AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Mr. Scotto. Good to see you again.”
“I doubt that. The last time we saw each other, my client walked free. Then again, maybe you’re hoping to lock me up and throw away the key to even our record.”
Sinead looks back and forth between us. She’s markedly uncomfortable. Neither he nor I are adversarial as we talking. I’m just holding up my end of the conversation, but Sinead gets to the point.
“You know each other?”
I answer first.
“Not well. Tyler was opposing counsel during my first trial. It’s been about a year since we’ve crossed paths.”
Tyler interjects as his eyes now bore into me.
“Are you representing yourself?”
“You know I’m not.”
“Clients rarely attend these meetings. Are you sitting second chair on your own defense?”
“I could.”
I don’t want to engage further, so I remain quiet. Sinead is likely to chew me a new one when we’re alone. I honestly didn’t put two-and-two together when she said her ex-boyfriend was Tyler, which meant an Assistant DA. I haven’t forgotten him; I just wasn’t thinking about him earlier. At least not as opposing counsel. I need to pull my head out of my ass. I follow Sinead into the office with Tyler and his paralegal bringing up the rear.
“Mr. Scotto, I didn’t expect you to join us.”
“Good afternoon, Your Honor. I realize it’s unusual for me to be here, so I will be an observer.”
I take a seat off to the side near Sinead, but not directly in front of the judge.
“Very well. Mr. Yaeger, do you have anything to offer the defense?”
“No, Your Honor. The nature of these crimes is heinous and does not warrant a plea offer.”
“What say you, Ms. O’Malley?”
“That’s fine. We aren’t interested in a plea agreement since my client is innocent.”
“As brief as this meeting could be, counselors, where are we with discovery? The prosecution already presented sufficient evidence to necessitate a preliminary trial. Are we ready to move forward?”
I watch Sinead watch Tyler. Neither of them says anything, so Sinead cocks an eyebrow. Tyler remains silent.
“Mr. Yaeger, the burden of proof is on you, not me. You have provided no further evidence than you did to Mr. Mancinelli— Massimo Mancinelli —at the beginning of discovery. If this is all you have, then I’ll be moving to dismiss.”
“Which Judge Hutchens will deny since we have motive, means, and opportunity.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Yaeger. I hadn’t realized we switched places. Do not speak on my behalf.”
The woman is glowering at Tyler, and I’m trying not to be the one smirking now. He looks like he almost forgot the older woman was there. He looks appropriately chagrined.
“I apologize, Your Honor. Ms. O’Malley, we have more than what we’ve sent you.”
“Were you planning to share that?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Did I miss the memo? I haven’t seen any emails from you or your paralegal. Do you have the witness list at least?”
“Yes.”
