Tempus Fugit
By Mavis Applewater
For disclaimers see part one.
A special thank you goes out to my beta reader Mary.
As always this is for Heather.
Part Eleven 1966
This was an exciting year. LBJ announced that the US should stay in Vietnam, former Massachusetts Attorney General Edward Brooks became the first African American elected to the senate, the National Organization Of Women was founded, Martin Luther King lead a civil rights march in Chicago, Cleveland experienced race riots for the first time, and John Lennon announced that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. A statement he would later apologize for. My father, along with many others, felt Lennon was blasphemous. I on the other hand found it not only slightly amusing but accurate. The gap between the generations became epic. Television shows like Ozzie & Harriet, Raw Hide and Dick Van Dyke gave way to Star Trek, Dark Shadows and That Girl. My parents were dancing to Sinatra and Louie Armstrong while my peers and I were mellowing out with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. A high point for me that year was not only the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Miranda, but Spencer had finally agreed to go out with Ron. Then there was the little matter of my own victory in court which ended up changing my life.
"I can't stand these things," Spencer tugged at her waist.
"Pantyhose?" I nodded agreeing with her. The new apparel did save time; still the buggers weren't very comfortable. "Wear stockings then."
"I can't change again," she huffed checking her makeup once again. "He'll be here soon. Maybe I should cancel?"
"You know seeing you act like a girlie girl is freaking me out," I shook my head thoroughly disgusted by the sudden change in her. "Bad enough I had Ron spazzing all week over this. Just wash the makeup off, change into something comfortable and please leave your gun at home. With the way you're bugging out I'm beginning to fear for Ron's safety. He likes you just the way you are. You don‘t have to pretend to be Donna Reed just to impress him."
"I hate dating," she sneered at me wiping some of her makeup off.
"Everyone hates dating," I snidely informed her while I mentally calculated the last time I had experienced going out on a date. "Look he's a nice guy who has been chasing you for months. Just relax and be yourself."
"How can I relax when you won't let me take my gun?" Her words were harsh still I could detect the slightest hint of fear in her eyes.
"On a date?" I slowly questioned pondering whether or not Spencer was far more quirky than I thought. "Whatever floats your boat." I rolled my eyes. "Spencer, I know it has been a long time since I've gone out on a date. Still I don't seem to recall needing to arm myself."
"It really has been a long time since you went out with a guy," Spencer teased shaking out her hands in an effort to calm herself.
"Hmm, let me think," I pursed my lips trying to recall my last co-ed evening. "That would have been when I went to my senior prom with Ron. Nope didn't require firearms."
"I'm so glad you're getting a chuckle out of this," she sneered. "Brrr," she blew out. "It's just dinner."
"There's the spirit," I snickered. "And he's paying. I have to go."
"What?" She was shaking as I headed out of her bedroom.
"I should go," I sheepishly offered. "Spencer, things will go much smoother if I'm not here. I work with the guy. I dated him. Three's a crowd?" I tossed out before making my escape. After ditching Spencer I decided to go for walk and simply enjoy the city and the unexpected warm spell we were experiencing. I stopped for a cup of coffee when my feet finally began to tire. "Eleanore Druette," she sounded amused as she slowly drew out my name.
"Just once, I'd like to stop for a cup of Joe without running into someone from my past," I offered Loretta a mock scowl as she claimed the seat beside me.
"Good luck with that," she merrily quipped.
"My God you're smiling," I noted with appreciation. "I can't remember the last time I saw you smile."
"That's probably because it was before I started doubting you and jumping to conclusions." Loretta offered sincerely.
"My goodness this has been an eventful day," I blinked with surprise. "That almost sounded like an apology."
"It is," she stressed with a shy smile. "I wish to atone not only for not believing you, but for taking so long in telling you I was wrong. After I read those statements you gave me, I began digging. Hit a few stonewalls before I discovered that Virginia Swenson received worse representation than the defendants from the Salem Witch Trials. I have something for you."
