Beyond Justice
Page 31
“You want to make sure the settlement actually arrives.”
“Yes, Your Honor. There are several things that could go wrong. And in the event they do, it is in my client’s best interests to have this case pending.”
The judge made some notes and then turned to look at the DOJ attorneys. “Gentlemen?”
Talbott eased to his feet. “Your Honor, we are willing to allow the case to pend. However, we would like to schedule a hearing for two weeks out to make sure the plaintiff has cooperated. At that time, we should have a settlement and be in position for the plaintiff to withdraw the case.”
Judge Devers looked at Hayden. “Does that work for you, counsel?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“All right. We’ll schedule a follow-up hearing for two weeks from today. However, I fully expect at that time to receive a report from you that this matter has been settled and is simply awaiting court approval.” When she received nods from the attorneys, she picked up her gavel and banged it down. “The order will go out this afternoon. See you in two weeks.” She rose and left the room.
The moment she disappeared into the hallway that led to her chambers, the DOJ attorneys stood.
Talbott stopped next to Hayden. “We’ll have the proposed settlement agreement to you by tomorrow.” He reached out to shake Hayden’s hand. “It’s been a pleasure.” Then he nodded to Maricel. “Ma’am.”
After they left, Hayden sat in the chair, stunned at what had transpired. “I’d hoped we’d get to settlement quickly, but Maricel, this is unbelievable.”
“Keep them accountable.”
“I will.”
As Emilie hurried toward them, she squealed. “That was amazing.”
“I think it was God,” Hayden said. As she looked back over the month, she could see that it was a series of interlocking events that led to the result that Miguel’s family would receive justice. As she saw His hand in the events, she knew her doubts about His presence in her life were misplaced. God hadn’t changed even if her father had. He was still trustworthy in all ways.
And with that justice, Hayden could sink into the reality that this time she had been enough, but not on her own. It had happened with the help of friends and wisdom from God.
“I’m setting up a celebration dinner.” Emilie typed away on her phone. “Maricel, can you and Jorge join us tonight?”
“Emilie . . .”
“Hayden, we are celebrating. While we can’t bring Miguel back, you got the government to admit they’re making a series of significant changes. That’s something to celebrate.”
And as she watched the slow smile dawn on her client’s face, Hayden knew Emilie was right, and it felt so good.
Hayden walked out of the courtroom feeling light, yet wondering where that next game-changing case would come from. Somehow she knew it would come. It would just be a matter of time.
That evening Il Porto’s private room filled with people who had helped Hayden. Somehow Emilie had known whom to invite. Dan and Ciara Turner chatted with Angela Thrasher over the salads the waitress had deposited. Hayden had been surprised to see Seth Jamison, looking a little overwhelmed as he sipped a Coke while Jaime and Caroline chattered at him from either side. Then she’d decided he did belong. Friendships were important, and he’d only followed instructions reluctantly. Maricel and Jorge sat next to Savannah Daniels, and Andrew was right where he should be . . . next to Hayden. By the way he had his arm draped possessively around the back of her chair, she thought the odds were looking good.
Savannah turned to Hayden. “So now that you have this big win, what’s next?”
“I don’t know.”
Savannah nodded toward the other end of the table, where Leigh sat with her young daughter. “Leigh’s getting calls from the courts.”
“She is, and I’ll accept many of those appointments. I need to decide what cases I want. And whether I want the risk of being on my own.”
Savannah waved a fork in a gesture that took in the whole table. “I don’t think you were alone on this one.”
Hayden smiled at how true that statement was. “You’re right.” She leaned into Andrew’s shoulder and relished the small squeeze he gave her. “Has anyone heard from Emilie?”
It wasn’t like her friend to plan a party and not show up.
Jaime held up her phone. “She said she was on her way fifteen minutes ago.”
“All right. Guess I’m glad she already had the salads and appetizers ordered.” Hayden took a bite, and then Andrew leaned toward her.
“You worry too much.”
She shook her head. It wasn’t worry so much as awareness of her friends and their needs.
In a swirl of leopard trench coat, with a red dress peeking out beneath it, Emilie entered. “Sorry to be late.”
She worked her way around the table greeting everyone, but her cheery smile couldn’t hide her concern. As she plopped next to Hayden, she held up a hand. “We’ll talk later,” she muttered. Then she smiled in a dazzling way. “Thanks for coming, everyone. Any excuse to get together is good, but this one is special, because today Hayden moved beyond justice with Miguel Rodriguez’s family. We also have a big decision to help Hayden with. She needs a name for her law firm.”
