Chapter 4 - My Corner
I was a little more awake the next time the floating in the rain lessened and subsided. She was still there. I didn't know what time it was, or how long I had been here or been asleep. I knew? Practically nothing. Rain is dead, this woman came and put a stop to everyone... I guess abusing my position I was in.
"How's that... fog, Bill."
"Better. I can make sentences now."
"Okay. Can we talk? You don't have to yet. I don't care how long it takes. When we talk, when you want to? Is when we talk."
"Thanks, for. You know."
She wagged her head.
"Least I could do. I admit, I kind of took charge of you. The detectives were at you like wolves. I'm not standing there and leaving my friend's fiancee to the wolves. As much as I hate it? This is the capitol of our state. Such as it is. And, because its the capitol? Its a little political city. I hate that, but... how it is. One of the rules in political games? If you were curious."
"Sure."
"Loyalty. Job number one. You can get away with being stupid, lazy... you just show loyalty? Especially when it suddenly counts? That's the biggest thing. You can pick one of two people to be with you on board. One? Loyal but sort of incompetent. The other? Not so loyal, but a brilliant go get it type. You go with loyalty, every time."
"I barely know you. You don't owe me anything."
"I didn't work with her? But I stopped in a lot for my work. We both have corporate law degrees, we're both women. We mainly do the lunch thing. For a while now."
"How did you..."
"I'm a lawyer. A defense lawyer and a consultant, too. We all know when something... happens. I heard her name, I recognized the address. Then? I heard on the radio they had the husband. I came right over. I knew what they would try to do. Soon as I got there? I heard them doing it. No way. She was my friend. Loyalty. Simple as that."
"I didn't do it, I---"
"Of course you didn't do it. I know that. There's no way."
"How can you be sure. We don't really know each other."
"Professionally or personally."
"Whichever."
"Professionally? My law firm I work at. We have resources. I got to see the scene photos. It was bad."
"Yeah."
"And you? Not one drop of blood on you. Whoever made that mess? Impossible its you."
"And personally."
"Met you a few times. Heard about you a lot. We had lunch recently, and... she was going on and on, about how you guys were... girl talk. Not a drop on you, and knowing that was going on? I just can't picture it."
"Why would the police think I..."
"Oh. That. You up for that story?"
"Find out."
"Okay. Little political city, remember. Something big, something bad. Just happened. Its in the news cycle. My sources say, the police have no real idea who might have done it. They look bad, if they can't find out something. You got to be seen doing something. Grabbing you up? Hey. We got something. Makes them look like they're trying."
"Even if they know I didn't..."
"Yeah. See, political city. The state senators and congress critters are all over. And everyone else? Wants desperately to be one of the somebody's. And if you're always seen doing something. Anything, really. That's good. The truth? Pffft. We have no real leads, we have no idea or comment. That? Is bad by political rules. Now. If they can say... we're looking at the fiancee. We got his prints all over the scene, he claims he discovered the body. We're pursuing all possible angles, but its premature at this juncture to speculate. When we have a better understanding of what went on? We'll be ready to make a preliminary assessment. But until then, the investigation is ongoing. Rest assured that anything that can be done? Is being done."
"Wow. You're good at that."
"Really? I'm making fun of the political critters. But, did you notice the cool way they still have nothing, but they have a great little speech that makes them look like they're all over the situation? Politics. They know you didn't do it, or have anything to do with it. Doesn't matter. You're just temporary collateral damage. Cannon fodder for the news cycle. When the news cycle kicks over to the next thing and the updates stop? They quietly cut you loose. Then, if anyone asks how it went? Oh. Another speech, make it sound like they picked a guy up, but... those wacky lawyers, couldn't seal the deal."
"Now that you explain it and give fake speeches to explain it? This all... sounds familiar."
"It should. Once you speak the language and can read between the lines? To insiders, its clear. But that doesn't matter. The people glued to the TV? Now that, matters. They have nothing. But, the more times they can get news footage of you being brought in for questioning? Looks dramatic, like they're fighting for the victim. And the whole time? Whoever did this, is long gone. They don't care about that. They just need to be seen doing... something. Anything. You? Handy. Can't defend yourself in shock. You'll do. Hey, just stand here and hold this target up, would you? Thanks."
