David’s arms fell to his sides. He looked at Carla—really looked at her—for the first time since they’d walked in. Her eyes were dry. That was worse than tears.
Judge Judy removed her glasses. She didn’t need to bang a gavel. She never did. judge judy 19
“Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of seventy-five thousand dollars. But let me tell you something, Mr. Grey. That’s not the number that’s going to haunt you. The number is nineteen. Years of friendship. You can’t get that back from small claims court.” David’s arms fell to his sides
David’s jaw worked. “Fuel line, Your Honor. Old rubber. I was on the 405, and she just… caught. I pulled over. I’m sorry. I barely got out myself.” That was worse than tears
Judge Judy leaned forward. The air thinned. “You borrowed your grieving friend’s most prized possession. You tried to sell it to a bookie. And when that fell through, you lit a match. That’s not an accident. That’s not even betrayal. That’s a crime .”
“I didn’t—I would never—”