Nothing But the Truth by Carsen Taite Read Free Book Online Page A

reasonable for a prostitution case, but this wasn’t a run-of-the-mill prostitution case. Compelling prostitution wasn’t run-of-the-mill.
    Ryan finally faced Jeff. She knew she was tramping all over his territory. She couldn’t help herself. What she couldn’t figure out was whether her action was a power play or merely a desire to interact with Logan. Ryan decided not to examine her motivation.
    Brett shot an imploring look in Jeff’s direction. He answered with a shrug. She directed her pitch at Ryan, sure she’d detected a hint of humanity in their brief interaction outside the holdover. “This is a prostitution case, plain and simple. The only reason the officer charged it as compelling was the statutory age component. Seriously, there’s no evidence my client compelled Daniels to do anything or that she was aware of her age.”
    Ryan looked at the report. “Math isn’t my strong suit, but it looks like the arresting officer was correct in determining Daniels was under seventeen. He doesn’t have to prove your client used force or threat.”
    “Agreed. But you do have to prove my client caused Daniels to commit the act.”
    “I’m certain that issue will be fully explored.”
    “Why waste the time?” Brett was done trying to appeal to Ryan’s seemingly nonexistent good sense. She wanted to get to the bottom line, a plea offer. “What’s the going rec for prostitutes right now? Thirty days, county jail? At three for one, by the time this case is heard by the grand jury, she’ll have more than enough time in to satisfy that. Let her waive indictment, and you save everyone a lot of time and trouble.”
    “Why, Ms. Logan, how kind of you to be so concerned about our resources. Our little old office truly appreciates your compassion.” Ryan didn’t care that her sarcasm wasn’t winning points. She didn’t need leverage. The DA’s office boasted over a hundred prosecutors. They had the power to bring charges against whomever they wanted. Sure, that kind of power had to be balanced with discretion, but Ryan didn’t need some hotshot defense attorney telling her how to run her division. Besides, the best way to teach the prosecutors under her command how to have a backbone was to show her own strength. She pulled a pen from her jacket pocket and wrote down the case number from the police report Brett had handed to her. “I’ll run this through the grand jury myself. It’s time we stopped prostitution at the source.” Ryan felt a faint prick at her own hypocrisy, but she stuffed any rising internal debate.
    “What the hell?” Brett snatched her paperwork from Ryan’s grasp. “I came in here to talk to Jeff.”
    “So you could try and intimidate him into offering your client a cush deal?”
    “My client hasn’t even said she’s guilty. I just wanted to explore all her options. Seemed like it was a cush deal for you. You get to wipe a case off your docket with very little trouble.”
    “Human trafficking merits all the trouble it takes to bring the perpetrators to justice.” Ryan knew she was exaggerating the significance of the case, but she wasn’t going to back down now, despite a nagging feeling she was overcompensating for her attraction to Brett.
    “You have got to be kidding me. Three women selling their bodies do not equal a white slave trade. I came to Jeff because he has some sense of perspective. You, on the other hand, have spent too much time in your office upstairs to appreciate the nuances of the real world.”
    Brett was flushed. Ryan noted her adversary’s other weakness. She expressed emotion about her cases. I bet she keeps tissue in her purse, Ryan thought with disdain. She didn’t have time to think about it more since Brett turned and headed for the door. “I’ll see you at grand jury.” Brett shot the words over her shoulder.

Chapter Five

    Brett wished she had kept her mouth shut. She never should have tried to talk to Jeff Oates with his boss sitting right