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McGuire has made it a necessity. As I stated before, this session is in no way
     a trial. It is more of an informal inquest to determine the truth or falsity of the rumors going around. I’ve asked our newest
     member, Judge Fine, to handle the investigation as it concerns Judge Wanamaker, and he will report to us now.”
    Fine rose to his feet, feeling a bit out of his element. He stepped away from the sofa into the neutral area at the center
     of the room. “Your Honors, Maeve McGuire’s violent death came shortly after she hinted to the Chief that another member of
     the appellate court had accepted bribes and illegal campaign contributions. It was the same charge that forced Colin Penny’s
     resignation and my own appointment to this august body. Miss McGuire was killed by a hit-and-run driver in an early- morning
     accident near her apartment. When we learned of damage that morning to Judge Wanamaker’s vehicle, a natural suspicion arose.
     The judge’s story was that he hit a deer while driving back from a skiing weekend. This is the story I was asked to investigate.”
    “It’s not a story,” Wanamaker interrupted. “It’s the truth.”
    “I’m inclined to agree,” Fine told the court.
    “In fact, I have here the state police report on the incident.” He read them the report and then continued, “I also have a
     witness that I’d like to bring before this session.”
    Judge Bangor immediately objected. “This entire session is informal and extralegal. We could not admit a stranger to these
     proceedings.”
    “This is no stranger. In fact, he played a major part in your most recent secret session. I’m referring to Colin Penny.”
    It was Judge Rockwell who spoke up then. “There’s no need to revisit that affair. Penny has resigned from this court and we’re
     the better for it.”
    But Susan Quinn protested. “Colin’s not here to get his job back! Apparently he can verify Zach’s movements on Monday morning,
     and we should hear him out. By inviting him in here, we’re not telling him anything he doesn’t already know from firsthand
     experience.”
    Judge Bangor sighed. “All right. When can he be here?”
    “I asked him to come at eleven fifteen,” Fine replied. “He should be waiting outside now.”
    “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?” Bangor asked.
    “I am, yes.”
    “Very well. Bring him in.”
    Fine went out to the reception room and found Penny seated nervously in one of the chairs. “They’re ready for you, Colin.”
    “I still feel it’s a mistake to come here like this.”
    “It’s not a mistake to help clear an innocent man.”
    He followed Fine into Judge Bangor’s office, nodding to the others. Only Susan Quinn made an effort to put him at ease. “We’ve
     missed you, Colin. How are you doing?”
    “Well enough. I’m going back into private practice next month.”
    “That’s great,” she told him. “You’ll probably be arguing cases before us.”
    “Let’s get on with this,” the Chief ordered.
    “What evidence do you have to supply, Penny?”
    The former judge cleared his throat. “I was wheeling my trash Dumpster out to the curb on Monday morning—”
    Fine interrupted to ask, “What time?”
    “Before seven thirty, but close to it. I was back in the house in time for the seven thirty news. I had just reached the curb
     when Judge Wanamaker’s car turned into the street. I saw its headlights, though it was getting light by then, and I noticed
     a large piece out of the right front fender. He slowed down, lowered the window, and told me he’d just hit a deer. He was
     going to change his clothes and take the car in for repairs.”
    “What did you do then?”
    “I wished him good luck and went back in the house.”
    “Tell me something, Penny. Did you ever have a hint that another member of this court besides you was receiving illegal payments?”
    “A hint,” he admitted. “I never knew if it was true.”
    Bangor asked a few