Milton leading up to that?
"I thought you would," John Milton said, sitting back until his face was covered by a shadow as a cloud slipped over the sun outside. "And for that reason, you wouldn't think it odd that I make suggestions, even try to help you in ways that are not, it would seem, directly related to your work here.
"For example," he continued, "it would surely help if you lived in the city. Now it just so happens I own a rather luxurious apartment complex in an ideal part of Manhattan, and I have an apartment available in it, one I would like you to take rent-free."
"Rent-free?"
"Exactly. That's how committed I am to my associates and their families. I have a way of writing it all off, too," he added. "Not that that's important. The important thing is to be sure you and your wife have a comfortable, enjoyable life while you're with us. I realize you and your wife have family ties to where you are presently located," he continued quickly, "but you won't be all that far away, and"—he leaned forward out of the shadow to smile—"you will have a new family here."
Kevin nodded. "It sounds ... wonderful. Of course, I'll have to discuss it with my wife," he added quickly.
"Of course. Now," John Milton said, rising, "let's just talk about the law for a moment and let me give you my philosophy.
"Law should be strictly interpreted and strictly enforced. Justice is a resulting benefit, but it is not the reason for the legal system. The legal system is designed to maintain order, keep all men in check." He turned at the corner of his desk to look down at Kevin and smile again. "All men, the so-called agents of good as well as the criminal element.
"Compassion," John Milton continued, like a lecturing college professor, "is admirable in its place but has no place in the system because it's subjective and imperfect and subject to change, whereas law can be perfected and remain timeless and universal."
He paused and looked at Kevin, who nodded quickly.
"I think you understand everything I am saying and agree with it."
"Yes," Kevin said. "Maybe I haven't put it exactly in those terms, but I do."
"We are advocates, first and foremost, and as long as we remember that, we will succeed," John Milton said, his eyes blazing with determination. Kevin was mesmerized. When John Milton spoke, he spoke in undulating rhythms, so soft at times that he felt as if he was reading the man's lips and repeating phrases in his own voice.
And then, suddenly he would be dynamic, his voice forceful and vibrant.
Kevin's heart beat quickly, a flush coming into his face. The last time he remembered feeling this excited was when he was on the high school basketball team and they were playing the game that would determine their league championship. Their coach, Marty McDermott, had made a locker-room speech that sent them sailing out on the court with enough fire in their hearts to burn away the whole league. He couldn't wait to get his hands on the ball. Now, he couldn't wait to get back into court.
John Milton nodded slowly. "We understand each other more than you imagine, Kevin; and as soon as I realized that, I instructed Paul to make overtures." He stared at Kevin for a moment and then smiled. It was almost an impish smile. "Take this last case you tried ..." John Milton settled back in his seat, a more relaxed posture this time.
"Lois Wilson, the schoolteacher accused of abusing children?"
"Yes. Your defense was brilliant. You saw the weak spots in the prosecution's case and you surged forward, concentrating on them."
"I knew the principal had it in for her and I knew the other little girls were lying ..."
"Yes," John Milton said, leaning forward, his arms extended over the desk as if he wanted to embrace Kevin. "But you also knew Barbara Stanley was not lying and that Lois Wilson was guilty."
Kevin just stared.
"Oh, you weren't completely sure, But in your heart you thought she had abused Barbara Stanley and that Barbara Stanley,
"I thought you would," John Milton said, sitting back until his face was covered by a shadow as a cloud slipped over the sun outside. "And for that reason, you wouldn't think it odd that I make suggestions, even try to help you in ways that are not, it would seem, directly related to your work here.
"For example," he continued, "it would surely help if you lived in the city. Now it just so happens I own a rather luxurious apartment complex in an ideal part of Manhattan, and I have an apartment available in it, one I would like you to take rent-free."
"Rent-free?"
"Exactly. That's how committed I am to my associates and their families. I have a way of writing it all off, too," he added. "Not that that's important. The important thing is to be sure you and your wife have a comfortable, enjoyable life while you're with us. I realize you and your wife have family ties to where you are presently located," he continued quickly, "but you won't be all that far away, and"—he leaned forward out of the shadow to smile—"you will have a new family here."
Kevin nodded. "It sounds ... wonderful. Of course, I'll have to discuss it with my wife," he added quickly.
"Of course. Now," John Milton said, rising, "let's just talk about the law for a moment and let me give you my philosophy.
"Law should be strictly interpreted and strictly enforced. Justice is a resulting benefit, but it is not the reason for the legal system. The legal system is designed to maintain order, keep all men in check." He turned at the corner of his desk to look down at Kevin and smile again. "All men, the so-called agents of good as well as the criminal element.
"Compassion," John Milton continued, like a lecturing college professor, "is admirable in its place but has no place in the system because it's subjective and imperfect and subject to change, whereas law can be perfected and remain timeless and universal."
He paused and looked at Kevin, who nodded quickly.
"I think you understand everything I am saying and agree with it."
"Yes," Kevin said. "Maybe I haven't put it exactly in those terms, but I do."
"We are advocates, first and foremost, and as long as we remember that, we will succeed," John Milton said, his eyes blazing with determination. Kevin was mesmerized. When John Milton spoke, he spoke in undulating rhythms, so soft at times that he felt as if he was reading the man's lips and repeating phrases in his own voice.
And then, suddenly he would be dynamic, his voice forceful and vibrant.
Kevin's heart beat quickly, a flush coming into his face. The last time he remembered feeling this excited was when he was on the high school basketball team and they were playing the game that would determine their league championship. Their coach, Marty McDermott, had made a locker-room speech that sent them sailing out on the court with enough fire in their hearts to burn away the whole league. He couldn't wait to get his hands on the ball. Now, he couldn't wait to get back into court.
John Milton nodded slowly. "We understand each other more than you imagine, Kevin; and as soon as I realized that, I instructed Paul to make overtures." He stared at Kevin for a moment and then smiled. It was almost an impish smile. "Take this last case you tried ..." John Milton settled back in his seat, a more relaxed posture this time.
"Lois Wilson, the schoolteacher accused of abusing children?"
"Yes. Your defense was brilliant. You saw the weak spots in the prosecution's case and you surged forward, concentrating on them."
"I knew the principal had it in for her and I knew the other little girls were lying ..."
"Yes," John Milton said, leaning forward, his arms extended over the desk as if he wanted to embrace Kevin. "But you also knew Barbara Stanley was not lying and that Lois Wilson was guilty."
Kevin just stared.
"Oh, you weren't completely sure, But in your heart you thought she had abused Barbara Stanley and that Barbara Stanley,
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