The Guilty by Gabriel Boutros Read Free Book Online Page B

He just finished his stage with the Federal Crown, which is probably why none of you have ever seen him in court.”
    Kouri smiled and ducked his head in embarrassment at the jibe, while the other lawyers grinned knowingly.
    “Anyway, he’s decided he’s fed up being mollycoddled and wants to practice some real law. While our esteemed colleague here,” he pointed at Bratt as he spoke, “has been bamboozling helpless jurors with his magnificent oratory, I’ve been carrying on the job interviews all by myself. In Peter I believe I’ve found someone who’ll fit in with our little family quite nicely, if, that is, we can help him unlearn any of the bad habits he’s developed over the past six months.”
    Kalouderis motioned over to Kouri and said, “If you’re going to join us then you might as well get used to an important ritual in this office: listening to Robert Bratt remind us of how great he is.”
    The lawyers laughed loudly at this, but Kouri held back until he saw that Bratt enjoyed the joke at his own expense as much as the others. Bratt dropped his feet to the floor and stood up to shake his hand in welcome. Kouri’s grip was strong, Bratt was happy to see, showing more self-confidence than did his nervous smile.
    Kouri almost gushed with enthusiasm as he shook Bratt’s hand. “This is a real honor, Mr. Bratt. I’ve been following your legal career since I was a kid.”
    Bratt grabbed his stomach like he’d been punched and winced in mock pain. “Ouch! Kid, you’re making me feel so old,” he complained, nevertheless flattered by the younger lawyer’s admiration. “Anyway, I’m glad to have you aboard. I think you’ll find we’re a fun group of people to work with.”
    Leblanc stepped up and stood between the two, putting an arm around each one’s shoulders. “I’m glad you two are hitting it off, Bobby-boy, because you’re probably going to be seeing a lot of each other for the next little while. First thing I told Peter he’d be doing is giving you a bit of a hand in your next case.”
    Bratt’s smile faded slightly as he looked suspiciously at Leblanc. “That so?”
    Leblanc’s own smile faded entirely, before he turned away from Bratt and began to shoo everyone else out of the office.
    “The old brain trust’s going to need some time alone, people, so why don’t you show Peter here around a little. You too, John,” he said to Kalouderis, who still sat on the sofa. “You can have a nap after everybody’s gone home tonight.”
    Kalouderis grinned and flipped his middle finger in Leblanc’s direction before getting up and following the others out of the office, leaving the two partners alone. Bratt returned to his feet-on-the-desk position, while Leblanc closed the door.
    “So, what’s the scoop?” Bratt asked.
    Leblanc didn’t sit, a sure sign that he was feeling nervous. He ran his fingertips along the back of the chair that Ralston had just vacated, and pursed his lips, before finally answering.
    “Well, I spoke to Lynn Sévigny…about that murder case I told you she had.”
    “I hope you asked about her health while you were at it.”
    “Geez, Bob, I’m not that much of an asshole. I made sure she was fine, OK? I’m just trying to get to the point quickly because you’ve got to be in court in twenty minutes.”
    “You’re right there, so let’s get to it.”
    “Right. Bottom line is she’d like you to take the case.”
    Bratt stamped his feet down to the floor. “Are you nuts? I’m not taking on any new cases, and you know it. I’m exhausted and I’m planning on sleeping in for the next two weeks.”
    “That’s perfect,” Leblanc smiled, “you’ll still be back a week before the trial.”
    The weak attempt at a joke only got Bratt angrier, and when he spoke this time he was almost shouting. “I’m not kidding! You can shove your dumb jokes, J.P., because I need some time to myself.”
    “OK, OK, I’m sorry. Don’t take my head off. I never wanted