Compelling Evidence by Steve Martini Page A

way to bring this thing to a head. "If you have a deal, you must, of course, offer it through counsel."

    "All we want are some names," says Gibbs. "A little cooperadon." ‐ "The court can't give you that, only my client can." Gibbs has opened the door a crack, and my foot is in it. "We can subpoena her." Lama wallows about like a water buffalo in the mud..11. "And she can take the Fifth,"
    I say. "You can't compel her to testify if that testimony will incriminate her‐and the last time I looked, it took two to commit an act of prostitutionor bribery."

    Acosta is growing restive, distracted by something else, some other, deeper concern. I can read it in his eyes, which have wandered from us.
    "Perhaps I should bring my client in here, and we can see if Ae's willing to testify, and if so under what conditions."

    Like an ammonia capsule, my suggestion delivers the Coconut 1horn his comatose state. "No, no, we do not have time for that. I live a crowded docket today." His hands flail the air, palms out protest. "Besides, I have learned from long experience that it best to separate clients and their emotions from the details of Tka @argaining and settlement negotiations." .it is as I suspected: Susan Hawley has been a busy woman' I play the final trump card. "Well, I think it's only fair to n that my client has given me precise instructions not to accept any offer short of art outright dismissal of all qj.. believe.that in return for such an offer she might be 14, to testify."

    "Bullshit." Lama's on his feet. "Maybe. But unless she gets it, you don't have a .,j .i W "Listen ..." He begins to move around Gibbs.
    "Officer, sit down." Acosta's in no mood for a TML( baritone voice echoes off the walls. "I think we're going rol to continue this matter on another date."

    Acosta tells Gibbs to start thinking about immunity es' client. He says that with the crowded court calendar this something he wants to see tried in his court. Lama's Mn, M,* the Coconut is tired of humoring him.
    There's some calendar conflicts. We settle on a date three weeks off. 71t@',' line of defense in any criminal case‐‐delay. I waive time. point
    the last thing Susan Hawley needs is a speedy trial. "Counsel!"‐Acosta looks at me‐‐‐@"I don't think there any need for you to bring your client to court when we sz4xf vene on this matter. There's no reason to inflict any inconvenience."

    "Certainly, if the court pleases‐and there's no ois ‐ o the prosecution." I look at Gibbs, whose mouth is about
    "Well, the court
    pleases:' says Acosta, "and there is @szszi.' tion from the prosecution." Gibbs's jaw slacks, his lines P!it by the court. As we rise to leave, Armando Acosta leans %

    , his chair and arches his spine, an expression of relief ‐4Wrl his face. I suspect it isn't the first time Susan Hawley has ITT judge by the balls, though the last was unquestionably ) I @" private and provocative surroundings. It would appear It, expectations of dismissal are not idle thoughts after all.

    CHAPTER 5.

    IN the days following Den's
    death, my mind has been playing tag with thoughts of recrimination, of my role in his misery with Talia. The funeral is now past, part of yesterday's news. Alone in my office I study a copy of the Tzib, which lies on my desk next to a tall glass of bourbon. I look at the three‐column photo above the fold. Talia was, I think, at least in that moment when light hit Mr. Kodak's emulsion, heavily into appearances.

    She has made the front page. Her face shrouded by black lace, her mourning. suit by Armani, she is the chic picture of stoic sorrow. She stands three steps up on the cathedral stairs for the world to see, head held erect, a slight breeze ruffling the lace about her face. All that is missing is the toddler at her knee dressed in long coat, saluting the coffin. Under the picture a bold lead for the cudine: WIDOW GRIEVES.
    Talia knows how to set a scene. I sip my drink and remember our last meeting. A dim hotel