The Plan (The Hillers of Barratt County #4)

Chapter 26

26

George waited for Hendricks Barratt to finish going over everything. This man had been his mentor for several years early in his career. He often acted as a sounding board for George when he needed it. There were few attorneys out there George respected more. Hendricks was thorough, George had to give him that, but at this point, they were going in circles. The Tolben case had more holes than Swiss cheese. It wasn’t just George that saw that now.

He’d watched the other man’s face as he’d read copies of the rulings. Hendricks saw the problems, too.

“This is the worst judiciary screw-up I’ve seen in my entire career, George. It’s not just incompetence—it’s corruption, plain and simple. There is no other explanation for these kinds of rulings. They disregard case law and even go against some federal laws. He had to know these were wrong.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice. “I’ll make some calls. Mason might be able to help push this up the next rung on the ladder.”

“You’d get him involved?” Hendricks’s older brother Mason was one hell of an attorney—who handled corruption cases like they were child’s play. He had a reputation in this state. And was damned terrifying to face in a courtroom. George had faced him four times now in recent years. George had lost every time.

Hendricks nodded. “He owes me a few favors. And he’s got friends in the governor’s office who don’t take kindly to cases like this getting buried. But… this will bring attention to you. If you have any skeletons in the closet, now’s the time to say.”

“I got my law clerk pregnant, due near the first of April, with our first—hopefully of many—does that count?”

“Hardly. I’ve met her, and I’ve been waiting for the two of you to figure things out for a while. Congratulations. When’s the wedding?”

“Whenever she says it is. I love that woman. I want this Tolben mess cleared up so I can focus on getting the house ready for a baby, that kind of thing.”

“Good luck. There is nothing like being a father. Best thing I have ever done in my life.” Hendricks had teenagers, all boys. His wife had left four years ago, and Hendricks was doing it alone. He’d always reminded George of his own father when George had seen him with his boys. “But this is going to bring a media storm. You both need to be ready for that. Felner won’t go down easily.”

George exhaled slowly, considering. The last thing he wanted was more scrutiny, more eyes picking apart his every move. But… he hadn’t done anything he was ashamed of.

Not one single thing.

“Do it,” George said. “Call your brother.”

Hendricks nodded and reached for his phone, but before he could dial, the diner door banged open with enough force to rattle the windows. George turned and jumped to his feet, seeing the tear-streaked teenage girl standing there. Genesis came running to him, so much fear on her gamine little face.

She bolted straight for him, her voice trembling. “George! There’s a man in your office—he has a gun! He has Ronnie and Gia! He has a gun and Ronnie pushed me into the bathroom and I went out the window and I ran here to get help. We need to get help!”

For a second, George just stared, the words slicing through him like a knife. Then he was on his feet, knocking his chair aside, his voice sharp. “Genesis, stay here.”

George looked at Bobette, the waitress. “Call the sheriff. Get them to my office now. No matter what.”

He didn’t wait for her reply. He was already moving.