the Road to Pay Dirt - Chapter 15

   George's lawyer wasn't in the least surprised to see George. George was a "good client". In the lawyer's scheme of things, any number of things made a client a good one. The ability to pay a retainer was a wonderful example. When a quality attorney is held on retainer, he's basically making money doing nothing, and billing month after month. What person in business would not simply love such a thing.

   Now of course if a problem were to occur, then the lawyer in question is expected to swoop down and much like a knight in shining armor simply jump in front of their client, brandishing a legal shield and sword. So, in addition to having the ability to afford the retainer, the next figure of merit making a client a "good" client, was quite naturally a client that is rarely or never in any trouble.

   The last thing any lawyer really cares about is whether their client is guilty or innocent. Everyone deserves representation, if for no other reason than it keeps the government on its legal toes. With a huge swath of the population unable to afford a lawyer? Prosecutors would quickly become lazy, and arrest anyone and everyone over practically nothing, sorting through the cases while people spend months in jail. Cut them loose if they can't figure out anything to pin on them.

   Yet… having a truly innocent client? Was its own reward. When the day and time came to go in front of a jury, for a real trial? An actual honest to goodness innocent and honest man more often than not, makes half the lawyer's case for him. The client does not have to "tap dance" around questions, figuring out whatever story line is best. The client does not have to wait to answer questions, he can quickly and easily answer any questions put to him. Most juries are not composed of legal Rhodes scholars… but they are composed of real people… and real people can generally get a "feel" or a "read" off of a person on trial.

   The lawyer's initial happiness at seeing George in his office? Quickly dissipated into detached watchfulness. Speedy producing a state police badge, and "Mr. Panic" being present and introduced as an "investigator" put the lawyer on high alert. Lawyers do not like to see their client talking with police or investigators of any kind. And as any lawyer will tell anyone that will listen… being innocent is no guarantee of a good outcome derived from talking to or having any dealings with police and investigators.

   When George told his lawyer what he was going to do? The man looked like he was going to have an apoplexy. When the man's head didn't actually explode, he planted his face firmly in both of his palms and held it there for a few seconds, composing himself. When his head came up… he had a dead serious look on his face that took Panic by surprise.

   "George? What the fuck do you even pay me for, if you're even going to think about silly bullshit like I just got done hearing come out of your mouth just now."

   Speedy put his hand up to try to politely get in on the conversation, when the man shot Speedy a look that silenced him…

   "You… will shut the fuck up, 'Speedy'… you too, 'Panic'… this is my fucking office. This? This is my fucking client. We have a long relationship, and I consider this man not just a good client, but a good friend on top of it. So? You two? Can just save your spiel… 'cos I ain't buying into any of your bullshit. I don't believe one goddamned word that comes out of any cop or investigator's mouth. Period. We need to get that shit perfectly straight, right from the goddamned get go. Are we clear? Both of you? I have been fucked and lied to so many goddamned times, it ain't even remotely funny."

   Speedy held his hand up, palms forward, in abject surrender. He shot Panic a look, that said "follow my lead, or else". Panic nodded his head and stayed his tongue.

   "George… this is first year, defense attorney class 101 material. You know, you can't trust a goddamned thing any cop says to you. George… you gotta trust me, not these guys here."

   George sighed…

   "Jim? I understand all of that. But… I trust these two."

   "Wonderful. You trust them… zip a dee doo dah, George… that doesn't change jack shit about your situation. And? You know what I mean by 'your situation'… cause I ain't going into any details in front of these two assholes. George? From what I'm hearing? You already said way too much to these two… this shit needs to stop!"

   George smiled wanly…

   "Jim… I understand where you're coming from… but… Jimmy? People are dying. They're being killed. We have a chance to put a stop to it. I can't sit back and know I could have done something to help. Not… not any more, Jim."

   The lawyer suddenly talked sweetly and quietly to his client…

   "George. Listen to me, for the love of god himself. I'm a nice guy, just like you… we know each other. When I'm not working? Yeah, I like to try to do… 'the right thing', whatever that means. I really do, but… when I'm working? I am NOT paid to be a nice guy. I am NOT paid to do the right thing. I have a sacred duty, to do anything and everything I possibly can to get the best outcome for my client. George? I sympathize your friend is dead, trust me I do… but… we can't help the dead man, George… we can, however? Help you. We can… help your family… but this? This… this… idiocy… will undo that help. I will not let you go through with this, George. Are you trying to get me disbarred?"

   "Jimmy… let me speak?"

   "Go on… but I can't possibly sign off on this shit… no way, no how."

   "Jimmy… I know what I came to you with… originally…"

   "Good! Let's keep that in mind, George!"

   "Jim… when I came here, to you? I was afraid. I wanted to run and hide. You helped me do that. Jim? What if I'm sick and tired of running and hiding… what if… it's time to try to do something about it."

   "George? You can't help the dead man. Have a couple drinks, and get over this… guilt you're experiencing…"

   "Jim? You don't know what's going on… it's not just one dead friend anymore… there are… oh, Christ almighty, there might be hundreds of people dead, and more coming every year."

   "George… I know I'm gonna sound like a heartless bastard when I say this, but… gonna say it anyways. That's not your job, George… that's not my job, either… it's the police's job… let them handle it, George. Please."

   "Jim… do you work for me?"

   "Yes! Yes, I do… I work for what's best for you… this? This isn't my idea of what's the best outcome for you, George."

   "Jim… you work for me. Now, I know I came to you, a long time ago… and I wanted something. You gave it to me, and I'm thankful you did. Now? I want something different."

   "George? You're not just a client… I consider you a good friend. I don't agree with this, you need to know that up front."

   "Okay."

   "So… what do you want…"

   "Well? Why don't the three of us… just… off the record… go out, have a few drinks, get some good food… and talk. That's all, Jim. I just… want you to hear what's going on. That's all. Will you do that?"

   The lawyer eyed Panic and Speedy with pure venom in his eyes, and if looks could kill, they would have been blasted straight to hell and back. Probably twice. Maybe? Even three times. He simply eyed them like a rattlesnake. Talking? Had been his rattling.

   "George, if I can't talk you out of this? I will simply tell you, that the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

   "Okay… but, we can have dinner and drinks? Listen to their story?"

   "For old time's sake? Yeah… dinner and drinks… do these two ass monkeys understand what 'off the record' means?"

   Speedy nodded. Then? More rattling.

   "Good… and one more thing. You two? You need to understand something, right here and now, right up front. You know how they say, you never get between a mother and her child?"

   Speedy nodded he did.

   "Good. You two, or any of your badge wielding butt-buddies get my client hurt, killed, or charged with anything, and I mean with anything? You get this straight… I am not intimidated by cops. Not in the least… you so much as hint at threatening my client with a parking ticket? I'm good at what I do, and I have friends all through the system. I know every lawyer says that? I actually fucking mean it. I will make it my personal mission in life, to end your lives as you know it. Both professionally? And personally…"

   Panic laughed…

   "Christ, I can't wait to have dinner and drinks with this guy…"

   Speedy grinned…

   "I can feel the love in the room…"

   It wasn't long later, that George and his lawyer were all but arm in arm walking out the door. Panic rolled his eyes at Speedy, who smiled funny. "Go with it", Speedy's smile said.