“Thank you, Mr. Melville,” Judge Davies said.
The judge turned to the attorneys. “You can make closing arguments if you want to, but I think I have all of the information I need to rule in this case.”
“I’m good, Your Honor, unless you have questions for me,” Robin said.
“Mrs. Kim?”
The assistant AG looked troubled. “I don’t have anything to add.”
“Then court is in recess.”
A text from Jose appeared on Robin’s phone.What is he going to do?
Robin spoke into the phone she was using to connect with her client.
“I gave up predicting the outcome of court cases a long time ago, but Mr. Melville was great, and that business with the hammer was very powerful. Hopefully, the judge will rule soon, and, fingers crossed, you’ll be a free man.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
A month after the hearing in Jose’s case, Robin’s receptionist told her that Judge Davies’s secretary was on the line.
“Hi,” Robin said, trying not to sound anxious while her heart pounded like a trip hammer.
“The judge would like you in court at nine tomorrow. Is that convenient?”
When a federal judge asked if you could make time for him, he was just being polite. Federal judges had God status, and litigants had to be where they were told even if they were scheduled to give birth or have a lifesaving operation.
“I’ll be there. Are you going to arrange for Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Melville to be hooked up remotely?”
“We’re on it,” the secretary said.
Robin called Black Oaks as soon as she hung up. Frank Melville answered the phone.
“Something important has happened in the Alvarez case,” Robin said.
“Did we win?”
“I don’t know. But the judge wants everyone in court tomorrow. His office will probably be in touch soon to set up the link to his courtroom.”
“Thank you, Robin, for everything you’ve done.”
“I haven’t done anything yet.”
“I’m not talking about winning. I don’t know if there are many lawyers who could have gotten this far.”
“I didn’t do it on my own, and we’ll be back to square one or worse, if the judge rules against Jose.”
Robin’s gut was in a knot when Judge Davies’s bailiff called the court to order. Robin could hear Jose’s labored breathing on the cell phone that lay within reach on her counsel table, and she could see the tension on Frank Melville’s face on the monitor that was broadcasting from Black Oaks.
Judge Davies did not look at Robin or Mary Kim when he limped onto the dais. He took his seat, leaned his cane against his chair, and looked down at a sheaf of papers he held in his hand. After studying them for a few minutes, the judge looked across the courtroom.
“As you know, I’m new to the bench. When I received this appointment, I was eager to start hearing cases, deciding interesting issues of constitutional law, and trying to do justice for those who came into my court. I was very excited, but I was also very naïve, and every decision I’ve made so far has been very easy. It never occurred to me that at some point in my career on the bench Iwould be required to make a decision of the magnitude of the one I will be making in this case.
“When I read the pleadings and legal memos Miss Lockwood and Mrs. Kim submitted, I saw the case the way most judges do as a battle of competing legal issues. Did this court have jurisdiction? Would Mr. Melville be allowed to tell me something a client had told him in confidence? Then we held the hearing and I listened to Mr. Melville, and I realized that I had to stop thinking like a lawyer and start thinking about the impact that a liar’s testimony had on the life of a young, talented human being.
“Jose Alvarez came up through poverty. His parents sacrificed everything so he could have the life they never had, and Archie Stallings destroyed their dreams.
“I am going to grant Mr. Alvarez’s motion. I hope the case ends with his freedom. Even more, I hope that he can salvage his future.