Always enjoy rereading this!

What a wonderful gift! I mean the one you wrapped and sent off to your readers. Liked the shiny paper and the ribbon covering the box as well as its contents. Thanks.

Once again, a very nice story. I loved Hardcastle's remarks like “Why?” He seemed honestly puzzled by the idea. “You know I’d never let anything happen to ya.” or "Oh, I might’ve questioned your methods from time to time, but I’ve never doubted your motives."

Wonderful tying up of a great big loose end. Poor Mark, hearing your case called will certainly get your blood running!

I really loved the use of Mattie and the accurate depiction of the courtroom. My favorite bit was Mark deciding to trust Hardcastle. You've come a long way, baby.

And I hope he got his present!

Great job!

This one is such a charmer-McC sailing along through an only slightly atypical day-lots of banter ("Hey," he said reasonably, "it’s my birthday. There can be fast driving if I say so."). There's only a tinge of foreshadowing, and Mark's mulling over how much things can change in a couple of years, when he's brought up-full heart-stopping halt-by six simple words. Sure he trusts the judge, but the momentary sense of vertigo is palpable.

You throw a heck of a surprise party.

Great story! I really liked how you laid it out in court so well.I could picture the whole story so well!

"Trust me, kiddo." And isn't that what it's all about? A beautifully done wrap-up of a tricky loose end, with the added benefit of Mattie as an important player in the story. Lovely job!

Well what a Birthday present Mark got there and the best part is is that he knew in this story just as he always has that he can trust Hardcastle to always do what is before him and towards him all the time.

Mark knowing that Milt believed in him as well just made McCormick's Happy Birthday Gift.

I love this stories from all these CDFanzines.I read all of them so far.

Just waiting for the next one.

JeanneZ84

“Yeah, but . . .” The ex-con took a breath and started over. “I meant specifically; the criteria you set. That stuff about solid character and reformed behavior.” He still didn’t meet Hardcastle’s eyes. “I know there’ve been times you’ve wondered about that.”

“Well,” Hardcastle smiled, “maybe. But that was a long time ago.”

McCormick thought he had kept the surprise off his face, but the judge seemed to pick up on it anyway.

“What?” Hardcastle demanded. “You didn’t think we’re doing this now because it took this long to convince me?”

McCormick shrugged. “Not exactly. But I suppose I might’ve given you reason to doubt.”

Hardcastle looked directly into Mark’s eyes. “No,” he said earnestly, “you haven’t. Oh, I might’ve questioned your methods from time to time, but I’ve never doubted your motives.”

The above was a very nicely written and very much in character, piece of dialogue...you did a very nice job with Hardcastle especially.

A very nice story and a plausible way that the 'indefinite' might have been eliminated.

Thanks for sharing it!