victim had only recently begun to fade from my mind. One of how many? Jacob’s moniker should be changed to the butcher. I’d seen photographs of the other victims. I’d tracked the bastard’s career during the single trial bringing him to justice. He’d been groomed by the DelgadoCartel to do their biddings. The man had no conscience, no humanity. From what I could ascertain, he had no soul.
“What about him?” I gritted out. I’d done everything I could to erase the bastard and his monstrous deeds from my mind. The only reason I hadn’t was that as a judge, I often needed reminders of why I’d chosen a profession that often left me feeling dead and cold inside.
Jogging the memories also forced me to think about the beautiful witness who’d been courageous enough to stand up to him.
At the risk of her own safety.
Thoughts of Valentina played out in my mind at least a couple of times a week, including the night we’d spent together.
There’d been a strange connection between us, a strong feeling that neither one of us had been able to deny. I’d wanted nothing more than to protect her. I’d done my best, watching over the proceedings like a hawk, especially when the defense attorney had tried and almost succeeded in breaking the veil of anonymity. Bastard.
Then I’d crossed every ethical line in the book in fulfilling my carnal needs.
With my drink in hand, I turned toward my friend.
I could tell whatever Chase had to say was weighing heavily on his mind. “You haven’t heard? You were the judge on the case. I mean Jesus Christ. What the hell is wrong with the damn system.”
