The Court by William J. Coughlin Read Free Book Online

conversation.
    â€œAny word on the lawsuit?” Garcia asked as he sipped the second whiskey.
    Clark, one of the older officers, shook his head. “If we only had a half-wit for association president we wouldn’t be in this fix. A half-wit would do a better job than that fool Mandrake.”
    â€œBut no word on the lawsuit,” Garcia persisted.
    Clark shrugged. “Nope. It’s all up to the Supreme Court now. But at least we’ll be famous. They say this is the strongest reverse discrimination the Court has taken in years.”
    â€œAnd if we lose?” Garcia asked, knowing the answer.
    Clark’s expression became somber. “All white officers with under ten years senority will be let go. All the rookie blacks and women they hired and laid off in the last few years will be reinstated. And diversity requirement will guide future hires.
    â€œJesus, that’s unfair,” Garcia said. The others nodded.
    Clark shrugged again. “Hey, I got fifteen years in, so it don’t hit me. Anyway, it’s just the reverse of what it used to be. Hell, in the old days, if you were black you had to eat shit because the majority of the city’s population was white. Now that the blacks control the most votes in the city, it’s the whites who get it in the ass. That’s the American way, ain’t it?”
    Garcia felt the whiskey bring a relaxing numbness, and some of the tension began to leave him. “It shouldn’t be that way,” he said. “It was wrong to crap on a black man when the whites ran the city. It’s equally wrong now that things are reversed.”
    â€œIf you’re looking for justice, Garcia, you’re in the wrong racket. You should know that by now.” Clark grinned. “We’re screwed, ye olde fix is in.”
    â€œThe Supreme Court isn’t fixed,” Garcia protested.
    â€œWell, just consider the record so far,” Clark said. “The police association brings the lawsuit in federal court to stop the mayor from firing white officers, right?”
    Garcia nodded.
    â€œThey got seventeen judges there, two of whom are black. Who gets the case? One of the blacks. Surprise! And lo and behold he finds against us and in favor of our black mayor. Another surprise!”
    Clark sipped his beer, obviously warming to his subject. “And when we appeal that to the high-and-mighty United States Court of Appeals, who comes out as head of the three-judge panel assigned to the case? Nobody else than our old pal, Judge Robert George, the guy who has made an entire career out of being on the black side of things, right or wrong. And we lose, ain’t that another surprise!”
    â€œWe always lose in the Court of Appeals. They let Judge George have all the cases dealing with racial matters. Everybody knows that.”
    Clark grinned. “That ain’t in their rule book, but you’re right, Garcia. Everybody does know it. And being a federal judge old George don’t run for office so there is no way he can be voted out, and that way he doesn’t give a shit about the people. That’s just one of the little thorns to be endured; the price of democracy, you might say.”
    Garcia leaned back and lit a thin cigar. “I just asked about the case, Clark. I didn’t want a speech.”
    The older officer laughed. “I don’t mind being associated with prostitutes, pimps, and muggers, but I’ll never sink so low as to be accused of being a politician. I make no speeches and I’m not a candidate.”
    â€œYou sound like a candidate for the nut farm,” one of the others grumbled.
    Clark ignored him. “I’m just imparting street wisdom Garcia; the pure sweet logic of the people. I think the fuckin’ case is fixed. But to answer your question, the guys down at the association say the legal briefs should be in soon. Then they’ll argue the case. After that we’ll get the