The Reluctant Jurist — Gene Grossman

The Santa Monica Superior Court is suffering from a flu epidemic affecting most of the judges, who all got infected while attending a judicial seminar overseas. To help cover their courtroom caseloads, several local trial attorneys are 'drafted' into service. One of them is Peter Sharp, who is assigned to preside over a high profile civil case involving an attorney with whom Peter and Suzi have had past conflicts. Notwithstanding their history, all parties agree to let Peter hear the case... and the final conclusion winds up 35 miles outside of Los Angeles, with Peter pointing a revolver at someone's head. This is the first time in his life that Peter has been in a situation like this, but he feels it is justified because it is to protect someone very dear to him. You'll be sitting on the edge of your chair as this page-turner forces you to keep reading to its conclusion.