Until Proven Innocent Read Free Page B

some of the special things to say. Things that the callers usually wanted to hear.”
    “ I’m not here to judge you, Olive. You did what you had to do to make a living. That’s okay with me. Now what about this threat you mentioned?”
    “ Oh yeah, that. Well anyway, I guess that someone in the business office of that company was bribed or something, because one of the guys who was a steady customer got hold of my home phone number. He was a repeat caller, and always asked for me by my phone name of Bambi. He started calling me last week and he knows my real name. He says that if I don’t meet with him, he’ll tell my boyfriend what I used to do for a living.”
    This sounds like a story right out of one of O’Henry’s short stories written by William Sydney Porter. Olive, the former phone-sex operator is embarrassed to have her boyfriend Vinnie, the former porno director, find out about her past occupation.
    Wait a minute. If she’s so worried about Vinnie finding out, then she must not know about his past in the porno business. I better tread very carefully here.
    “ Olive, what did Vinnie do for a living before you met him?”
    “ Before he started working with Stuart, he told me he was with a major motion picture studio for several years, working in some department like props or wardrobe.”
    No wonder she’s worried. Vinnie never told her about his past, so she thinks he’s as white as the driven snow. This is an awkward situation because the only way to really make her comfortable in confessing her past to Vinnie is to let her know about his shady past.
    That’s a decision I can’t make. If Vinnie wants her to know how many porno films he produced and directed, he’ll have to tell her himself. It’s not my job to ‘out’ him. The last time I looked at my business card, it said ‘Peter Sharp, attorney at law,’ and not ‘Peter Sharp, gossip monger.’
    Now that I see the direct and truthful approach isn’t available to us, we’ll have to deal with this blackballing sleazeball in a different, more creative way.
    “ How does he want you to reach him? Did he give you his name or phone number?”
    “ All he gave me was his cell phone number, and told me to call him Hal.”
    I take the cell phone number from Olive and tell her that I’ll take care of everything.
    * * * * * *
    Chapter 3
    Once again I’m in the front seat of Tony’s unmarked squad car, hoping that our ride today doesn’t end up as exciting as the last one.
    “ Tony, are you wearing that ankle holster again?”
    “ Yeah, but don’t worry. I guarantee you that I won’t be using it today.”
    “ Really? That sounds encouraging. What did you do, swear off shooting people?”
    Hearing this question brings the faint trace of a smile to his face. He reaches under his sport coat.
    “ Naw, if any trouble comes up, I’ll be using this.”
    Tony brings his hand out from under the sport coat and I see that he’s holding what looks like a small hunting rifle. Not being satisfied just showing it to me, he decides to give me the full fifty-cent tour.
    “ Mister Lawyer, this is a Smith & Wesson Model 500, and it makes Clint Eastwood’s .44 Magnum look like a peashooter. This weapon’s muzzle energy is more than 5 times what his was. Its overall length is fifteen inches, weighs in at over six pounds, has an eight-inch barrel, carries five rounds, and is the most powerful legal production revolver in the world. You oughta come out shooting with me some afternoon. At least once a week I go to a target range in Agoura Hills. If you want, I’ll let you fire off a couple of rounds. This new model retails for over nine hundred dollars, but I can get you a deal on one if you’re interested.”
    “ Tony, I really appreciate the offer but I used up my fascination with firearms in the army, and they frown on lawyers bringing cannons into court nowadays, so I’ll have to give it a pass.”
    I don’t know why anyone would want to carry a