Chapter 48

Dad took a bite. “God, this is great and not super sweet like from the bakery.”

They had more cake while Jim talked about the police books he’d read and how great they were. He talked about the different charges for killing someone.

Dad leaned back in his chair. “The basic laws are the same in all the states, but each state has specifics in titles and details. Those aren’t the terms used in California. We have first and second degree murder, then a few levels of manslaughter. I think the books you’re reading are good, but not specific to California, and that’s okay. Just so you know the differences.”

“Jeez, I didn’t realize that. How do you know so much?”

“Like Brian, I like to read, but I prefer suspense and murder mysteries and, this is weird, law books.”

The boys shot knowing looks at each other.

Brian said, “I’ve never seen you read law books. You said you never graduated high school. Why not?”