After going through every detail of that day with Xander, Russell and Mac left his office and started to drive back to their own headquarters. Things were rather silent in the car as Mac had a lot going through her mind as she processed the case that was now her number one priority. She didn’t like dealing with sexual assaults, to the point where she turned down a promotion when she was on the force to avoid working with the sexual crimes unit. It wasn’t the kind of work she wanted to do, and now she was in the middle of an alleged assault, and the accused is denying every part of it. Someone was lying and Mac was going to have to dig deep to find out who it was.
“Are you alright, Mac?” Russell asked, sensing her unease.
“I don’t like this case,” Mac honestly replied.
“None of us do,” Russell confessed, “But someone has to step up and dig through all the shit to find the truth. It’s going to have to be us. Take the rest of the day off after you drop me off at the office and start fresh tomorrow.”
“Not a chance,” Mac said, “I’m working through the night.”
“On whose authority?” Russell asked.
“Willie already approved overtime,” Mac replied, “I’m going to hit the ground running and get ahead of this.”
At that moment, Russell’s phone started to buzz. He opened the line.
“Talk to me, Allister.” Russell started, “What does your source know?”
“Wait,” Allister replied, “How did you know it was me?”
“All my contacts have their own ringtones,” Russell answered, “Spill it.”
“Richard Burgess,” Allister said, “That is our man at DA who is looking into Xander’s case. He hasn’t called a grand jury yet, and appears to be giving the police more time to collect evidence.”
“Son of a bitch,” Russell cussed, “That was the last name I wanted to hear.”
“I know,” Allister said, “The big Dick himself. We couldn’t have asked for a worse attorney to have prosecuting this case. It’s rumored that he wants to run for office in the coming election year.”
“Yeah, I head that too.” Russell concurred, “And he could use Xander as a damn good campaign tool, to prove he tough on all criminals, rich or poor.”
“Sorry to break the bad news,” Allister replied, “See you back at the office.”
“What is it?” Mac asked.
“The DA running our case,” Russell answered, “Dick Burgess.”
“Damn,” Mac said, “And the hits just keep on coming.”
“I hate that piece of shit,” Russell said between gritted teeth.
“I’m sure the feeling is quite mutual,” Mac recalled, “The last time you two were in a courtroom, I actually thought you were going to drop the gloves and just start duking it out in front of the jury.”
Mac pulled her car up to the curb in front of the building where they both worked.
“Get out,” She ordered, “I’ve got some sleuthing to do.”
“Enjoy your overtime,” Russell said as he stepped out.
Mac didn’t respond and just peeled off, driving away at a rather illegal speed. Russell didn’t give a shit as it was time for him to get back to work. He didn’t give a shit that the sun was going down as he walked back into his building and back to his office. As he strolled into the lobby, Shaw was there waiting for him.
“Have you see this video?” Shaw said, holding up a tablet.
“Yes, I did,” Russell said, walking right past him. “We need to cash that retainer asap before he does something like that again.”
“This is good!” Shaw said, following Russell as he walked back to his office. “This is good press, everyone will predetermine that he’s a hero.”
“Only until he’s charged,” Russell corrected him, “Not even that will stop his fall if the DA indicts him. That seems even more likely to happen now.”
“What do you know?” Shaw asked.
“Allister called me,” Russell replied, “Dick Burgess is in the game.”
Shaw’s eyes went as wide as saucers after hearing that name, as the hate for that particular member of the D.A.’s office was hated but everyone in this firm.
“God dammit,” Shaw replied.
“Well that does capture the spirit of the moment.” Russell said, as he understood how Shaw was feeling. “We need to focus on what we can do, not fret about stuff that is beyond our control. Dick Burgess may be a world class turd, but he’s still an advocate for the people. If we present him with evidence that torpedoes his case, he’s drop it faster than a life grenade. He won’t risk his record if the case is weak.”
“So if we weaken the case, he backs off.” Shaw said, thinking about it. “How do we weaken the case?”
“Depositions,” Russell said with a smile, “We get that lying bitch under oath and make her tell her lies all over again, and then we contradict them. Once her credibility leaves the room, so does Dick.”
