The judge stood up from his high-backed leather chair and towered over Jackson at the bar, his piercing glare fixed on him. Jackson could hear his robes swishing against the wooden bench. The judge's voice was sharp and cutting as he asked, "Is this true?" Jackson could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he braced himself for the judge's fiery rebuke.
Jackson was swift to answer. "It is, your honor. I was there the night the chase ensued and even took part in the foot pursuit. However, I never made it out of the Thorn Estate. The Lord…" He paused, correcting himself. "I mean, Lord Thorn sent me back to retrieve the security guards to help. I was only involved for a very short matter of time."
The judge's angered look fell to something more placid. The wrinkles in his forehead disappeared as he weighed what Jackson had disclosed of his involvement.
