It was in the transcript that he called her to his bench for a private talk. This was probably where June dealt the death blow.
“You told her to drop it, save herself from embarrassment, but no. June is too tenacious. She says if he didn’t grant the order, she’d tell everyone about your child with her.”
I looked at Angeline as I delivered the damning words.
“He’s the father of the child June gave up years ago.”
I went back to addressing the entire assembly.
“He was upset, confused. What was June talking about? Everything jumbled, Judge Houston granted the order. But he couldn’t let go the possibility that he had a baby. June had never told him. Was she lying? If she wasn’t, how could she have his child and never tell him? Where was the child? Cindy was too young. He couldn’t leave it be, so he went to June’s house to confront her. He got there and when he tried to get information, June said she had gotten rid of it.”
The crowd gasped collectively.
“But in truth she simply never followed up on the child. Or if she did know, she wasn’t about to tell him. The judge couldn’t believe it, and, in a rage, he killed Miss June, shamelessly using his power to pin it on Ashley. He was the judge, so it would be easy to direct the investigation the way he saw fit to cover his tracks. It would just take some lying and the sacrifice of a clean conscience.”
I turned back to the judge as I finished, and he was openly weeping. His guilt had caught up to him. He walked past me and over to Angeline. He brought her into a big hug, his sobs shaking his body.
“I’m so sorry. I should have been there for you. I should have been a father. But I didn’t know. I’m just happy to find out about you finally.”
Angeline’s tears were quieter, but just as numerous. She was holding on to him as well, gripping the back of his robes tightly.
“I’m happy to know you’re my father.”
Judge Houston picked himself up to look down at his daughter.
“I deserve to spend the rest of my life in jail. I killed her, and I’ll face those consequences. But I don’t regret it. I needed to know. I needed to know if I had a child. And June took you away from me and then tried to use you in some sick game she was playing. All to make an extra buck. I shouldn’t have put it all on another person and I’ll pay for what I’ve done. But I need you to know that I love you. I know I’ve only known about you for such a short time, but I do love you Angeline.”
This case was an all-around tragedy. If anything, good came out of it, a family found each other. But still, Angeline and Judge Houston had essentially lost any time they could have spent together as father and daughter. All because June wanted to make a few thousand extra dollars, selling a house no one wanted to buy. It made my head hurt. And my heart.
Angeline nodded at the judge’s words and brought him back into another hug. We all watched as they cried and held on to one another. Judge Houston just kept apologizing and Angeline told him it wasn’t his fault.
When the police came in, they found the two of them still in their hug and, in order to take him into custody, they were forced to break apart. I didn’t know what kind of future the two of them had, but I could only hope it got better from there.
Epilogue
The Following Day
Ashley was released immediately after Judge Houston confessed. I’d had just enough time to grab Shortbread and rush over to the jail to make sure she saw a couple of friendly faces when she came out of the Sherriff’s station.
I gave her the biggest hug that I could muster, squeezing until she begged me to stop. I took her to her home and she teared up. I confess, I got a little teary-eyed as well.
The next day, Ashley, Shortbread and I were having coffee at Ted’s. She wanted to thank me for everything I’d done.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to stop thanking you. You got me out of jail, Kari. Jail!”
I knew I would have to get used to gratefulness, but I was never great at taking a compliment.
“You were incarcerated for nearly a week on bogus charges, Ash. Not exactly exemplary lawyering on my part. Still, I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I didn’t get you out of there.”
That moment when I’d thought it was all lost, I’d never felt such despair. Failing Ashley like that, it would have been more than failing a client. I’d have been failing a friend. My best friend, actually.
“Naw,” she drawled. “You went above and beyond, and I want you to know that I appreciate you.”
She had grabbed both of my hands and looked directly into my eyes. That was the moment when I truly knew that Shortbread and I would move into Ashley’s house.
Ted had chosen that moment to come over and he slid a chair out. Before sitting down, he asked, “I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”
Ashley turned her gaze to him but kept her light grip on my hands.
“No. I was just telling the amazing Kari how much I appreciate her.”
Ted laughed and sat down. The café was back to its normal self. There were about three other customers at that moment, which was why Ted could take a sit with Ashley and me.
“Well, that’s sweet of you, Ashley.”
He patted on the her back and she let go of my hands to give him a little hug.
“Don’t think I forgot about you, Ted. Kari told me all about how the two of you spent hours digging through Cooter’s dump to try and find that spray can and then you didn’t even find it!”
That was a moment I’d rather forget, but Ashley was fascinated by the lengths that I went to. Mainly, she loved the trash dump part.
“Thank you for reminding me, Ashley. I’ve almost got the smell out of my clothes.” Ted wiggled his eyebrows and Ashley giggled, slapping his arm lightly.
