Cash Call, A Stan Turner Mystery Vol 5

by William Manchee

  Chapter 8

  Calculation

   The first step in prosecuting a DWI case is to interview the arresting officer to make sure he has followed proper protocol in arresting the defendant. Officer Milton Lansdale was a veteran cop with a good record. I dropped by his precinct and interviewed him in a conference room. He was tall, fit and laid back. After introducing myself, I asked him about the arrest.

   "I got a call from the dispatcher about an illegal party going on off Greenville Avenue. While searching for the party I passed a blue Ford Mustang GT traveling southbound on Greenville Avenue. It was full of teenagers, so I figured they must be coming from the party. It was my intention just to find out the location of the party when I pulled them over, but when the driver opened the window the smell of alcohol was so strong I had no choice but to check the driver's sobriety."

   "I see. So, he wasn't weaving or anything?"

   "No. I wouldn't have suspected he was drunk by the way he was handling the car."

   "Okay. Go on."

   "Anyway, I put him through a sobriety test and it was obvious he was drunk."

   "So, did you read him his rights?"

   "Of course. He didn't have much to say. It was his buddy who started mouthing off."

   "Jesse Ramirez?"

   "Right. He got out of the car while I was testing Blaylock's sobriety. I told him to get back in the car but he didn't listen to me."

   "What was his problem?" I asked.

   "The usual. Why do cops always pick on teenagers. We weren't bothering anybody. You should be out looking for drug dealers and rapists and leave us alone."

   "So, he was obviously drunk too."

   "Yes, more so than Mr. Blaylock."

   "Is it true he hit you?"

   "Yes, but I'm not sure he intended me any harm. He just grabbed my arm and tried to stop me from arresting Blaylock."

   "What did you do?"

   "I pushed him away and told him to back off."

   "Did he?"

   "Yes. For a moment. But just as I had Blaylock seated in the back of my squad car, he came at me again--this time trying to push me aside so he could pull Blaylock out of the car."

   "You've got to be kidding me? What an idiot."

   Officer Lansdale shrugged. "Yeah. He was pretty drunk."

   "Did you sustain any injuries," I asked.

   "Ah, nothing to worry about. A few bruises to my arm and shoulder."

   "Did you go to the emergency room?"

   "Yes, and they took photos."

   "Good. This guy needs a lesson in respect of authority."

   "Ah. I wouldn't be too hard on him. He was just trying to protect his friend."

   "Right, but you could have been seriously hurt and he obviously had a bad attitude. He needs to be punished so he won't even think about challenging a police officer again."

   Officer Lansdale shrugged. "Whatever you think is best, Ms. Waters."

   "Thanks. I'll be in touch when a court date is set."

   Officer Lansdale nodded, got up and left the conference room. I lingered a few minutes to expand on my notes a little. The Ramirez's case was actually more serious than Blaylock's. He had assaulted a police officer and interfered with an arrest along with public intoxication. Assaulting an officer couldn't be ignored. When I had finished writing, I decided I needed to go to the emergency room and get a statement from Officer Lansdale's treating physician. The photos of the injuries would be important too. Hopefully the bruising would be clear so the judge or jury wouldn't blow it off.

   My mind then turned to Stan Turner. With two cases I'd have plenty of opportunity to meet with him, but I needed to be prepared when that happened. I tried to think how I could find out more about his practice. Only with inside knowledge could I hope to be successfully lure him into a partnership. Then it hit me. He had used Snake as second chair in the Sarah Winters' trial. Harry Hertel, aka Snake, was our law professor at SMU. He was the professor I had seduced to insure I did well in criminal law. We only dated a few months, but that was only because the dean of the law school got wind of our romance and made him put an end to it. That was it. I need to go visit Snake. I was sure he'd be glad to see me.

   Snake had an office at SMU but I couldn't go visit him there. Too many eyes would see us together and I didn't want anyone to know I had met with him. His second office, the one he used for his private criminal defense practice, was actually in a back room of a strip club called the Majestic Mansion in Mesquite. It was an old southern mansion that had been converted to a gentlemen's club. Snake was such a good customer, they let him use a back room to meet with his clients. Most of his clients were male, so he seldom received any complaints about the location of his office.

   That night I went to the Majestic Mansion hoping to see Snake. After I'd paid the steep cover charge and given my coat to the hostess, I walked in and looked around. A young lady in an elegant ball gown spotted me and asked if I wanted a table.

   "Actually, I'm looking for someone," I replied.

   "Oh. Who would that be?"

   "Snake. Have you seen him tonight?"

