Barbara Levenson - Mary Magruder Katz 03 - Outrageous October Read Free

Custis.
    “Is that correct, Mr. Mercer?” Judge Custis asked.
    “Well, he’s not available right now, or, I mean, this week, your honor.”
    I interrupted. “He’s never available. That’s exactly my point. But there’s more to this, Judge. My client is charged with bribing a police officer and/ or city official. The man at the towing yard is just an employee of the towing service. He’s not a police officer or even an employee of the city, let alone a city official. My client paid him the fee to release an automobile. If the tow yard employee asked for a payment that was more than the standard release payment, that’s not my client’s fault. He paid the amount requested. So even if this itinerant employee ever did show up, the state still couldn’t meet its burden of proof. Therefore, your honor, I move for an immediate dismissal of this case.” I watched Fred’s scowl spread over his face.
    “And I am granting defendant’s motion based on the state’s failure to ever provide the essential witness. Further, Mr. Mercer, the speedy trial rule will be kicking in shortly, and you’ll be out of court anyway. Next case,” Judge Custis shuffled through his files.
    “But, Judge.” Fred’s whines sounded like an injured cat.
    “What part of ‘dismissed’ don’t you understand, Sir?” The judge’s usual smile disappeared and was replaced by a small frown.
    “Thank you, Judge,” I said as I picked up my briefcase and motioned Franco to follow me from the courtroom.

.
    CHAPTER
    FOUR
    Lucinda and Carlos were waiting in the lobby outside the courtroom. After giving instructions to Lucinda to retrieve the bond money, and cautioning her and Franco to stay out of trouble and removed from further domestic calls to police, I turned to Carlos.
    “What a great surprise to see you here. You never said a word this morning about attending Franco’s hearing,” I said.
    “I feel responsible for my various cousins taking up your time, besides, I love watching you in action. It makes me remember how you represented me when we first met and I conned you into helping me close a real estate deal. Watching you do your legal stuff turns me on.”
    “Well, please try to remember some of my legal advice. Don’t pull anymore of those sort of legal deals of yours. Lying to clients isn’t a good idea, and selling them land you didn’t really own is an invitation to jail.”
    “That only happened once,” Carlos said.
    “Once that I know about.”
    “I do listen to you, but I enjoy more looking at you.” Carlos pulled me close and kissed me.
    As I pulled away, I saw people staring at us. They were probably thinking that I was saying goodbye to someone on his way to prison. I really didn’t care. Carlos has erased most of my inhibitions.
    “Let me walk you to your car,” Carlos said as he slipped his arm around my waist.
    “I have to make sure that the order of dismissal in Franco’s case gets signed, so I can’t leave yet. Why don’t we just meet at my house this evening? I’d really like to go out to dinner to celebrate the end of Franco’s case. Maybe we could meet at that bistro on the Miracle Mile.”
    Carlos looked away. “No can do tonight. I have a dinner meeting with some new investors. How about tomorrow night instead?”
    “Can’t you postpone the meeting? Or maybe I should go with you to make sure you have legal advice right next to you at the table.”
    “I can’t change these plans and I promise not to do anything that you wouldn’t approve. You go have a nice evening and we’ll do something together tomorrow.”
    “Well, if that’s your final answer, I guess I’ll just have to look for another dinner date for tonight.”
    “I’m sorry Mary. I may be late tonight so I’ll go back to Pinecrest. I don’t want to wake you.”
    “Is everything okay, Carlos?”
    “Of course, why wouldn’t it be?” Carlos walked away without his usual goodbye kiss.

.
    CHAPTER
    FIVE
    In a few minutes I