Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 59287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Me, too, Miss Spencer.” He smiled. “Me too…”
He looked me over one last time before returning to his office and slamming the door shut.
RETRIBUTION (N.):
A FORM OF PUNISHMENT INFLICTED ON A PERSON AS A DESERVED PENALTY FOR A CRIMINAL ACT OR WRONGDOING.
LIAM
She honestly thinks I don’t remember her?
The moment I saw her standing at that desk, I was torn between calling the police on her and tasting her mouth.
But after talking to her, I was convinced that she deserved an Academy Award for her stunning performance.
I paced my office, stunned at how easily she’d lied to my face.
Not a single shred of remorse crossed her face over her obvious crime of fucking up my cars weeks ago. And every half-truth that left her puffy pink lips would’ve been more than believable if I didn’t know any better.
If I weren’t so hell-bent on getting payback, I would’ve given her a round of applause. Then I would’ve suggested she pick up wherever she left off in law school and become a defense attorney. Stat.
Alas, now wasn’t the time for compliments.
Now was only the time for complete and utter revenge…
I opened my personal drawer and pulled out the list I’d been drafting for weeks.
Two hundred hours of community service
Mandatory anger management counseling
“Scared Straight Prison Program”
I stopped reading my former ideas and fed them to my shredder.
I didn’t need to reach her through petty and abstract legal loopholes anymore.
I could handle her punishment so much better with her working right under me.
As I considered what move I should make first, a knock sounded at my door.
“Come in,” I said.
“It’s me.” Mara stepped inside. “Is something wrong?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Because you have a court full of defendants waiting for arraignment.” Mara stepped in and grabbed my robe, holding it out for me. “And you’re officially five minutes late.”
“My apologies.” I stood to my feet. “I’m fine, though. And everything is just perfect.”
“I know high-quality sarcasm when I hear it.”
“I’m serious, Mara.” I grabbed the robe. “Everything is good.”
“Okay…Well, did you meet your new law clerk yet?” she asked. “I really think I picked the right one for your office.”
“I did, but I’m sure time will tell.”
“I agree.” She beamed. “I think she’s capable of lasting a long time here.”
Oh, I have every intention of making sure she “lasts”…
OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT (N.):
IMPROPER AND/OR ILLEGAL ACTS BY A PUBLIC OFFICIAL WHICH VIOLATE HIS/HER DUTY TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND ACT ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC GOOD.
OLIVIA
Later that afternoon
“The list of defendants’ charges and arraignments trickle in from three different departments every night.” Mara ushered me into a room full of large printers.
“Your job is to organize each one as its own separate docket and enter them into the system at least two hours before I arrive for the next morning. Got it?”
I nodded even though I was barely following.
“Monday will be your busiest day because it includes the charges from Friday night through Sunday night.”
“So, we’re off on Saturdays and Sundays?”
“No, Miss Spencer,” she said. “You’ll be working on something else on those days. You won’t enjoy your first day off until you work here for at least three months.”
“Wait, what?”
“Didn’t you read your contract before signing it?”
Nope. “I’ll take another look at it.”
“Please do.” She smiled. “Anyway, Judge Ashton will usually give you a list of unique things to research on the weekends. It’s typically notes for upcoming cases that help him with rulings.”
“Why doesn’t he just let the lawyers state their case and rule from there?” I asked. “From what I remember, criminal judges aren’t required to do deep dives with so many cases…”
“Because this is New York, Miss Spencer.” She looked at me like I’d grown two heads. “Lawyers are professional liars in suits, clients are sinful witnesses, and Judge Ashton is one of the most honest and non-dirty judges that we have left.”
So, she’s his personal sycophant…
“You’re going to learn a lot from him while you’re here.” She smiled. “And if you do a good job and decide to pursue law again, I’m sure he’ll write you one hell of a recommendation letter.”
I wouldn’t dare ask. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Pay close attention to how I organize a docket,” she said. “I’ll walk you through the first ten, and then you’ll do the next fifty on your own.”
Mara
Good job on your first day, law clerks!
You all are free to go home now. See you tomorrow!
I looked at the time and groaned.
Eleven thirty p.m.
I shook my head. I hadn’t worked a fourteen-hour shift in years, and I knew this would take a long time—a ton of coffee—to fully adjust to.
Stuffing my new guides and folders into a bag, I turned off the lamp at my desk and headed for the parking lot.
“Miss Spencer?” Judge Ashton called out to me as I was rummaging for my keys.