Healing Haven - Book 2 in Haven Series [Complete]

22 (b)| Two sides to the law

The courtroom was hot and the hours long, with the shift in seasons someone had jacked the heating on too high and the end result had Ethan sweating like he was the one on trial. He'd managed to nudge Judge Harkins into boosting up the prelim earlier that week without much to-do. He was equally appalled by the state of the Kim matter. For all his fast-talking and smooth dancing, Wade hadn't been able to finesse Harkins into keeping the Carter boys' father out of the equation.

Session had dragged out but he wasn't going to waver because he was boiling under his blazer. If Carson Carter—a man pushing three hundred and fifty pounds of fat wrapped up in Armani could sit it out, then so could he. A judgement was imminent and all his sweat and effort was about to culminate in what he hoped would be a winning decision in favour of the Kims.

They sat with their public defender, a woman who looked like she could be bowled over by a stiff breeze, but was holding her own against Wade who not only dwarfed her in size but out classed her with his degrees and four partner firm.

Harkins returned to the bench from his chambers, black robes billowing over a skinny frame. Dense curls had gone to steel wool with age and contrasted against his brown skin, moles and freckles speckled across his nose and cheeks. Milky brown eyes shifted from Ethan's side of the room to the defendants, pinning each of them as he spoke.

"I've reviewed the case and taken all testimony into consideration." His eyes settled on the boys. The youngest, Ethan noted, had his head down and hands in his lap where the eldest sat like his father—shoulders thrown back and chin raised. Ethan had seen the same sort of nonchalant posturing when he'd had him in for questioning and could picture the sort of disinterested and arrogant expression on his face.

The Carters were wealthy. Ethan had looked them up after Wade had approached Ji Kim with their low-ball offer of fifty thousand. The father, Carson, once owned the last surviving family owned newspaper in Seattle, which he'd broken down and sold off for an obscene amount of money. Heedless of the four hundred staff he'd cast out onto the streets.

And now spent his retirement years playing golf and expanding his wealth through real estate and stock trading. He was an arrogant SOB who'd been born into a family of wealth, married a gorgeous Ethiopian model and a former Ms. Universe, popped out a couple of boys who he was now grooming to be every bit as flippant and self-absorbed as he was.

"In the matter of Brooklyn and Roman Carter, I do not believe that time spent behind bars will be of benefit to anyone in this case. You're both young and I'd like to think that this...event was more a result of poor judgement and too much alcohol than a true mark of character."

Ethan sucked in a breath, held it. His palms sweaty and heart racing.

"However," Harkins continued, aware that he held the gallery in suspense, "with actions come consequences and it is the decision of this court atonement shall be made in the form of community service for a period of no less than six months, to be meted out here on Haven. I've spoken with the local construction team who is set to oversee the Kim's restaurant, and they are willing to take on the task of teaching you the value of honest work and responsibility. I would strongly advise that you apply yourselves to the task gentlemen," he added in closing, angling his gaze to both a furious Brooklyn and quiet Roman.

Carson, a seething mass of fury, bellowed a slew of expletives he slung at the judge and there was Wade between them, trying to keep his boat from sinking any deeper than it already had.

"Your honour," Wade rose, buttoning his blazer, "if I may—"

Harkins silenced him with a lift of his hand. "No, I've heard enough, counsellor. Quite enough. Mr. Carter, I must speak directly to you when I say that as a parent and a man of your accomplishments, I would have expected you to set a better example for your sons."

Carson harumphed at that, ginger hair coiffed into a buoyant comb-over bobbed atop his head.

"Therefore, in light of all things taken into consideration, this courts also awards damages to be paid to the Kim family in the sum of $135,000, according to the estimate provided by HUB International, along with punitive damages in the amount of $63,000 to cover for lost wages and emotional distress." Raising his gavel, Harkins pointed straight at Carson in warning when he shot up to his feet, hands fisted and chest thrust. "One more word out of you, Mr. Carter, and I see you're thrown in contempt. I will not allow such flagrant disregard for my authority in my own courtroom."

Mr. Carter dropped back into his seat, colour flushing up the side of his neck as his head swiveled around, dark eyes flaming in Ethan's direction.

The ring of the gavel punctuated the moment and the Kim family's joy flooded the courtroom, clashing hotly against the Carter's rage. Wade did his best to corral his clients—handling their fury with, Ethan had to admit, the kind of grace that he had to admire and respect. If anyone had dared speak to him with that kind of tone or words, for all his calm and placid manner, Ethan was sure he'd have punched the bastard. And enjoyed every moment of it.

"Officer Davies," Christine rushed to him, tears in her eyes as Ji tottered over. "Thank you." She set her hands on his shoulders and rose up on tip-toe to gratefully kiss his cheek. "Thank you so much."

Ji took his hands and bobbed gratefully, too emotional to speak, tears spilling down his face.

"There's the man of the hour." Ethan turned to acknowledge the voice as the Kim's walked off, Christine's arms wrapped around her father and joined by his wife and special needs son. The sight was a beautiful one—one he wasn't likely to forget anytime soon.

"Robinson," Ethan said, facing off with Wade. They weren't that far off in age, Ethan guessed. But Wade's face was showing the wear of strain and stress for all its polish, his fine haircut and manicured nails and tailored suits.

Wade stuck out a hand, his smile sincere. "You did good in there, Officer."

"Same to you," Ethan said, nodding towards his irate clients who were already well on their way out of the courtroom. Based on his smooth maneuvering of Carson and his boys, Ethan was willing to bet that Wade had more often then not brushed shoulders with a similar caliber of client. It was usually the assholes that had the most money. But that didn't make it easy.

Wade followed Ethan's line of sight, shook his head. "Between you and me, I'm not sorry to lose this case. There are two sides to the law. I'm thankful you were standing on the right side of it." Smiling, he held out a hand. "Regardless of whatever I may have said or done, you have my utmost respect, Ethan."

"Likewise," Ethan said, shaking his hand. And thought, with a ghost of a smile as Wade walked away, how's that for surprises?