The Reform Artists: A Legal Suspense, Spy Thriller (The Reform Artists Series Book 1) Read Online Free

said, taking the report from Martin and flipping to the appropriate page. “You’re scheduled for a hearing before the judge at 9:00 a.m. next Monday, a week from today.”
    “This is unbelievable,” Martin said. “What am I supposed to do until then? And what about seeing my kids?”
    “You’ve got to vacate, sir,” the younger deputy repeated. “I’d suggest checking into one of those low-cost, extended stay motels until the hearing. Or, if you have family in town, you could arrange to stay with them. But you cannot see your kids.”
    “Wait a minute,” Martin said. “She signed this under oath, right?”
    “That’s right, sir,” the older deputy said.
    “So, she’s committed perjury! She’s going to have to answer for that, isn’t she?”
    By now, the deputies seemed to have lost all enthusiasm for their work. “Well,” said the older one, “I suggest you contact an attorney as soon as possible, sir. He or she can advise you about what to do. But, we’ve really got to get going. We have a whole stack of these to serve tonight.”
    “But this is nothing but a pack of lies!” Martin protested.
    “It’s not that uncommon,” the older deputy said.
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’d say, on average, about half of the Temporary Restraining Orders we serve are based on bogus charges.” The deputy smiled sheepishly as he wiped the back of his neck with a handkerchief.
    “Half?” Martin repeated, in amazement. “Then, why do you bother serving them at all?”
    “We have to, sir,” the younger deputy explained. “It’s our job.”
    “I don’t know how you guys can stand doing this kind of thing to people day-in and day-out,” Martin said. “Doesn’t it bother you?”
    “The judges make the rulings, Mr. Silkwood,” the younger deputy said. “Nothing’s going to change until they do. Please sir, we’ve got to get going. Can you get your belongings together now?”
    “I guess I have to,” Martin said as he gestured for the deputies to come inside. He went upstairs, quickly packed a suitcase and returned.
    “We’re sorry about all this, Mr. Silkwood,” the older deputy said.
    “That’s OK. I know it’s not your fault.”
    As Martin began leading them out the door, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around. He had a look of panic on his face. “Hey guys, I just realized I forgot something really important. Can you give me just one more minute to go and get it?”
    The two deputies looked at each other. Already this stop had taken longer than they had expected. Then, the younger one sighed and turned to Martin. “Sure,” he said, nodding. “But please make it quick, OK?”
    Martin forced a smile. “Thanks!” He rushed up the stairs and went to the master bedroom. There, on the dresser, he found what he was looking for: two framed photos: one, of Justin, and the other, of Monica. He snatched them up, tucked them under his arm like a football and bounded back down the stairs.
    “OK, guys. I’m all set. Thanks, again!”
    Martin picked up his bulging suitcase and led them out the door. Then, when they were all on the front stoop, the older deputy paused for a moment and cleared his throat. “Uh, sir, we’re going to need your copy of the house key.”
    “Oh, of course,” Martin said. He nervously worked his key chain until he had removed his copy of the key and handed it to the deputy. Then, he waited while the deputies tried the key in the door and then locked up the house.

Chapter 4
    Celia Gardner frowned when the doorbell rang at 8:45 p.m. Who could that be at this hour? she wondered, as she hurried down the main staircase of her sprawling Tudor home. Celia had just finished tucking her two-year-old daughter, Jessica, into bed.
    “Ted, are you expecting someone? Ted?” she shouted in the general direction of the great room, where her husband was preoccupied, watching an NBA basketball game. No reply.
    “Predictable,” she chuckled to herself as she looked