In Firm Pursuit by Pamela Samuels-Young Read Free Book Online

plaintiff expect to call and what’s your estimate for the length of trial?” He looked in the direction of Reggie and Hamilton.
    Reggie was sitting down now, his right ankle resting on the opposite knee, glad to have his new co-counsel running the show. “Based on my review of the case,” Hamilton began, “we’ll have six witnesses, not counting our experts. I’m fairly certain we can complete our direct in no more than four days.”
    â€œYou’ve had time to get up to speed on the case already, Mr. Ellis?” the judge asked with a degree of compassion I never knew he possessed.
    â€œYes, Your Honor.”
    â€œOf course you would,” Judge Sloan said, smiling again. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from an attorney of your caliber. There’re a lot of members of the Bar who could learn a thing or two from you, sir.”
    Sir? I looked at Hamilton, then at the judge, then back at Hamilton again. I had never seen Judge Sloan show any attorney the kind of deference he had just displayed toward Hamilton Ellis.
    â€œMs. Henderson, are you with us?” the judge said. His voice had hardened considerably. “I asked for your trial estimate.”
    â€œUh…yes, Your Honor.” I looked down at a documentin front of me. “About seven days. And I expect to call ten witnesses.”
    Judge Sloan scowled and pointed that wiener at me again. “That’s a lot of witnesses, Ms. Henderson. I’m warning you right now, if the testimony starts to get repetitive, I’m cutting you short.”
    I almost wanted to laugh. This wasn’t happening.
    The judge asked a few more procedural questions, then dismissed us.
    I stuffed my papers inside my satchel, my mind a muddle of anger, confusion and dread. How in the hell had this case taken such a crazy turn?
    It wasn’t until I looked down at the document I was holding that I realized my hands were shaking.

CHAPTER 10
    I stepped outside the courtroom and spotted Hamilton and Reggie standing just a few feet away. They were apparently waiting for me.
    â€œNice to see you again, counselor.” Hamilton extended his hand.
    When I offered mine, he clasped it gently, then proceeded to hold on much longer than necessary. I finally had to ease my hand from his grasp.
    â€œThanks for the heads-up about joining the case,” I said, not hiding my frustration.
    â€œForgive me,” Hamilton replied. “If I hadn’t been so busy trying to play catch-up, I would’ve called you.”
    I rolled my eyes, then glowered at Reggie, who was still all smiles. “When did your telephone stop working?”
    â€œI have to run,” he said, ignoring me. He extended his hand to Hamilton. “Thanks, brother-in-law.”
    So they’re family. But that still did not explain things. Hamilton was far too concerned about his precious trial record to associate himself with a dog of a case like this one. At least it should’ve seemed like a dog based on the facts he knew.
    â€œLet’s stand over here, out of the way.” Hamiltonpressed his palm against my back and guided me from the middle of the busy corridor, closer to the wall.
    â€œI’m really looking forward to going up against you again,” he said.
    I had won a close case against him five years earlier. I was only a third-year associate at the time, and it had not looked good for such a seasoned trial attorney to be outdone by a novice.
    â€œDon’t tell me you still haven’t gotten over losing the Byers case,” I said. This time I was the one smiling.
    â€œI’ll admit that it still stings a bit,” he acknowledged.
    â€œBut that’s only part of the reason I decided to help Reggie out with the case. You can be quite a handful, you know.”
    â€œOh, so I’m the reason you’re on the case?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, you are,” he said. “Except I didn’t realize