Catching Up

Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Your Honor. I recognize what an inconvenience it must be, the courts and election year and all that. Of course, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you're sure to be reelected. Why, this county should be proud of its first female judge and the work you've done. What's that? Oh, yes, thank you, don't mind if I do. Nice comfy seats you have here, ma'am. Nice office. By the way, did that degree say Harvard Law by any chance? Very impressive. Yes sir, you've certainly got the office firmly in hand.

That your husband? Right there, in the picture frame beside your computer. Oh, I know it's pointed away from my direction, but it was a good guess. Personal question, I realize. I always like to make a good first impression; it's so important in my line of work. Your Honor, would you say you're happily married? Don't worry, I don't represent your competitor. The man hasn't a chance anyway. Just curious. You've got nothing to hide, after all, do you?

A rhetorical question only, ma'am, and self explanatory. Of course you don't. Not someone like you, a stalwart defender of democracy and the American family. Your husband must be proud. Let me describe him; no, we've never met, I'd just like to guess. Call it a whim of mine. Let's see, probably shorter, around five-five or five-four. Four and a half? Ah, a good start. Curling traces of hair around the ears with a balding top, glasses—I'd say nearsighted, a slight build, not exactly the cream of his high school. I'm merely saying, Your Honor, that most people would see you as the more masculine figure in your relationship.

Oh, there's no need to get upset. I was merely trying to be sociable. If you'd only let me continue....

Fine! Call Security! Let them come and lead me away in handcuffs, I'm sure the camera crews would eat it up. "Family-friendly Judge Blows Top." That what you want in tomorrow's headlines?

Ah, I like that. Not intimidated by a little scare tactic, perfectly sure of yourself. Go ahead and pick up the phone, please, be my guest. Tell them I've overstayed my welcome, that I'm a nuisance to be wiped under the rug. While you're at it, hand them my card too. It's right there on your desk. Henry Mansfeld.

That's right, Bea. It's Dalvin. Thought I'd never find you, did you? Thought you could escape where so many couldn't? I think not. How are Victor and the kids? What, Samantha's thirteen now, almost in high school, right? She must be so proud of you.

Good girl, Bea, put the phone down. There'll be no security, no media, no nothing. I promise, Scout's Honor. Honestly. I'm hurt Bea, really. A prison sentence shouldn't mar the working relationship we had.

You do remember, don't you? That wonderful first case for you, an up-and-coming DA. A case of embezzlement, if I remember correctly. But you had those vultures to contend with on the defense. Scum when compared to you, I'll say it freely. And what was it you needed? Information. And all the legal routes blocked at every turn.

That's a gorgeous ring. How on earth did Victor afford it? And that house. Oh, yes, I've seen it. Driven by several times. Nice neighborhood. I hear you had a dispute with your neighbors over the property lines, something about their septic system overlapping. I kept informed, much better inside of bars than I did outside, actually. Had I known what a boon it would be for me, I'd have thanked you eleven years ago.

But I think it's you who should be thanking me. For all of this. Your entire career, your life, everything you've achieved: you owe it all to me.

What, you don't like that? You'd rather I spell it out for you, Your Honor? Fine: you owe your entire sanitized existence to dirty, filthy, stolen documents. Documents which rightly incriminated a criminal who had a house and family and career much like yours. Do you know what you also have in common? You both thought you could outsmart me.

I'll be in touch Bea. I've got a few more appointments to keep, a luncheon, and then some personal business this afternoon. Maybe we can get together, say tomorrow? I think we should be able to conclude our business quite affably. Just keep your schedule open.

Oh, and I really wouldn't worry about that election if I were you. I've a meeting with Mr. Nelson in an hour.