Judgment Call Quotes

“They stayed up talking until the ten o’clock news came on. Not surprisingly, the murder of Bisbee’s high school principal was again the lead story on the broadcast. The segment included Joanna’s press conference plea for help in locating family members.”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“Wounded souls scab over eventually. Broken hearts mend after a fashion, but there are always scars left behind.”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“I believe your father referred to it as a judgment call. The call he made at the time was to go straight to Wayne Stevens’s office and raise hell about it instead of letting it be. I’m not so sure that was a good idea then, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea now,” Butch added thoughtfully. “There’s a reason people say you should let sleeping dogs lie.”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“Good luck, Sheriff Brady,” Hadlock whispered back. “Our guys are on their way, but I’ll be holding my breath.” Me, too, Joanna thought. The April air was sunny but cool. Still, Joanna felt cold sweat forming between her shoulder blades and under her arms, soaking through the khaki uniform. It dripped down her forehead and dribbled past her eyes. If there were any predators in the area other than James Gunnar Cameron, Joanna was sure they could smell the fear Joanna’s body shed with every careful step.”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“JOANNA HAD LEARNED OVER THE YEARS THAT PRESS conferences are a kind of stylized form of performance art, not unlike Kabuki. The idea is to be there, to act as though you’re fully prepared to tell all, while at the same time divulging as little as possible. A certain amount of earnestness was always helpful. During the conference a few nuggets of information would be parceled out, but only enough to leave the attendees wanting more. That way, when the reporters went back to their respective computers to write their articles, they would do so with only the barest outline of what had happened.”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“As expected, the story about the missing school principal was right there at the top of the news broadcast. “Tonight, authorities in Bisbee are searching for Bisbee High School’s principal, Debra Highsmith, who went missing sometime last night,” the news anchor said. “When Ms. Highsmith failed to show up at work today, police officers were dispatched to her home to do a welfare check, but failed to find her. Our reporter Toni Avila is on the scene. What can you tell us, Toni?” “According to a spokesman for the Bisbee Police Department, when officers were dispatched to Ms. Highsmith’s residence in Bisbee’s San Jose neighborhood, they found no evidence of a struggle or of foul play. Her vehicle, a white 2006 VW Passat with Arizona plate number AZU-657, is also missing. At this point, officers assisted by K-9 teams are doing a thorough search of the nearby area. They’re also checking with area hospitals to see if Ms. Highsmith may have suffered some kind of medical emergency. Anyone with knowledge of her whereabouts is urged to contact the Bisbee Police Department.”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“Ms. Highsmith is missing or something.” Debra Highsmith, the high school principal, was someone with whom Joanna had crossed swords several times, most notably when Joanna had been invited to speak at career day and was notified that, due to the school’s strict “zero tolerance of weapons” policy, she would need to leave both her Glock and her Taser at home. Joanna had gone to the school board and had succeeded in obtaining a waiver of that policy for trained police officers. “Ms. Highsmith is missing?” Joanna asked.”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“said. “The hotel, not the”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“murdered.” “What if I don’t?” “I might be tempted to let it be known around town what you’ve been pulling all this time.” She had more ammunition than that, but for the time being, she held on to it. “Isn’t that blackmail?” “It’s more like exerting pressure than it is blackmail,” Joanna said.”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“Detective Howell here.” “Any luck with the next-of-kin situation?” “Sorry, boss,” Deb said. “I’ve run into a brick wall. As far as I can tell, Deb Highsmith doesn’t have any next of kin. The contact listed with the Department of Licensing is Abby Holder.” “Mrs. Holder?”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“she began. Her use of Joanna’s full name usually”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call

“me see”
― J.A. Jance, Judgment Call