“I don’t have a law firm.” Hayden felt heat travel up her cheeks.
“Oh, but you do.” Emilie reached into the bag she’d carried in. “How about this?”
To whoops and hollers, she displayed a sign that read “Daniels, McCarthy & Associates.”
Savannah clapped her hands. “Perfection down to the ampersand.”
“But we don’t have any associates, and you’re just renting me space. I’m not a partner.”
“You can be if you want.” Savannah glanced around the table. “And there might be a few associates out there for us.”
As the table went back to eating and celebrating, Hayden rested against Andrew again and realized she was content. Truly content. She’d used her legal skills in a way that mattered. And she had people in her life she loved. She sneaked a peek at Andrew and smiled.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
All of my books come to life in a garden of friendship. This book was no different. In fact, because I was moving into a new genre, I was helped by a host of friends, writers, and editors. Many thanks to Michelle Lim, Colleen Coble, Rachel Hauck, and my daughter Abigail for helping me brainstorm the initial what-ifs into something that could fill a novel. Jaime Wright and Carol Moncado also provided key encouragement when I was convinced this idea wouldn’t come together. Andrea Cox served as a first-reader, and her enthusiasm for this story was contagious! Thank you, friends! Anne Gentry helped me fill in election law details for the great Commonwealth of Virginia. Thank you!
With this book, I’ve had the joy of joining the HarperCollins Christian Fiction team. Amanda Bostic and I met at our first ACFW conference many moons ago. From that first conference, I knew I wanted to work with her . . . The experience and team has lived up to my dreams. Thank you to Amanda, Daisy, and the full team in Nashville for helping this dream come true. LB Norton was a delight to work with as we worked to make this manuscript sing. Thank you for your kindness as you helped me become a stronger writer and trim this fat and sassy manuscript down to size.
Karen Solem, my agent, has believed in me and my writing for years. Her message has always been to slow down and dig deeper. I listened and this book is the result. Thank you, Karen, for constantly pushing and prodding me.
My husband and kids are my biggest cheerleaders and fans. They endure a mom who’s had too little sleep while writing on deadline, a wife who is occasionally distracted by the characters vying for attention in her mind, and help me brainstorm and research all manner of details.
To the Grove Girls and Writer’s Alley, you gals make writing so fun. I love being in community with you and celebrating your successes and praying with you as you walk your journeys.
Hayden’s story is mine in some ways. W
e attended the same law school, clerked for the same judge, and have a passion to seek justice in our world. Some days it is hard to find and see justice in a world that seems to tilt perilously out of control. My prayer is that as you read Hayden’s story, you will be reminded that God is present as we live our lives for Him. He is in the details and He is in the big picture. He sees you and He cares.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Hayden brings her past into her present as she sees the world around her through the lens of her experiences. How do your past experiences color your current relationships?
Headlines and the Internet bring global issues to our phones, computers, and reality, which can lead to the very real challenge of compassion fatigue. It is exhausting to care about all the issues that exist around the world. How do you combat compassion fatigue?
Hayden endeavors to find justice for Miguel and his family by learning what actually happened to him in the detention facility. Do you believe justice was served? Is it even possible in a situation like this?
Immigration has been a real issue as I wrote this book. It’s a multifaceted and many dimensioned issue with no easy answers. If you were working at a detention center, how would you view the children held there?
Andrew has what he considers a deep secret in his past and is committed to keeping it there. When it is revealed, he feels his world is threatened. The reality wasn’t the extreme he’d imagined. Have you had similar experiences? What did you learn from them?
Hayden has a great group of gal pals who know her at a core level. But finding time to be with them and maintain the relationships is hard. Do you have a similar group in your life? If so, what steps do you take to maintain those relationships? If not, is that something you’d like to have?
Family relationships are complex and tend to color our views of the relationships we want in our lives. How did Andrew’s color his view of Hayden initially? Was it a realistic lens?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by Emilie Hendrix
Cara Putman graduated high school at sixteen, college at twenty, and completed her law degree at twenty-seven. She has published more than twenty books, teaches college courses, practices law, and is a homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and children in Indiana.
www.caraputman.com
Facebook: cara.putman
Twitter: @cara_putman