"You live in this political town."
"I do. Unfortunately."
"So what's your angle."
"Well? Any investigator will tell you that the first 48 hours is the most critical. You get a pinkie toe hold on anything? You got a chance. So, while they hold you up to make it look like something is being done? It fucks up any chance of them trying to find the real deal."
"Not sure I can afford you."
"Really. Can you afford free."
"I'll see what I could do."
I paused.
"Your only angle is loyalty."
"If I give my friend a chance that they find out who actually did it, instead of farting around with you for something to point at... for free. If I even did have any other angle, would that be a sin? As long as loyalty came first."
"Would you still do it for free without the angle?"
"I would. She was my friend. But I wouldn't get nearly as many resources. But, because I got the go ahead? I get access to all the resources my big law firm has at its disposal. So... with that angle added in? I get to swing a way bigger bat."
"Why would a big law firm, be interested in wasting resources for free. What's their angle."
"I've ruined you. I got you thinking politically. What are the angles. Sorry I popped your cherry."
"You were gentle. Its fine. But..."
"My firm. We do lots of other stuff? But... we're a defense firm, primarily. That's our flagship. Money's nice, but... other things are more important and generate more money later off of it. And here's one. The police and the prosecutors? Are our enemy. Our clients and potential clients, have to see us as effective. They're charged with... whatever. We jump in? The prosecution takes a step back. Now? A rich guy, wants our law firm. Because he saw how effective we were. And? There's more."
"Pray tell. You already popped my cherry. Might as well go ahead and molest me now."
"Well. You? Are actually innocent. It makes you way easier to defend. Innocent clients are... not exactly a dime a dozen. We make the prosecutor and police look really bad. Next time we show up? Reputation is everything. I found this, I got it for us. See... lots of lawyers work for a big law firm. Lots of ants, doing behind the scenes busy work. But? The ones of us that go into court all the time? Were practicing lawyers in the firm. A step up. Then? There's partners. Now, there's lots of partners. But? The names on the sign. Those? Are the senior partners. After I pull this off, gut the police and the prosecution? Goes a long way for me going from partner to senior partner later."
"Your angle."
"I'll still do it, but nice to have those resources behind us. See, I know they have nothing. So, it makes me more confident to take chances, knowing I'll land on solid ground."
"I couldn't believe how you handled the investigators at the scene."
"Experience. Also? I know what they're doing and why, and its disgusting. The police are more worried about looking good, playing a safe hand. Instead of doing the right thing. They're supposed to think they're going after who they most think did it. They're not. They're playing games, and making you a casualty doing it. When I gut them and cut them off at the knees? They'll think twice next time."
"Without law firms like yours out there, they don't have anything to fear."
"Most people talk trash on defense lawyers. But you? Now that you get the shaft for no reason? Now, you understand. What the police are really like. They're not the heroes that everyone likes to think they are. Every uniform? Wants that shield, detective. Every detective? Wants that gold shield, detective sergeant. Every detective sergeant, has his sights set on lieutenant or captain, or... voted into some office. Arresting the right person, and avoiding prosecuting the obviously innocent? Not in their game plan."
"Political police."
"Oh, definitely. You know how in Hollywood, every waitress wants to be an actress? In this town, every asshole wants to be a politician."
"So. What do we do."
"Will you follow my instructions? A client, needs to do what they're told. No disrespect intended."
I paused only briefly.
"Sure. What's the game plan."
"I put myself in the minds of the cops. Someone important just got brutally murdered. That important person? Had an even more important boss. The boss? Has important friends. Can you imagine the phone calls and meetings the police are taking on this?"
"Oh. Phone calls they don't like."
"Once again, William. You? Catch on quick. We'll make a politician out of you, in no time. So... powerful people, expect results. And when they don't get the instant results they want? They pout and complain like spoiled six year old's."
"So, its not really the cops fault. That they act like they do. Its the political critter's fault."