"I do so love presents," I drew out slowly studying her carefully.
"This one is a doozy," she cocked her head and flashed me a smile. "Alfonso DeMarco."
"Gesundheit," I blinked trying to grasp what she was trying to tell me. "I'll bite. Who is Alfonso DeMarco?"
"He's a lawyer," she continued grinning at me.
"So are we," I sputtered feeling thoroughly frustrated.
"He is a very prominent attorney," she continued ignoring my flustered state. "He started his career as a lackey for none other than James Sutherland. His primary responsibilities being restricted to cleaning up after the firm's wealthier client's children. He handled all of their legal woes. He received his big break in the winter of 1956. He made a tough call that neither the big wigs at the firm nor his client were capable of doing."
"Sacrificing one twin for the other," I choked out feeling disgusted.
"Perhaps," she pretended to be surprised. "Then again I can't prove that. Saying anything about the matter would be defamation of character. I can only guess that perhaps he saw a certain unpleasant situation as a career move. Sadly I doubt that he will ever confirm that. Still he is quite ill. Perhaps his conscience is weighing on him. The big ‘C‘. I hear that Beth Israel can work miracles with cancer patients. I wonder if he went there."
"Thank you," I flashed a sly grin.
"No," she dismissed my earnest words. "I always assumed that when it came to sexual crimes, if it walked like a duck and quacked like a duck it was a duck. This time it was most definitely a platypus."
"Hmm, I just love big words," I couldn't help laughing. "Buy you a cup of coffee?"
"I'd like that."
The following day I set out to find whatever I could about Alfonso DeMarco or ‘Al D' as his cronies called him. On the surface he was a local boy done good; a real self made man. Al worked like a dog going to school at night while taking care of his elderly mother. After passing the bar he excelled at the prestigious firm of Sutherland, Carpenter, Ludlow and Hennessy. Al made partner in record time, his career sky rocketing after 1956.
It didn't prove anything beyond interesting. So, I went to see Spencer. The new dirt afforded me the opportunity to pump her for information about her date. Spencer was a wealth of information when it came to other people. Making inquiries into her personal life often proved futile. The details of the previous evening were limited to, it was nice. Good thing the following day was Monday. Good, bad or indifferent Ron would be a fountain of information. Spencer did seem excited about the new lead in Ginny's case.
My work for the day seemed to be complete. I did try to engage Spencer in a little girl talk. Not her forte. I dropped it and went home. The walls of my little abode were stifling. I tried to watch a little television. My mind refused to focus. I was itching to know just what Al DeMarco did or did not do. Unable to stand being alone for another second, I decided to grab a drink at Georgia‘s. It called itself a tea room, everyone knew that meant girl bar. What I enjoyed about Georgia's was that it was quaint, no loud music, pool tables or any of the other trappings most of the bars possessed. I could just sit; enjoy a cocktail without worrying about being bothered.
When she sat down beside me at the bar, I thought nothing of it. She was a tiny fireball with the most adorable accent. When she mentioned where I worked I was unnerved. "Sorry," she quickly apologized making a point to touch me as she spoke. "Jane Higginbotham I'm with the London office. I've seen you around the office."
"Oh," I sputtered with relief. "Ellen Druette. I'm a junior associate in criminal."
Jane was nothing short of charming. Despite knowing better I ended my evening in her hotel room. Getting involved with someone at the firm was far from a wise choice. In hindsight things might have gone more smoothly if my tryst with Jane amounted to nothing more than a one night stand. When things began we took it casually. We were cautious because we worked for the same firm. And then there was the annoying detail of residing in different time zones which at the time seemed insurmountable. We just kicked back and enjoyed the ride. After she returned home we wrote and called one another. I even went to visit her in London for a week. It was a great trip. London in the sixties was an incredible experience. Later I would learn that not only were Jane and I from different countries we lived in completely different worlds.
