Read Online Mickey Haller 4 - The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michael Connelly
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corner back on a random page. My ad was there. My smiling face on the corner.
SAVE YOUR HOME!DON’T LET THEM FORECLOSE WITHOUT A FIGHTMichael Haller & Associates, Attorneys-at-LawCALL:323-988-0761OR VISIT:www.stopfinancialruin.comSe Habla Español
I checked a few other pages to make sure the ad was on every page, which I had paid for, and then dropped the book back onto the stack. I wasn’t even sure who still used phone books, but my message was there just in case.
The others were waiting silently for me when I got back to the condo. Lisa’s arrival with her benefactor had put an awkward spin on things. I tried to get the meeting restarted in a way that would promote team unity.
“Okay, so everybody’s met everybody. Lisa, we were in the middle of discussions about how we are going to proceed and what we need to know as we go forward. We didn’t have the advantage of having you here because, frankly, I was pretty sure you weren’t going to be getting out of jail until we got the not-guilty verdict at the end. But now you’re here and I certainly want to include you in our strategies. Do you have anything you want to say to the group?”
I felt like I was leading a group therapy session at The Oaks. But Lisa lit up at the chance to hold the floor.
.“Yes, I first wanted to say that I am very grateful for all of your efforts on my behalf. I know that in the law things like guilt and innocence don’t really matter. It’s what you can prove. I understand that but I thought it might be good for you to hear it, even if it is only this one time. I am innocent of these charges. I did not kill Mr. Bondurant. I hope that you believe me and that at trial we prove it. I have a little boy and he badly needs to be with his mother.”
No one spoke but everybody nodded somberly.
“Okay,” I said, “before your arrival we were going through the division of labor. Who is in charge of what, who needs to do what, that sort of thing. I’d like to include you in the assignments as well.”
“Whatever I can do.”
She was sitting bolt upright on the edge of her chair.
“The police spent several hours in your house after your arrest. They searched it top to bottom and, subject to the authority the search warrant gave them, they took several items that might be evidence in the case. We have a list, which you are welcome to look at. Included are your laptop and three files marked FLAG and FORECLOSURE ONE and TWO. This is where you come in. The minute we are assigned a courtroom and a judge, we will file a motion asking to be immediately allowed to examine the laptop and the files, but until then I need you to list as best you can what was in the files and on the computer. In other words, Lisa, what is in these documents that would make the cops seize them? Do you understand?”
“Of course, and yes, I can do this. I’ll start on it tonight.”
“Thank you. There is one other thing I want to ask you about. You see, if this thing goes to trial, then I don’t want any loose ends. I don’t want anybody showing up out of the woodwork or—”
“Why do you say if?”
“Excuse me?”
“You said if. If this thing goes to trial. There are no ifs.”
“Sorry. Slip of the tongue. But just so you know, a good attorney will always listen to an offer from the prosecution. Because many times these negotiations allow you a sneak peek into the state’s case. So if I tell you that I am talking to the prosecution about a deal, remember that I have an ulterior motive, okay?”
“Okay, but I am telling you now, I won’t plead guilty to anything I haven’t done. There’s a killer out there walking free while they try to do this to me. Last night I couldn’t sleep in that terrible place. I kept thinking about my son… I could never face him if I pleaded guilty to something I’m not guilty of.”
I thought she was about to turn on the faucet but she held back.
“I understand,” I said softly. “Now, Lisa, this other
SAVE YOUR HOME!DON’T LET THEM FORECLOSE WITHOUT A FIGHTMichael Haller & Associates, Attorneys-at-LawCALL:323-988-0761OR VISIT:www.stopfinancialruin.comSe Habla Español
I checked a few other pages to make sure the ad was on every page, which I had paid for, and then dropped the book back onto the stack. I wasn’t even sure who still used phone books, but my message was there just in case.
The others were waiting silently for me when I got back to the condo. Lisa’s arrival with her benefactor had put an awkward spin on things. I tried to get the meeting restarted in a way that would promote team unity.
“Okay, so everybody’s met everybody. Lisa, we were in the middle of discussions about how we are going to proceed and what we need to know as we go forward. We didn’t have the advantage of having you here because, frankly, I was pretty sure you weren’t going to be getting out of jail until we got the not-guilty verdict at the end. But now you’re here and I certainly want to include you in our strategies. Do you have anything you want to say to the group?”
I felt like I was leading a group therapy session at The Oaks. But Lisa lit up at the chance to hold the floor.
.“Yes, I first wanted to say that I am very grateful for all of your efforts on my behalf. I know that in the law things like guilt and innocence don’t really matter. It’s what you can prove. I understand that but I thought it might be good for you to hear it, even if it is only this one time. I am innocent of these charges. I did not kill Mr. Bondurant. I hope that you believe me and that at trial we prove it. I have a little boy and he badly needs to be with his mother.”
No one spoke but everybody nodded somberly.
“Okay,” I said, “before your arrival we were going through the division of labor. Who is in charge of what, who needs to do what, that sort of thing. I’d like to include you in the assignments as well.”
“Whatever I can do.”
She was sitting bolt upright on the edge of her chair.
“The police spent several hours in your house after your arrest. They searched it top to bottom and, subject to the authority the search warrant gave them, they took several items that might be evidence in the case. We have a list, which you are welcome to look at. Included are your laptop and three files marked FLAG and FORECLOSURE ONE and TWO. This is where you come in. The minute we are assigned a courtroom and a judge, we will file a motion asking to be immediately allowed to examine the laptop and the files, but until then I need you to list as best you can what was in the files and on the computer. In other words, Lisa, what is in these documents that would make the cops seize them? Do you understand?”
“Of course, and yes, I can do this. I’ll start on it tonight.”
“Thank you. There is one other thing I want to ask you about. You see, if this thing goes to trial, then I don’t want any loose ends. I don’t want anybody showing up out of the woodwork or—”
“Why do you say if?”
“Excuse me?”
“You said if. If this thing goes to trial. There are no ifs.”
“Sorry. Slip of the tongue. But just so you know, a good attorney will always listen to an offer from the prosecution. Because many times these negotiations allow you a sneak peek into the state’s case. So if I tell you that I am talking to the prosecution about a deal, remember that I have an ulterior motive, okay?”
“Okay, but I am telling you now, I won’t plead guilty to anything I haven’t done. There’s a killer out there walking free while they try to do this to me. Last night I couldn’t sleep in that terrible place. I kept thinking about my son… I could never face him if I pleaded guilty to something I’m not guilty of.”
I thought she was about to turn on the faucet but she held back.
“I understand,” I said softly. “Now, Lisa, this other
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