"Yes and no. The pressure from above? Does make them act like they do. Like they did with you. They could chose to ignore it, but... not a good career move. And, even without that pressure? They'll still choose to do, again what they did with you. Simply because it makes them look better. Bill? I'm sorry there's no hooker with a heart of gold in this story."
"I thought that was you."
"Me?"
She chuckled and grinned.
"I'm a lawyer. And a defense lawyer at that. My job is to do whatever I can, to get the accused off the hook. Innocent like you, or guilty as sin... I have to do my job just the same."
"How do you do it."
"You mean, how do I live with myself? Easy. If people like me and my firm weren't here, doing what we do? The police would be 10 times worse. The DA's office? Would arrest anyone, and keep them in jail. Trying to figure out something they can get them for. And the politicians? Would get away with anything, and make the police force and DA's office dance to their tune, worse then they already do. And the media? As much of a pain in the ass as they are, the publicity helps."
"So. How do you play this. Play... me."
"The police are shocked. That I walked in and took you. They weren't expecting that. Now? They gotta recalculate the political situation. First thing they'll try? Is to schedule and reschedule a million meetings. Any excuse they can."
"Why."
"I looked you up. You're not poor? But you're not rich, and you don't have rich relatives. The joke is, my firm charges by the minute. Our hourly rate? Is obscene. The police think, all they have to do is run you around a little while, and you'll be broke and helpless when we quit you. And? That's all the time they need anyways, to make the public and the politicians think they're actually doing something. Also? This ain't the police's first rodeo. This is calf roping to them. They already jumped off the horse, and roped a calf. Prosecuting you for a high profile murder one with high public and behind the scenes pressure pouring in? That's the red hot branding iron. They planned on looking good up front, until it gets out of the news cycle. Then? The calf cries seeing the red hot branding iron, laying there all helpless and the crowd watching went home."
"Crying?"
"Squealing. If you knew anything, you'd spill it. You'd gush to tell them anything you might know you think will help, and anything else. The police need to look good up front? But... if they don't land an arrest... and they think this solves their immediate problem, plus gives them the only chance to get the only information available to go on. That? Is what's really going on, that's the real game plan. The fact that once they're done using you, and they kick you loose? You'll be broken financially, emotionally, and your good name will be so smeared by everyone thinking you got away with murder, that you'll never get the stink off you. The last camera interview? The police and DA's office will spin it with innuendo. That the defendant snagged a good lawyer, and that's how you escaped the noose of justice. They look good, the lawyer is an easy target to take the blame, and you? Well. They don't really care what happens to you after you're of no more use to them."
"So what do we do."
"You? Not being rude, but... you just sit there, and look pretty. Let me do all the talking. And especially when I scare the shit out of you? You just keep sitting there, looking even prettier. Whatever happens in a meeting? You just sit there, and smile, and act like its all going according to plan. Because it is."
"When do we start."
"Immediately, if you're on board. I want the police looking for leads, not... fucking around with you. You in? I need my client's permission to pursue my game plan."
"I'm in."
She produced a single piece of paper with print.
"While I trust your word, more than anyone else in this town? I unfortunately need your signature. Go ahead and read it, it just says you authorize me and my firm to defend you."
I read it and quickly signed it. She took it.
"Thanks. You? Just hired one of, if not the... scariest defense firms in this shitty little political city. That means, among other things? Instant media circus. Now normally? Me and my firm would increase the drama, milk the camera time. But? In this case, I want the police off of you. And looking for real leads, before someone gets away with murder. So like I said. We start immediately..."
She texted on her phone, then made a call. It picked up quick.
"Yeah. Its me."
"Told you, I had a way in. Decedent? Was my friend. I got him."
"Yeah, you should have seen their faces. You could of heard a pin drop. Gotta tell you, it never gets old."
"Huh? Of course I got a signature. You know me. I dot every I, I cross every T."
"Well? Since you ask. I already laid it out for you. You trust my instincts? We move quick. While they're trying to figure out what in the hell just hit them, we keep them wondering."
"Thanks. And since you ask? You're going to unlock the toy rooms for me, right?"
"Start the file. I'll fax you the signature immediately. Tell research, to expect my call. This guy works in an office. By the time we find anything? I want a warm body already there, waiting to move in where they point them. I expect a phone call quick."
