Whose Heart Is Perfect

By Shirley Jeane Gilbert

An explosion in a courthouse kills a judge. Tony Alexander is a young defense attorney who attempts to find the killer to save his client held for the murder. In the process he learns much about the foibles of people. Most important he learns compassion for others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Oct 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781489731531

Shirley Jeane Gilbert

From a difficult childhood to her latter years, Shirley has walked the journey of faith. She published an article in The Journal of Christian Nursing on her experience as a registered nurse in a county jail. Later she published an article in Decision Magazine on her conquest of her own latent anger. Human relationships continue to interest her and how we can learn from our mistakes.

Book preview

Prologue

The nurse gagged when she saw the blood. It trickled from cords of dangling flesh and seeped across Jennifer’s nightgown, pooling on the floor beside her. With a deep breath Tess O’Hare leaned on the alarm. She gasped as she glanced down at the blood splattered across her uniform. The patient’s color turned ashen as her pulse faltered.

Let’s get her onto the bed, Tess said. We can work on her there.

But she’s bleeding something awful, her aide said. Where’s the doctor?

Don’t argue. He’s on his way.

In a moment the medic swept into the room and glanced at the intravenous drip. He rolled up his sleeves. Good job, Tess. How’s her pressure?

Better. We almost lost her this time.

Doctor Crosby listened to Jennifer’s heart. Still flimsy. Notify the judge?We finally got through. He’s on a big case. Tess handed him a syringe.

It’s always a bad time. I don’t think he wants to see it. The doctor examined the patient’s arms. A nail from a chair, you say? She’s ripped herself to shreds. Together they dressed the wounds.

What brought this on? Any idea?

Tess frowned. She asked again for her violin. We had to take it from her weeks ago. She used the strings on her neck if you recall.

The psychiatrist raised his eyebrows as he entered the room. Not again. Sedated? Crosby shook his head. "She almost faded on us.

Jennifer’s eyelids fluttered. She attempted to lift her hand but it fell to her side. Mozart, she murmured. I must play. Please.

The physicians looked at each other. Kochek been in?

Tess shook her head. Judge Thornby told me not to let him come back.

Crosby’s mouth tightened. Get him in here stat. Thornby can deal with me.

Tess dialed at once. Mister Kochek? Yes, she’s tried again. She winced at Jennifer’s pallor as she replaced the receiver. He’ll be here right away.

The doctor nodded. Good. We’ll need more blood. Kochek’s good for that too.

Chapter 1

Thornby paused as he entered the room while his eyes adjusted to the shadows. He saw her in their usual place and sauntered toward her. Gloria breathed easier when she saw him. Relief flowed through her body. He’d said it was silly to worry, but the death threats made her uneasy. As she scooted over to make room for him, she saw his casual glance around the room. It irked her to see him take this precaution.

Hi, sweets. Been waiting long?

Gloria forgave him when he moved closer and draped his arm around her shoulder. She pretended not to notice his obvious appraisal of the way her rose-colored knit hugged her ample figure. The judge looked tired tonight, though, and for once the lines on his face betrayed his age.

You look bushed, Charles. Is something wrong?

He put his finger to her lips. Ssh. Let me look at you. I thought I’d never get away.

Gloria curled her lip. Was it Janice? she asked, her voice flat.

Are you kidding? I haven’t been home yet. He tossed a wad of paper onto the table. Here, add this to your collection.

Not another death threat. Charles, I’m scared.

Droll, isn’t it? His forced smile failed to reassure her. At least this one shows some class. He rubbed his hands over his eyes. Just damned tiresome.

Gloria shivered. Have you mentioned them to the police?

Those idiots? He snorted. What could they do?

So what kept you so long tonight?

Thornby looked irritated with this question and removed his arm from her shoulder. Had a big scene with my bailiff. The man has the mentality of a five-year-old. He glanced around for the waiter.

Charles, I have wonderful news. It’ll cheer you up.

He ordered some drinks and squeezed her hand. Right now all I need is the company of a gorgeous woman.

Gloria basked in his attention and ran her fingers through his hair. Streaked with silver, it fell rakish across his forehead. To think that she could soon be the wife of the Honorable Judge Thornby. The girls would swoon with envy.

I want to get away this weekend, kitten. Let’s run up to the cabin and leave the garbage behind. He smirked. Just tell Harold your mother’s sick again. It worked last time.

Gloria dimpled. That’s what I want to tell you. I’m rid of him.

How’s that? Another convention?

No, I mean for good. I left him.

Thornby edged away. That’s crazy.

It was easy, Charles. I told him I knew about him and Lila. She smiled at his look of disbelief. Is it too good to be true, my darling? I’m free at last.

Thornby’s nostrils twitched and for a moment he stared over her head. Let’s get out of here, he said finally. He threw some cash on the table and propelled her toward the door.

Outside he pulled her to him in a rough embrace. Gloria caressed his chin. Janice is the only obstacle now, Charles. When she’s out of the way, we can be married.

The eyes staring down at her looked cold as iced crystal, those of a stranger.

This is it, toots. Thornby backed away. It couldn’t last, you know. Goodbye.

Charles, what--?

He turned to look over his shoulder. By the way, Janice knows about us. She’s very understanding.

With open mouth Gloria watched the Jaguar circle and pull away. Raising a cloud of dust, it sped off toward town, it’s taillights disappearing in the distance."

Why, the son-of-a--. The sound of her own voice startled her, and she began to whimper.

Suddenly a drunken figure emerged from the shadows. Gloria’s fingers fumbled with the ignition. Scarcely missing the drunk, the car careened onto the highway and swerved to avoid a truck.

For hours Gloria drove like a woman possessed. The monotonous sound of the tires on the pavement gradually calmed her.

