Page 64 of Viper

I stiffly sit down at my desk and boot up my computer, trying to figure out what to do about this whole situation. It’s clear Judge Brown was fishing to see if he could trip me up. Or maybe he suspects that since I was here late I overheard him? But then again, if he thought that was the case, wouldn’t he have Sherry also help him with whatever he needs and would try to get me alone, right? Or maybe this Russian guy is the one directing him to question me so as not to arouse suspicion?

Fuck, my head hurts just thinking of it. But, then his mention of the drug tests hits me and I realize he must mean Viper’s. The same one that the Russian—I really need to get his name—mentioned the other night when the two of them were talking. And tampering with it so Viper would lose his new custody decree. Panic hits me, but I force it down. No, I need to remain cool headed here. I look down at my bag, where the burner phone is buried in the bottom.

This is the moment I need to make a choice. Do I let Viper and his club by extension know of what’s coming, or do I ignore it and pray I’m wrong?

My gut tightens as I reach into my bag and pull it out. I stare at it for a moment. I turn it on, and quickly find Viper’s contact information then shoot him a quick message.

Eden: Judge Brown came to get your file and is going to order your drug test later today. I can’t talk, and I’m trying not to throw up at the idea that I’m breaking the law, but I can’t risk you losing Archer.

Before I can turn it off, a message comes back and I quickly read it.

Viper: Thank you, baby girl. I know that was hard for you. We’ll handle it. Have a good day at work, and don’t stress.

Easy for him to say. I turn off the phone, bury it in my bag in one of the pockets, and then lock up my bag in the filing cabinet. I pocket the key, which I normally don’t do, but this time, I’m not taking any chances. Guilt eats at me the entire time I gather my things and then figure out which courtroom I need to head for. Thankfully I’m with Judge Krause for my first two cases of the day, which means I’ll be busy and I can hopefully put this out of my mind.

But even as I head to the courtroom, some of the guilt is replaced with the knowledge that while I might be putting everything on the line, I’m making sure that Archer is in the right place. That he’ll be safe. That’s important, and he doesn’t deserve to be dragged into this. And, honestly, neither does Viper, or any of the club members.

But how far am I going to have to take this? Telling him about a drug test is one thing, but that’s not what they want to know. I know that. So I need to figure this shit out, and soon.

The day is very busy, but I do manage to get through it without losing my cool. Even when I have to do the case with Judge Brown, who seems to be in a fairly normal mood. When we finish and I follow behind him and the bailiffs, he turns and smiles at me. “Do you have time to review those cases with Sherry and I now, Eden?”

I glance at my watch and then the schedule on top of my stack of books. “I have about an hour before I have to be in with Judge Gould for my final case of the day. Do you think that’s enough time?”

“That’ll be fine,” he says with a nod. “I asked Sherry to meet me in my chambers, along with one of the clerks, but Sherry isn’t able to do this, so it’ll just be you, the clerk, and I. That way we’ve got all bases covered.”

I nod and follow him through to his chambers. Anxiety builds inside me, but I force myself to ignore it. There’s no point in getting worked up. I need to pray I have as good a poker face as I did earlier. I see Linda, one of the older and more seasoned clerks on staff already getting herself set up. She’s the older grandmotherly type that believes all things are black and white when it comes to the job. It’s gotten her in some hot water before, but in the last few years, she’s mostly kept her opinions to herself. She nods at me, but then completely dismisses me, and I roll my eyes before I take my seat and set myself up.

Judge Brown doesn’t waste any time, and launches into the discussion and orders on the files in front of him. Linda gets the orders set up while I record everything for the record. Judge Brown is brisk as he looks through the files, and it doesn’t escape my notice he’s waited until the very last for Viper’s file. I manage to keep my mouth shut and my pen moving as he recites the order for the drug test.

“Off the record, I doubt he’ll pass,” Judge Brown remarks, glancing at me. I pause my pen, but just wait, saying nothing and keeping my face carefully blank. “Anyway, have that sent out that I want that done tomorrow, and no advance warning. I told him when he was here that they would be random.”

“There is a woman listed here as well,” Linda remarks, glancing at him. “Will she be tested as well per the record?”

Thank fuck Linda asked and not me. Judge Brown’s lips pull down in a frown, and the barely there flash of annoyance is in his eyes he suppresses it and then nods. “Yes, her too. Same date. Don’t want to have him give her a heads up. Though I doubt, of the two of them, it will be anything but clean. After all, mothers are naturally more protective of their children, and we see every day the fathers that will throw their families, especially their children, away for drugs, alcohol and loose women.” He and Linda share a look that says they both completely believe that statement, and I have to swallow down my bitter retort. Instead, I quickly finish and make a show of looking at my watch.

“Will that be all, Judge Brown?” I ask politely. “I’m afraid I only have about fifteen minutes, and I need to get these notes locked up and then head over to Judge Gould’s courtroom.”

“Yes, yes,” he says with a nod. “Linda, you’ll take care of getting those orders out?”

“Yes, Judge,” she replies primly.

I smile, stand, and gather my things, but before I can head for the door, there’s a knock and I pause. “Enter,” Judge Brown calls. In comes the city Prosecutor, Rico Cooley, and a local detective, Dirk Wagner, that I’ve seen around many times. He nods at me, but then dismisses me just as quickly. Prick. “Ah, Rico. Detective Wagner,” Judge Brown says in lieu of greeting. “To what do I owe the pleasure of having you grace my chambers so late in the day on a Friday afternoon?”

“Judge,” Rico says primly. The guy is a pompous ass on a good day, and he’s got his eyes on a political career if my sources are correct. And they rarely aren’t. “We’re here for a search warrant.”

“Alright.” I head for the door, not even looking over my shoulder, but I stop when Linda reaches it at the same time. I open it and indicate for her to go through first, and I’m glad I am because it gives me just enough time to hear Dirk give the explanation.

“Search warrant is for the Devil’s Soldiers clubhouse. Got some credible evidence that they’re hiding drugs and weapons on their grounds,” he says in a deep voice that grates on my nerves.

“Well, we can’t have that now can we,” Judge Brown remarks. I know he’s going to sign it, and I don’t bother to stick around to listen to any more. I pull the door closed, nod at Linda and then head back toward my office at a quick clip. Thankfully, if anyone asks, I have a genuine reason, but at the same time, I know I need to tell Viper.

When I reach my office, I walk in, shut the door, lock it, and then open up the filing cabinet. I pull out the burner phone and turn it on before I move to put the documents I have already away and in their proper places. Once the phone is up and working, I stare at it for a moment. Telling Viper about the drug test earlier was one thing, but this is something else entirely. This is me crossing a line I can’t walk back over. The drug test was just over the line but I was able to explain that away. Not this. No, this is asking for that orange jumpsuit.

Fuck. I look at the clock and I only have about ten minutes before I need to be in the courtroom with Judge Gould. I look at my desk, and then at the phone again. I’m running out of time and I need to jump or step away. I picture Viper’s face, and then I picture the faces of everyone at the clubhouse last night when the announcement of a new baby was coming. The joy, the excitement, and the feeling of a family coming together.

Something I’m realizing will be mine as well if Viper and I go as far as he wants us to. As far as I hope we can. And I don’t want to alienate myself before it even begins.

I blow out a breath and start a group chat with all three numbers in the phone.

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