ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 29

Chief Judge Bernard Arnett was the oldest judge in the county court system. He was also the most ornery and hard assed with the nickname of Hanging Judge Arnett. When the death penalty was legal in the state of Maryland he had held the top record for the most executions he had sentenced murder defendants to. He was equally hard boiled with his family. His relationship with his senator brother Reilly was long estranged and it had spread to his nephew Winston as well. In fact when his nephew had been an assistant state's attorney the elderly man's " nickname" for him throughout the courthouse was "Useless Winnie". After Winston was disgraced and disbarred his uncle had not held back his disdain of the man. And , when he had found out that his nephew came out of the closet he had laughed heartily for the first time in years in his stuffy darkened  booklined chambers with his Boston University and Yale law degrees on the wall. Judge Arnett was also a confirmed bachelor with no children, grandchildren or anyone that would ever mourn him when he passed away probably on his bench. He also had no real friends and no interest outside of the law and classical music. Which was probably why the shrewd and crafty old judge refused to retire.

Richard knocked on the man's chambers door and instantly heard from inside a crusty old voice calling out," Enter ! "

Which he did. He stepped into the room still wearing his robe and closed it behind himself.

Judge Arnett stared at him as he sat behind his cluttered desk , an unlit cigar perched between his yellowed teeth. " What do you want, Norland ? "

Richard said firmly," I want to know why you gave me that case. Not just the bail hearing but the case. "

The chief judge eyed him with the disdain he felt for most if not all humans. " I gave you the case because you are a brand new judge and it's a challenge. "

" A challenge? "

" Yes. A damn challenge. You are one of my judges now and I want to know what you are made of. I know that woman is your stepsister. I know about your daughter's hit and run last year. I know it all. I don't care. If you cannot judge your own loved ones without cowering and running in shame I don't need you here. "

Richard felt like he was a very young child again being taken to task for things he had not done or even thought about doing. He looked back into the still sharp blue eyes. He saw intelligence, rudeness and contempt reflected back at him. " So I have to keep this case. "

Judge Arnett smiled coolly. " You have to keep this case. " Judge " Norland. And I had my court clerk watching you today in court. He said you lost control of your courtroom. Don't do it again. We shall not have a repeat of the gunplay in the blind one's courtroom earlier this year. Now get the hell out of my chambers. "