It began when I came to the end of a very long journey. Just two years out of law school and I found myself standing before the Supreme Judicial Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts my former law professor standing by my side. No one from the prestigious firm of Manning, Rockwell & Diamond, where I was employed as a junior associate, were aware of what I was doing that day. I didn't care if they found out. All I wanted that day was to finally put the demons to rest. On the other side representing the state's district attorney's office was Myron Sturgis a very tough litigator.
I stood before the seven wise men that ruled over the SJC and presented my motion. Thanks to some unusual maneuvering the case bypassed the Appeals court and was put on the docket for direct review. Normally only a case that contained matters of a state wide interest was handled in this matter. This case was different. The honorable Judge Warner was ready to retire and everyone considered that it would be in the best interest of all concerned if this matter was handled quickly and quietly.
I recited each point, the affidavits, the witness statements, Officer Doherty's signed statement, the original transcripts, and the fact that the lead detective ignored investigating another viable suspect. I never found out what Spencer found out about Al DeMarco. Whatever happened when she paid him a call was clouded in mystery. All I did know was that suddenly we had no trouble finding out anything.
When I concluded presenting my motion I thanked the Judges and took my seat. It was Sturgis' turn to rip my motion to shreds. "Your honors," he respectfully began. "After reviewing the facts in this case the state has no objection to the motion presented before this court."
"None?" One of the wise men questioned.
"At first we were curious as to why a decade's old case was being drudged up," Sturgis graciously conceded. "Then after careful review of the evidence my office feels that in the interest of justice the earlier plea entered by the defendant be vacated. Due to the sensitive nature of this matter we do request that it not become fodder for the press." He thanked the court and took his seat. The seven wise men stood explaining that they would return with their decision.
"He's not fighting this?" I whispered to Professor Larson.
"Apparently not." He blinked with surprise. "But he is requesting that the matter be hushed up. No trying to go after the cops, the DA or Sutherland."
"I don't care," I gushed under my breath. "As long as Ginny's record is cleared that's all that matters."
The wise men returned in record time. "We are not interested in this case turning into a spectacle," one of them cautioned. "Still after reviewing Miss Swenson's case it is more than evident there were numerous reversible errors committed. She received poor advice from counsel; the police were remiss for not looking into Miss Swenson's twin sister's whereabouts regarding the nights in question, and the numerous witness statements which seem to exonerate Miss Swenson from any wrong doing. Had she gone to trial it is unlikely that she would have been convicted based on the evidence. In the interest of justice the plea is vacated, Miss Swenson's record will be expunged and sealed. Since the statute of limitations has been exhausted we consider this matter closed. We concur with Mr. Sturgis there is no need for this matter to be flaunted in the press. You're not making case law here Miss Druette is that understood?"
"Yes your honor." I readily agreed.
An hour later I returned to my tiny little office after placing copies of the court's verdict in the post office box informing Ginny that she was no longer a convicted felon. Before I had a chance to sit down I was summoned to one of the senior partner's office. "Miss Druette please take a seat," Mr. Diamond addressed me in a droll tone. I complied with his instructions while worrying about my future. "I must say you are full of surprises. I wasn't aware that you were handling an appeal. One of my junior associates going toe to toe with SJC; pulling off a decisive victory within ten minutes that is quite an accomplishment. Now why wasn't I aware of this before you went to court this morning?"
"It wasn't one of the firm's cases," I politely explained. "You know how it is sometimes. Being a lawyer is like owning a truck, but instead of everyone asking you to help them to move they want free legal advice. Still this was a personal matter."
"I see," he nodded pressing his fingers together. "You are an impressive young lady. If today and your previous work is any indication I wouldn't be surprised to see you making your way to the partnership track. And if you are going to advance in this firm you should be aware of something. We do not, repeat do not, handle sodomy cases. Sex offenders are not clients we wish to represent not even pro bono. Is that understood?"
"Yes." I nodded before standing.
"Good." He gloated.
"You'll have my resignation on your desk by the end of business today," I informed him as I turned to leave.
