Page 150 of One of Us Is Guilty

‘There’s something else I found – thought you would like it. Ialready gave it to the DA and the court,’ she said as she handed me a one-page report from the New York City Department of Finance.

I let the shirt hang open, read the report carefully.

Then read it again.

‘You’re shitting me,’ I said.

Bloch gazed at my chest and said, ‘You have a lot of scars.’

She was that kind of person. She said what was on her mind. I looked down at my chest.

‘Maybe Harry’s right,’ I said. ‘Somewhere in the world there’s a dirty, run-down beach bar with a couple of empty stools for Harry and me. I’ve been lucky, Bloch. Sooner or later, luck runs out.’

‘Not today,’ she said, staring at the document in my hands. ‘Not today.’

The judge and jury were already seated when I entered the courtroom.

The stares from Tanner were hard enough to cut glass.

I ignored her, went straight to my client.

Before anything else happened in this case, I needed something from her.

I leaned over the defense table, whispered to Vanessa.

‘We’re going to make a new deal, between lawyer and client. I know two things. I know you didn’t kill Molly Green. I know you’ve been lying to me since the day we first met. I’m going to win this case for you now, but not in the way you think. When this is all over, you and I are going to have a sit down. And you’re going to tell me the truth. Either you agree to this now, or I walk out that door with my team and you can find yourself another lawyer.’

What she said next was unexpected, but really I should have seen it coming.

‘The judge won’t let you walk away.’

I let that sit for a moment, then said, ‘She can put me in jail for a while, but you don’t want a lawyer that doesn’t want you for aclient. I can throw you under a bus with this jury just as fast as I can save you. Think quickly, Vanessa.’

She breathed in, thought for a moment and said, ‘Okay.’

‘Good, because when we talk, I’ll know if you’re lying to me.’

I moved to the prosecution’s table. Riley got up as I approached.

‘Mr. Flynn, we are waiting . . .’ said the Judge.

‘I’m sure you’re getting well paid for it,’ I said.

‘What did you just say?’ she asked.

‘My apologies, I said,I’m sure it will be worth it, Your Honor. I just need a quick word with Mr. Riley. We have some new evidence in this case.’

I lowered my voice, so no one but Riley would hear.

‘I’m using this new evidence today. You should listen carefully to it. You’ve got a decision to make.’

‘What the fuck does all this new evidence even mean, Eddie? I don’t get it.’

‘You will, but don’t worry about that for a second. I’m not trying to mess with you – I’m not playing a con here – I’m trying to help you. You heard the FBI pulled Ben Larkin’s body out of a shallow grave this morning?’ I asked.

‘I heard.’

‘I was the one who found him. This whole case stinks and you’re smart enough to know it. You have some talents. You have a perfect record of convictions. In another year, you can walk into a good job in a decent firm on a great salary. Don’t let this case put the same smell of corruption on you. Because if that happens there’s no future for you in this city. The only way out of this is for you to drop the charges.’