Philadelphia Read Free

pass,” Billie responded.
    He made his pitch. “Come on. Celebrate our win. You never come out with us.”
    Billie had always sensed that Kevin was attracted to her. He was a nice enough guy and good at his job, but Billie didn’t want to date anyone in her office. It was a rule she had for herself. Her life was complicated enough without the drama of fucking someone she worked with every day. Not to mention she just wasn’t that into white guys.
    â€œI’m good. Maybe next time. I’ve got some business to take care of.”
    Kevin shook his head as he looked at Billie’s perfect body in her charcoal gray Prada pencil skirt with matching suit jacket. She dressed like a true professional but had the body of a video vixen. “You’ve always got an excuse. You need to not work so much. Enjoy yourself every now and then.”
    â€œThanks for the advice. I’ll be sure to tell the families affected by crime that I can’t work on their case because you said I need to enjoy myself.” Billie walked away.
    Kevin had nothing to say in response as he watched her leave the building. He felt sorry for Billie because she couldn’t relax for even one afternoon.
    Even though she had just won another case she wasn’t satisfied. No matter how much time a criminal got she always thought they deserved more. This case was no different. If Billie had her way every criminal she prosecuted would get a life sentence. Billie wanted to go scorched-earth on the entire criminal world.
    Billie headed straight back to her office. There was more work to be done, more criminals to punish. There was always someone else who needed to pay for crimes committed.
    She flung her briefcase onto her desk with more force than needed and flopped down into her chair. What was her next move? What would satisfy her? She stared at her blank computer screen. She thought about how empty she felt after all of her cases lately. The excitement she would feel after a win when she first started out was gone. Slowly over time that energy began to disappear. She had started out her law career for one purpose: to punish as many criminals as she could. It was Billie’s way of honoring her father. After every win she knew that she was making a difference. Now she wasn’t so sure she was making a difference. She needed more; she needed something else to give her that satisfaction she used to get when she used the law to punish a criminal. After a few moments, she turned on the computer to begin searching for the one thing that would satisfy her.
    â€œHere you are. You’ll do nicely,” she said to herself after a half hour of reading files. She clicked the print button. She snatched the paper from the printer, eased back in her chair, and reread the file.
    â€œWhy aren’t you out celebrating another victory, Powell?”
    Billie jumped a little in her seat. Stanley Lewis, the district attorney, had materialized in her doorway from out of nowhere. Billie swore sometimes that this guy was a ghost.
    â€œNo reason to celebrate, sir.” As she responded to him, she discreetly reached for her mouse and closed the file on her computer.
    â€œNonsense. You should always celebrate a victory.”
    â€œThese drug dealers, thieves, and murderers deserve worse than a few years behind bars.”
    â€œWell, I agree, but the laws say we can only do so much.”
    â€œAnd I prosecute them to the max, but it still isn’t satisfying to know that they will most likely be released at some point.”
    â€œYou can’t dwell on that.” The DA changed the subject. “Anyway, nice job, Powell. You keep racking up these wins and you’ll be in line for my job. I better watch my back.” He smiled wickedly.
    â€œI don’t think you have to worry about that, sir,” Billie replied politely, but she was thinking, You damn right I should have your job. Even though personally they never