“That means we have to sue her,” Shaw said, “Defamation?”
“That’s one way to go,” Russell pondered, “But it’s not public.”
“Not yet,” Shaw corrected.
“True,” Russell said, pacing the room. “How would we prove it?”
“We just need to find someone she told,” Shaw said.
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“We need to find out how many people she told this story to,” Russell said, “If her intent is to harm our client, we can sue her ass off.”
“Well, she’s kept it hush hush,” Shaw added, “Probably cause her lawyer said that gave her leverage I bet. Isn’t that extortion?”
“Hard to prove,” Russell said, but he liked where Shaw’s head was at.
“We don’t need to prove it,” Shaw countered, “We just need to get this as far as depositions, and torpedo the criminal case. If we end up dropping the case, we might have to cover her legal fees. Small price I bet Xander would be willing to cover it.”
“He might be,” Russell agreed, “It’s not a bad option.”
“We need to hit the books,” Shaw said, “But that would take time.”
“Then get started,” Russell said, walking behind his desk.
“Right now?” Shaw asked.
“Is there somewhere else you gotta be?” Russell asked.
“I… well… no,” Shaw admitted, “But the extra hours alone would be…”
“Doesn’t matter,” Russell interrupted, “Overtime has been approved. You can stay all night for all I care and rack up as many hours as you want. Let’s get to it.”
“Yes, Sir.” Shaw said with a smile as he backed out the door and was gone.
“I thought that would do it,” Russell said, smiling as he watched Shaw bolt off to get to work.
Russell walked back to his desk and sat himself down. He took a deep breath and started to look through some paperwork that he was working on earlier that day. It was at this point where he had another visitor.
“Willie,” Russell said calling out to the partner at his door. “You’re burning the midnight oil too?”
“Not exactly,” Willie said, “I do like to watch our people clocking the extra time. Their gusto is contagious.”
“Yes, it is.” Russell agreed, “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“I want a drink,” Willie replied, “And someone to drink it with.”
“That’s all I needed to hear,” Russell said, hopping out of his chair and walking towards a small bar that he has located in the corner of the office. He always kept a bottle of the boss’ favorite drink, just in case Willie ever dropped by. Russell poured two glasses and handed one to his boss who was now sitting on the couch. Willie smelt the drink for a few moments, and took his first small sip.
“That is quite lovely,” Willie said, looking over at Russell. “You keep that there just for me, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” Russell said, raising his glass to do a half assed toast. “You’d do the same if our roles were reversed.”
“Probably,” Willie said, conceding. “You were always a good kiss ass.”
“I learned from the best,” Russell said, refusing to give up.
“Calm down there, sport.” Willie said, “You’ve done enough.”
“Fair enough,” Russell said, sipping his glass. “Cheers.”
“I need to know something,” Willie started, “And I need you to be honest.”
“Fire away, boss.” Russell replied.
“This new case, how bad is it?” Willie asked, “How ugly could this get?”
“It could get pretty bad really fast,” Russell said, “Even if I kick ass in court and sue the shit out of anyone who defames Xander, his rep still takes a huge hit as does the stock in his company.”
“What do you think of our client?” Willie asked him.
“I like him,” Russell admitted, “He’s got gusto, and refuses to be a pushover to anyone, even his own father. I’ve learned a lot about our new client since he left earlier today. Did you know that Xander and his siblings all got ten million dollars from their father as a present for graduating from college?”
“Is that so?” Willie said, rather surprised. “I was unaware of that little tidbit, but that’s one hell of a gift.”
“I know, right?” Russell said, “What do you think Xander did with it?”
“A kid that young?” Willie asked, thinking about it. “He probably did what most kids his age would do, I suppose.”
“I thought that too, but he didn’t.” Russell said, “All his other siblings bought houses, cars, and partied like most kids would that age. Xander however used his money to finance his post grad work, and start his own company. Several years later, and our client has a masters in economics and Xander Communications is going public. On his twenty-ninth birthday, Xander gave all ten million back to his father.”
Willie took a moment to laugh out loud.