"What?" He gasped.
"I quit."
"Miss Druette think about what you are doing?" He threatened me.
"I am," I asserted. "If this isn't the kind of firm that is interested in clearing an innocent woman's name then this is certainly not the kind firm I want to work for. Peace."
Ten hours after the greatest victory of my fledgling legal career I was sitting by myself in Olde Towne Tavern nursing a sloe gin fizz the ultimate sissy drink. "Now what kind of sissy drink is that?" Ron echoed my thoughts.
"Then order me a man's drink?" I demanded. "I'm out of work so you're paying."
"So are we," he smirked stepping aside revealing Rita, Kim, Tyler and Professor Larson.
"Well I was about ready to retire, but now I'm thinking of pursuing a different avenue," Professor Larson smiled.
"What gives?" I questioned as they claimed the stools around me.
"We heard what you did and we quit," Ron boasted. "Now we need real drinks."
"No guys," I argued. "This is my battle; always has been."
"You got a ten year old conviction tossed out," Kim gasped. "Not for money, but because it was the right thing to do. That is the kind of lawyer I want to work with."
"What impresses me the most is your client never knew that you were doing this," Professor Larson laughed. "Barkeep a bottle of your finest champagne or whatever passes for champagne around here."
"Your client didn't know?" Rita sputtered. "Now how did you pull that off?"
"She wasn't a client," I tried to explain. "She's my friend and she was innocent."
"Wait this was Ginny?" Ron sputtered. "This case was Ginny. She's in the clear?"
"As of ten o'clock this morning." I smirked as the bartender poured something that looked like champagne before us.
"In all the years I've been practicing law this case is the one time I felt right about what I was doing," Larson explained. "I'd like to feel that way about all of my cases. Now I understand that Kim is good with family law, Rita here is a whiz when it comes to kids, Ron loves the good fight, Tyler is a good tax man and you are unstoppable. I say we have the makings of a good law firm. Not a profitable one, but I'm ready to fight the good fight. The times they are a changing. Come on I'm the old geezer here you are the one supposing to be taking the bull by the horns."
"Opening our own shop?" I pondered the notion. It wasn't completely insane except collectively, with the exception of Larson, we didn't share more than a decade of experience between us. Still with Professor Larson's experience and guidance we might just be able to pull it off. We cheered our new venture and ordered another round of drinks.
"Well there she is," he looked older and somehow more pathetic than the last time I had seen him. He staggered closer disrupting the celebration and invading my personal space. "So you finally cleared that perverted tart. Proud of yourself? Setting a pervert free?" Jarworski slurred assaulting me with his foul breath.
"Yes I am," I briskly countered. "Are you? How did it feel framing a seventeen year old girl? Ruining her life? I suppose those spanking new cars you bought for you and your wife just before that Christmas must have eased your consequence. Or was it when you paid off your mortgage?" I pushed I had a lot of dirt on this guy; no way he was going to make me back down. It took me ten years, but I found every skeleton in his filthy little closet. He just stood there slack jawed gaping at me his eyes turning dark angry with me for having the gall to parade his indiscretions in public. Still having him struck mute clinging to the ropes I had no choice but to push him even further. "Tell me Detective did you sleep better at night after that speedboat suddenly appeared in your driveway the week after contraband was discovered in Virginia Swenson's cell there by ensuring she would serve the full term? Shall I continue?" The sick part was that the things I had mentioned were just the tip of the iceberg. He was a dirty cop and a bigot to boot. Even with all the gifts he had received over the years the chip on his shoulder only seemed to grow bigger.
"You just watch your step little lady," he snarled the smell of cheap whiskey almost knocking me over. "This can be a dangerous city."
"You wouldn't be threatening my colleague now would you?" Professor Larson piped in. "That wouldn't be a wise course of action considering that you are in a bar full of lawyers who as officers of the court would be duty bound to report such an offense."
