Page 9 of Riot

I shrugged.“Honestly, I just got there.But I think the men you’re talking about, Torpedo and Bohannon, left to go back to Kentucky.Knuckles has taken over again.”

“Ah.Yes.I wasn’t sure when they’d turn the reins back over to the locals.Surprising, but not unexpected.”She smiled.“A few of us are working independently together to help women and children in abusive situations.”

“Are you saying you manipulate the law?Turn it to benefit you or someone you know?”I couldn’t help the little dig.Old grudges die hard.Besides, Judge Whitmore was too perfect to be believed.

She didn’t flinch.“If I have to.”

We regarded each other for several seconds, neither of us willing to flinch.Finally, she stood, extending her hand to me.“Try to get Caleb to talk to you, Mr.Devereaux.He’s holding some big feelings inside him right now and it’s not good for him.”

I shook my head.“I’m not a psychiatrist, ma’am.I don’t want the kid scarred for life.”

“He already is, Mr.Devereaux.Tell him about your experience.Caution him to think about his actions before he commits to them.”

“I know what you’re asking, ma’am.Not sure I’m the one to have that conversation with him because, begging your pardon, Your Honor, I don’t regret one Goddamned thing I did.”

She squeezed my hand but nodded sadly.“I figured as much.I’d still like you to consider telling him your story.He’s an intelligent young man.Give him all the information and he’ll come to the right conclusion.”

I let go of her hand.“I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you, Mr.Devereaux.”

As I exited the judge’s chambers, I thought about what she’d said.I wasn’t sure if I was ready to talk about my past with anyone yet.Sure, it was a long time ago, but that wound was still raw and aching.The less time I spent thinking about everything that had happened, the better.

Lana was speaking quietly with Violet, who looked shell-shocked and grief-stricken.Caleb sat next to his mom holding her hand.I zeroed in on where their hands were connected.Violet clung to Caleb, her knuckles white.Caleb patted her hand with his other one while Lana continued to speak.

Caleb let his mom take what comfort she could, but it was easy to see her tears were hurting the young man.The only other person in the courtroom was the bailiff, and he looked like he was getting ready to leave as soon as the four of us did.Harrington and his lawyer were nowhere to be seen.I had a feeling he’d turn up again sooner than I wanted.

When I approached, Lana stood, meeting my gaze.“Everything all right?”

“Yes.”I did my best to smile and be as non-threatening as possible, but I was a big guy and the very reason I was here was because I was physically intimidating.“Judge Whitmore thought it would be a good idea if I stay in touch with the three of you.”I glanced from Lana to Caleb, then Violet.“I agree with her.”

Caleb stood and put his shoulders back.“I can take care of my mom.”His gaze darted to Lana then back to me.“But I don’t believe it’s possible to have too many people looking out for her.I know I’m just a kid so I won’t have much weight with adults, so I’d appreciate it if you’d help keep Mom safe from Dad.”

OK, I could work with this.I could tell he was suspicious of me, and I didn’t blame him.“You know both Lana and Judge Whitmore believe I can help you.Right?”

The young man nodded at me.“I know you were in jail and that means you did something bad.”

I nodded.“Yeah, man.I did.”

“Do you regret it?”

Christ!This is what I wanted to avoid.As a rule, I tried never to lie.This was the most delicate of situations and the kid had just steamrolled his way straight to the heart of the matter.If I told him I regretted what I’d done, then he found out how thoroughly Idid notregret my actions, he’d never trust me again.Not for lying about this particular subject.But if I told him the same thing I’d told Judge Whitmore, I knew better than anyone what kind of trigger that confession could be for the kid.

Instead, I took a deep breath, taking my time before speaking.“I don’t lie, Caleb.Not intentionally.So before I answer that question, will you let me think about it a while?”

He gave me a confused look.“Why would you have to think about it?Was it worth going to prison for or not?”

“I want to think about it because…” I trailed off.“Christ, I’m fixin’ to sound like a fuckin’ shrink,” I muttered, scrubbing the back of my neck then over my face with my hand.“Because I’ve always thought about what happened one way, but I need to think about it… the other way.”

The women both blinked up at me, then looked at each other.Violet gave her a look like “the fuck?”Lana just shrugged.

“You don’t sound like a shrink,” Caleb offered.

“Thanks, kid,” I muttered.

“No,” Caleb continued.“You sound really, really confused.”He tilted his head to the side.“Are you having a stroke?You kinda look like you’re having a stroke.”

“What?”

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