Page 115 of Risking it for the Cowboy

“Generally, it’s basic precedent. But unfortunately, the terms of that bond were set by the judge at his bail hearing Sunday morning.”

“And that judge was none other than Calvin Mitchell,” T.R. deadpanned. “I’m sure with his record of favoritism, he’ll be real impartial and throw the book at the bastard. Isn’t there a way to get in with another judge?”

“Workin’ on it, but until then, no condition was put on his restraining order because Charlie didn’t file it until the main offices opened on Monday—after he was out on bail. So, his only bond contingencies were dependent on abstaining from alcohol.”

“But he broke my window,” Charlie said.

“A new crime,” Tyler said.

“She said he was drunk,” T.R. argued.

“Breathalyzer when he was booked showed no blood alcohol content,” Tyler said.

“That’s just not true,” Charlie said. “He reeked of whiskey.”

“I think it’s safe to say Jason has connections,” T.R. said. “Didn’t you mention some promising news? All I’m hearing so far is hellfire and damnation.”

“Yup. Because now it’s gettin’ good,” Tyler said, a grin in his voice.

“Why?” Charlie asked.

“Because not only are university police involved now, with the university’s legal department pressing criminal charges tonight, but because I think I’m onto that smoking gun. If Mitchell knows what’s good for him, he’ll let Jason sit and stew in a cell. And if he lets him make bail, well … that teaches me something valuable.”

“Like what?” T.R. asked. “Like he’s more scared of Jason than he is of being caught in a judicial misconduct scandal?”

“Bingo. And if he gets sloppy and let’s Jason out anyway, then it means Jason might be coercing him somehow.”

“What could Jason possibly hold over a prominent judge’s head?” Charlie said. “Extortion?”

“Yup,” Tyler said. “So, I started digging around for a connection. But I gotta ask first, Charlie. Who are Jason’s parents? Did you have a relationship with your in-laws?”

Charlie shook her head. “His mom raised him.”

“Know her name, by chance? And where she lived?”

“I think her name was Suzanne Thompson, and she lived up near Dallas? He never spoke much of her. She was passed on when we met.”

“Yeah. Suzanne Thompson, and I think, the same as one Honorable Suzanne Thompson who was a judge up in Dallas, supposedly.”

T.R.’s brow furrowed. A judge? Coincidence?

“Know how she died, Charlie?” Tyler continued. “Just wanna verify I’ve got the right one.”

“I think from cancer? He was a teenager.”

“Okay, yeah, at seventeen.” He was writing things down, a soft scrawling of pen.

“He said he lived on his own until he graduated high school and started college here,” Charlie added. “His dad was never in the picture growing up but they must have struck up a relationship at some point because he said his sperm donor helped him out a few times. He never wanted to talk about him, though.”

“Last question. Was Thompson his mom’s married name?”

“Jason said his mom never married.” She shrugged.

Silence.

Then all said at the same time various versions of, “He had his mom’s maiden name, not a father’s name.”

“Tyler?” T.R. pressed, also sitting upright now. “What’s on your mind?”