Jarworski glanced over his shoulder noticing for the first time the barroom was quiet all eyes glued to the scene since it began. The room was filled with lawyers and cops most of whom would have loved to make Jarworski pay for disgracing the badge. Jarworski just scoffed at them far too drunk to realize that the entire conversation including my accusations had been overheard by everyone. He turned back to me not willing to walk away without having the finally word. "Fine have it your way dyke," he spat at me. "I was just saying a woman living alone should be careful." Then he just stumbled off pushing his way through the crowd. I shivered not missing how he had stressed the point that I lived alone.
"Well that was a trip," I blew it off trying to act as if I wasn't afraid. Thankfully the crowd turned away and ignored me.
"How did you know all of that?" Ron asked with concern.
"We know a great many things about Detective Jarworski," Professor Larson explained in a grim tone. "We just decided that it would probably be in our best interest to keep the details close to the vest as it were."
"He's a dirty cop," Ron fumed.
"Who knows that I live alone," I cautiously pointed out. "And just who would I report him to? His co-workers must have noticed two brand new cars. Even in ‘56 no way he could afford such a lavish purchase. They either helped or looked the other way."
"So another round?" Tyler quickly suggested. "Now we need to discuss some very important matters like what are we going to call our new venture? I think alphabetical would be a good idea."
"Hmm," Ron smirked. "Bacon, Cho, Druette, Horowitz, Larson and O'Keefe. That would put you dear Tyler at the top of the letter head wouldn't it?"
"So it does." Tyler laughed.
"With that mix of names we could just call ourselves the firm from Ellis Island." Kim choked.
"What about something more socially relevant?" Rita piped in. "And what about office space?"
"Good point I doubt my studio would provide a suitable space to greet clients," I chimed in.
"I can't believe you're still living in that shoebox," Ron groaned.
"I like my shoebox." I firmly replied.
"Yeah it keeps your girlfriends from moving in," Ron laughed.
"Exactly." I beamed.
"Ellen I'm shocked," Professor Larson laughed. "That doesn't sound like you. Living in cramped quarters just to avoid a commitment."
"Oh but that is me," I whole heartedly confessed. "My sworn duty is to the law not shacking up with someone that I know will drive me bonkers in a month's time. Now back to the matter at hand just where are we going to hang our shingle?"
"I'll get started on it in the morning." Professor Larson promised. "In the meantime, since I have spent the last seventeen years or so pushing pencils and teaching classes rather than actually being in a courtroom, and you guys are still wet behind the ears; I think it would be prudent that all of us volunteer our time to the Public Defenders Office. We can build experience and possibly a client base."
When I returned home that evening my phone was ringing off the hook. "Ellen, what were you thinking?" Jane demanded apparently having heard the news all the way across the pond.
"I was thinking of my friend," I blurted out furious at her snarly tone.
"Dandy," Jane groaned indignantly. "You did a good deed. Bully for you. That doesn't explain why you chucked your job? Diamond wasn't giving you the boot."
"No," I hissed. "He was telling me not to even think about doing it again. Sorry, not going to happen."
"Ellen, you're a kid who is already making a name for herself," Jane chastised me. "Why would you piss that away? Do you honestly think that you're going to make the cut by getting snippy? Fighting the good fight is admirable but it doesn't pay the rent."
"Wow? Talk about bringing me down. I just won probably the biggest case of my career and all you're thinking about is the bread?" I was positively disgusted by her gruesome attitude.
"Ellen, I'm proud of you," Jane stressed. "I'm just being realistic. Even the noblest of ventures come at a price."
"I guess that's it then," I surmised once again questioning my taste in women.
"What?" Jane sputtered. "Hold on there. Is this the way you always handle the women in your life? The first row and you're ready to call it a day?"
"Jane," I struggled to find the words. I wanted to ream her for being completely insensitive. I wanted to tell her that I knew what I wanted and chasing the almighty dollar wasn't it. "I have to go."
