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Devlin

“How old are you, Mr Danvers?” Judge Forrester asked

He was an impressive man with patriarchal features, a sharp nose and dark hair that was graying at the sides He looked distinguished and extre, but despite my increased pulse rate, I kept my expression calm

“Twenty-three, Your Honor,” I replied

Judge Forrester nodded “I have a son that’s twenty-three,” he said, and I saw him soften towards me

Perhaps paternal love ould save me here It was ironic, really, that I should receive soer who had been called upon to sentencefor me

“I know this question is irrelevant,” Judge Forrester said “But I’h this courtrooer than you are They’re all selling souess at the reason, but with you, I find myself a little stumped”

I could only take that as a coes and people in law enforcement to know not to try to be funny or cute I needed to be straight, I needed to speak with respect, and I need to take the whole thing seriously

“I don’t do drugs, Your Honor,” I told hi hard”

“It’s still illegal in this state, Mr Danvers”

“I understand, Your Honor,” I nodded “But… I suppose that is the way I justify my actions”

“You don’t do drugs?”

“No, Your Honor”

“I find that hard to believe”

“I knoordfor you to take at thispot”

“And why is that?”

“It’s counter-productive,” I replied immediately “It interferes with my work”

Judge Forrester looked intensely intrigued, and I could sense that he liked me I hoped that that would last until he sentencedin the back rows of the courtroo intently They had slipped in surreptitiously, but I had still noticed Dad was actually wearing a blazer Of course he was; this was quite the occasion for him

“Your work?” Judge Forrester repeated “And ork ht that be?”