Page 7 of Riot

“I’ll take care of the fine before I leave, Your Honor.”Mr.Todd’s smile was filled with as much contempt as the charge.But so was Judge Whitmore’s.

“Oh, I don’t think you quite understand, Mr.Todd.You’ll most certainly pay a fine, but that’s not the extent of your punishment.You’ll also spend one hundred eighty-six hours in jail that I will not allow to be commuted to house arrest.I’m sure at some point you’ll call someone who can make this all go away for you, but until that time, I hope you’ll use your stay in the county’s correctional facility to reflect on your behavior today and contemplate how you could have handled things with me differently.I’d also suggest you think about how you treat others, Mr.Todd.”She turned to Caleb.“Now, Mr.Caleb, do you want to stay with your mother?”

“I do, Your Honor.I don’t want anything to do with my father ever again.”

“All right then.I believe you’re an intelligent, articulate young man and are more than capable of deciding who you want to stay with.”

“I don’t want to ever have to go back with him, Your Honor.”

“That’s between you and your mother.I’m not putting restrictions on you being able to contact your father if you wish.Assuming divorce proceedings are eventually finalized, custody will be determined at a later date.I have every confidence your wishes will be heavily considered at the appropriate time, Mr.Caleb.”

“Will you make it so he can’t call us?I don’t want him bothering my mom, and I have my own phone.”

Judge Whitmore studied both Doug and Caleb for a long moment before responding.“I think that in this situation, I’m going to grant your request, Mr.Caleb.You’re not to contact your son or your wife for any reason, Mr.Doug.If there is an emergency, you will go through nine-one-one and let the authorities contact her.Failure to follow these conditions will result in a contempt charge and land you next to your lawyer in county.”She addressed Lana.“Ms.Thompson, is there anything more you wish to discuss?”

“Not at this time, Your Honor.Thank you.”Lana’s tone was soft and respectful.It was obvious she had seen this scenario playing out in advance, assuming her side of the table minded their manners.I thought we’d done a fantastic job.I suppose now it was time to reap the benefits of our restraint.

“Mr.Devereaux.”Judge Whitmore inclined her head.“Might I have a private word with you?”

Riot looked from Caleb to me, then to Lana.“Keep them here and stay with them.Do not let them out of your sight.”

Lana raised an eyebrow.“Please,” she said mildly.

“Thank you,” Riot said, turning to follow the judge to her chambers, but Judge Whitmore crossed her arms over her chest and stared him down.

Riot gave a disgruntled sigh before turning back to Lana.“What I meant was, will you please keep Violet and Caleb company until Judge Whitmore is finished with me?”

Lana’s lips twitched, but she nodded her head with a serious expression on her face.“Absolutely, I’ll keep them company, Riot.Violet and Caleb are two of my favorite people.”She gave Riot a death stare.The message was clear.Fuck with Violet and Caleb at his own risk.

“I appreciate you taking the extra time out of court, Lana.Thank you.”Riot gave her a slight nod before turning back to Judge Whitmore.“Better?”

She gave a curt nod.“Better, young man.”Then she led him to her chambers and shut the door.

I sat forward, putting my elbows on the table and my head in my hands.I wanted to get away from Doug.I wanted Caleb away from him too.Right now, the deputies were handcuffing Mr.Todd to take him away.I knew Doug would have someone on this the second he got outside.I didn’t want to make eye contact, so I sat passively and tried to ignore everyone around me.

“Hey, you OK?”Lana rubbed her hand up and down my back, trying to soothe me.

“Yeah.I just want to get out of here and lock me and Caleb in our room for a day and a half.Just forget everything.”

“Mom, you know he’s not going to leave us alone.Right?”

I sighed, reaching up to stroke his face with my hand.He was getting peach fuzz on his cheeks.He tried to keep it shaved off, but he’d missed a spot this morning.“That’s not for you to worry about, OK?I’ll figure something out.Just be aware and protect yourself.I’ll protect you too.We’ve got each other’s backs, yeah?”

“Always, Mom.”He looked uncomfortable.“Look, I’m not saying I trust him just yet.But maybe we could ask Riot to hang out with us for a couple of days?Just until things blow over.”

“That’s a very good idea, Caleb.”Lana leaned against the table next to me.“Riot’s a solid guy.I wouldn’t lie to you about that for any reason.Yes, he’s on parole.Maybe he’ll feel comfortable telling you what happened.But trust me when I tell you he didn’t do anything someone in his position wouldn’t have wanted to do themselves.”

Caleb sighed.“Maybe I was wrong and it’s not a good idea to hang out with the ex-con.”

“Caleb, honey.”Lana gave him a stern look.“When you hear his story -- and I don’t see a scenario where he doesn’t tell you his story at some point -- you’ll not only understand, but you’ll also remember what you said just now and realize you were wrong to judge him without knowing all the facts.Riot is exactly the person you want protecting your mother and you from a man like Doug Harrington.”

Caleb hung his head.“I’m sorry.You’re right.I shouldn’t judge.That was wrong.”

“Christ.”Lana shook her head.“Are you sure that kid has Doug Harrington’s DNA?”

“Very sure.Though, I agree admitting he’s wrong is not something Doug does easily.”

Caleb snorted.“Or at all, really.”

---