Our first meeting with the prosecutors on Andie’s case was the following Monday. I was more anxious than she was. Most of the arguments Eddie was planning to make were based on documents that onlyIhad reviewed and researchIhad done. I didn’t want to let either of them down.
I woke up early and ran to the store to get water bottles and granola bars—the “secret weapon” advice given to me by the senior associate who mentored me when I was a summer associate: Be the first-year who always has snacks handy. Something about it felt sexist, but I did it anyway before hailing a cab downtown to meet Eddie and Andie, who were coming separately.
Twenty minutes later, I got out at 1 Saint Andrews Plaza. The building was surprisingly nondescript, considering it was headquarters to prosecution of the country’s most high-profile cases. I followed Eddie and Andie as we placed our bags on scanners and walked through metal detectors. A security officer led us to an interrogation-style conference room with bright fluorescent lights.
The all-male team of prosecutors assigned to Andie’s case reminded me of what Eddie promised Andie in our first meeting: My presence would ensure there would always be another woman in the room.
“Fellas,” Eddie acknowledged coolly.
Andie looked calm and collected. I could learn a thing or two.
I pulled out a folder with Eddie’s talking points so I could follow along. He barely looked at them. He knew exactly what he wanted to say and didn’t miss a beat. It was like watching a movie. Twenty minutes later, he finally took a breath.
“Look, guys. We’re about a month into this now, and that’s a month more than anyone should spend in defense of a baseless indictment. There isn’t a shred of evidence that would support the felony you’re accusing her of. We all know what this job is about, and it’s going after the bad guys, not a woman who, at worst, showed some bad judgment by dabbling in an elite poker game. This is a fool’s errand.”
The prosecutors stayed expressionless throughout Eddie’s impassioned monologue.
“Thanks, Eddie. That’s helpful. We do have a few questions for Andie, but why don’t we all take five first.”
They gave us the room, and Eddie handed me back the talking points.
“These were great, thanks.” I wanted to jump for joy like a little kid. Instead, I finally let myself breathe out fully.
“I brought some water and granola bars, if either of you needs anything.”
Andie nodded. “Water would be great. I feel like it wasmetalking for the last half an hour.”
I grabbed a bottle and handed one to her.
“Eddie, thank you. That was gr—” I heard the deafeningwhooshbefore I saw it. My stomach dropped and everything around me seemed to move in slow motion. Carbonated water exploded out of the bottle, drenching her hair and face and now-see-through blouse.
She froze, a look of shock crossing her face just as the prosecutors walked back in. My heart hammered in my chest.Did that really just happen?
Andie dabbed her face with her palm. “Uh ... excuse me for just a moment, I just need two minutes—can you point me to the nearest restroom?”
I jumped up, feeling my face flush with heat. “I’ll go grab paper towels ... oh my god, I can’t believe this. I’m so sorry ...”
I realized I had grabbed sparkling water instead of flat.
She laughed nervously. “Great icebreaker.”
The shorter prosecutor looked at the open water bottle and smirked. “The women’s bathroom is down the hall on the left.”
I was dying.
I followed Andie in the direction of the restroom. Whenthe fuckhad Smartwater started selling carbonated water?
The bathroom door closed behind us and Andie erupted in giggles as I stood there stoically.
“Oh my god, your face is priceless. Sam. Donotbeat yourself up over this. Someday we’re going to tell this story. Only first, I really need paper towels. And maybe a hairdryer.”
I was still too embarrassed to feel relieved.
“Andie. I—I don’t even know what to say ...”
“That’s okay, I think Eddie has enough to say for both of us. Damn, that man can talk.”
I removed the entire stack of paper towels from the dispenser. “I am ... so sorry. This is the last thing you need right now.”
