Page 30 of Precise Justice

“I’ll think about it,” Marc said then quickly added a terse, “No.”

The judge’s clerk heard them, stopped, turned her head and said, “Wait, he dangled what in front of you then jerked it away?”

They were laughing as they entered Wells’ chambers.

“What’s so funny?” Wells asked.

“I’m not touching it,” Marc said.

“I’ll tell you later,” her clerk said.

The two lawyers took chairs in front of the judge. Wells looked at Jennifer and asked, “What are we doing today with this assault case, Jennifer?”

By now Marc was reaching across the desk to give Wells copies of the witness statements.

“Witness statements, your Honor,” Marc said.

“It appears Mr. Kadella has done a better job investigating them than the MPD,” Jennifer said. “These are signed witness statements who saw the alleged assault. Looks like we have a solid self-defense case, your Honor,” Jennifer said.

“Are you prepared to dismiss?” Wells asked.

“Slocum’s in the courtroom with the complainant’s husband. They have copies of these statements,” Marc said. “The so-called victim’s father is a lawyer, your Honor. I’m hoping he sees the light and doesn’t make me put his kid on the stand.”

While Marc was speaking, Jennifer was still looking over the statements.

“Jennifer?” Wells asked.

“It’s not my call, your Honor, but I’ll encourage it.”

“Slocum and the father are friends. The mother is the one pushing the prosecution. Dad’s gonna have to make her see the reality,” Marc said.

Wells picked up her phone to call her clerk. “Megan, get Craig Slocum and the man he’s with in here. They’re in the courtroom.”

A minute later the two men were escorted into chambers. Before they had a chance to sit down the judge addressed them.

“What do you want to do here, Craig?”

“I’m not sure these are valid,” Slocum said holding up his copies of the statements.

“Let me be clear about something, Mr. Slocum. If I come to believe you’re using me and my courtroom to push a personal vendetta for a friend, and that’s what it looks like, I will sanction you personally. I will also send a letter to the office of professional responsibility about both of you.”

“Am I being asked?” Lane said.

“Feel free to speak up,” Wells said to Lane.

“I didn’t want to bring this in the first place. Dismiss it, Craig. Mr. Kadella, can I keep these?”

“Please do,” Marc said.

“Mr. Slocum?” Wells asked.

“Certainly, your Honor. If I had known…”

“If you had done your job, you would have known,” Marc said. “Attorney fees and costs, your Honor?”

“Denied,” Wells said. “I’m not going to compound this stupidity by having the taxpayers pay you for it. I’ll have an order out by the end of the day.”

THIRTEEN

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