Dead Ringer

At the head of the table, Linette was saying, “So far there are fifteen law firms already signed on to represent various members of the class. As usual, everybody will have to pony up for the war chest. My thought is the usual ante will do, thirty grand in cold cash. I need to collect that from each of you by the end of this week.”

More nodding, except for Be

“At this juncture, we don’t know who the bad guys will hire as their mouthpiece, but my best guess is that it’ll be Yates amp; Gumm, in that big black building right across the street.” Bill winked as he gestured out the window. “I try to run ’em over when I can, but they’re too damn fast.”

Louder laughter from around the table.

“But make no mistake, my friends, Yates amp; Gumm is good. Very good. We may call ’em Stupid amp; Dumb, but they’re not. They’re three hundred strong and they got lawyers from Harvard, Pe

Laughter again.

“Whoever is on the other side of this case makes no difference, because if it ain’t Yates amp; Gumm, it’ll be somebody just as smart and experienced. And whoever it is, we’ll let ’em know that we mean business from the begi

Clapping surged in earnest, and Brenstein and Quinones stood up. Dostoyevsky followed, and then Be

Inside, Be

Ten minutes later, she was walking back to her office, with St. Amien beside her. The sidewalks were crowded with people heading out for lunch, and Be

A gaggle of secretaries passed, laughing and talking, and then a group of first-year associates from one of the big firms hurried along. The ties of the bright young men flew over their shoulders, and the young girls carried tiny little purses. Be

“Be

Not exactly. “You go first. What did you think of it?”

“I think Mr. Linette is quite the showman, but I also think we will achieve victory, in the end.” The smoke from his French cigarette smelled like burning ozone.

“Right on both counts. Let’s go back to my office to talk, and we can look over your complaint.” They reached the corner, then turned onto Locust Street, passing a brick rowhouse that had been converted to doctors’ offices, then another with green shutters, lawyers’ offices. The sidewalks thronged with people enjoying the ridiculously pleasant weather; none of the passersby was Alice. Be

“What’s that?” Be

“The police?”

Something’s the matter. “Oh, no.” Be

“Officer!” Be

“You’re Ms. Rosato?” one of the cops asked, rapid-fire. He stepped quickly to her, followed by his partner, a black woman.

“She fits the flash,” the female cop said, and Be

“Yes, I’m Be

“Be

“What are you talking about?” Be

“We know you’re an attorney, so we don’t expect any trouble.” The female cop came up and joined the first cop, blocking Be

“You can’t arrest me! I didn’t do anything!”

“Take it easy, Ms. Rosato. Gotta pat you down,” she said, and Be

“What am I being arrested for?” Be

“Don’t make a scene, Ms. Rosato,” one of the cops said from behind her. Suddenly powerful hands yanked her arms from the cruiser, jerked them behind her back, and cinched her wrists together, clamping a pair of tight handcuffs over them.

St. Amien stepped forward, shaken. “Officers, you are making a terrible mistake. This is my attorney.”

“You’re interfering with an arrest, sir.” The cop opened the backdoor of the cruiser and placed Be

“I want to know why you’re arresting me!” she was yelling, even as she saw Carrier ru

But it was too late. The cruiser lurched off bearing her away, and the last face Be