Chapter 15
Mark McCormick was leafing through a magazine again, though—as usual—he wasn't the least bit interested in what he was seeing. Not that he didn't appreciate the racing magazines Hardcastle had brought in...he did. But the judge's behavior had grown increasingly unusual over the past couple of weeks, and McCormick was finding it difficult to concentrate on much else.
Since the night of True Grit, Hardcastle had been true to his word and had made a concentrated effort to spend less time sitting at McCormick's bedside. But, his actions were more in keeping with the letter of the agreement than the spirit, and he never left the hospital until the young man was asleep for the night. And, although he didn't rush right back to the room as soon as he was up for the day, Hardcastle was always seated in his familiar chair before McCormick finished his breakfast, ready to be of service.
Still, McCormick could've handled all of that. At least the judge was getting a decent night's sleep, so he was much less irritable. And, Mark could've even tolerated all the hovering and pampering, because he knew Hardcastle meant well.
But what he was not dealing with particularly well was the way Hardcastle was withdrawing into himself, pulling away, like their friendship didn't matter anymore. It was really kind of strange how the old guy could simultaneously seem so concerned with the ex-con's security and comfort and still seem so remote and unapproachable.
McCormick was accustomed to Hardcastle's normal lack of sentimentality and emotionalism—that was part of what made it fun to tease the judge so mercilessly. But he was not used to this feeling of isolation. Honestly, he hadn't felt so alone since before he had gone to live at Gulls Way. And, he knew Hardcastle well enough to know that this wasn't an accident. He knew he was being pushed away. And, although he didn't know for sure, he thought he had a pretty good idea why.
Hardcastle didn't trust him anymore.
It was a realization McCormick hadn't wanted to accept; he really wanted to believe that Hardcastle meant all the kind and understanding words he had said weeks earlier. But he knew now that had been the judge's guilt talking, and nothing more. Milton C. Hardcastle was a law and order type of guy, and—in his rational moments—it was hard for him to wrap his mind around the fact that some people just weren't. And when the guy who wasn't just happened to be an ex-con paroled into his custody, well...Hardcastle had a pretty easy solution, didn't he?
McCormick thought it was possible—barely—that the judge might have gotten over his problems with the bank heists. After all, that had all been in the line of duty, right? But, after hours and days of introspection, he had reached the conclusion that it was breaking into the court records office that had been his downfall...even if it had been for a good cause. Yeah, apparently that was the part Hardcastle was really having a difficult time coming to grips with, and he would undo it if he could, but now the damage was done.
"Hey, you okay over there, kiddo?"
The anxious tone cut into McCormick's thoughts. He hadn't noticed the magazine crumpling beneath his clinched fingers, but seeing Hardcastle watching him with renewed worry brought him back to reality, and he forced himself to relax.
"Never better, Judge," McCormick answered, but he couldn't quite manage the light-hearted tone he sought.
"I'm serious, McCormick," Hardcastle said as he rose to stand next to the bed. "You're supposed to go home tomorrow, and I need to know if there's some reason you shouldn't." He locked his gaze onto McCormick's eyes and repeated, "Are you okay?"
McCormick managed a genuine smile at the obvious concern. "Yeah, I'm okay, Hardcase. Don't go getting all misty eyed on me; I'm just kinda tired. If I fall asleep during the ballgame tonight, just leave my winnings on the table."
Hardcastle chuckled lightly as he resumed his seat, but he still watched McCormick closely. He didn't like the kid keeping secrets from him.
Then again, it seemed there were more than enough secrets to go around.