“Hayley will be fine. She’ll never know. Nobody will ever know if I play this thing right.”
She didn’t say anything and there was nothing else I could do to reassure her. I changed the subject. I tried to sound confident, even cheerful.
“How did your boy Minton look after court today?”
She didn’t answer at first, probably reluctant to change the subject.
“I don’t know. He looked fine. But Smithson sent an observer up because it’s his first solo.”
I nodded. I was counting on Smithson, who ran the DA’s Van Nuys branch, having sent somebody to keep a watch on Minton.
“Any feedback?”
“No, not yet. Nothing that I heard. Look, Haller, I am really worried about this. The rumor was that you were served a search warrant in the courthouse. Is that true?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry about it. I’m telling you, I have things under control. It will all come out okay. I promise.”
I knew I had not quelled her fears. She was thinking about our daughter and the possible scandal. She was probably also thinking a little bit about herself and what having an ex-husband disbarred or accused of murder would do to her chances of advancement.
“Besides, if it all goes to shit, you’re still going to be my first customer, right?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The Lincoln Lawyer Limousine Service. You’re in, right?”
“Haller, it doesn’t sound like this is a time to be making jokes.”
“It’s no joke, Maggie. I’ve been thinking about quitting. Even before all of this bullshit came up. It’s like I told you that night, I can’t do this anymore.”
There was a long silence before she responded.
“Whatever you want to do is going to be fine by me and Hayley.”
I nodded.
“You don’t know how much I appreciate that.”
She sighed into the phone.
“I don’t know how you do it, Haller.”
“Do what?”
“You’re a sleazy defense lawyer with two ex-wives and an eight-year-old daughter. And we all still love you.”
Now I was silent. Despite everything I smiled.
“Thank you, Maggie McFierce,” I finally said. “Good night.”
And I hung up the phone.
Thirty-three
Tuesday, May 24
The second day of trial began with a forthwith to the judge’s chambers for Minton and me. Judge Fullbright wanted only to speak to me but the rules of trial made it improper for her to meet privately with me about any matter and exclude the prosecution. Her chambers were spacious, with a desk and separate seating area surrounded by three walls of shelves containing law books. She told us to sit in the seats in front of her desk.
“Mr. Minton,” she began, “I can’t tell you not to listen but I’m going to have a conversation with Mr. Haller that I don’t expect you to join or interrupt. It doesn’t concern you or, as far as I know, the Roulet case.”
