looks the judge was getting from around the courtroom, Callie wasn’t the only one who didn’t get her meaning. “King Solomon, people. You know, cut the baby in half and all that?”
Callie still didn’t understand.
“Okay, Ms. James, you will pay for half of the vase.” She looked at the papers in front of her. “That comes to two thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars.” She looked at Andrew. “That means, Mr. Slater, you will be responsible for the other half.”
Neither party spoke.
“Is that agreeable to both of you?” the judge asked.
“But—” Callie was about to say no. The whole thing was not fair.
The judge held up a hand. “Let me remind you, Ms. James. If you don’t accept this agreement, then bail will be set and a trial date chosen. Mr. Slater will likely have time to convince a particular witness to testify and back his version of events, leaving you to defend yourself in front of a jury of your peers, and you seem to have no witnesses to make your case.”
Callie couldn’t believe it. Andrew was going to win because, no matter what she did, she would have to pay.
She spoke through clenched teeth, fisting her hands so tight that her nails dug into her flesh. “I have no other options?” She was an expert at controlling her temper, had done it out of necessity, but she was a hair’s width away from losing it.
The judge watched her carefully. “No, you don’t. And I’m going to add something beneficial to your overall well-being. I don’t know if you broke Mr. Slater’s vase, but, frankly, you appear to be wound way too tight. I’d like you to get some anger management therapy.”
Callie’s eyes nearly popped from their sockets. Was the judge kidding? Callie held back the hysterical laughter choking her. “Why do I need therapy when he’s the one who lied and cheated?” She pointed at Andrew, quite pleased with himself. She snapped her mouth shut.
“You’re making my point, Ms. James,” the judge cautioned. “I’m beginning to think you may have broken the vase on purpose.” The judge made a note on her papers. “So I need to know if you accept the plea deal. Pay for half the vase, seek therapy, and I’m going to add one hundred hours of community service to the deal.”
“Community service?” Her lawyer finally spoke up. “That’s completely unfair, Your Honor.”
“Mr. Goodman, your client can gladly turn down the plea and go to trial. I won’t repeat what I said before about a possible fine and jail time. I think she understands.”
Callie went numb. Why was she being punished and Andrew came out the winner?
“May I have a moment with my client?” Harvey asked.
“A moment,” the judge said. “I have other cases pending.”
“Yes, Your Honor.” Harvey turned to Callie and lowered his voice. “I’m recommending you take the deal.”
“What!” She whispered but several heads turned in her direction. “I can’t take the deal. I’m not guilty.”
“If you don’t, then you could end up in jail. You know he’s going to get the other woman to testify against you.”
“Will this go on my record if I accept the plea?” She’d made a name for herself in the financial world. This could ruin her career.
“I’ll ask for it to be expunged after you complete your therapy and community service,” Harvey said.
Community service. You’ve got to be kidding. She pictured herself in a reflective vest as she picked up trash along I-270 on a hot July day.
“I can probably get your community service limited to some pro bono tax returns for struggling businesses,” Harvey told her.
That didn’t sound so bad. And she could probably handle a few sessions with a shrink. Heaven knew she had enough childhood stuff to fill a few hours.
“Okay,” she finally said. “As long as it all gets expunged when I’m done.”
Harvey addressed the judge. “There are two conditions we’d like to attend to, Your Honor. The matter of expunging Ms. James’s record and some kind of proof of the value of the vase.”
Nice touch, Harvey. Paying for half wouldn’t be a financial burden for Callie, but the principal of paying for it definitely irked her.
The judge made notes. “Those conditions are acceptable.” Then she turned to Andrew. “Mr. Slater, can you provide the court with a proper document?”
“I’d be happy to do that, Your Honor.”
Callie was tempted to wipe that smirk off his face but instead breathed in and out, in and out.
The judge turned to the clerk. “Have both parties sign the appropriate documents.” She banged her gavel. “The court is in recess for fifteen minutes.”
Everyone stood until the judge exited the courtroom through her private door. Loath to speak to Andrew ever again, Callie whispered to Harvey, “Get me out of here.”
“Callie!” Andrew came up behind her as she hurried down the courthouse hallway.
She slowed her pace but didn’t stop completely. “What?”
Andrew hesitated a few seconds before blurting out, “I want my key back.”
Of course he did. She stopped, dug through her hobo bag and struggled to remove his key from her ring. Instead of throwing it at him like she wanted to, she very smoothly held it out to him.
He tossed it a few inches in the air and caught it, his pleasure at her expense almost more than she could bear. “You know I only want the best for you.”
She stared at him, curious why he felt the need to say anything to her.
“That’s why I suggested the judge add therapy to the plea.”
He’d suggested it? Then she was right about them all being in cahoots. She kept her tone neutral. “So you think I need to control my anger?”
He shook his head. “No, I think you need to start expressing your feelings.” He looked down the hall to where his bed partner waited and then back at Callie. “You’re a wonderful person, Callie, but you’re as emotionally reserved as a rock.”
* * *
SEVERAL WEEKS AND anger management therapy sessions later, Callie’s therapist harrumphed and scratched his head. Nearly halfway into today’s session and he was clearly frustrated. Callie suspected he was trying to bring out some anger in her, or at least some kind of emotion. In her defense, she’d spent years bottling up those emotions and she wasn’t sure she knew how to unleash them. Or wanted to.
Dr. Hammond seemed perfectly nice. He was a middle-aged man of average height, average weight and above-average intelligence as far as Callie could judge. Just not the person with whom she was comfortable sharing her innermost thoughts.
“Let’s
