This exciting adventure continues next week on…
HARDCASTLE and McCORMICK
Virtual Season 4:

“Some of us are worried about Mark and what happened to him, not to mention knowing that any of us could get the same treatment. Somebody could take a dislike to us and frame us the same way. ‘Disciplinary hearing’—hah, it’s a kangaroo court. A few of the others,” she hesitated for just a second, “they think Mark’s different. You know, because he’s an ex-con and they’re not. But the rest of us get it—he’s not different at all. He’s one of us and he’s innocent until proven guilty!”

* * * * *

“I thought things would settle down. I’d go to law school, maybe make something of myself. Things’d be normal.”

Frank shot him a look. “Questioning. You’re a potential witness. We question witnesses. The ADA and a couple of detectives are just gonna poke around a little. You’ll make a few smart remarks. You do have some notion about how that disk got in your bag, don’t you?”

“Nothing that’ll stand up in a court of law.”

“Well, lucky for you it’s ‘innocent until proven guilty.’”

“That only works for citizens,” Mark said glumly, “not ex-cons.”

* * * * *

“Since you wisely haven’t taken this past the exploratory stage, and the crime in question is most likely a misdemeanor, I’d advise you let the university handle it.” She turned her head to include the police detectives in her remarks. “If Mr. McCormick is found liable for the theft, you’ll be able to take the matter up again. If he’s innocent, you won’t have wasted a spot on some overworked judge’s docket.”

She frowned at McCormick—a simple, no-nonsense, all-purpose frown, as though she were trying to lend some weight to her next remark. “If they don’t take my advice, and maybe even if they do, you’ll need a lawyer.” She cocked her head and added, “As a judge, I’m not eligible, but I’d recommend that you refuse to discuss the matter further at this point and—in light of the minor nature of the charge—demand recognizance bond.”

* * * * *

There was a shriek, short but piercing. It came from a woman he recognized distractedly as a fellow-student, Valerie Nagel. She was standing just behind the judge, looking over his shoulder, wide-eyed at the scene. She turned away suddenly, retreating to the hall. Her place was taken by Amy London. Who was calm, though she, too, looked shocked.

“He’s dead,” McCormick said quietly.

* * * * *

“I think the deck’s been stacked against McCormick since this started, and I’m pretty sure I know who was doing the stacking.”

“Who?”

“Well, I dunno if it all makes sense yet; it might not to you guys, anyway. Just do me a favor, will ya? Have the techs bag Hawksworth’s hands. I’d like ‘em to run a residue test on him—his jacket, too.”

Frank was staring. He finally said, “He definitely didn’t shoot himself.”

”No, but I’m thinking with a little luck I might be able to solve two deaths for you at least.”