Attorney-Client Privilege Read Online Free PDF Page A

huffed.
    He spent the next few minutes telling them what little he knew about Judi’s sex discrimination lawsuit against Big Buy.
    “Sounds like you had a problem with her suing the company,” Mankowski said.
    “I thought it was a stupid thing to do. She was going to end up getting fired.”
    “Hey, wait a minute.” Thomas grinned and wagged a finger at Phillip. “I recognize you. You’re the Big Buy Guy!”
    A modest grin lit up Phillip’s face. “Yeah, that would be me.”
    Mankowski eyed his partner. “Big what guy?”
    “Big Buy Guy. He does this commercial where he’s running through the store slashing prices.” Thomas started singing the Big Buy jingle.
    “Oh, I get it.” Mankowski leaned back in his chair. “You didn’t like your girlfriend messing up your Big Buy gig by suing the company?”
    Phillip took a long gulp from the Pepsi can. “I just didn’t think the lawsuit was a good idea.”
    They continued to grill Phillip about Judi’s lawsuit, his whereabouts while she was being assaulted and Judi’s impending divorce. For the most part, his story stayed consistent.
    “Would you be willing to provide a sample of your DNA?” Mankowski asked.
    “DNA?” Phillip cracked his knuckles again and reached for the Pepsi, but didn’t take a sip. “Why would you need my DNA?”
    “Just routine,” Thomas said. “We’d like to rule you out.”
    “Judi scratched her assailant,” Mankowski added. “We want to know if your DNA matches the skin and blood we found underneath her fingernails.”
    Thomas shot Mankowski a chiding glare. His partner was sharing a little too much information. But Mankowski wanted Actor Boy to know that they had him. A worried perp was much more likely to make the kind of mistake that would leave him cornered.
    Phillip visibly shuddered. “I…uh…I’m not comfortable providing my DNA.”
    Mankowski smirked. “Why not?”
    “I’d just rather not, okay?” Phillip cracked his knuckles for the third time. “You need to get her husband down here and get
his
DNA.”
    “Alright, Mr. Peterman,” Mankowski said, sliding a pen and notepad across the table. “Give us the name and number of your agent so we can confirm your whereabouts last night. Then you can go. But we’ll definitely need to speak to you again. If you plan on taking any out-of-town trips, we’d appreciate it if you give us a call first.”
    Mankowski winked.
    “I’ll give you my agent’s cell phone number,” he grumbled. “But just so you know, he’s out of the country. He left for Paris this morning. He won’t be back for six weeks.”
    “How convenient,” Mankowski said. “But I’m pretty sure cell phones work in Paris too.”
    Phillip scrawled down a number, ripped the paper from the pad and sailed it across the table. “Are we done?”
    “Nope,” Mankowski said. “We need a photograph.”
    “Of what?”
    “Those scratches on your cheek.” Mankowski pulled a tissue from his shirt pocket and slapped it on the table. “Wipe off your makeup.”
    “I don’t have on makeup,” Phillip said testily. “It’s a medicated cream.”
    “Whatever. Just wipe it off.”
    “I’m not sure I want to—”
    “You know what?” Mankowski said. “You’re really beginning to make me think you have something to hide.”
    Thomas stepped outside and returned with a camera that he handed to Mankowski, who took pictures of Phillip’s face from three different angles.
    Afterward, Thomas found a patrolman to drive Phillip home, then met Mankowski back at his desk.
    “Did you see how nervous he got when I asked for his DNA?” Mankowski said. “I think Judi scratched his face while he was bashing her in the head.”
    “He was sure trying hard to steer us in the direction of her husband,” Thomas replied with a nod. “If he did do it, he must be sweating bullets not knowing whether she’s going to survive and identify him.”
    Thomas called the hospital to find out Judi’s condition.
    “Good