"I love it. Like I said, I want to move in for the kill, before they have time to put up a fight. I'm pretty sure you can set the meeting up. Tomorrow morning."
"Oh, just the usual. The investigator. Whoever the DA wants to send. If you can scare up a sober judge to keep things civil, so much the better."
"No. Its cocky when you just think. Its confidence, when you know."
"Hey. You're the one who taught me, to go right up and rattle that lion cage, and laugh at the lion roaring. All I need from you? Is you back my play, when you get those calls coming in. And you can plan on more calls, with more complaining."
"Why? If I'm going to go right up and rattle cages, I'm gonna rattle them good and hard. Just one little favor, and we're good."
"Well. Any chance you can pick the judge that referees this little squabble?"
"Yeah. I do have one in mind. That judge I was monitoring that case last week, in between working at the courthouse? Him. I expect research, to fax me the minutes I want. It was Tuesday."
"Not the whole day. That judge? Pulled a ray-ray. That's all the minutes I need. When he tries to get me to play ball with the whole team? He's getting his cage rattled, too."
"What do you think? When he starts in with the whole team speech, I'm gonna smack him right in the nose with those ray-ray minutes like a puppy that pissed on the carpet."
"I knew you'd like it. We good?"
"All right. Thanks. Like I said. I got this. Just... sit back and enjoy the show. I'm gonna put a good one on."
"Bye."
Her demeanor instantly changed. Back to that character that puts the blanket and a caring arm around your shoulders, and leads you off to console you. This? Is the only person in my corner. And really when you come right down to it. The only person in my dead fiancee's corner as well.
"Just so you know. You were in shock. You were sedated so you could get some forced sleep in the hospital. You know that, right?"
"Yeah."
"You were also given a shot. A strong, time release anti-depressant. Known for shutting strong emotional responses down. It keeps clients from freaking out. It keeps them from screaming and yelling, and... doing things out of grief."
"I guess I needed that."
"Thing is. When you use that anti-depressant? You need what's called a co-dependent. It keeps the AD working right, until it wears off about a week later. Here."
She handed me a bottle of little white pills.
"Its called Cogentin. Without it? You wouldn't be able to sleep. You'd stay up for days, then crash out forever when you did sleep. You take one of those, every night at bedtime. Don't fight the sleepy feeling after you take it, you need to sleep."
"I guess I need to get a motel room or something."
"No way. Cops would try stupid shit. Pick you up on nothing, use it to hold you and play their scare the roped calf games. You stay at my apartment. Where I can make sure you get sleep. Where I can keep my eye on you."
"I wouldn't want to impose. You don't really know me."
"Your fiancee was my friend. I heard all about you through her, girl talk. Met you a few times at lunch. You're fine. Besides? Done this before. I've had clients that were probably guilty of murder stay at my apartment before. My bedroom door? Solid steel. Reinforced frame. Double deadbolts. Like sleeping in a bank vault at night."
"That's a fun way to live."
"Ain't it? When you work in certain jobs. Cops, DA's office... lawyers? We see what really goes on in the world, and it ain't always pretty. My front door? Like a bank vault. My bedroom door? Another bank vault. Christ... my bathroom door, for when I shower? Yeah. I deadbolt myself in. I don't call it paranoid, I call it taking great precautions."
"Wow. If she would have had that, she..."
"Yeah. But like I said. I already lost my friend. Now? I'm not losing you."
She had a little bag of clothes for me, the forensic guy had taken them away for analysis. Sweatpants, T shirt and a hoodie. Boxers and white cotton socks. All new, all inexpensive. All baggy so they fit about anyone.
We had a quick take out meal, and I ended up at her apartment. She went over some specifics of her actual game plan. True to her word? Bank vault front door. Bank vault bedroom to sleep in, and yeah. Bank vault bathroom to shower in. The hell kind of a world do we live in anyways. Where you need to sleep and shower, in a bank vault, within a bank vault.
The hell kind of a world do we live in, that I need the little white pill, to activate my antidepressant and get sleep. But I know I can answer that one.
I live in this world. The best of all possible worlds.