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)
“As long as it’s not about this case.”
“It’s not, sir.”
“You can follow me into chambers, then.” I stood up and strolled into my office.
I unzipped my robe and tossed it onto a chair, shaking away another random thought of Olivia.
It was bad enough that I missed her when I was at home, but being in the office made it more than clear that she was the best law clerk I’d ever had.
Julia stepped inside seconds later, slamming the door shut behind her.
“With all due respect, sir,” she said, “I need to know what’s going on with you.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve been off—way off—for weeks, and at the rate you’re going, I’m willing to bet that you’d let a murderer out on bail if he gave you the right smile.”
“I’m pretty sure that I just kept five of those locked up this week.”
“Only because I fucking pressed you on it,” she said. “You’ve been in goddamn la-la-land for almost all the latest arraignments.”
“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to right now?” I arched a brow. “Better yet, is he in the room with us?”
“I’m only letting you know what everyone else in my office has been saying…” She let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re not being the Judge Ashton that we’re used to, and we’re hoping that nothing is wrong.”
Everything is wrong.
“I appreciate your concern.” That was all I could say to that. “I’ll have Mara get some interns to flag and make notations on this week’s cases. I lost my senior clerk a couple weeks ago, so…”
“Oh.” She frowned. “Well, that explains things. I’m so sorry.”
“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” I asked.
“Yeah.” She pulled a folded sheet from her pocket. “Here are the notes on my office’s upcoming investigation into you.”
“Are you trying to lose your job?”
“Just wanted to give you a heads up.” She shrugged. “They’ll be watching you very closely during the Jenkins retrial, so stay away, okay?”
“Okay.” I stuffed the sheet into my drawer. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She walked to the door. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did she die?”
“What?”
“Your law clerk,” she said. “How did she die?”
I blinked, confused.
“That’s what you meant when you said you ‘lost’ her.” She tilted her head to the side. “Right?”
“No, I meant she quit.”
“Ohhhh.” She laughed. “Oh, okay. That’s so much better than the rumors, then.”
“Is it?”
“I mean, yeah,” she said, cackling even louder. “Before you told me that, some of my colleagues were assuming someone broke your heart.”
“Glad my pain could make you laugh.”
“I knew better than to believe that, though.” She snorted. “You don’t have a heart to break…”
GAG ORDER (N.):
A JUDGE'S ORDER PROHIBITING THE ATTORNEYS AND THE PARTIES TO A PENDING LAWSUIT OR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FROM TALKING TO THE MEDIA OR THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE CASE
OLIVIA
Hey Sylvia. This is Olivia.
You stalked me in my parking lot a while ago because you’re writing a story about Judge Ashton…
Sylvia (Journalist)
Ah, yes! I’ve been hoping to hear from you.
Do you have anything?
Yes. Meet up next Friday? 6 p.m. at a café I choose?
Text me four hours before and I’ll be there.
Isighed, feeling a slight twinge of guilt about sharing anything about Liam, but I knew this was for the best.
For both of us.
Settling behind my laptop, I clicked on the final page of my application to Hudson Law School.
Please submit at least three letters of recommendation from a professor, lawyer, or legal professional.
Applications without this will not be considered for admission.
Ugh…
I scrolled through my former emails, settling on two professors who I hoped remembered me, but I knew that the person who would help me the most was Judge Ashton.
Then again, maybe I could settle for Judge Ashton-adjacent.
Taking a deep breath, I typed Mara’s name and hit call.
“You’ve reached Mara Banks at Judge Ashton’s office!” Her voicemail picked up instantly. “Leave me your name and number, and I’ll call you right back!”
Beep!
“Hey Mara, it’s me, Olivia.” I paused. “I uh, I know it’s been a while and I’m sure you’re busy, but I’m hoping I could get you to write me a recommendation letter? I’ve been applying to law schools lately and—”
“That’s all you have to say to me?” Liam’s voice was on the line. “After all these weeks, you’re calling to ask for a favor?”
“I could’ve sworn I was calling Mara…” My foolish heart skipped a beat. “Not you.”
“Well, I’m watching her phone while she attends to some business,” he said. “So, now you’re calling me.”
“I don’t want anything from you, Liam.” I swallowed. “Hang up and don’t interrupt my voicemail when I call back.”
“What law schools are you applying to?”
“None of your business.”
“I’m trying to be nice.”
“Don’t be.”
“This is the part where you can say, ‘I miss you’ and ‘I’m very sorry for all the things I said to you, Liam,’” he said. “And maybe then I’ll take you back.”