Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
I’d lost track of how many times I’d asked him not to smoke around me, but he refused to curb his habit.
“Our client is innocent, but he’s pretty unlikable, so I don’t want him to testify,” I said. “I want to bring some character witnesses to make him look good to the jury instead.”
“That sounds like it’ll cost us time we don’t have, Miss Tanner.” He puffed another ‘O.’ “If he didn’t do it, just focus on that. This isn’t a firm, remember?”
Unfortunately… “Right.”
“Oh, and don’t forget.” He held out a pouch. “We’re all limited to two cups of free coffee per day at the machine. Everything past that and you have to use these coins that we deduct from your paycheck, remember?”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and forced a smile.
Stepping out of his office, I headed to our small library and began searching for a new job.
I need to stop pretending anyway.
“Miss Tanner?” a familiar voice said, making me turn around.
Mr. Hamilton?
“I thought that was you.” He stepped closer, looking completely out of place here in his custom grey suit. “How much does your job here pay?”
I didn’t answer.
“I’ll take your silence to be an utter embarrassment at the answer,” he said.
“With all due respect,” I said. “I’m working right now, but whenever I miss your insults, I’ll stop by the firm to collect them. I promise.”
“This is how you thank my partner for all he’s done for you?” He looked around. “Come back to this shit-hole and act like nothing’s happened?”
“I told him how grateful I was this past weekend.”
“I didn’t come here for small talk.” He crossed his arms. “Allow me to tell you what’s about to occur over the next few weeks of your life, Miss Tanner.”
“I don’t work for you anymore.”
“You’re going to take the bar exam this weekend, and you’re going to pass that shit with flying colors,” he said. “I’m so confident about it, that I’m not even going to open the results when they’re mailed to me.”
“I have plans this weekend.”
“I don’t recall asking you to state irrelevant facts.” He looked over his shoulder, and Jessica stepped from behind a bookcase. “Did you hear me ask for those, Jessica?”
“I sure did not.”
“You will put in a two weeks’ notice here some time next week,” he said. “Then you’ll return to my firm and you’ll learn how to be an even better lawyer than you were before.”
“With all due respect—”
“Your new starting salary will be eight hundred thousand dollars a year, with benefits, and we’ll work out something for your sister Ellie as well.”
“Mr. Hamilton—”
“You’re welcome.”
That weekend
The second hand on the wall was ticking by too fast. I had one remaining essay prompt and ten minutes to craft a response.
Prompt:
A defense lawyer agrees to represent a client who has been accused of committing a heinous crime. The prosecution has decided to offer a plea deal in exchange for your client’s testimony against a previous client of yours who has committed a lesser crime. Explain what you would do in this situation.
Months ago, I would’ve given this a long response and infused my morals in every line, but I no longer looked at the law the same way.
Without hesitation, I envisioned Damien and I discussing this situation, and I wrote exactly what he would do instead.
“Time!”
Shit… I slammed my pencil down, and the proctor grabbed my test packet.
“You will receive your results via mail within the next three to six months,” he said. “Best of luck.”
The other students grabbed their things and rushed out of the room. I waited until I was the last one before leaving.
“How did it go?” Damien’s voice stopped me dead in my tracks.
I turned around to see him holding a huge bouquet of purple and white flowers.
“I think I did pretty well,” I said. “I struggled over the essay question on ethics, though.”
“Oh?” He stepped closer. “Why is that?”
“Because I met someone who challenged my views on things.”
“Hopefully what he taught you won’t hurt your score.” He held out the flowers.
“Thank you.” I tugged at a petal. “I was offered to come back and work at the firm, but I hope you won’t be offended if I request to work with someone else.
“I’ll be beyond offended.” He grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes. “These last months have been miserable as hell without you, and I was wrong about not needing you.”
“Damien—”
“This is my closing argument that I’ve been working on for weeks.” He kissed my forehead. “You don’t get to have any objections during this part, remember?”
I nodded, waiting for him to continue.
“I always thought I was a damn good lawyer, someone who worked better alone, but you made me an even better one,” he said. “I can’t promise that I’ll never defend someone you hate, or turn down someone you may not like, but I can promise you that I’ll never hurt you again.”