9 False Assumptions

Larry

Seeing Julia fall to the floor, I run towards her.

A heavy-set cop steps in between us. Reaching for his weapon, he says, "She'll be alright, in a minute."

I see Julia lying motionless on the tile floor when I peek around his hefty frame. I then notice the wires coming from her body to a small, black device in the cop's hands.

"We only tased her," the officer explains.

I hear Julia moaning. I then see her moving around.

"Kimberly Beady, you're under arrest for murder." A third officer says, slapping cuffs on her wrists.

"B...but I'm not Kimberly, I'm..."

"Can I have a minute with my client, please?"

Grabbing my arm, the officer spins me around. "Larry Wilson, you are under arrest for harboring a fugitive."

"He didn't know I was on the run," Julia says.

The officer glances at me and then at her. "We'll sort it out at the station."

I feel the cold metal slap against my wrists. It’s not the first time I’ve been arrested for the sake of a client, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. "Don't say anything without a lawyer present, alright," I warn.

"I... I won't," she tearfully replies.

"Let's go, Mr. Wilson." The disgruntled officer says pushing, me towards the door.

~~~

That was the beginning of a very long night, but after a lot of explaining and a little truth-stretching, they finally let me go. Julia, on the other hand, is up for arraignment this morning.

My cell phone rings as I stumble towards the coffee pot. Seeing it's an unknown number, I toss it on the counter. I'm not ready to face anyone just yet. I think, wiping the sleep from my eyes. I start to pour the steamy brown liquid into a mug when my phone rings again. Getting a feeling that it's Julia, I scoop up the device.

"Hello." Putting it on speaker, I lay it on the counter beside me.

"Larry Wilson, this is Jack from over at Scheele."

"Hi Jack, how are you doing this morning?" Pouring coffee into my mug, I take a quick sip.

"Not well, I'm afraid."

"What's wrong, sir?"

"Can I talk to Kimberly, please?"

I started to correct him on the name but decided I didn't want to get into how she switched identities again. Not after spending half the night explaining it to the cops. "She's not here right now, but I'll be glad to give her a message."

"Tell her not to bother coming in today or any other day for that matter."

I choke on my coffee. It was the last thing I expected to hear. "You're firing her, sir?"

"She's left me no choice."

"May I ask why, sir?"

"I just received a disturbing call from her husband. He said she was arrested for murder yesterday."

"There was a little misunderstanding, but I plan to clear it up today."

"So it is true, she was arrested for murder."

"See, sir, she bought a gun from someone not realizing...."

"Bill already explained her version to me. He also said you two are shacking up."

"I hardly call it that, sir. She was in trouble, and I was trying to help her out."

"She was arrested at your house, correct?"

"Yes, sir, but see..." noticing the coffee running onto the counter, I replace the pot in the machine. Grabbing a wad of paper towels, I start sopping up the mess.

"I'll have a courier bring her last check to your house later this afternoon."

"But, sir, you don't..." The line goes dead. How am I going to break this to her? Looking down, I see a small coffee stain on my shirt. Just wonderful, I think, running upstairs to change.

***

Rachel

"I walk across the station to find my detecting plugging away at his desk. "You're here early, Jerry," I say, checking my watch.

"Mornin Serg. I wanted to finish the case we started yesterday before it gets chaotic in here."

"Are you talking about the Kimberly, Julia Moffit case?"

"Yes, forensics only found one set of prints on the gun, hers. The small speck of blood on the barrel matches the victim's, and the shell casings match the gun."

I plop my stuff down on the desk. "It sounds like an open and shut case, then."

"What I don't understand is why she chose that particular victim?

"You still can't find a connection?"

"No, and shooting him in the groin screams personal to me. A payback for sexual misconduct."

"Maybe he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the bullet to his package was a mistake?"

"I don't see her going off on somebody for no reason."

"Maybe he tried to attack her."

"She emptied the clip on the guy."

"Tell you what, I'll dig into the victim's life, and you dig into hers, see what we can find."

***

Larry

I rush into the courtroom my coat, and briefcase dangling by my side.

"Sorry, I'm late, your Honor," I say, pushing through the small gate separating the gallery from the front. I see Vinnie and Marty are waiting for me.

Glaring at me, Marty squeezes my arm and says, "You're calling it close."

"It won't happen again."

He grips my arm tighter and says, "See to it that it doesn't."

Taking a big gulp of courage, I anxiously glance at the judge. I've heard terrifying rumors about what happens to attorneys who show up late.

"Are you ready to proceed, counselor?"

"Yes, your Honor."

"Prosecutor, call your next witness, please."

"Sir, if I may, I'd like to ask for a continuance."

The judge turns towards me. "What seems to be the trouble, counselor?"

"I was asked to represent my client late yesterday evening, so I haven't had time to review the case."

"You show up fifteen minutes late and then expect me to grant you a continuance when you've had all night to prepare?"

"Yes, your Honor" I anxiously shift my weight.

"I'd advise you to get your priorities in order if you want to continue in my courtroom or any court of law."

"Yes, your Honor." Glancing over at the defense table, he continues.

"In light of justice, I will postpone the trial until tomorrow morning. I expect you to be prepared and on time."

"Yes, your Honor, I will, thank you, sir."

"Mr. Wilson, I will not tolerate any of your shenanigans in my courtroom, is that understood?"

"Yes, your Honor."

"Court is dismissed," he orders, banging the gavel against the desk.

"I need to talk to you later today, Vinnie," I say. Scooping up my stuff, I run out the door.

I see Julia nervously standing in front of the judge when I rush into the next courtroom.

"He should be here any minute, Your Honor," I hear her say as a dart through the door.

"I'm right here, sir," I yell, rushing towards them.

"Sorry, I'm late. I had..."

"How does your client plead?"

"Not guilty, Your Honor."

The District Attorney clears his throat. "Since the crime is so heinous in nature, we ask the court to deny her bail."

"This is her first offense, Your Honor. She has a husband, two children, and works in the community." I rebut.

"She tried to flee from the police twice."

"I'm setting bail at fifty thousand."

"Thank you, Your Honor."

I lean over to my client and say, "I'll post it for you."

"I don't have anywhere to go," Julia whispers. Bill told her not to come home as the police escorted her to processing.

"You can stay with me until the trial is over."

"With you, but...."

"What other choice do you have?"

She tearfully eyes her husband. He gives her a snide look as he walks out the door. “None, I suppose.”