He couldn’t mean it, she told herself. Something had upset him, that’s all. Besides, the baby…. Her thoughts hung in space. She hadn’t told him she was pregnant. He’ll come back. But she wouldn’t make it easy. After all, no man had ever walked out on Gloria Skinner and lived to tell it.

Totally exhausted, she headed for her new apartment feeling acutely alone but not without hope.

*     *     *     *     *

The persistent ringing startled Harriett, and the legal volume fell to her lap. She stared at the telephone, sure it was he. The ringing pierced the silence again and again. Maybe her father had come home early and Mums needed her. Why in heaven’s name didn’t she leave him? Because she had to be a martyr, Harriett thought with a sigh.

In desperation she reached for the receiver. Yes? At first she heard only his breathing. She stiffened.

So you’re home. Thought you were avoiding me, Harriett.

What do you want?

Thornby chuckled. Come now. You can do better than that? Why the bite?

Leave me alone. I don’t need you.

Don’t you? Your job didn’t fall out of the sky. Are we so innocent

Harriett closed her eyes and rubbed the back of her neck. Look, I never asked for favors. My record earned it.

Oh? His voice sharpened. You went to great lengths to see me. That project for school was a silly pretense.

That’s not true. I needed the interview for graduation.

Another low chuckle. Harry, dear. The way you batted your eyes at me? I got the message.

I was young, overawed. You must believe me. I intended nothing. Harriett felt smothered. Please. I have work to do. I must go.

Not until we come to an understanding, my dear. How about dinner tomorrow evening? To talk things over, you know.

No! Harriett gritted her teeth. She would not give in to this beast. Sir, as you know, there is proper redress for harassment like this.

A long silence followed. She almost hung up.

I wouldn’t assume that tone if I were you, he said at last. Your next case could be a disaster. Sweet dreams, Harriett.

With relief she heard the click on the other end. She clenched her fists, determined to fight him. After all, he dealt not with a weak woman like her mother.

Still, she was glad he would not sit on her proceedings tomorrow.

*     *     *     *     *

Tony scowled at the ice in the bottom of the glass. Oh, sorry, he said to the waitress. She had tripped over a long leg in the aisle. He ran a hand through his hair and shook the ice with a vengeance.

Really, Tony, Ginger said. I shouldn’t have come. You’re a brute today. He glared at her in silence.

That does it. I’m leaving. She reached for her handbag and stood up. You know, I had other offers for lunch today.

With effort Tony roused himself. Ginger, I’m a fool. Don’t go. I’m sorry. He managed a feeble smile.

She sank back into the booth. This isn’t like you. What’s the matter?

What about you? Why so busy this week?

I told you, silly. I’m studying for finals. She patted his arm. Eat your hamburger. You’ll be hungry.

He took an indifferent bite. They’re showing ‘Hammerhead’ at the Fox. Good reviews.

Ginger shuddered. You know I don’t like war movies.

No worse than what you’re reading right now. Old Shakespeare’s full of bloodshed. He grimaced. Why major in English literature anyway?

Tony, you know I want to teach. Besides, I love the classics, but I don’t want to work at that switchboard forever.

I thought you liked all the attention from the marshals out there. He squinted. Who’s that oversized hunk who hangs around?

Demurely, Ginger folded her hands under her chin and smiled. Larry? We went to high school together. He was a great quarterback.

A siren drowned her reply, but Tony heard enough to make him frown. Well, tell him to bug off, will you?

She straightened. What happened in court this morning? It put you in a terrible mood.

He shifted in his seat. Can’t you guess? Same old thing.

Thornby again?

Who else? He can’t stay off my back. Some day he’ll push me too far.

Ginger shrugged. Oh, forget it. I ignore his harangues.

Tony raised an eyebrow. You’ve had run-ins with him too? How’s that?

Who hasn’t? He jumps on the staff all the time. Last week he almost croaked when I lost his call.

But listen, the man degraded me in front of that courtroom. Tony hunched forward on the table. Ask anybody. He ripped me every time I stood up. He sighed. In my closing argument he made me look like a fool.

But why --? Outside sirens screamed again, and they turned to look out the window as the ambulance sped past. It must be big, Ginger said. Close too.

She turned back to Tony. But does Thornby single you out for his attacks?

The prosecutor got away with murder. He smiled ruefully. A figure of speech, you understand.

Trouble is, Thornby can’t forget something that happened my last year in law school. He said something stupid and I corrected him Tony shook his head. A humbler man would have taken it in stride. But not the great Charles Thornby.

He looked away deep in thought. Peter Potter…. That name rings a bell, but I can’t place it.

Sounds like a nursery rhyme.

It came up in the jury selection this week.

Ginger glanced at her watch. Oh, my, I’ll be late again. I need this job.

The waitress left their bill, and Tony fumbled for a tip. As they climbed the hill to the courthouse, the sunlight blinded them for a moment.

My supervisor will let me go if I keep this up, Ginger said.

Don’t worry. You handle that front desk like a pro.

Nobody’s job is sacred. Maybe you haven’t heard. They fired Gloria this morning.

Wha-at? Tony stared at her. You’re kidding. What about her affair with the big man?

Ginger lowered her voice. I shouldn’t repeat gossip, but the rumor is that it’s off. They think he found an excuse to get rid of her.

Well, I never—

Tony, look! The courthouse—those sirens! Something’s happened. They stopped and gaped at the mass of people outside.

Engulfed by the mob, police cars flashed their lights, spattering onlookers with an unearthly glow. Horror and disbelief etched their faces while fireman yelled and scrambled to drag in equipment. Ominously still, the ambulance waited on the sidelines.

Tony clutched Ginger’s arm, and they raced for