The Green Line by E. C. Diskin Read Free Book Online

light-blue dress shirt and khakis. He stood as she approached the table. His smile revealed perfectly straight, bright white teeth and his obvious relief mixed with embarrassment. The familiar eyes made her feel instantly comfortable. They began with polite hellos, Ali returned Abby’s glasses, and they ordered their drinks. He sat forward and shared his tale in a hushed tone.
    “Abby, I feel like all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the whole life I’ve been building here is going to be destroyed.”
    Abby pulled a card from her purse. “I asked around this morning. This guy I work with was with the DA’s office for five years. He gave me the name of a lawyer who is well known in defense circles.” Abby handed him one of her business cards with the lawyer’s name and number on the back.
    “Is he expensive?”
    “Probably.”
    “I don’t have much money.”
    “Don’t worry about how to pay yet. I’m sure he has creative billing options. What’s most important is that you get great representation. You need to meet with him and get some proper legal advice.”
    “Yes, you’re right. Thank you so much.”
    “I haven’t really done anything. But I’ll be happy to call him and give him the heads-up that you’ll be calling.”
    “Okay, that would be wonderful.”
    Abby sat back then and offered a smile. “Try not to worry. This will get sorted out.” She had no idea if this would get sorted out, but she did not know what else to say.
    Ali nodded in agreement and caved into silence, scanning his menu.
    They ordered pasta and Ali quickly returned the subject to his store. “Abby, do you understand this law? Taking my building when I have done nothing wrong?”
    “I don’t know as much as the lawyer you should call. I do know that there are two ways police take property—criminal forfeiture and civil forfeiture. In criminal, they go after someone’s property after getting a criminal conviction. In civil actions, the case is actually against the property, so it doesn’t matter if the owner is proven guilty of anything. Often, the owner isn’t even arrested.”
    “But how can that be?”
    “I know it seems crazy. I researched it years ago in law school. The theory is that the property is an instrument of the crime—in this case, I’m guessing drug trafficking—and so it’s the property’s guilt at issue.”
    Ali shook his head in amazement.
    “It’s weird, I know.”
    “So, it doesn’t matter if I’m innocent?”
    “It depends. There are usually innocent owner defenses in these types of cases, but again, Ali, I’m not qualified to tell you whether this is a weak or a strong case.”
    “I used everything I had to buy that building. If I lose that, I lose everything.”
    “You own the building?”
    “Yes. I bought it several years ago. It was actually pretty cheap at the time because it was so run-down. But I’ve fixed it up. Last year I replaced a lot of windows and repaired the roof. Now it’s probably in the best shape of the buildings on the block.”
    “And you have a roommate?”
    Ali smiled. “Yes, his name is Miguel. We’ve lived together for three years now. He’s like my only family in this country.”
    “Well, try not to worry, Ali. I’m no expert, but this attorney that you’re going to call, I’m sure he’ll be able to ease your mind.” She then looked at her menu to avoid his eyes.
    She wasn’t an expert, and it was possible that the laws had changed in the last six years, but what she knew was disturbing. Seizing property was a great money-maker for police departments and the system was not set up to protect people like Ali. Abby looked at him as he buttered his bread. She could tell he was worried.
    “As soon as I get back to the office, I’ll call that attorney, Ted Gottlieb, and advise him that you’ll be calling. And don’t wait to call. It’s important to get someone working on this right away.”
    Ali nodded at her instructions.
    “Oh,” Ali added,