Page 47 of Scooter's Endgame
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“And this too can be substantiated?”
“Yes, Your Honor. It’s in Luke’s medical records.”
“I see,” she repeats.
The judge is quiet for a long moment. Then, levelling a scathing gaze on Gonzo, she says, “Well then. Normally, I would retire to my chambers to weigh up all the factors, testimony from both parties, and then make my decision. However, in this particular instance it would appear the matter is quite clear and I’m therefore ready to deliver my verdict. It is the opinion of this court that the boy, Luke Bennett Pierce, remain in the custody of his mother, Ms. Kathleen Millicent Pierce.”
I watch Gonzo react to the woman’s words, fully expecting him to lose his cool – waiting for it, in fact. His attorney, however, appears to talk him down from the ledge, and I’d pay good money to know what he says to the idiot.
“I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this, Ms. Pierce,” the judge continues, shifting her gaze to Kathleen, “Go home and give your little boy all the love you know how to give him, and try to put this farce out of your mind.
“As for you, Mr. Grimes,” she once again shifts her gaze, “you should be ashamed of yourself for committing perjury. If I were able, I would lock your lying self up for not only wasting the court’s time, but attempting to remove a young boy from a happy, healthy environment for self-gain.
“I like to consider myself a compassionate person. And I am always happy to advocate for fathers who are actually interested in and willing to be a part of their children’s lives. However, I find it difficult to find my compassion when a man uses the courts in an attempt to get at their exes for their own twisted purposes.
“Mr. Grimes, it’s clear that your son means very little to you and that you were willing to take him out of a loving home and plunge him into who knows what kind of hell, just so you could hurt Ms. Pierce. And so, based on that and the evidence that has come to light about you, and realizing what kind of a person that makes you, I’m happy to award sole custody of the minor boy to Ms. Pierce. I would have no trouble handing down a prison term for having the audacity to come intomycourtroom andlieso blatantly to my face if I were able to, but since I’m not, I will let you off with a warning to never darken my door again.”
Still watching Kathleen, I see her drop down, hard, onto the seat beside Scooter, as if her legs were no longer able to support her. He puts an arm around her, pulling her close and murmuring to her. Tears begin to stream down her cheeks, and she tucks her face into his neck.
Shaking her head, giving Gonzo one last glare, the judge says, “Mr. Keegan, I thank you for your testimony. You are free to step down. This court is dismissed.”
The level of sound increases as people begin to leave the courtroom. Stepping down from the stand, I make my way over to where Scooter and Kathleen are still seated – him looking thrilled, her looking shellshocked.
I pass Gonzo on the way back to my seat, and he lunges at me landing a glancing blow on my arm, snarling, “You fucker. You’ve destroyed my life.”
“You’re welcome,” I throw over my shoulder as I breeze past him, a smug grin firmly in place.
“Mr. Grimes,” the judge’s voice booms out, “that is not only unacceptable behavior in my courtroom, but can also be viewed as assault. Mr. Keegan, do you wish to press charges?”
The answer requires zero time to consider. It would be just one more nail in the moron’s coffin. “Yes, Your Honor, I would.”
“Very well. I’ll put the ball in motion.”
I doubt it’ll be anything substantial, but even a short stint in a cell would be gratifying, and based on his current track record, it’s likely he’ll see the inside of one. Hot damn, it feels good to know this man is probably headed where he belongs.
23
KATHLEEN
It’s over. I can’t believe I won. I get to keep my boy.
As for all that’s come out about Jeff? That’s equally difficult to wrap my head around. How could I have been so wrong about the man? I always considered him to be a little reserved. Turns out he was just a miserable asshat who was just good at hiding the worst of himself.
Yeah, I’m sad I wasted so many years on him, but I can’t be mad at it since I got my beautiful son out of the deal. He makes anything I went through worthwhile, just to have him in my life.
“You all right?” I hear from above me. Looking up, I find Tex standing there, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Jumping to my feet, I fling my arms around his waist and hug him. He stiffens at the contact, and I’m about to step back when he relaxes a little. Even going so far as to pat me awkwardly on the back. I’m guessing public displays aren’t his thing. I hug him tight anyway.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you for what you’ve done. Or repay you, for that matter. I have no words for how truly, deeply grateful I am to you for everything you did today.”
“A simple thank you is all that’s required. I’m just glad I could help.” I take pity on the man and release him from my embrace. Looking somewhat self-conscious, Tex checks his watch. “It’s earlier than expected – I thought, for sure, the case would take longer, that there would be more questions. But since there aren’t, I’m gonna beat it to the airport and see if I can’t get an earlier flight home.”
“Can we give you a lift?” Beckett asks.
“Nah, I’m good. But thanks for the offer. I’m off. I’ll see you crazy kids around sometime. In the meantime, stay out of trouble.” With one last grin, he’s gone, and we’re left standing in an almost empty courtroom.
