Nobody's Fool

manila folder containing the police report across his desk with his index finger in Satch Henry’s direction. “Okay, Satch, I want you to tell me the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.Do you really want to arraign Mr. Sullivan on these charges, put this whole thing into court, spend a lot of taxpayers’ money?”
    Satch Henry went purple. “Your Honor, I believe there is some precedent for indicting and convicting people who assault police officers. Mr. Sullivan has a history of violent behavior. He broke Officer Raymer’s nose and gave him a concussion. Take off those dark glasses, Doug.”
    Officer Raymer took off his sunglasses. He had two black eyes. Green eyes, really, the puffy skin on both sides of his swollen nose having gone from purple to motel green.
    Judge Flatt studied the policeman. “They still call those shiners?” he inquired. “That’s what they called ’em when I was boy.”
    Officer Raymer looked confused by this unexpected question. “I guess so,” he said. “That and ‘black eye.’ ”
    â€œYou ever been in a fistfight before, Officer Raymer?”
    â€œSure,” the policeman said. “Lots of times.”
    â€œWhat do you usually do when somebody throws a punch at you?”
    Officer Raymer cocked his head and thought about this. “Duck?” he guessed.
    â€œWhy didn’t you duck this time?”
    â€œYour Honor—” Satch Henry began.
    â€œDon’t interrupt me, Satch. Can’t you see I’m talking to this man?”
    Satch Henry opened his mouth to say something else, then closed it again. Wirf allowed himself another trace of a smile.
    â€œWhy didn’t you duck this time?” the judge repeated.
    â€œI guess I never thought he’d do it,” the policeman sulked.
    â€œWhy not?” Judge Flatt wanted to know. “As Satch here says, Mr. Sullivan has a history of violence. Comes from a long line of amateur barroom pugilists. Why didn’t you think he’d pop you one?”
    â€œWell, hell, Judge,” Officer Raymer exploded, exasperated. “I was holding my goddamn gun on him. The son of a bitch is crazy.”
    Judge Flatt turned his attention to the prosecutor now. “You say you want this man on the stand, do you? He’s just admitted to aiming his weapon at an unarmed sixty-year-old cripple.”
    â€œI don’t think I’d describe Sully as a cripple,” Satch Henry said weakly, though the point had clearly struck home.
    â€œCome over here a minute, Mr. Sullivan,” the judge said. “Pull up your pant leg for these gentlemen.”
    â€œI’d rather not,” Sully said, feeling rather like a little boy who’s been ordered to drop his trousers in a game of doctor.
    â€œDo it anyway, Mr. Sullivan,” the judge said. “Come over here where we can all see.”
    Sully did as he was told, putting his boot up on the chair that had been reserved for him, then gingerly pulling his pant leg up until his knee was exposed. He himself looked at the knee for the first time in a while. It looked like an exotic fruit ready to rupture.
    The sight of it affected everyone in the room. Wirf had to look away, and even Officer Raymer winced. Satch Henry was the first to recover. “May it be stated for the record, your Honor, that Officer Raymer is not responsible for the condition of Sully’s knee, whereas Sully is responsible for this police officer’s contusions and concussion?”
    â€œNo, it may not be stated for the record, Satch,” Judge Flatt said, pausing rhetorically. “It may not. Because there
is
no record here in chambers.”
    â€œCan I let my pant leg down?” Sully said.
    â€œYes, you may,” the judge said. “In fact, I insist.”
    All the other men watched him lower his pant leg.
    â€œThat hurt as bad as it looks, Mr. Sullivan?”
    â€œI take pain pills,” Sully said, aware of where the judge was heading. “Some days are pretty good. I get through the others somehow.”
    â€œWhat effect do the pills have?”
    â€œThey make me sleepy.”
    â€œNervous? Edgy?”
    â€œNot really, no.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t blame the fact that you punched this policeman on the medication you’re taking?”
    â€œNo, not really.”
    â€œThe smart answer to that question would have been yes,” the judge