Courting Disaster Read Online Free PDF

attorney? Not only is a person presumed innocent until proven guilty, but the accused is also entitled to counsel.”
    “And I remember when you believed that being an attorney wasn’t a job but a duty to see justice served.”
    I opened my mouth to say I was doing exactly that, and then saw the case file on the sofa. A particularly nasty man accused of raping a teenager but who had paid a hefty retainer. Had I taken Larry Clark’s case without caring whether or not I believed he was innocent?
    No, the money wasn’t the reason. The victim’s identification was shaky. That’s why I had taken the case. I had to believe that.
    “I’m disappointed in you, Carling, but even more important than that, you should be disappointed in yourself.” Each word pelted me like icy pellets.
    “Attorneys who live in glass offices prone to corruption shouldn’t throw stones.” My contrition was immediate. During the years Jared had served as a prosecutor, no hint of scandal had ever rocked the state attorney’s office.
    Nor was it his fault that his law school buddy Harold Lowell, a U.S. Attorney and Kate’s former boyfriend, had taken campaign bribes. Jared even admitted that Kate had been right to turn Harold in to the authorities.
    “I’m sorry. That was a mud shot.”
    He replied with quiet resignation. “After we saw each other tonight, I thought there could be a chance we could be friends again.”
    The pain in my head faded in comparison to the pain in my heart. “Doesn’t seem to be possible. You think I’ve sold out on my principles, and I think you’re uncompromising on yours.”
    “Fine.”
    “Fine.”
    “Good night, Carling. You take care.” A click sounded in my ear.
    I replaced the phone, picked up the file and then dropped it back on the sofa.
    Had I become reckless with my clients and my life? On some level I had never gotten over Borys’s murder or the attack on me.
    But what good was reliving the past if I couldn’t change it or find answers?

Chapter Three
    “Counselor, you can’t be serious.” From his chair behind the bench, Judge Mark Weller wagged his finger at me.
    I steeled myself for the argument. “Your Honor, one of our defenses is that it’s impossible the rape as described by the victim could have been committed by my client.”
    “Simply because of the size of his penis? That issue has been already decided by the appellate courts and not in your favor.”
    Sending a quick prayer to the god who protected criminal defense attorneys from the crazy notions of their clients, I uncovered the model that I had set on top of the table.
    “Here’s the model we seek to use as a demonstrative exhibit. I have the artist here prepared to testify that the model is in accordance with the exact dimensions of my client’s penis.”
    A gargled sound emanated from the bench, as the judge’s expression studied the model. I bet he could hardly wait to escape to the judicial version of the locker room. As I removed the photographs from a manila envelope, I had to admit my client’s dimensions were pretty unbelievable, the stuff of quadruple-X-rated movies.
    “Also, the defense requests permission to admit these photographs of Mr. Clark’s anatomy at trial. Unlike the prior cases on this subject, we are not requesting a public display of my client’s penis.”
    “That’s very considerate of you, Ms. Dent.” Judge Weller glared at me. “However, that one deviation is hardly going to save your request from being of dubious probative value or turning the trial into a voyeuristic peep show, thus confusing the issues for the jury.”
    Out of the corner of my eye, I could see state prosecutor Andy Lopez grinning ear-to-ear. He could put his feet up on the desk for all that the judge was making his arguments for the state.
    “If I may approach the bench?”
    “Approach, both of you.”
    Andy came to stand beside me as I handed the judge the photos. “Your Honor, if you would notice—”
    “It’s