Page 42 of Scooter's Endgame
“Fair enough. I think she’ll love what I have for her.” He turns that grin on me again, and for the first time ever, I actually feel a twinge of sympathy for Gonzo.
Tex doesn’t suffer fools gladly on a good day, but when it comes to men fucking with women who don’t deserve it, he’s even worse. I would love to know what he’s uncovered about the man.
Turning back to face the front, I notice Kathleen looking at Tex and me from the corner of my eye. However, now’s not the time for introductions. I’ll do the honors once court is done for the day.
The afternoon is no different than the morning session – lies and half-truths twisted to suit the jackass’s purposes. On one side I have Kathleen, tense and tearful, and on the other Tex stiff and disapproving. Finally though, the first day is done and people get up to leave.
We wait patiently as Lindsay finishes up with the judge and Gonzo’s attorney. She and her assistant come up the aisle toward where we’re sitting, a smile for Kathleen on her lips. “Hi," she says, encompassing the three of us in her greeting before turning her attention solely to Kathleen. “You hanging in there, Kathleen? I know it’s been a bit of a rough day, but it’s just the start. Plenty can happen to swing the tide in our favor.”
“Ithasbeen a rough day, but I’m hanging in there. I have faith in you.”
Lindsay gives her a smile, a little strained around the edges if you know what to look for, while her shrewd gaze swings to Tex sitting beside me.
Moment of truth. “Lindsay, Kathleen.” I turn to include Kathleen. “I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Tex.”
The expression on Kathleen’s face tells me she’s heard of him, which she confirms with her next words. “The elusive Tex – your legendary status precedes you. It’s nice to actually get to meet you.”
“The pleasure’s all mine, ma’am.” He turns to Lindsay. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Yes, you too. Scooter tells me you have some helpful information for me – us.”
“Yeah, I have some real interesting stuff that should help put a stop to this bullshit case. I’m happy to get on the stand and share what I know.”
Shock crosses Kathleen’s face at the same time a look of excitement spreads over Lindsay’s. “I like the sound of that, because honestly, this man is really pissing me off. I guess, mainly, because I know he’s lying. Maybe if I wasn’t privy to what I now know about him, I’d have been sucked in by his lies, but man, it’s difficult not to want to slap that smirk right off his face.”
Kathleen nods at Lindsay’s words. “Same. Absolutely.”
“Well, I’m here to stop that shit in its tracks. Last thing I want is for him to take a young boy away from his mama, and especially when I know it’s not for a better life. We all know how this’ll end if he gets custody.”
Tears well in Kathleen’s eyes and she turns away. “I’ll, um – I’ll be back in a moment.”
She almost runs from the courtroom, Lindsay’s concerned gaze and Tex’s knowing one track her progress toward the door. I take a step to follow her, but his hand on my arm stops me. “If you don’t mind, I’ll go.”
Before I can respond, he takes off after her.
They’re gone for a good while, and I’m about to go after them when the door opens and the two of them walk in. Even from where we’re standing, I can see that Kathleen’s been crying and everything in me goes tight. I hate to see a woman – any woman – cry, but especially when it’s her. Not to mention, I’m itching to know what Tex said to her.
“Shall we adjourn to my office to discuss things further?” Lindsay asks. Tex and I nod at the same time; Kathleen’s a little slower to respond. “Kathleen?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
It’s clear for all to see that this first day of court has been hard on her, and honestly, I don’t foresee it getting any easier. I knew Gonzo was capable of lying, but even I didn’t understand how good he is at it – pathologically good. Thank God for all the shit Tex has managed to uncover about the lying, cheating asshat.
Kathleen is quiet on the ride over to Lindsay’s office, conversation between Tex and I light. We’re ushered into a boardroom upon arrival and not long after, Lindsay joins us, her assistant in tow.
We take a seat, and she invites Tex to share what he’s uncovered during his investigation. He looks over at Kathleen. “I’m sorry for any emotional distress this causes you.” Then he turns back to Lindsay. “That man has been lying through his teeth for years – not just on the stand. He’s been living a double life and doesn’t seem to suffer any remorse over it whatsoever.”
“How so?” Lindsay asks.
Again, Tex looks over at Kathleen. It’s clear to see he’s uncomfortable with how his discovery will affect her. “Let’s start with what we already know, being that the man has a gambling problem. However, it runs deeper than, I think, many people are aware. In fact, that’s the reason he was dishonorably discharged from the military.”
I’m watching Kathleen as Tex speaks and see how she jolts at his words. Clearly not something she was aware of. The rumors had been doing the rounds, but from what I can understand it didn’t come up during Lindsay’s investigation into the man.
“That’s not what it says on his personnel file,” she says, the look on her face indicating she’s lost faith in anything else the man has to say.
“Yeah, I know. That’s because the file has been tampered with.”
“How could you possibly know that Mr. …” Lindsay’s eyebrow quirks as she waits for Tex to fill in the blank.
