Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young Read Free Book Online

than likely hid it long before the verdict came in. The Goldmans got a thirty-three-million-dollar verdict against O.J. Last I heard, they’re still trying to collect.”
    Nichelle had anticipated this argument. “Well, Eugene
does
have money and I’ll be filing the necessary documents to freeze his assets as soon as the lawsuit is filed. And you’re forgetting that this case is going to garner a lot of publicity for the firm, and ultimately some paying clients.”
    Russell nodded, which gave her encouragement. “The media’s going to eat this case up and I intend to milk it.”
    “You don’t even like trying cases,” Sam pointed out.
    “I’ll like trying this one. I’m doing it in Maya’s memory.”
    “I told you!” Sam fired back. “It
is
all about revenge.”
    “Yes,” Nichelle admitted, growing frustrated. “There is a revenge factor here. I don’t like the fact that Maya is dead solely because she was sleeping with a guy who never told her he was running around screwing men.” Both men flinched. That was the closest thing to a curse word they’d ever heard Nichelle utter.
    “This is a legitimate practice area worth exploring. Look at these numbers.” She pointed to the
Newsweek
article. “There’s no one locally or even nationally who’s recognized as an expert in handling these types of cases. I, or
we
, could become the experts.”
    Finally, she detected a glint of interest in Sam’s eyes. “But you don’t know anything about wrongful death law.”
    “It’s not rocket science. Anyway, my friend Jamal is going to help me on a
pro bono
basis. You’ve met him. He works upstairs at Russana & Rowles. He went to law school with me and Maya.”
    Sam frowned. “Isn’t that guy gay?”
    “Yeah, and what about it?”
    “Isn’t he going to take some flack for handling a case like this?”
    “Frankly, I think it might add a little credibility to the case to have a sharp gay black man like Jamal on the defense team. He wants to do this for Maya, too.”
    Sam finally examined the papers Nichelle had given him. “When are you going to find the time to do the legal research, draft the complaint, and—”
    “The complaint’s already written.” She pulled two copies from her folder and handed them to her law partners. “And here’s the press release I’m planning to send to the media.”
    Russell quickly perused both documents. “I like it. It’ll get the firm’s name out there.”
    Sam took his time reading the materials, then looked up at her. “Fine, but you just better make sure you know what you’re doing. I don’t want this firm getting hit with a malpractice lawsuit.”
    “That won’t happen.” Nichelle was smiling inside and out.
    She had just swayed the toughest jury of her career. Who said she wasn’t a litigator?

Chapter 11
     
    V ernetta checked the fuel gauge of her Land Cruiser and cringed at the orange light signaling that she was about to run out of gas.
    She zoomed down the 405 Freeway, trying to make it to Irvine in time for an important meeting. She’d overslept, a rare occurrence since Jefferson was usually around to wake her up. But he had an early appointment and left the house before five.
    If she stopped to fill up, she would definitely be late. With less than five miles to go, she prayed that she would make it.
    The dog and pony show Vernetta was rushing off to was something clients were making law firms do more and more of these days. Even law firms with a reputation like O’Reilly & Finney’s. Instead of handing over a new case based on an existing relationship, companies were requiring firms to compete for the work. Whoever made the best pitch won the case.
    She pulled into the parking lot of Vista Electronics at a much faster rate of speed than the posted five-mile-an-hour limit and swerved into the only open stall, which was marked “car pool.” Grabbing her briefcase and purse from the passenger seat, she ran all the way to the lobby entrance,