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Gloating

She was gloating on the inside, quite enjoying the defendant’s agony It took a special kind of evil to enjoy the agony of others She put a hand on her chest and wrapped her fingers around so just beneath the sweater she wore A necklace of so she had it near, as though she wore it on purpose

"I just --," I started again, unable to tear aze away froasped in horror The rest siasp aloud in the presence of the Iron Fist, a nicknae Quimby had earned her first year on the bench I hoped it hadprinciples than, say, her ability to beat scrahite chicks to a bloody pulp I always saw the cup half full like that Tried to see the good in any situation

The prosecutor, ADA Parker, scrubbed his face with his fingers He did that a lot around e Quiod," I said to no one in particular "It worked"

"You," she continued, pointing her gavel at me "In ood

I looked at Ubie in helplessness and grew evenabout his mouth Annnnd ere back to Traitor Joe

"You, too," the judge said, scowling at Joe with a stern look of disapproval

It took every ounce of strength I possessed not to say in a singsong voice, Ubie got in trouble

At least I wouldn’t go down alone I’d drag everyone with me that I could

"What about the captain?" I called to her as people stood all around us, waiting for the bailiff to excuse them

"Him, too," she said

Sweet! Surely I could deflect some of the blame for my disrespectful behavior in her courtroo , of course, that e Qui, ere all screwed

I tossed a shrug to Reyes as ere led into the judge’s chaht, but he’d just have to hold that thought Nothing to be done for it now

The Iron Fist walked out of a side roo awful"

I kne she felt

"Sit down, gentlemen," she said to Ubie and Captain Eckert as she sat behind a massive desk It was all very stately