The Case for Christmas

Chapter 1



It was a crisp, sunny afternoon in early spring. Matthew Williams was walking up the steps at the Los Angeles County Courthouse when his phone rang. He dug the phone out of his pocket and cursed under his breath.
“Sorry, sorry—the court date was changed last minute. I forgot to call,” he said.
“You can’t keep disappointing her.”
“Tell her I’m sorry. I have to run. The judge is ruling in five minutes.”
He shoved the phone back into his pocket. He had forgotten about his daughter, Zoe, again. He had lost count of how many times he had disappointed her, but he was sure his ex-wife, Laura, knew exactly how many times he had done so. Zoe, now nine, always forgave him and was excited to see him. She would understand and forgive him again, he hoped.
As Matthew reached the doorway to enter the courtroom, a hand grabbed ahold of his arm and pulled him back. It was John Langley, the defense attorney.
“Hold on, Matt. I need to talk with you first,” John said.
“Now? The judge is going to rule.”
“My client wants to settle.”
“He wants to settle?”
“Fifteen million dollars in restitution and no jail time,” John said with a smile on his face, as if he had given Matt an offer he could not refuse.
“No deal. I gave you a chance to settle, and you laughed at me.”
“Come on, Matt; it’s a good deal. You’re going to risk losing fifteen million dollars because your feelings were hurt?”
“No. I am not risking anything. I’m going to win thirty-eight million and have your client sit in jail for five years.”
Matthew pulled his arm away and entered the courtroom.
The defendant was James Stanton, the CEO of Prime Investments based in Orange County. Mr. Stanton had misrepresented himself to investors and used the money for his personal gain. Matthew had slowly and methodically broken down the defense. By the end of the trial, he knew he had the case won. This was not Matthew’s biggest case; nor was it his smallest. One thing for sure was that he was still going to be undefeated. Matthew had been at Jackson, Wells, and Fulton for about eight years and had never lost them a case. The partners had noticed his outstanding record and rewarded him accordingly. He was moving up the ranks at the firm and was looking forward to becoming partner someday.
Matthew placed his briefcase on the table and sat down. John walked into the courtroom and sat opposite Matthew. He looked over at Matthew, pleading with his eyes to settle the case before the judge entered. Matthew sat quietly, staring ahead. The judge exited his chambers and stepped up to his chair. Everyone rose.
“Please be seated,” the judge said.
Everyone sat. The judge’s decision came quickly, and it was exactly what Matthew had expected: a judgment for $38 million and five years. The defendant was devastated.
A celebration at a local bar followed the ruling. Everyone who had helped Matthew on this case was there. Matthew, with his hefty six-figure salary, bought drinks for everyone. Drinks turned into going for dinner and then more drinks to follow.
Just after nine o’clock, he decided, against his better judgment, that he would stop by Laura’s and share the good news. He could also apologize to Zoe and plan a new day they could spend together.
The house was dark except for a lone light—Laura’s room. He rang the doorbell. It took a few minutes, and then he saw more lights being turned on and heard a shuffling toward the door. She answered the door dressed in pajamas with a not-so-welcoming look on her face.
“Matthew? What are you doing here? Have you been drinking?”
“Celebrating!”
“You’re drunk.”
“I’m fine. I just wanted to see Zoe and share the good news that I won the case.”
“Zoe is asleep. It’s a school night.”
“Right. Right. I’ll be going then.”
He gave a bow, and when he went to stand straight up again, he fell over backward into the railing and then into some bushes. Laura walked over to him and knelt next to him.
“Give me your keys.”
“I’m fine.”
Laura knew which pocket he kept his keys in, and she reached in and grabbed them.
“You’re not driving anywhere tonight. You can stay in the guest room.”
She helped him up and walked him to the guest room, where he fell onto the bed and was asleep in seconds.