Robert Whitlow - Deeper Water

"It's not that," I responded quickly. "It has to do with a divorce case."

"What?" Julie interjected. "Are you working on something together?"

I looked at Vince and shook my head.

"Out with it," Julie said, sitting up straighter in her chair. "We're all equal here, except that you're ten times smarter than the rabbi and me put together."

"It's controversial," Vince replied.

I wanted to reach out and put my hand over Vince's mouth.

"And unverified," he added.

"Julie," I said, "I'm not going to discuss this with you." I looked at Vince. "And neither is he. End of the discussion."

"Is it about Moses Jones and the Prescott girl who was murdered?" Julie asked.

I stared at her in shock.

"You left the folder in here a few days ago." She shrugged. "I couldn't help glancing through it, reading the newspaper articles, deciphering your notes."

"That's wrong! You had no business-"

"We're in the same firm," Julie said, shrugging again. "Secrets don't exist."

Before I could respond, the library door opened. It was Zach. Everyone turned and stared at him. He stopped in his tracks.

"What's going on in here?" he asked.

"Tami and her investigation into Moses Jones' involvement in the Prescott murder," Julie said. "I busted her, and she's acting immature about it. Did she try to hide it from you as her supervising attorney?"

Zach surveyed the room. "Tami and Vince, let me talk to Julie for a few minutes," he said.

Vince and I stepped into the hallway.

"What's he going to do?" I asked.

"Not much. She's right."

"What?" I blurted out. "How can you say that? I thought you were on my side."

"I am, but client confidentiality doesn't restrict the flow of communication among employees of the firm. There is no basis for hiding information from one another."

I couldn't believe Vince's position.

"So, you think I should summon Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Braddock to the conference room and confront them with the facts I've uncovered?"

"No, but there's no legal reason why they couldn't order you to disclose your research. Everything you've done originated as work product for a client of the firm. When I came into work this morning, the sign in front of the building read `Braddock, Appleby, and Carpenter.' This is their law firm, and in our employment contract we agreed that the work we performed this summer belonged to them. That's one reason I urged you to reconsider the scope of your investigation. "

I stepped back against the wall. "I might as well quit and go back to north Georgia for the rest of the summer. There's no way I'm going to ever think like a lawyer."

"I disagree," Vince responded in a matter-of-fact voice. "You know how to focus on the most important aspect of any legal matter."

"Which is?"

"The determination of the truth. If you try the Jones case in front of Judge Cannon, that's one of the first instructions he'll give the jury. It's the practical effects of what you're doing outside the scope of the case that are spinning out of control."

"Thanks a lot…" I began.

Before I could continue, the library door opened, and Zach motioned for us to come inside. "I think we're on the same page," he said as soon as we returned.

I waited for a more complete explanation.

"You should have asked for my help," Julie said. "We've worked well together on our other projects."

Vince didn't say anything. I looked at the other three people in the room. "Is that a solution?" I asked.

"Yes," Zach replied. "You don't have to ask Julie to help, but she's available. As your supervising attorney, I'll leave that decision up to you. Did you check the criminal court schedule for the rest of the summer?"

"No, but I'll do it right now."

"Let me know."

Zach left with Vince right behind him. I sat down across from Julie.

"What did Zach say to you?" I asked.

"That it was unprofessional to snoop in your file. Why didn't you tell me the connection between Moses Jones and the disappearance of the Prescott girl?"

"I didn't want you to get all worked up about it."

"And start running my mouth?"

"Yes."

"I wouldn't do anything to prejudice our client. The rules of ethics-"

"I know. Zach has given me more than one refresher course."

"Okay, I won't repeat it. What are you going to do now?"

"Call the courthouse."

After several transfers from one clerk to another, I found out that there were three weeks of criminal court scheduled during the rest of the summer. Two of those weeks were assigned to Judge Cannon, and the judge for the third week was a woman named Linda Howell. I called Maggie Smith, and her assistant informed me the Jones case had not yet been placed on a specific calendar. I sent Zach an e-mail with the dates. He immediately responded with a request that I come to his office. I trudged up the winding staircase that no longer reminded me of a plantation mansion.

"Is there a problem with the dates?" I asked.

"One week in front of Judge Cannon is out because I'll be on vacation in California. I'll let the DAs office know. The other two weeks will depend on my schedule, but I've already let Mr. Appleby know what's going on."

"Okay." I moved away from the door.

"No, come in and sit down," Zach said.

"I don't need another lecture this morning," I replied wearily. "The fruit of patience in my life may not be as mature as I'd hoped, and I don't want to get upset."

"We need to set a day and time to talk to Moses Jones and discuss trial strategy. It will also be a chance for you to show him the newspaper articles if you want to."

"Okay."

Zach studied me for a few seconds. "What else have you found out?"

"Do you care?"

"You can tell me now or later."

I took a deep breath. "I'm not finished in the microfilm records. I want to uncover the connections between Floyd Carpenter and this firm." I paused. "Especially regarding Floyd and his relationship with his sister and niece."

"Who?"

"Ellen and Lisa Prescott. Mrs. Fairmont told me about the Prescott-Carpenter connection while we were looking at old photos last night."

I could tell Zach was surprised by my latest information. He pulled twice on his ponytail. If the lawyer ever cut his hair, he would have to find something else to do with his hands during moments of intense mental activity.

"How does this fit?" he asked.

"I don't know until I do more research. Should I ask Julie to do it?" I asked sarcastically then immediately felt guilty.

Zach ignored my dig. "No, you're so far ahead of her that it would be inefficient. Wait here while I get the key from Gerry so you can finish your research. We can meet with Moses later today."

While Zach talked to Ms. Patrick, I checked on the firm car. It was scheduled to return in a few minutes and I reserved it for a couple of hours. I went to Zach's office where he handed me the key.

"Gerry started asking questions," he said. "I simply thanked her and left."

"But she's an employee of the firm. According to your logic…" I began then stopped. "Will you pray that God will put a rein on my tongue? It's been out of control since I got to the office this morning."

"No man can tame the tongue," Zach said. "Does that include women?"

"Yes." I turned the key over in my hand. "And thanks for confronting me when you think I'm out of line. My mother does a good job of correcting me, but I thought I'd be without that kind of help this summer."

"Sure, but I don't want to be a surrogate mother or father. Did you find out a date and time when I can meet them?"

"Not yet. When will you be in California?"

Zach gave me the dates and eyed me closely. "Is there a reason why you wouldn't want me to meet your parents?"