   "Oh. Mr. Hertel. Sure, he's eating dinner. I can ask him if he'd like some company."

   "Yes. Do that. Tell him it's Paula Waters."

   The girl nodded and left. Two topless waitresses walked by giggling about something. I smiled at them. After a few moments the elegant lady returned and said Mr. Hertel would be pleased to have me join him. I nodded and followed her through an impressive library, then into a spacious dining room with dozens of tables adorned with fancy white linen. Around the perimeter of the room were beautifully decorated private booths. There was a stage at one end and a small jazz band situated in front of it. The room was crowded with mostly businessmen. The hostess took me to a booth and Snake smiled up at me.

   "Paula! What a surprise. Have a seat," he said eagerly.

  "Hi, Harry," I replied and took a seat across from him.

   "Get her a menu," Harry barked to the lady who had seated me. "And a wine glass. I've got a wonderful Merlot. I'm sure you'll love it."

   Taking a deep breath, I recalled the many delightful meals I'd enjoyed with Snake. He was a passionate man who loved fine dining, good booze, and beautiful women. But, I had no intention of rekindling our affair, so I decided to get straight to business.

   "I'm sorry to bother you, but I needed some information."

   A waitress showed up with a menu and a wineglass.

   "Fine. But that can wait," he said as he poured me a glass of wine."

   I smiled, took the glass and took a sip. "Yes, this is marvelous."

   "Look at the menu. The roast duck is to die for," he advised.

   "Alright. That sounds good. So, how have you been?" I asked, deciding I'd have to engage in a little small talk before I started digging for information.

   "Ah. You know. I'm up to my elbows in crap as usual."

   Not wanting a to actually hear any of that, I changed the subject. "You know I'm at the DA's office now."

   "Right. I heard that. How do you like it?"

   "Oh. It's okay, if you like being a cog in a wheel."

   He laughed. "I hear that. It's good experience though. When you go out on your own, your contacts at the DA's office will be invaluable."

   "Right. I've already made some good connections."

   "Good. You'll be glad you paid your dues, I promise."

   "You know who I just got a couple of cases against?"

   "Who's that?"

   "Stan Turner."

   Snake looked up and shook his head. "Wow! Stan Turner is handling a criminal case. He swore after spending 30 days in jail, he'd never handle a criminal case again."

   "Did he?"

   "Yes. He only took the Sarah Winters case because I agreed to be second chair."

   "That's what I heard."

   "That's right. You knew him pretty well in law s
chool. We worked on that Mexican Cartel case together. I remember that little trip to Baja--. Wow! What a weekend."

   I smiled thinking back to the memorable trip. "Yes, so it looks like he'll be defending a wrongful death case as well."

   "How's that?" Snake asked.

   "Oh, the defendant's girlfriend got into a car wreck and killed the driver of the other vehicle."

   Snake shook his head. "Well, that's good for Stan. Hopefully, he'll actually get paid."

   "What do you mean," I asked.

   He laughed. "Well, Stan's not such a good businessman. His client's often stiff him. He's a sucker for any sad story."

   "Really?"

  "Yes, I'm afraid so. I'm not sure he made a dime on the Sarah Winter's case. Sarah's father's retainer check bounced, if I recall correctly."

   "You've got to be kidding? Why didn't he withdraw as counsel?"

   Snake shrugged. "I don't think Stan has ever withdrawn from a case. Money isn't a big priority with him. He gets so caught up in his cases, that he forgets a law practice is a business. It's caused him a lot of grief, particularly with Rebekah."

   "I bet--with four kids and no money. That could be difficult for a woman."

   The waitress brought me my roast duck and I started eating. It was delicious. "I'm thinking about proposing a partnership with Stan."

   Snake raised his eyebrows. "Seriously?"

   "Yes. We got along pretty well in law school and I really enjoyed working with him. And now that I've talked to you, I'm even more convinced a partnership with him would be perfect. I'm a pretty good businesswoman. If I handled the finances, we wouldn't be doing any involuntary bro bono work."

   Snake laughed. "Well, you two would probably be good together."

   "Yes, and we wouldn't be turning down any criminal business. I could handle whatever came in the door."

   Snake picked up his glass and held it out to me. "Then let me be the first to toast the new law firm of Turner and Waters."

   I smiled, picked up my wineglass and held it out. When our glasses touched I heard a gentle clink that gave me gooseflesh.

   Snake took a deep breath. "So, when are you going to tell Stan about your new partnership together?"

  We both laughed.

   "Soon," I replied. "Very soon."