Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“Get. Out.”
“You deserve every sleepless night and every nightmare that gives you hell.” Her voice is terse. “I hope you suffer with that condition for the rest of your life because you clearly deserve it.”
“You have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.” I damn near roared. “You’ve been a lawyer—an average one at that—for all of six months, and you still don’t know how to write a half decent closing argument.”
“I know what’s right and what’s wrong.”
“You don’t know how to shut the hell up.” I moved closer. “If I were on the jury for any of your clients, I’d find them guilty the second you opened your mouth.”
“I got this job because—”
“You got this job because you lied.” I cut her off. “Not because you’re the best at anything because you’re not. It’s because you lied.”
She picked up her bag and tossed my floor lamp to the floor on her way out.
Against my better judgment, I rushed after her, catching her in the hallway.
“What the hell is your problem?” I asked. “Everything was fine and you just snapped out of nowhere.”
“You can’t be this dense, Damien.” Tears welled in her eyes. “You’re the smartest man I know.”
“That’s obvious.” I shrugged. “What’s the problem?”
“You.” Her voice cracked. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“You need more romantic things?”
“I need you to be someone you’ll never be.”
I clenched my jaw. “What is that supposed to mean?”
She didn’t answer.
“Elizabeth, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re not the center of my universe and I barely know you,” I said. “I enjoy fucking you and I like being your partner, but I don’t need you.”
“That’s how you really feel?”
“That’s what I just said.” I kept my voice firm. “Now, maybe we need a break from each other so feel free to work with another associate for the week. When you come to your senses, call me.”
I left her in the hallway and returned to my office to work on things I actually got paid to do.
RECESS (N.)
A BREAK IN A TRIAL OR OTHER COURT PROCEEDINGS OR A LEGISLATIVE SESSION UNTIL A CERTAIN DATE AND TIME
ELIZABETH
There’s a scene in every theater production when things backstage go awry. No matter how well the things in front of the house are going, something backstage will go wrong.
It’s up the staff at the back of the house to fix it without getting any credit. The show must go on, as they say.
In the past, that’s how I treated things with Frank.
With Damien, I decided to give him—us—another try because maybe just maybe, it was a heat of the moment and we both said things we didn’t mean.
At the courthouse, I grabbed a latte and took a seat next to Nancy Early, one of the firm’s top forensic lawyers.
Damien avoided eye contact as he approached the table.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said.
“Good morning,” Miss Early responded.
I said nothing. I just handed him a fresh printout of his closing statement.
“Thank you, Miss Tanner.” He looked at me. “Did you have a chance to read over it?”
“Yes, Mr. Carter.”
“Good.”
“All arise for the honorable Judge Mateo Asher.”
I stared at Damien as the judge entered and we sat when we sat.
“Ladies and gentlemen, prior to this session, I met with both parties in my chambers,” Judge Asher said. “So, this is just a formality. They’ve agreed to a plea deal and sentencing will take place at a different time.”
What? I looked over at Damien.
“Does the defense have anything to say or submit ahead of that time?”
“No, Your Honor.”
“What about the state?”
“No, Your Honor.”
“Okay.” He picked up his gavel and knocked it against the wood. “I’ll see you all for sentencing on the agreed date.”
“What just happened?” Miss Early beat me to asking Damien the question.
“I spent last night working to make sire our client won’t set foot behind bars,” he said. “It’s a good plea deal.”
What? “I thought we agreed that he should serve at least sixteen months,” I said.
“That’s always up to the judge, Miss Tanner.” He looked at me. “I’m just a lawyer.”
“You promised me that you would stop doing certain deals for the people who don’t deserve them.”
“The only promises I make are to my clients, Miss Tanner,” he said, his voice cold. “Feel free to consult a Lawyer: 101 book on the differences between lawyers, judges, and clients, because I don’t have a clue.”
I grabbed my briefcase and left the building.
Fuck him.
Our show was over.
NOTICE (N.)
INFORMATION, USUALLY IN WRITING IN ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, OF ALL DOCUMENTS FILED, DECISIONS, REQUESTS, MOTIONS, PETITIONS, AND UPCOMING DATES
ELIZABETH
Subject: My Last Day of Work…
Dear Mr. Carter,
It's currently four o'clock in the morning, and while that usually means that I would be getting ready to come work at Hamilton & Associates, I want you to know that I won’t be there.
I’m moving on professionally and personally, and I wish you nothing but the best.