Judging Time

35

Jason sat at his desk with his clocks ticking all around him and read Rick's latest E-mail. It was clear to him that Rick was becoming disorganized; he was acting crazy and irresponsible. And this crazy behavior made the police want him in custody more and more. Jason would never advise someone to react this way. All his life he'd believed that order was necessary, that people shouldn't run around doing whatever they wanted to do. He believed in taking responsibility for one's acts. And Rick wasn't taking responsibility for himself. He wanted Jason to go over and get Merrill's mink coat from his apartment and give it to Emma. Jason could think of no explanation for such a request except that Rick didn't intend to come back.

After Jason's own experience in the police station with April's boss, he could see why Rick might want to disappear for a while. In his shoes, Jason might feel the same way. Jason wasn't sure if he was right not to strongly advise Rick to return, but he couldn't do it. He could not tell Rick to come back right now.

Jason checked his watch. The day hadn't even begun yet and already he was heavily burdened with anxiety. He dialed April Woo's number at the station. As of last night there had been no warrant out for Rick's arrest. He wanted to see if anything had changed. He wanted to find a safe way to bring Rick home and get him properly represented by a lawyer. Maybe that was stupid.

A sullen-sounding male answered the phone, "Detective Squad, Midtown North."

"I want to leave a message for Sergeant Woo. It's Dr. Frank. Please have her call me." "Your number?"

"She has it," Jason said. Then he printed out Liberty's message and sent his reply.