Page 3 of Sweet Pea

“You should have been lead counsel on this case, Callie. Everyone knows it, including Sterling,” Rob said.

“It’s too late now,” I said. “We failed.”

“Maybe someday Knight will get what he deserves,” Rob said.

“Maybe,” I replied.

As we reached the front of the courthouse, I was horrified to see John Knight standing at the top of the stairs, surrounded by reporters and spectators. It was bad enough he was free, but true to his twisted nature, Knight was using this moment as an opportunity to preach.

“It’s truly a blessing to know that God’s protective hand has been on me during this trying ordeal,” I heard Knight say as we approached.

With every word he spoke, my anger level rose.

“I can only pray God’s mercy and healing upon young Elsie Miller and her family,” Knight continued, and I started toward him.

Rob gently but firmly grabbed my elbow, pulling me to him. “Callie, don’t,” was all he said, and as much as I didn’t want to listen to him, I did.

I knew Rob was looking out for me and my career, and as much as I didn’t give a rat’s ass about my job at the moment, bludgeoning a member of the clergy on the courthouse steps in front of a gaggle of reporters wasn’t a great plan.

It was only after Knight said the following that my rage turned to something darker. Something that made my own personal wheels of justice begin to turn in the opposite direction.

“Before I go and spend some much-needed time with family, I’d like to address the Miller family, if you are out there. I’d like to say that I forgive you. I forgive you with all of my heart for your misguided character assassination attempt on me and I pray for justice for whoever harmed your daughter.”

“We need to find Elsie, right now,” I said to Rob, hoping and praying the Millers weren’t hearing any of this. “You look over there,” I said motioning to the east side of the building, “and I’ll check the other side.”

I scanned the crowd until I saw the Millers on the opposite side of the steps. Far from the sound of John Knight’s voice for the moment, but not far enough from him for my liking. I would have preferred they be separated by thick concrete walls and iron bars.

* * *

Sweet Pea

I had to hit someonein the face. Right fucking now.

“Stay in a single file line! Have your claim tickets ready!” A faceless government employee called out from somewhere in the crowded hallway. The courthouse had a strict no cellphone policy and the high-profile nature of this case meant the phone return line for court observers was longer than usual. Once I’d reached the front of the line, I turned in my ticket, and powered my phone up the instant it was back in my hands. I called our club’s Sergeant at Arms and luckily, Clutch picked up right away.

“What’s up, Pea?” Clutch shouted. I could tell from the background noise that he was at his gym.

“You got anyone there lookin’ to spar?”

“You want me to set you up a training schedule?” he asked.

Our club had a stake in several businesses and Clutch Combat Sports was one of them. It had been a few months since I’d been in the ring, but today I needed some place to put my rage.

“No, I mean right now. As in, right fuckin’ now.”

“Oh, shit. The pastor didn’t walk, did he?” Clutch asked.

“You got someone I can spar with or not?” I asked, unable to hide my anger.

“Not if you’re in a shitty mood! Especially not your giant Viking ass. It’s hard enough for me to find guys your height, let alone anywhere near your size. Plus, I don’t have time to visit people in the fucking hospital right now, Sweet Pea.”

“I’ll go half power, I swear.”

“Who do you swear to exactly, religiously speaking? Does Odin take your calls directly?”

“Come on, Clutch.”

“Sorry, man. I can’t trust your lightning bolt throwin’ motherfucking ass. Come on down, I’ll tape you up really good and put you on the heavy bag until you can’t lift your arms anymore, but that’s it.”

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