deputy in the sheriff’s office and does most of the high-level snooping. His name’s Rik Scott.”
“You know him better than I do. Check him out, and if he fits the bill, hire him.
Yes, I do. Yes, I did. And yes, he more than fits the opening.
“Will do. I have a meeting with the ADA handling the Fung case, so let’s skip a big breakfast and review the complaint. I have it right here.”
Marta pulled out a brand new ultra-thin file.
***
Three hours later, Marta was having an iced tea at her noon meeting. She could take no more coffee without floating away. She tried to concentrate on Ronny but was having a difficult time. She was also sore. She was thinking about last night, or had it been early this morning? She’d thrown him out at six thirty so the neighbors wouldn’t see him and she could get thirty minutes of shuteye before taking a long, hot shower.
Her body had demanded it. It had been too long. Far too long.
“I can probably reduce this to a Class B felony. He would be looking at three to five with a recommendation…assuming he gives up his supplier. Best I can do.”
Marta wasn’t sure whether to laugh in his face or be insulted. Instead, she signaled for the waiter.
“Is something wrong, Miss?”
“No, the service is great; it’s the company that just made me sick. I need some fresh air.”
“Marta, be reasonable. I’m sure we can work something out. Please.”
Marta reached over and whispered in Ronny’s ear.
“I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last dick on earth. When I get finished with you, your sorry dick will be in your mouth, where it belongs. You are a piece of shit excuse for an ADA. You know that, don’t you? Saltmeyer assigned the case to you because no one else would take it. It’s a loser. You’re a born loser, Ronny. Accept it. And have a nice day.”
With that, Marta was gone. She had no Plan B.
Ronny sat there in shock. Not what he expected.
Am I really a loser? I graduated near the top of my class. I was Law Review. Saltmeyer would never assign a loser to me, would he?
Ronny lost his appetite. He left a twenty on the table before lunch had even been served and walked slowly back to his office. He had to review the file and the arresting officer’s report one more time. He knew he had missed something. He just wasn’t sure what.
“Miranda, please come into my office. We need to have a little talk.”
“Did I do something wrong? All the discovery papers are on your desk. I verified Mr. Fung was released two hours ago. I called him on his cell and set up an appointment for you at two tomorrow afternoon. The schedule shows you have no appointments or hearings. I can’t think of anything I’ve left out.”
“Miranda, you’re doing a great job. A super job. I just wanted to let you know we’re looking for an assistant for you, to relieve you to do more important work. If you know anyone, set up an appointment to have me interview them. Oh, and we decided to hire our own investigator. What do you think of Rik Scott from the sheriff’s office?”
“He’s a hunk. My god, all the girls stared at his ass when he came by our offices. I’m told he’s very bright and knows how to get things done.”
You can bet your sweet white ass on that.
“He’ll be starting just as soon as he gives his two-week notice. If he needs anything, give it to him.
Except yourself.
“That will be all, Miranda.”
Marta felt drained. She was exhausted. She needed to go home to rest. Alone.
***
“Mr. Scott?”
“Yes.”
“This is Billy Jo Gibson; I believe you know my partner, Marta Clarke. I wonder if we can talk for a few minutes.”
Rik immediately became defensive. He had no idea what or how much Billy Jo knew. His last instructions had been to be discreet.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Gibson?
His tone was respectful. Billy Jo would soon be his employer, but by the same token, he had a confidence to honor.
Billy picked this up
“You know him better than I do. Check him out, and if he fits the bill, hire him.
Yes, I do. Yes, I did. And yes, he more than fits the opening.
“Will do. I have a meeting with the ADA handling the Fung case, so let’s skip a big breakfast and review the complaint. I have it right here.”
Marta pulled out a brand new ultra-thin file.
***
Three hours later, Marta was having an iced tea at her noon meeting. She could take no more coffee without floating away. She tried to concentrate on Ronny but was having a difficult time. She was also sore. She was thinking about last night, or had it been early this morning? She’d thrown him out at six thirty so the neighbors wouldn’t see him and she could get thirty minutes of shuteye before taking a long, hot shower.
Her body had demanded it. It had been too long. Far too long.
“I can probably reduce this to a Class B felony. He would be looking at three to five with a recommendation…assuming he gives up his supplier. Best I can do.”
Marta wasn’t sure whether to laugh in his face or be insulted. Instead, she signaled for the waiter.
“Is something wrong, Miss?”
“No, the service is great; it’s the company that just made me sick. I need some fresh air.”
“Marta, be reasonable. I’m sure we can work something out. Please.”
Marta reached over and whispered in Ronny’s ear.
“I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last dick on earth. When I get finished with you, your sorry dick will be in your mouth, where it belongs. You are a piece of shit excuse for an ADA. You know that, don’t you? Saltmeyer assigned the case to you because no one else would take it. It’s a loser. You’re a born loser, Ronny. Accept it. And have a nice day.”
With that, Marta was gone. She had no Plan B.
Ronny sat there in shock. Not what he expected.
Am I really a loser? I graduated near the top of my class. I was Law Review. Saltmeyer would never assign a loser to me, would he?
Ronny lost his appetite. He left a twenty on the table before lunch had even been served and walked slowly back to his office. He had to review the file and the arresting officer’s report one more time. He knew he had missed something. He just wasn’t sure what.
“Miranda, please come into my office. We need to have a little talk.”
“Did I do something wrong? All the discovery papers are on your desk. I verified Mr. Fung was released two hours ago. I called him on his cell and set up an appointment for you at two tomorrow afternoon. The schedule shows you have no appointments or hearings. I can’t think of anything I’ve left out.”
“Miranda, you’re doing a great job. A super job. I just wanted to let you know we’re looking for an assistant for you, to relieve you to do more important work. If you know anyone, set up an appointment to have me interview them. Oh, and we decided to hire our own investigator. What do you think of Rik Scott from the sheriff’s office?”
“He’s a hunk. My god, all the girls stared at his ass when he came by our offices. I’m told he’s very bright and knows how to get things done.”
You can bet your sweet white ass on that.
“He’ll be starting just as soon as he gives his two-week notice. If he needs anything, give it to him.
Except yourself.
“That will be all, Miranda.”
Marta felt drained. She was exhausted. She needed to go home to rest. Alone.
***
“Mr. Scott?”
“Yes.”
“This is Billy Jo Gibson; I believe you know my partner, Marta Clarke. I wonder if we can talk for a few minutes.”
Rik immediately became defensive. He had no idea what or how much Billy Jo knew. His last instructions had been to be discreet.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Gibson?
His tone was respectful. Billy Jo would soon be his employer, but by the same token, he had a confidence to honor.
Billy picked this up
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