Hoyt’s case came about an hour later. He sat beside the sheriff’s deputy, barely able to stay awake, while various Holt County defendants rose as their names were called and stood at the lectern between the lawyers’ tables and listened to the judge. A boy came forward and the judge motioned for him to take his cap off. The boy removed his cap. The judge asked him if he had acquired auto insurance since the last time he’d appeared in court. The boy said he had and held up a paper. All right, you can go, the judge said. A woman in jeans and a pink shirt was next and her lawyer rose beside her and told the court that one of the causes of her current stress was in custody in Greeley now and that she herself was ready to go to jail today at five o’clock. The judge sentenced the woman to seven days in the county jail and ordered that she abstain from alcohol for two years and informed her that she was to serve one year of supervised probation and do forty-eight hours of public service. When he finished speaking the woman turned and went out into the hall with two girlfriends. Her face had turned red and she had already begun to cry. Her friends put their arms around her waist and whispered softly to her whatever encouragement they could think of.
Then the sheriff’s deputy led the inmate next to Hoyt up to the lawyers’ lectern. The man’s name was Bistrum and he moved forward in his little shuffling steps. He was charged with possession of marijuana and the bouncing of checks, but due to a complication in his case the judge ordered him to return to court on the eighteenth of January. The man swung around to look at a tall girl sitting in the third row and mouthed words to her, and she whispered back to him, then he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders and the deputy led him shuffling back to their bench.
When the judge announced People of the State of Colorado vs. Hoyt Raines, the deputy nodded at him and said: You’re up, asshole. Hoyt gave him a grin and stepped forward. The young public defender stood up beside him and addressed the court.
Your Honor, we wish to advise the court that Mr. Raines has decided to enter a plea of guilty to the charge of misdemeanor child abuse. He is fully aware of the charges and he has been advised of his rights. We submit to the court this copy of the Advisement signed by the defendant.
She stepped to the bench and handed the judge the form. He reached down and took it, then she returned to her place beside Hoyt.
The judge looked at the form. Mr. Raines, do you understand your rights in this courtroom?
I understand them, Hoyt said.
And you understand the charges against you?
Yeah. But that don’t mean I like them.
You don’t have to like them. But you do have to understand them. And you’re telling the court that you do want to plead guilty to the charge of child abuse?
I guess so.
What do you mean you guess so.
I mean yeah, I do.
The judge looked at him for some time. He glanced at the papers in front of him, then addressed the district attorney: You agree that there is a factual basis for this case?
Yes, Your Honor.
What is your recommendation regarding Mr. Raines here?
Your Honor, we believe that since Mr. Raines has already served a month in jail, no further jail time is required. We recommend that there be a period of not less than a year of probation and that Mr. Raines accept without dispute whatever the probation officer reasonably recommends for treatment. We further recommend that the defendant refrain from any contact with the children in question and that he not be permitted to live in the Wallace household any longer.
The judge turned to the young lawyer. Do you concur with all we’ve just heard?
Yes, Your Honor.
Mr. Raines, have you yourself got anything to say?
Hoyt shook his head.
Am I to take that as a no?
No. I haven’t got anything more to say. What good would it do me anyhow.
That might depend upon what you said.
There ain’t nothing to say.
Then you will be remanded over to the sheriff and he will release you from custody today. You will contact the probation officer within twenty-four hours. The court orders you to serve one year of supervised probation. Further, you are ordered to pay full court costs, plus a fine of two hundred dollars, and to do ninety-six hours of public service. You will refrain from any contact with the Wallace children and you will no longer reside in the Wallace household. Any question?
Hoyt looked at the young public defender beside him and when she shook her head he looked at the judge. I heard you, he said. I haven’t got any question.
Good, the judge said. Because I don’t want to see you in here again. This court has seen all it ever wants to see of you, Mr. Raines.
The judge signed the Advisement and handed it to the clerk, then pulled another file out and called the next case.
Hoyt turned and walked to the rear of the courtroom. The deputy rose and escorted him and the other inmate into the hall and on downstairs to the sheriff’s office, where the other man was returned to his cell.
The deputy stood before Hoyt and unlocked his handcuffs. You can gather up your belongings now, he said. And report to the probation officer.
I have twenty-four hours till I have to see him.
That’s the way you’re going to do this, is it? Make it difficult for everybody, like you been doing all along.
It’s none of your fucking business anymore what I do, Hoyt said. The judge released me. I’m free to go. And you’re free to kiss my ass.
23
ON A SATURDAY MORNING IN DECEMBER TOM GUTHRIE and the two boys, Ike and Bobby, drove out to the McPheron place just after breakfast. It was a clear cold day. Only a little wind was blowing up out of the west.
They got out of Guthrie’s old red faded Dodge pickup and entered the horse lot where Raymond was waiting for them next to the barn. The two boys, twelve and eleven, were slim and lank, dressed for the cold day in jeans and lined jackets and wool caps and leather gloves. In the horse lot Raymond already had the horses brushed and saddled, and they stood loose-tied at the pole fence, swinging their heads to look as the Guthries approached.
You fellows are right on time, Raymond said. I’m about ready for you. How you boys doing this morning?
They looked at each other. We’re okay, Ike said.
Hell of a deal having to come out here on a Saturday morning so early, isn’t it.
We don’t mind.
Did he feed you any breakfast before you left town?
Yes sir.
That’s good. It’s going to be a long time till noon dinner.
How do you want to go about this? Guthrie said.
Oh, about like always, I guess, Tom. We’ll just ride out amongst them and bring them all in together to the holding pen there and start separating them. How’s that sound to you?
Sounds fine to me, Guthrie said. You’re the boss.
They mounted the horses and rode out into the pasture. The horses were fresh and a little skittish, a little high in the cold weather, but soon settled down. Far across the pasture the cattle and two-year-old heifers and big blackbaldy calves were spread out in the sagebrush and the native grass, their dark shapes visible over a low wind-blown rise. As they rode on, Guthrie and Raymond talked about the weather and the lateness of the snow and the condition of the grass, and Guthrie thought to inquire about Victoria Roubideaux. Raymond told him she had called the night before. She sounded pretty good, he said. Seems like she’s doing real well in her studies there in Fort Collins. She’ll be coming home for Christmas.