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I cleared my throat and knocked lightly on the open door. She glanced up and waved me inside. I had worked with her long enough to know that when she was absorbed in something there was no point in talking to her until she was finished. I sat down in the tiny chair, my muscular frame barely fitting. It was the most uncomfortable chair I had ever sat in. I tried to readjust myself, but it was no use.
Lena looked at me over the top of her glasses. Fucking hell, she was hot when she was annoyed. “Is there a problem?”
“This chair is ridiculous. Who the hell bought this thing? It barely fits one of my ass cheeks.” I finally smooshed myself between the armrests. “Is it meant for a child? Seriously.”
Lena rolled her eyes. “You’re the first person to complain about it. Of course.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I challenged.
“Never mind. Can I get your help or not? I don’t want to spend all day discussing the furniture.” She pushed the file across the desk towards me. Obviously, she wasn’t interested in chit-chat.
I picked up the file and read through what she had put together. Of course, it was great. I hadn’t expected anything less. She had written a concise and eloquent opening statement. She had dug up some key witness testimony that proved the arresting officer could potentially have a bias against her client; that they had a personal history that was downright sordid and included mentions of a threesome.
“How did you find this stuff out?” I asked when I was finished reading.
Lena had a smug smile on her face. “It’s amazing what you can find out when you’re from a small town.”
I couldn’t help but be impressed. She had unearthed information that I could admit, I wouldn’t have even looked for. “I suppose it helps when you know the players.”
“A good lawyer knows the law…” she began.
“A great lawyer knows the judge,” I finished for her and we both chuckled. It was a nice moment of levity that, after Friday’s interlude, I wasn’t sure was possible.
“So, you think I have a chance?” she asked, chewing on her bottom lip.
“I think you have a great chance. But you know as well as I do, it all depends on Judge Kleindienst. Since Jacob waived his right to a trial by jury, it’s up to her and whether she believes the story you’re selling. Waiving the jury trial was his first mistake.”
“I don’t know about that. Jacob has quite a reputation in this town. Most people view him as a... well... a good for nothing. His dad is liked, so Jacob has been given more latitude than most. But there comes a point when a town’s goodwill is exhausted. Plus, he’s had more than a few run-ins with locals. He’s known to be a nasty drunk with a loudmouth. Finding an unbiased jury pool would be difficult and changing jurisdiction would be a hard sell,” Lena pointed out and it made sense.
“You’re right. So, how are you going to get through to ol’ Battle-ax Kleindienst? She’s a stickler. She’s raked my ass over the coals more than a few times. I’m pretty sure I still have the scars.” I winced to make my point.
“By showing her this.” She opened her drawer and pulled out a tiny tape recorder. She was excited, I could tell. She was practically bouncing in her seat. “This is my slam dunk.”
She handed me the device and I pressed play. When I was finished listening to it, I put it down on the desk and started clapping. “Nicely done, Lena. Nicely done. It seems our good friends at Southport Police Department forgot to read our friend Mr. Baker his rights. And then tried to hide the fact. Tsk. Tsk.”
She gave a small bow and fist-pumped the air. “I honestly thought I was going to have to suck it up and take the plea deal. Fuck that noise!”
“Just be careful. The DA’s office will try to quash this. Make it inadmissible. They will say it was a clerical error. Make sure you emphasize the time stamp. That’s what will sway the judge,” I instructed her. “Nolan Rigby is trying the case, right?”
Lena nodded. “Yeah, he and Sheila are double teaming this one.” She raised an eyebrow at me.
“Nolan is a drama queen. He’s all about grandstanding. He’s good at presenting a case with very little meat. The way around that is knocking him over with facts. The man is allergic to them. How he’s kept his job is beyond me. Also, object to everything he says, whether it’ll stand or not. It throws him off.”
Lena was making notes. “This is good stuff. Thank you.” She paused. “Nothing on Sheila? I thought you’d know better than anyone how to work around her.”
