usattorney | turn the sound up

turn the sound up;
"Guess who's getting out of prison today."

Michael Davis glances up from the stack of paperwork he's sorting to Luke having just walked into the financial crimes bullpen. "I don't appreciate your lack of sarcasm," he replies. "Especially on a Monday." But he knows that Luke is showing them respect by passing on the news in person—and possibly trying to brace them for bad news before Michael's even had time to take his jacket off.

"Trust me, I wish I was being sarcastic." But Luke had gotten the news from Bryan Alexander in their Monday department heads meeting, his boss having been tipped off by one of his many political contacts. And after Luke had needlessly argued the point with Bryan afterward, he'd come straight to the Hoover Building to give Michael the heads-up. He understood what this news would mean to Michael. "Mark Wallace is getting out on good behavior."

"What? That's a fucking joke," Michael replies. "He wouldn't know good behavior if it bit him on the ass." But even as Luke chuckles, he knows the U.S. Attorney is being serious. "How did this happen?" he asks, giving up on the paperwork to sit on the desk instead. "I went to his parole hearing last year."

"The DOC reversed their decision. He's a nonviolent offender who's already served nine years." Luke exhales. "I know this doesn't make it any better, but I'd do something about it if I could." Not necessarily because he can argue with the parole board's logic but because he knows it's important to Michael.

Michael nods. He grasps the reasoning just as much, but based on his interactions with Wallace, he doesn't think there's a redemptive bone in the ex-Congressman's body. He can't help but think about him threatening Janet at the Oval Room and wondering if the man harbors a grudge and might attempt to get his own back against him or his partner. "I appreciate that. And thank you for telling me," he says. "Do we have any way of keeping up with whatever he does next?"

"He's gonna have a parole officer. I'll find out who as soon as they're assigned and get their number." Luke assures him. All that takes is a few phone calls. "Do you actually think he's going to try something or you just want to know?"

"I torpedoed his political career, ruined his marriage and put him in prison, so I'd like to be safe. But I think most of his high-powered friends have moved on by now. Or they won't want to risk having their own hopes tainted by association. More I'm just annoyed that he's shown zero remorse and he gets out."

"Your rare moment of cynicism," Luke points out with a small smile. Michael and Janet both are idealistic; it's what keeps them going. He's much more of a realist who understands that sometimes decisions are made out of bureaucracy. That doesn't mean they don't piss him off, which is why he doesn't want to be U.S. Attorney. He doesn't want to deal with this shit. "I'll keep my ear to the ground and let you know if I hear anything. And if you hear anything, call me. I've got your back on this."

"I've never doubted you do." Even when they were furious with each other, Michael knew that Luke could always be trusted. But hopefully this conversation won't mean anything. He lets Luke get back to work and turns to do the same, telling himself that Mark Wallace isn't his problem anymore. Yet they all have nemeses and his is about to be free.