Ch 11 Trust

McCormick slowly opened his eyes, shifted position, and moaned.

"Easy," Hardcastle leaned forward and spoke quickly.

Their eyes met and McCormick gave a slight nod.

Suddenly Hardcastle felt self conscious. Normally he would yell, lecture or generally bluster about something or other, but this time, he didn't quite know what to say. McCormick had protected him, even while being tortured. And even when he thought the judge would blame him for the robbery and send him back to prison. How do I respond to that?

"Farnell had one of his goons break into your safe judge, it wasn't me, I swear," McCormick whispered.

That settled it. They needed to talk about this now, even if he didn't know what to say.

"Listen kid, stop worryin about that. I know he tried to frame you. I know you didn't do it kiddo."

"He left evidence, the gardening tools," Mark whispered.

"I know McCormick, it's okay. I know you didn't do it."

Mark's worried frown softened. "But, it's not 6 months yet," he said quietly.

"Six months? Oh," the judge replied, "ya know, I mighta been wrong about that kiddo."

The ex-con smiled, "you're not sending me back?"

"Geez McCormick, of course not."

"Thanks," Mark whispered and closed his eyes, concentrating on taking a few cautious breaths.

"Ya know, I used to think it would be hard for me to trust you, and easy for you to trust me. Turns out I had it backwards."

"I don't wanna go back to prison judge."

"You should've told Farnell where I was."

"He probably would've killed me anyway."

"He WAS killing you, what did you have to lose? He mighta stopped while he went looking for me."

"I'm your backup, I told you that judge, and I meant it." McCormick's eyes suddenly narrowed, "how did you know what he was doing to me?"

Hardcastle paused and stared at the kid. "The place was bugged. Frank and I and half the LAPD heard most of what happened, once they brought you to the house anyway. I know what they did to you kiddo, and I know you didn't give me up."

Silence.

"Well, I hope you learned your lesson," McCormick answered in a surprisingly loud voice.

"What lesson?"

"You need to keep me close by when you go riding off to do your Lone Ranger thing."

"I was just observing!"

"We're safer when we stay together, even I know that," Mark answered, and coughed several times, then grunted in pain.

There was silence, while the judge gave Mark time to recover.

"The truth is, I only left you alone at home to prove to you that I trusted you," Hardcastle admitted.

Mark smiled, "really?"

"Yeah," and the judge nodded grudgingly.

Suddenly, Mark closed his eyes and sank farther into the pillow.

Hardcastle's eyes narrowed and he stood to get a better look at McCormick.

"You okay?" he asked hesitantly.

"It just hurts," he whispered.

The judge pushed the call button, "I'll tell the nurse," he explained. He kept a worried eye on the ex-con while they waited for someone to answer.