"You just hung up?" Evelyn fussed after I finished retelling the events that led to my ending things with Jane.
"Yes," I shook my head still miffed at Jane. I decided that a night out with the girls was in order. Spencer, Evelyn and I gathered at a small restaurant and I told them everything. "What?" I barked not pleased by the blank looks I was receiving.
"Jane was right," Spencer quietly deduced. "You didn't talk about things. You just threw in the towel."
"No," I feebly tried to argue. "That's not how it went down. Jane was more concerned about how I would pay the rent than what I had accomplished."
"Or she was worried about your future," Evelyn piped in.
"What you did was nothing short of amazing," Spencer dived right in. "No one is diminishing that. But Jane has a point."
"Yeah on her head." I snarled completely miffed that my so called friends weren't taking my side.
"Be that as it may," Spencer plodded along. "I think the new firm is a noble idea. But I'm worried about Ron. If this fails Uncle Gary can always rely on his savings and investments. The rest of you just cut off your nose to spite your face. Being the youngest and the least experienced both you and Ron have the most at stake. Word travels fast. You didn't just quit your job you threw it in Diamond's face. Plus your win in court the other day ruffled more than a few feathers. And the pipelines we used to get to the nitty gritty were at times shady to say the least. You don‘t want to know what DeMarco was into. Sad to say but if that sorry bastard wasn‘t ready to kick the bucket we would had been left twisting in the wind."
"And you do tend to burn bridges when it comes to your relationships," Evelyn joined the party. "With the exception of Ginny you're looking for the escape hatch at the first sign of trouble."
"I do not," I huffed. "What about Connie? Or Carrie?"
"You weren't in love with either of them," Evelyn blew me off. "It was easy to stick around knowing that eventually they would leave you."
"You suck." I quickly dismissed her words of wisdom.
"When was the last time you've heard from Ginny?" Evelyn trumped me. "Her last visit? That was what last spring? You have got to let it go."
"I have," I further waged my losing battle. "She's gone, her case is a done deal and maybe I‘ll see her at Christmas."
"You believe her?" Evelyn gloated.
"No," Spencer answered in a disapproving tone. "I've always been curious about that last visit. Showing up with candles, wine and bubble bath."
"Don't forget the color television," Evelyn added her two cents. "Just the two of them in that teeny tiny apartment sipping wine and watching the boob tube. Sounds positively romantic."
"It was a late birthday present," I spat out bothered by a niggling thought. Mom had said that Ginny was thinking of coming home around that time. Then poof it was never mentioned again and Ginny hit the bricks. The truth was I couldn't allow myself to read too much into the events. "Don't Ron and Wally do things like that?"
"Yes," Evelyn nodded.
"They're our boyfriends and want to have sex with us," Spencer gleefully spelled out for my benefit. "Not that it works." She boldly concluded.
"When was the last time Ginny felt a need to bribe you so you'd take your clothes off?" Evelyn snidely questioned.
"Never." I was appalled by the thought.
"Something was up," Spencer furrowed her brow.
"Whatever it was, the moment has passed," I reluctantly conceded. I hated that they were right. "You know you guys are supposed to agree with me. Jane is evil and I can do better."
"Fine, Jane is evil." Spencer snorted mystified by my logic.
"You can do better," Evelyn glumly tossed out.
Professor Larson's suggestion that we pay our dues volunteering for the public defenders office made a lot of sense. Now wasn't it my good fortune that the first case I pulled for the PD's office was a juvie case that was being heard in Judge Warner's court. I begged, I pleaded and groveled for a different case to no avail. How do you face some kid and tell them that the judge who is not only a hard ass but he hates women lawyers and lesbians had a personal vendetta against me. It was true. The second word got back to him that I had Ginny's conviction overturned he decided to postpone his impending retirement and got himself appointed back on the bench.
The poor kid was in deep. His case was simple or would have been if he had drawn any other judge. He painted his girlfriend's name on the gas tower. No biggie unless you're facing Judge Warner. "Jasper Burke?" I called out beckoning him and his parents to join me just outside of the courtroom. "I'm your new attorney."
