Page 129 of Resurrection Walk

“Locked in my desk,” Nate said. “You get it back when the judge tells me to give it back. You’ve got five minutes. Get dressed.”

“No, I’m not getting dressed in this stuff. The suit’s wrinkled. If you’re going to take me to see the judge, I’ll go like this.”

“Suit yourself — no pun intended.”

“Good one, Nate.”

“Do I need to put the belly chain and cuffs back on or are you going to behave?”

“No need.”

He walked me out of the cell and past Lucinda’s on the way to the courtroom door.

“Hang in there, Lucinda,” I said.

I was walked through the courtroom, which was dark except for the single light over Gian Brown’s corral.

“All right to take him back?” Nate asked.

“She’s waiting for him,” Brown said.

He gave me and my attire the once-over.

“Are you sure you don’t want to change into your clothes?” Brown asked.

“I’m sure,” I said.

The marshal opened the half door to the corral and we walked through to the hall that led to the judge’s chambers. Nate knocked on the judge’s door and we heard her call to enter.

Nate walked me in and sat me down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. Judge Coelho sat on the other side of it.

“I gave instructions to put you back in your suit, Mr. Haller,” she said.

“The suit’s toast,” I said. “It’s a Canali. Italian silk that’s been balled up in a paper bag overnight. I need my phone so I can get a fresh suit delivered.”

“We’ll get you your phone. Nate, please have that ready for Mr. Haller when we’re through here. You can go back to the courtroom now.”

Marshal Nate looked hesitant.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t stay, Judge?” he asked.

“I’m sure I will be fine,” Coelho said. “I’ll call when it’s time to retrieve Mr. Haller. You can go now.”

Marshal Nate left the room and closed the door behind him. The judge looked at me for a moment, assessing me and determining what to say.

“I’m sorry it came to this, Mr. Haller,” she said. “But the disrespect you showed the court yesterday could not be allowed to stand. It is my hope that you used the night to reflect on how you handled yourself in my courtroom and that you can assure me it won’t happen again.”

I nodded.

“I reflected on a lot of things, Judge,” I said. “I apologize for my words and actions. I am contrite. It won’t happen again, I promise you.”

The only thing I had resolved during my overnight in a cold solo cell was never to address Coelho asYour Honoragain.

“Very well,” Coelho said. “Apology accepted. You are released from contempt, and perhaps we can get a rush on your suit so that we don’t lose the entire morning. I will tell all parties to be in court by eleven to proceed.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I’d like to get out of this outfit as soon as possible.”

“I just buzzed Gian, and Nate will have your property out there.”

---