Page 24 of Precise Justice

“Anyway, the he trans is being charged with third degree felony assault. Is the girl trans, I hope I have this right, in the hospital?”

“You have it right and no she is not in the hospital. Her father is Harold Lane, a senior partner of Rockford, Bass. When the governor needs to appoint someone to the bench, these guys get a phone call.”

“That explains that,” Marc said.

“His wife, according to Priscilla, is the one making the fuss about this. She’s a former Miss Minnesota and at least twenty years younger than Harold. Sounds like a first-class bitch, too.”

“So, the hottie trophy wife and mom calls Harold and threatens him with moving into his own bedroom. He calls Craig Slocum who trots down Seventh Street to the Rockford offices, genuflects, kisses Harold’s ass and goes overboard and chargesRobbie with a serious felony for breaking the brat’s nose,” Marc said referring to the current elected county attorney, Craig Slocum.

“That pretty much sums it up. Tell me I’m wrong. From what I read in the papers during your serial case, good job by the way, you and Slocum have a history.”

“Nah, we’re the best of friends. Any day now, I’m expecting an invitation to Thanksgiving at my old buddy Craig’s house,” Marc sarcastically replied.

Bivens was laughing then said, “Liar.”

“No, I’m serious. I figure he could get away with poisoning me that way.

“Now comes the big question,” Marc said.

“She can pay,” Bivens said before Marc could ask. “She’s executive vice president at Crystal Cosmetics. She does very well. Plus, she comes from money.”

“Okay, I’ll go down to see him now.”

Lawyers visiting clients are not really subject to normal visiting hours. The Sixth Amendment is not open to discussion by jailors. It was after nine o’clock when Robbie was brought into a conference room to meet Marc.

“Take those off him,” Marc said referring to the manacles attached to Robbie’s wrists.

“We have rules…” the guard started to say.

“Meant to be broken. He’s not going anywhere, officer. So please, remove them.”

“Yeah, okay,” he reluctantly agreed.

“Who are you?” Robbie asked when they both sat down at the table.

“My name is Marc Kadella. I’m a criminal defense lawyer and I was asked by a friend of your mother to look into your case.”

“Thank you,” Robbie said, his relief obvious. “Can you help me?”

“We’ll see. Tell me what happened. Start at the beginning and don’t leave anything out,” Marc said.

When he finished, Marc told him to tell it to him again. After the second time, satisfied Robbie was telling the truth, Marc decided he would take the case.

“You were in study hall and there were close to thirty other students who witnessed this?”

“And a teacher, Ms. Gillian, Ms. Debra Gillian,” Robbie replied. “Aren’t you gonna write this down?”

“I have a mind like a steel trap,” Marc said. “What goes in, never gets lost.”

“Really?” Robbie asked.

“No. But we’ll have plenty of time to go over this again.

“Relax tonight. I’ll meet you at the juvenile court tomorrow morning. Is it too late to call your mother?”

“No, she’ll want to talk to you.”

“What about your dad?”