Looking at Ted and Ashley and, obviously, Shortbread, I thought to myself that I’d made some real friends. Back when Ashley first walked into my office, I was focused on my work, but kind of lonely. Now, I had work and friends.
“What about you Kari?” Ted asked. “Still riding the wave of your big win?”
Winning Ashley’s case was a huge confidence booster and not just in myself. The partners in the firm saw how much I was willing to put in and they were starting to trust me with more work. I was still assigned to the local beat, but I felt like I had their trust and that was huge.
“A little bit, but I can’t for too long. There’s always more work to do.”
It had only been one day, and I hadn’t gotten any new folders from Tammy, yet. But I had no intention of slacking off.
“Well, just be careful. Every Tom, Dick, and Harriet will be coming in claiming innocence and looking for you.”
I had to admit, I got lucky with my first client. Not that I didn’t put in the legwork, but she turned out to be an actual innocent person. The downside to working in the legal business was not everyone you represented would be squeaky clean and sweet like Ashley, but that didn’t scare me away. If I had this worry, I would have dropped out of law school long ago.
“Let them come. It’ll be good for business.”
I tried to sound all nonchalant like a big-shot lawyer, but it came out more like a toddler bragging, probably because I said it around the croissant in my mouth. We all burst out laughing.
Things got serious for a minute when Ted brought up Judge Houston. “What’ll happen to the judge?”
After his confession, the whole town was abuzz. Most of the town had liked Judge Houston. He had been married, but he was a widower and he and his late wife never had any kids, so many people felt sympathy for his whole situation.
Unsurprisingly, barely anyone liked June. Not to say anyone wanted her brutally murdered, but sympathy for her had lessened. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about the whole thing. I had gone from right and wrong, black and white to full-spectrum technicolor. Every new fact led to another perspective that complicated things.
“He’ll probably go to jail for t
he rest of his life. With the confession, he can avoid the death sentence, though. But the whole framing another person won’t sit well. I only wished things could have ended up differently for him.”
I was mad at him for trying to have Ashley take the fall for his crime, but I also really felt for the guy. I was going to be sorting through my feelings for a while.
Ted said: “I still can’t believe any of it. Houston was always so nice. It was just so unexpected.”
I’d been hearing that a lot lately. Even after being here for such a short time, I too was surprised that he ended up being the culprit, but those were the facts.
“It was a crime of passion,” Ashley offered. “Given the right circumstances anyone could do something like that. It’s more common than people realize.”
“I hope this case hasn’t soured you to our little country town,” Ted said, looking at me with those eyes.
I almost laughed. “Not at all, Theodore. I just got here.”
“Well, good. I’m glad you still like Appleton. It would be a shame to lose a lady like you.”
This time I blushed. Ashley’s eyes went wide watching the two of us interact. I hadn’t really told her about Ted and me. Was there anything to tell?
“Anyway, I guess I have to keep good on my end of the bargain.”
I tilted my head, not sure what he was talking about. “What does that mean?”
“I have to take you out to dinner. It’s my gentlemanly duty.”
Oh, my goodness. I had completely forgotten Ted had promised me dinner after I got Ashley out of jail. And Ashley is out of jail.
I moved my eyes to her and she was drinking in the conversation with much amusement.
“Don’t drag me into this,” she laughed. “I’m just trying to keep up.”
“Well, Theodore, today, I’m afraid Ashley and Shortbread and I have some plans. We’re going to the drive-in theater outside Charlotte after we finish up here. But I’ll let you know what my schedule is like.” I smiled.
I didn’t want to come right out and agree to dinner. I kind of liked the way Ted and I had this back and forth.
I picked myself and Shortbread up and Ashley followed. I just stood there, not quite wanting to leave, but knowing it was time to go.
Ashley, reading my mood, offered, “I’ll take Shorty here to the car. Don’t be too long.”
She left the café. Ted finally stood up.
“So, you’ll let me know if you have some free time coming up?”
I nodded. I could find some free time.
I said goodbye and told myself to text him later. Getting into the car with Ashley and Shortbread, I realized that life in Appleton was going to be pretty sweet, after all.
While what happened was sad, it wasn’t anything that I hadn’t become accustomed to from simply reading headlines, working in law or living in the city. People are a lot more similar than different in good ways and bad.
Maybe a lot more had been swept under the rug in Appleton. Maybe some of it needed to come out. It’s just a fact: no matter where you go, people have secrets.
Thing is, I love uncovering secrets.
THE END
Succulent Southern Recipe
Ashley’s Baked Fried Chicken
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 T salt
1 T black pepper
1 T paprika
1 T dry mustard
1 T chile powder (my addition to the family recipe)
1 ½ tsp thyme
3 eggs
3 lbs chicken, any cut, skinless/boneless ok (if you must)
Oil (or butter) for frying
Optional ingredients:
1 T cayenne (for those who like it HOT)
1 quart of buttermilk
If you have time and want to do it the way Mama does, soak the chicken cuts in buttermilk for at least one hour and up to eight hours.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Whisk the eggs in a medium-sized mixing bowl and whisk them well, but don’t let it get frothy.
