The Judge

Chapter 6

The next morning

I was sitting at the breakfast table, talking to Dale, drinking some of my coffee. Dale was explaining about how worried he was for his father and was asking a bunch of questions." What do you thinks gonna happen?" He asked, looking at me." Honestly, I don't know, but it'll be alright." He nodded and looked down at the video tape in his hand. I was about to say something else when Hank dropped the latest newspaper in front of me. I look up at him confused, when he pointed at something in bold. Joseph Palmer faces murder trial. I look at it for a few moments before turning to Hank," I see words got out." I said," Sure has." Hank walked away and went into the kitchen.

I was about to go and talk to him when I heard Judge shout me from upstairs," Excuse me." I left the table and headed to his office, finding him looking at a crossword puzzle." Agreement from the Grippers coach." Judge said, not looking up at me." Pardon?" I asked, leaning against the door frame." Agreement from the grippers coach, 10 letters. Aye of Knute. Knute Rockne, the great Norte dame coach."
"He knows the answer yet he asks." He looks up at me and we both smile at each other." Come on. Sit down. Let's hold some court. Yeah." I chucked the newspaper on the chair before walking in and sitting across from him," Now Peacefully...Easily, easily." I cross my arms in front of my chest and look at him.

"Why do you think Dickham missed the filing deadline. For a change of venue?"
"Oh, he didn't miss the deadline. It's a small town. He obviously wanted it here, he had no intention of filing for a change in venue." I smile at him before standing up and walking away," C.P stepped down this morning." Judge said, making me turn back around." Why?" I asked," Said he'd assist a more seasoned attorney. Couldn't live with himself if his lack of Experience cost the case."
"Does Hank know?"
"I was hoping you could tell him." I nod," Confidently, what were you doing on Shelby road? There's not route from the mini mart to here, where that makes sense."
"Wait, wait, wait. Are you asking if Hank could represent me?" I scoff before turning around," Okay." I stop and look down at the floor," I remember being at the mini mart, I needed eggs. The road home was washed out, where it dips near the old mill."

I turn back around and face him," I turned around, stopped at the light on state. Then Uh... then I'm missing time." I looked at him for a few seconds before sighing and walking over to his desk," Can I borrow your pen?" I asked," Yeah." I took his pen and began to write something onto a sheet of paper." To answer your question, no I'm not asking if Hank can represent you. It doesn't work that way. You can't afford him, so he'd have to do it for free. Fortunately. This is his standard services contract. Check, sign, and date. Offer expires end of business day." I place the sheet of paper and pen onto the table and look at him." I'll give it a think." I nod before walking away and heading down stairs.

I see Hank sitting on the couch watching the tv, not looking at me. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his neck," I think you just got a new client." I said, placing my head on top of his. " What?" He asked, putting his hand on my arm." Yeah, I just spoke to your dad. C.P stood down, he said he couldn't live with himself if he lost the case." I walked around the couch and sat beside him," Huh." Hank said, looking at the tv," So, What do you think?"
"Did you show him my service contract?" He asked, looking at me." Yes, I showed him your service contract." He nodded and turned back to the tv," I'll think about it." I smile and kiss his cheek before standing up and heading into the kitchen.

Time jump
Hanks POV

I was placing clothes into my suitcase, getting ready to leave. I threw my last T-shirt inside before zipping it up from both sides. I looked over to the door and saw a sheet of paper being slid under it. I stop what I was doing and looked at it, it had a tick for my help on the case and a signature from the Judge. I smirk before unzipping my bag and taking all my stuff back out again.