Chapter 43––––––––
Judge Silverman entered the courtroom at 9:00 a.m. precisely. He stepped up to the bench, looked at the few people standing before him and sat down. “Good to see you again, Mr. Billycan. Sit down,” he declared, focusing on the US District Attorney for the District of Columbia.
“Thank you, Your Honor. It’s a pleasure to be here.” Billycan replied, smiling.
Judge Alfred Silverman was a celebrated figure in the halls of justice in Washington. He presided generally over the most intricate or difficult federal court cases and was known for his intransigence toward the prosecuting and defense attorneys. Of an undetermined age—a fact he had divulged to only a few of his close friends—he never looked in the best of health. His emaciated face, long nose and cadaveric-looking h
