Brad Meltzer - Dead Even

“Here’s your slack. A 180.80 day is shorthand for the day by which you have to indict the defendant if he’s locked up. But since Kozlow posted bail, you only have to worry about the grand jury, where-”

“I know what happens at a grand jury.”

“You sure?”

“You don’t let up, do you?” Sara asked with a grin. “At the grand jury, I’ll have to convince twelve average citizens to indict Kozlow on the burglary charge. If they indict, then the trial can take place. If they don’t-”

“If they don’t, then you’re not going anywhere with this case.”

Walking back to her office, Sara thought about Conrad’s advice. Maybe he was right. Maybe she was hoping too hard for front-page material. Maybe Kozlow had just stashed away some money. And maybe she was becoming a victim of her own imagination. But no matter how much she tried to downplay the facts, she kept coming back to one key piece of information: Kozlow’s case had originally been marked for Victor.

Nearing her office, she noticed that Guff wasn’t at his desk. She also noticed that her office door was ajar, even though she knew she had left it closed. She remembered Conrad’s advice about ADA offices: Lock everything – confidentiality is paramount, and eyes have a tendency to wander. Through the translucent glass of her door, she could see the fuzzy figure of someone sitting at her desk. She quickly looked over her shoulder to see if anyone was around. Since it was close to lunch, the hallways were relatively empty. Hesitantly, she opened the door. Victor was waiting for her.

“Can I help you?” she asked, unnerved.

“No,” Victor said. “Just wanted to see how your case was going.”

“How’d you get into my office?”

“It was open. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Actually, I do.”

“I’ll be more considerate next time. Now tell me how it’s going.”

“Why?” she asked defensively. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, Sara.”

“Then why’re you sneaking in here and trying your best to intimidate me?” She hoped her bluntness would catch him off guard. It didn’t.

“That’s a pretty impressive imagination. You should be careful it doesn’t get the best of you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sara asked.

“It means exactly what I said: Be careful. At this rate, you can’t afford any more mistakes.”

“Is that what you came to tell me?”

“Sara, the only reason I’m here is because you took a case while I was supervising. Now I don’t care how desperate you were, or how you got Conrad to kiss your ass, but if you ever do that again, I guarantee one thing: I’ll be all over you.”

She didn’t want to admit it, but of course he was right. “I’m sorry. I-”

“Save the crying. I don’t care.” Victor got up from his seat and walked to the door. “But if I were you, I’d watch my back. You never know when the ax will fall.”

As Victor left, Guff entered Sara’s office. “What was that about?” he asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“He didn’t sound too happy on the way out.”

“He was thrilled. I could tell by the way he threatened me. Now, any other bad news before I head out to lunch?”

“Actually, yes,” Guff said, waving a two-page fax. “This just came through. It’s a notice of attorney. Apparently, Kozlow has retained a new lawyer.”

“So?”

“So, look at the new lawyer’s name and tell me if it’s familiar.”

She skimmed the memo, then jumped to the signature at the bottom. When she read her husband’s name, she sank into her chair. “I can’t believe it. Can he even do this?”

“I don’t know,” Guff said. “I’ve certainly never seen it before.”

“He has to drop the case,” Sara said. She picked up her phone and dialed Jared’s number. When Kathleen answered, Sara asked to speak to her husband.

“You just missed him. He said he was meeting you for lunch. Is everything all right?”

“It’s fine.” Sara hung up the phone and bolted out of the office.

Guff tailed behind, following her down the hall. “What do you want me to do while you’re gone?”

“Find out if this kind of thing is even allowed. The last person I want to face in this case is my husband.”

Twenty minutes later, Jared’s cab dropped him off in front of Forlini’s, which was not only the closest Italian restaurant to the courthouse, but also the most popular. He stuffed a ten-dollar bill in the driver’s hand and strode into the restaurant. “Hey, beautiful,” he said to Sara, excited to share the good news with his wife.

“Where the hell have you been?” Sara asked.

“Stuck in traffic.” Jared sat down at the table. “Is everything okay?”

“No, everything’s not okay.”

Jared touched Sara’s arm. “Tell me what’s-”

“I just don’t understand why you agreed to take the case – especially when you know my job is riding on it. I mean, you’re the one with the big firm job, and all I have is this-”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Jared interrupted. “Slow down a second. What case are you talking about?”

“My burglary case. Why’d you agree to take the other side?”

“Take the other side? I don’t know what you’re-”

“The Kozlow case. I just got your counsel notice.”

“Wait a minute,” Jared said. “That’s your case? You have Tony Kozlow’s case?”

“I told you that last night.”

“You never told me his name. You just said it was a burglary.”

“Well, didn’t you think it was odd when you got your own burglary today?”

“He didn’t say it was a burglary – all he said was it was a minor felony. And that they’d send me the file later.”

“What about the notice-of-counsel memo?”

“All we had was the docket number of the case. Kathleen typed up the memo and faxed it over to the DA’s office. They match up the number and forward it to the prosecutor. I swear, honey, I’d never do that to you on purpose.”

“So you’ll drop the case.”

“What?” Jared asked.

“I’m serious. Are you going to drop the case?”

“Why should I drop it?” Jared moaned. “This is a new client. It’s a big deal for me.”

“Jared, for you, it’s a client. For me-”

“No – you’re right. This is your job. You were there first. I’ll step down.”

“You will?” Sara asked.

He paused. “Of course I will.” Growing more confident, he added, “For you.”

Sara put her hand on one of his. “You’re a good man, Charlie Brown. I know how much-”

“Sara, you don’t have to say anything.”

“Yes, I do. And I want you to know that I’m sorry for putting you in this position. It’s just that this whole new job thing is reminding me of the-”

“The law firm was an isolated incident, and you shouldn’t judge yourself by it. No one’s supposed to make partner in a New York firm. It’s not expected.”

“Then what are you doing?”

“I’m trying my best to beat the odds. And to cheer up my wife.”

“Well, you’re doing a pretty good job,” Sara said. Circling the top of her water glass with a finger, she added, “Let me ask you this: If we did have to face off against each other, who do you think would win?”

“You would,” Jared said with a smug smile.

Sara laughed. “You’re so full of yourself, y’know that?”

“What’d I say?”

“You don’t have to say anything. I can read you like a-”

“Like a coloring book?”

“Don’t play games, Lynch. I’m warning you.”

“Then what do you want me to say? You asked me who would win. Do you want the truth or do you want to be lied to? I’ll do whatever makes you feel better.”