Read Justice Served: A Barkley and Parker Thriller for Free Online

own
medicine .
    “So how can I help you?” she asked
equably.
    Nina squirmed in the chair. “We’re not
certain really, Judge Cranston,” she admitted. “Roberto Martinez is
the third man to be found beaten to death in the Portland area in
the past five months. Each victim had been charged with domestic
assault and spent time in your courtroom before being
released on technicalities or insufficient evidence.”
    Carole strove to remain calm. “I’m not sure I
understand what you’re getting at.” In fact she did, and was not
amused.
    Ray leaned forward. “Could be that
someone—perhaps a court spectator—has decided to use your courtroom
and the outcome of these cases to punish the freed men they believe
were let off too easily.”
    Carole repositioned herself unsteadily.
“Well, I don’t know if I can be of much help to you, detectives,
since I have little control over who decides to sit in on my
cases.”
    “Maybe your staff could provide us with a
list of the court personnel,” he suggested, “and others, like
reporters, who are regulars in your courtroom.”
    “Yes, I can do that,” she reasoned. “I’ll
have my assistant fax the information to your office.”
    “Fine,” said Ray, content to leave it at
that.
    But Nina had other ideas. “Judge, if you
don’t mind my asking, I was wondering what your feelings are on
these men being released? I mean, many might say they’re getting
out of the system prematurely.”
    Carole took a steadying breath, sharpening
her gaze at the detective. “If you’re asking me if I believe they
were guilty, the answer is yes. But, as a judge, my hands are often
tied as to what I can do to keep them from walking.”
    “How about as a private citizen?” asked Nina
boldly.
    Carole took umbrage to the question that
almost sounded like she was being accused of something, but
answered it nevertheless. “I’m not sure I like the tone of that,
detective,” she made clear. “As a private citizen, I’m bound to
uphold the law just like any other member of the community,
irrespective of my personal feelings.”
    “And we wouldn’t expect anything less,” Ray
intervened, before this got out of hand and he and Nina both ended
up with desk jobs for the rest of their careers. He gave his
partner a hard look, and then stood. “I think we’ve taken up enough
of your time, Judge Cranston.”
    Carole nodded at him, feeling a slight
stirring of intrigue about the detective, if not his female
counterpart.
    Nina stood, her mouth a tight line. “If you
happen to think of anything that might be helpful in our
investigation, Your Honor , please let us know.”
    “I will,” promised Carole politely, while
seething inside.
    “By the way,” added Nina, “we have reason to
believe the person we’re looking for is likely a female—”
    * * *
    In the corridor Ray glared at Nina. “What the
hell was that all about?”
    She stood her ground. “It’s not like I was
accusing her.”
    “It sure as hell sounded like it to me.”
    “Ease off, Barkley, okay!” Nina held his
gaze. “So I wasn’t ogling all over the lady like you were. My
apologies!”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Ray tossed at
her, as if he didn’t know.
    “It means I have no interest in getting in
her pants,” she retorted bluntly, “like a certain someone I
know—”
    “You’re way out of line here, Parker!” He
felt his blood boil, and his mind churn. Even though his libido was
admittedly in high gear at the prospect of getting to know the
judge on a more intimate level.
    Nina sighed thoughtfully. “Forget I said
that.”
    How could he? “Maybe you should keep your
damned mouth shut, if you can’t keep from putting your foot in it,”
Ray scolded, if only for the sake of seniority on the job.
    “Hey, I’m just doing my job,” Nina said
defensively. “ Our job. Sorry if I ruffled a few feathers.
Remember, we leave no stones unturned. If these murders are
connected in any way to the