First, dredge the chicken through the flour and seasoning mixture. Then, dip the chicken pieces, thoroughly, in the whisked egg. Then, dredge through the flour mixture once more. After this, transfer each piece to a baking pan or plate.
Add enough of your favorite oil, butter, or a combination of the two, to fill a large skillet about a ¼-inch deep. Mama uses a 60-year old cast-iron skillet that that her grandmother got as a wedding present––but any deep, 12-inch frying pan should do. Heat that pan over medium-high heat until it is very hot.
Working in batches, fry the chicken until browned, 4-5 minutes per side with bone in, or 2-3 minutes per side for boneless. Place all that beautiful fried chicken onto a well-greased baking sheet or pan and finish it off in the oven, about 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees.
You’ll never eat fast food fried chicken again!
Mr. Cooter’s Bowling Ball
Kari Jacobs, The Lawyer Sleuth Cozy Mystery Series
Book 3
Copyright © 2018 Harper Harris.
All Rights Reserved
This book is a work of fiction and any portrayal of any person living or dead is completely coincidental and not intentional. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the author, other than brief excerpts for the purpose of reviews or promotion.
Chapter One
Saturday
Today, Shortbread and I moved in with Ashley.
Originally, I had moved into my own little apartment near downtown and it was fine, a little small, but I was managing. Until Shorty came along, that is. My Great Dane puppy. Great, as in, going to be very, very large someday soon.
Knowing this, Ashley offered to let me move in with her and I couldn’t say no. She had so much more space than me, there was a backyard for Shortbread to run around in and her house was so nice. It was all too perfect – minus the fact that it was the middle of fall, but still hot as blazes, as they say around here.
I couldn’t understand how southern North Carolina managed to maintain this weather. In San Francisco where I grew up, it was literally the season of cute scarves, sweaters, and warm drinks, but my arms were all out and I was sweating bullets under the hot, hot Carolina sun.
But I had plenty of help. After graciously letting me move into her house, Ashley also agreed to help with some of the heavy lifting as well. I tried to talk her out of it. She’s been trying to pay me back ever since I defended her in court when she was wrongfully accused of murder – but there was no getting through to her, so I just agreed to have her help me.
Gladys Goodstone also lent a helping hand, along with her husband John. The two of them looked like they crawled out of the sixties. Gladys was a hippie. She was just all about positive vibes and spreading the love. She lived two doors down and I was pretty happy to be moving into her neighborhood. We’d been working together on a lot of stuff concerning keeping the community in its original state. John, her husband, could also be distilled into a small amount of words, a painter who liked to teach others. His mild-mannered nature was nearly Bob Ross-ian. It’d been really fun hanging out with all of them, getting to know them.
I placed the last box down in my bedroom and let myself take in all of our hard work. There was still a lot to be done – my room was just stacks upon stacks upon more stacks – but everything was ready to be unpacked. Later.
Shortbread was curled up in the corner taking a nap. He must have sensed that all the hard work was done because that’s when he finally picked up his head and excitedly ran over to me. I picked him up and held him in my arms.
While I looked at my new living space, Ashley came up behind me. “Hey!” I turned around and gave her a huge smile.
“I have to thank you again for letting me move in, Ash. Your house is honestly amazing. I love it so much.”
“Don’t give it a second thought. It can get rather
lonely having all this space for one person. I’m happy for the company.” She motioned towards the steps with her hand. “Let’s head downstairs. I’ve got some lemonade for all y’all.”
I followed Ashley down the stairs to the kitchen where John and Gladys were talking. They stopped when they noticed Ashley and I walking in. Gladys immediately went for Shortbread, coming over to pet him softly on the head.
“Hey, little guy.”
After a few seconds, I said, “I wanted to thank you all again for helping me move. It was so nice and I really appreciate it. You didn’t have to do all this.”
“We’re here to help, honey,” Gladys responded. Ashley had gone into the fridge and brought out a pitcher of lemonade and a few glasses.
“Y’all head out to the back porch. I made some fresh lemonade this morning to share.”
We all went out to the back yard and I let Shortbread down so he could run around and explore his new backyard. He seemed to really like his new surroundings, his little body zooming all around. He was definitely going to need a bath later.
The group took their seats on the porch, and Ashley poured everyone a glass and we each took a sip. It was beyond refreshing. I was still a little sticky, but my sweat was drying down. It looked like Shortbread wasn’t the only one due for a long washing.
Kari Jacobs Box Set Page 17