"Why?" His father tersely questioned.
"The PD's office is overwhelmed and I was handed Jasper's case," I carefully explained. "Here's the deal. If you had drawn any other judge this would already be over. You would have said I'm sorry and paid a fine. Judge Warner on the other hand is very strict. So here is what we are going to do. From this moment on you're Opie Taylor. You're changing your plea and begging for mercy and you're going to volunteer to repaint the tower yourself."
"Hold on little lady," his dad interrupted me. I just hate being called that.
"Mr. Burke," I interjected. "If this works then Jasper will end up with probation and his record will be sealed after he turns eighteen. If it doesn't then your son is going to reform school which I suspect is what Judge Warner is planning. Think about it while I'll go have a chat with the DA and see if he will agree to the plea."
"Druette?" Roland Miller gasped. "How did you get stuck here?"
"Roll of the dice," I groaned.
"Warner is going to throw a clot when he sees you," Miller sputtered his beady eyes widening with fear.
"No way around it," I blew out. "The Burke case; I have an idea that might just keep this kid from getting screwed." I ran my idea past him and he was more than willing to give the kid a break. He had been more than willing to do so until the case landed on Warner's docket.
"It could work," Miller stroked his chin. "Except that Warner wants your head on a platter."
"So I've heard. Just back me up on this."
"Okay." He agreed. "I mean I feel for the kid, Warner is talking about sentencing him to three years."
"Just follow my lead."
"You must have been very bad in a past life," Miller taunted me.
"Apparently," I groan. "I don't get it. The SJC stressed they didn't want a big deal made out of the case. Before I got back to my office it was all over town. The icing on the cake is Warner decides that he can't retire now that he is under a cloud of suspicion so the boys reappoint him."
"Hey I'm not thrilled," Miller agreed "There have been a ton of kids dragged in front of him who I felt made a mistake and deserved another chance and I'm a hard ass. Now he won't give up the gavel until we pry it out of his cold dead hand. That's us." He nodded when the bailiff announced that court was in session.
I sat beside my client and his agitated parents reassuring them to trust me. Deep down I had a sinking feeling that poor Jasper was going to be sentenced to hard time the second Warner laid eyes on me. There were a few cases ahead of us and I could sense Jasper growing tenser as Judge Warner passed down one harsh sentence after another. One poor kid was even bullied into enlisting rather than face jail time.
"The Commonwealth vs. Burke." The bailiff rang out.
"Ready?" I whispered to the boy.
"Opie Taylor." He nodded.
"Good boy," I patted him on the shoulder before guiding him to the appropriate spot. "Eleanore Druette for the defense your honor."
The courtroom fell into an awkward silence. "Well," Warner gloated stroking his graying mustache. "This is a surprise. Nice to know that you expanded your talents beyond deviants." All eyes were on me. I stood my ground refusing to allow him to bait me.
"Good morning your honor." I dutifully addressed him. "If it pleases the court my client would like to change his plea to guilty pursuant to a plea agreement with the District Attorney's office.
"A plea?" Warner growled. "For defacing government property?"
"An act for which my client is deeply ashamed of," I countered. "The agreement would stipulate that my client would be placed on probation for the period of one year after which if Mr. Burke maintains an unblemished recorded his record sealed." Warner opened his mouth to shoot me down when I cut him off. "Providing of course he personally repaints the tower."
"Wait," Warner was stunned. "Young man do you understand what this lady is saying?"
I nudged Jasper prompting him to look completely repentant. "Yes Sir, I am very sorry for committing such a childish act and embarrassing my family."
"And you're going to repaint the tower all by yourself? No help from your father or friends?" Warner stressed.
"Mr. Burke wants to take responsibility for actions," I asserted.
"And you agree with these terms Mr. Miller?" Warner glared at the poor man.
"Yes your honor."
