Penalty （n.） – Jameson
PENALTY (N.):
IN CRIMINAL LAW, A MONEY FINE OR FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY ORDERED BY THE JUDGE AFTER CONVICTION FOR A CRIME.
JAMESON
Scarlett’s father has a way of making a room feel ten times smaller whenever he’s in it. He has an aura of power that reaches people who don’t even know him.
It’s why no one has bothered to sit on either side of him in the courtroom today, and why Rachel’s hands still slightly tremble whenever she writes “Lucas” on any notes for me.
For some reason, he’s staring at me like I’ve committed a crime against him. Like he’s well aware that I’m hiding something from him.
There’s no way he knows I slept with his daughter… At least, I think?
“Hello, Mr. Tate?” The judge clears his throat. “Are you in the court with us today?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” I stand to my feet. “I’m here.”
“Then please address the issue at hand,” he says. “Do you honestly expect this court to believe that your clients won’t flee the country if given bail?”
“No, Your Honor,” I say. “They’ll probably be on the first flight out of here if you let them out.”
Lucas shoots me a “What the fuck?” from across the courtroom, but I ignore him.
“The state agrees, Your Honor.” Julia jumps to her feet. “Under no condition should these men be allowed bail—at any amount.”
“I wasn’t done.” I roll my eyes. “My clients are willing to surrender their passports, wear ankle monitoring, and commit to any terms under the typical bail structure for cases like this.”
“Men don’t typically beat the hell out of federal agents and launder money.”
“Allegedly, Julia.” I smile at her. “We’re not at trial yet.”
“Enough.” The judge bangs his gavel. “I agree with Mr. Tate and will grant the clients a one-million-dollar secured bond, with surrendered passports and community monitoring up until trial.”
He bangs his gavel. “Next case!”
I shut my briefcase and slip into the hallway before Julia can say anything to me.
“My apologies for doubting you for a single second.” Lucas steps next to me. “I should’ve known.”
“Yes, you should’ve.” I hand him a folder. “Do I need to explain what you need to do next to pay their bail, or do you have it?”
“I believe I have it.” He smiles. “You’re really a joy to have on-call for legal issues.”
That feeling isn’t mutual. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
“I know you’re busy, but I need another quick research favor from your assistant Rachel, if that’s okay.”
“She already looked into your daughter’s check-cashing thing,” I say. “You have nothing to worry about there.”
“It’s not that.” He pulls a stack of business cards from his pocket and hands them to me. “I took the liberty of walking through your firm this morning and plucking cards from the lawyers who match certain credentials.”
“My firm has a website, Lucas…”
“Whenever you get a chance, can you let me know if any of those young men would be good enough for a date with Scarlett?”
“Excuse me?”
“I feel bad for how I’ve treated her lately.” He frowns, looking remorseful for the first time I’ve ever known him. “I would like to make it up to her.”
“By playing matchmaker?”
“We may be slightly estranged, but I know my daughter.” He pauses. “She’s lonely and doesn’t have many friends. I would allow a boyfriend—as long as he’s decent and someone you would approve of as well.”
I blink.
“No rush on this request,” he says. “It can take months since she’s busy with her studies anyway. My cases come first, of course.”
“Of course.” I slip the cards into my pocket. “I need to go check on a docket upstairs. Anything else you need from me for now?”
“Not at all.” He extends his hand. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I wait for him to walk past me, to disappear through the crowd. Then I slip into the closest restroom and flush his stack of business cards down the toilet.