“He gave it back?” Willie repeated, “All of it?”
“Every penny,” Russell confirmed, “And he also gave it back with interest. From what I heard, when Xander gave the cashier’s cheque to the old man, he went out of his way to thank his father for the loan. Xander never looked at the money his dad gave him as a handout but rather an investment in his future. Now the little bugger’s worth over a hundred billion.”
“Damn,” Willie said, rather impressed. “That is impressive.”
“That’s what gets my goat,” Russell continued, “That money was never a loan. It was a gift from a father who wanted to make sure his kids had a better life than he did. Now don’t get me wrong, ten million might sound a little excessive for kids that young but his heart was in the right place. Yet what I know about Xander’s old man, this was also about control. I’m pretty sure the old man uses that money to hold it over their kid’s head and make them in debited to them for it. Xander saw the trap for what it was and refused to play that game. I bet Xander paid that money back as soon as he could to remove that debt from hanging over his head. The point is he didn’t have to give it back, but he did. That’s called integrity and our client is oozing with it. Did you know that he saved a child’s life?”
“He did?” Willie replied, “When did that happen?”
“Today,” Russell said, “Less than an hour after he left our building. I checked up on him about that and he was completely humble about it. He didn’t want any reward or praise for it, as the act itself was the reward.”
“And your point?” Willie asked.
“I don’t care what’s being said,” Russell replied, “Men like Xander Hopkins do not commit the kind of crimes he’s being accused of. He denies committing the act, and because of what I know about him, I am inclined to believe him.”
“I’m inclined to believe you,” Willie added, “And if you can do that, I like your chances with a jury.”
“I hope it doesn’t have to go that far,” Russell said, “I’m more than willing to burn that bridge when we get to it, but we’re still a few bridges away from that.”
“Xander doesn’t want to settle,” Willie reminded him.
“I’m aware,” Russell concurred, “But I think we should sue and then get the DA to sit in on the depositions, get a preview of what to expect if we go to trial, and scare them away.”
“Not a bad plan,” Willie said, “But you have to find a reason to sue.”
“We have one,” Russell said, “Shaw’s going to help me look into it.”
As if he heard someone say his name, Shaw showed up at the door and stopped when he realized who was in there with Russell.
“Sir,” Shaw said, looking over at Willie, “Am I interrupting something?”
“Of course you are,” Willie said, “But you’re probably here to update us on something we’re already talking about, so get on with it.”
“I found grounds to sue the victim,” Shaw replied.
“On what grounds?” Willie asked, beating Russell to the punch.
“Defamation and slander,” Shaw answered.
“How do you figure?” Russell asked, “The accusation hasn’t gone public.”
“It kind of has,” Shaw said, “The police interviewed the man who hosted the party, the guy who invited Xander to it. He claims that the victim told him about it first. So if the story is false, telling anyone makes it slander. That should be enough to go on right?”
“That’s thin, to be honest.” Willie said.
“Thin is enough,” Russell countered, “We just need to last long enough to get depositions of everyone who was there that night. We can rip that case a art so bad that Dick will never want to go near it with a grand jury.”
“That door swings both ways, Russell.” Willie reminded him, “Xander will need to give a deposition himself.”
“Our man is innocent,” Russell reminded him, “I’m not worried about how he’ll do during his depo. He’ll stand up for himself to anyone. And if he doesn’t, we will stand for him and have his back.”
“A good plan, gentlemen.” Willie said, taking another sip.
“We’ll get our libel lawyers to draw up the suit,” Russell said, standing up as he was excited about it. He then stopped pacing and looked back at Shaw.
“What?” Shaw asked, as he could sense something was amiss.
“The guy who ran the party,” Russell said, “She told him about what happened, so why didn’t he tell anyone else about it?”
“I’m not sure,” Shaw replied, “Maybe we’re lucky he’s kept his mouth shut. Maybe he did it to save himself from being sued?”
“That’s possible,” Willie agreed.
“This doesn’t seem right,” Russell said, “Something feels out of place here, and I can’t put my finger on it. We need Mac to look into this.”