"I must say I am impressed," Warner nodded. "Don't smile Mr. Burke you're not out of the woods yet. I will postpone my ruling for two weeks. We'll meet back here and if that tower doesn't meet with my expectations I'm accepting your guilty plea and sending you off to reform school. Do you understand?"
"Yes Sir," Jasper squeaked.
"Case postponed until two weeks from today," Warner ruled slamming his gavel before waving it at poor Jasper. "Be forewarned I'm checking that tower myself. Miss Druette I'm holding you responsible."
"Understood your honor."
"Unbelievable," Miller shook his head.
I turned smiling when I spotted my Dad lurking in the back of the courtroom. I led Jasper and his family out of the courtroom waving to my Dad to let him know I'd talk to him in a bit. "So you understand?" I questioned the shaking teenager. "I'm going to send a police officer with you. I don't want you to get in trouble for being on the tower and he will verify whether or not you did the work yourself. Do a good job and you put this behind you. Screw it up and your toast."
"Thank you, Miss Druette." Jasper gulped.
"Thank you." His parents echoed before leaving.
I turned to find my Dad beaming as he lurked in the corner. "What are you doing here?" I gushed hugging him fiercely.
"Are you kidding?" Dad smirked. "You're first solo case, I had to be here. I've been waiting for years to hear those words. Miss Druette for the defense. It was like an aria."
"Oh Dad, you hate opera," I blushed.
"And sticking it to Warner," Dad chuckled. "I still remember that pompous ass telling Ginny two and half to five or Danvers your choice."
"I didn't stick it to him Dad," I laughed lightly. "I just found a way to get around his animosity towards me."
"What else do you have on your plate today?"
"I have to draft some motions, file some papers the usual," I shrugged.
"Good what time are you clocking out?" Dad beamed like a peacock.
"Four." I shrugged.
"Good cause I'm taking my hot shot lawyer daughter out for a steak dinner," he insisted. "You're not still a vegetarian are you?"
"No." I laughed again.
That night my dad took me out for the best meal I had ever eaten. Maybe it was the enormous steak or perhaps it was the way he bragged about me to everyone who passed by. I think it was the conversation we shared. I know I'd always be his little girl but that night we shared adult conversation. He had begun treating me more like an adult over the years. After Ginny's arrest I was no longer Princess or Kitten. But that night it was just me and my dad talking like real people. I doubt I'll ever forget that night.
Two weeks later I appeared before Judge Warner for the second time shocking everyone including my client when the old fart agreed to the terms of the plea bargain. He did caution me on my way out not to get used to it. The fledgling Charles Street Law Clinic was slowly building a reputation. I have to confess I was fairing well on my own or by Gary's side. It still seemed odd calling Professor Larson by his first name. Ron and I both seemed to excel in criminal matters. I did my best to beg off juvenile cases simply because I was fearful of Judge Warner's wrath. Still I was building a rep of being good with them and handling Warner. At times my success back fired doing more harm than good for my clients. Those cases I tried to hand off to Gary or Ron so the client wouldn't pay for what Judge Warner viewed as my sins.
By the end of the summer Wally popped the question. Ron surprised everyone including Spencer by doing the same. My nearest and dearest friends were limited to two straight couples planning their weddings. A bit of a drag even if I was ecstatic for them. I never doubted that each was with the right person. It was one of the few things in life I would be right about. That didn't mean that the endless chatter about floral arrangements and seating charts was any great thrill for me. Tough being single when all your friends are settling down. Harder still when you come home alone every night half expecting to find the television on and Ginny informing you that Samantha has it all over Jeannie.
It was weird, Ginny's correspondence was sporadic. She'd drop a line to me or the folks now and then vaguely explaining what she was up to. Rarely leaving a forward address or really letting us know what was happening in her life. I didn't even know if she was aware of her name being cleared. She dropped off the radar not even coming home for the holidays. It was the first time in a decade that she wasn't a part of my life.
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