Judge Roth's Law

by Bill Sage

Jake asked him how the trial was going and then reminded him of his instructions. “Remember, this is a big case for the Commission. Don’t forget that.”

  It seemed to Goldman that Jake’s real purpose was to intimidate and humiliate him. Jake repeatedly called him “Goldie” or “Fatboy” and told him the very same things every time he talked to him.

  “Hey, Goldie, I know I don’t have to remind you to be an asshole; it’s what you are. Makes you feel like a man.”

  Jake continued berating Goldman for another five minutes. Then when he walked to the door, Jake said, “You better not fuck this up Arnie or it’s your ass. And I’m the guy that’ll be coming for you. Keep that in mind when you’re wolfing down another chocolate cake.”

  After Jake left, Goldman let out a huge sigh. Then he poured a glass of brandy and sat on his couch. Listening to Jake’s degrading insults and “instructions” was making him feel like a loser. That had never happened until he had to deal with Jake Gertner. Fuck that cocksucker.

  He drained his brandy and poured another.

  When he finished off his second glass, he thought, This is bullshit. I’m not gonna put up with this shit anymore.

  The whole situation with Jake had been bothering him for a long time and he finally had enough. Fuck Jake Gertner. He’s nothing but a low-life hood from Detroit. He’s shit compared to me.

  He picked up the phone and called Claudio. Said he had to meet with him, something to do with the Mangano trial. Claudio wanted to wait until the morning, but Goldman insisted.

  Later that night, they met in Encino at a small doughnut shop close to Claudio’s house. Goldman got there first. Claudio showed up a few minutes later, wearing a Dodger’s baseball jacket, his brown slippers, and gray sweatpants.

  Goldman didn’t waste any time tearing into Jake. “I’m fucking tired of taking orders from that asshole. He just shows up and tells me the same shit over and over again.”

  He said he thought Jake was trying to provoke an argument so he could take a swing at him. “He’s crude and constantly belittles me.”

  “He’s just trying to do his best. What can I say?”

  “Why can’t he just call? He’s gotta come over my house every fucking night!”

  Claudio sighed. “He doesn’t mean no harm. It’s the way he is.”

  “He’s a crazy bastard. I don’t want that fucker around me.” Goldman stopped and looked Claudio in the eyes. “I gotta withdraw from the case. I can’t take any more of his shit.” He shook his head, saying, “I’m out, Claudio.”

  “Arnold, hang on a minute. Don’t forget, he was hand-picked by the Commission. He’s their man. That’s because this case is crucial for us. Nick can’t be found guilty. You gotta stay with it.”

  “This is bullshit. It’s getting where I hate to open the fucking door or answer the phone. I shouldn’t have to put up with this kind of shit.”

  “You’re gonna fuck things up for yourself, with us, and this time with the Commission. Don’t be an asshole. You’re not thinking this out right.”

  Goldman sat there, staring at Claudio. “I don’t give a shit.” He paused a moment, making sure he really wanted to go through with his decision to withdraw from the case. “I’ve made up my mind. And even if this fucks up things with you guys… I’m out.”

  No matter what Claudio said, he couldn’t talk Goldman out of it. “Arnold, you’re making a big mistake. This will pass. Take time to think about it.”

  But Goldman wouldn’t budge.

  After they left the doughnut shop, Claudio rushed home to call Jake.

  “He’s gonna fuck everything up. If Nick gets a new lawyer or the judge has to assign one to take over from Goldman, we won’t be able to deal with him. This can’t happen.”

  “Maybe I can talk to him. Say I’m sorry.”

  “You need to do something. Talk to him. Kiss his ass if you have to, but make sure he stays on the case.”

  “I’ll do what I can.”

  “Why you talking to him so much, anyway?”

  “I gotta make sure he does what he’s supposed to.”

  “Jake, he knows how to be a lawyer.”

  “Sometimes I don’t trust that prick. I just got a bad feeling.”

  “He’s on our side. Don’t worry. Leave him alone.”

  “Well, don’t worry, I won’t have to see that dickhead anymore, anyway. So he shouldn’t have any problem,” Jake said.

  “Jake.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Kick his ass after the trial, okay. You gotta keep this on a business level.”

  “I’ll try to reason with him. Make him feel good. Who knows, maybe we’ll be friends.”

  “Don’t fuck this up. We need him.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  Jake didn’t want to drive all the way back to Beverly Hills. Yet he knew he had to do something before Goldman showed up in court tomorrow. He thought he might be able to talk “Goldie” out of leaving the case, but he knew he’d have to guard against losing his temper and he had to honor his promise to Al.

  An hour-and-half later, he arrived back at Goldman’s condo. But all that driving put him in a bad mood. Not good for Goldman. It was close to 10:00 when he rang Goldman’s door bell.

  Goldman was still watching TV. He went to the door and looked through the peep hole. “What do you want?”

  “Open the door.”

  “I’m off the case. There’s nothing to talk about.”

  “Come on, don’t be a schmuck.”

  “Jake, I mean it. Get out of here. I’ve had it.”

  “Just give me a minute.”

  “Go away. I’m not talking to you. Period.”

  Jake took a breath as he looked out at the street. Then he banged his fist on the door. “Arnie, I didn’t know you had a red Corvette. Parked right out in the open on your driveway. Pretty car, no scratches.”

  Goldman opened the door, but kept the security chain attached. “What’s it about?”

  “I can break that cheap, fuckin’ chain in one second. Got a message from New York. It’s important.”

  Goldman turned away from Jake’s stare. Looked down at the floor.

  Jake said, “You’re acting like a prick. One or two minutes.”

  Goldman unlatched the chain and opened the door.

  Jake brushed past him. “Let’s sit and talk.”

  “Got nothing to say to you. I’m a lawyer, I don’t want or need to take advice from a guy like you.”

  “The case will be over soon. The Commission’s plan is working. Don’t fuck it up.”

  “Fuck the Commission. I want out.”

  “You’re not getting out. You started it and you’re gonna finish it.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “What’s one or two more days?”

  “You don’t get it,” Goldman said in a determined voice. “I’m out.”

  “Arnie,” Jake said, tightening his jaw. “I’m tired of fucking with you. Hear me, I’m only gonna say this once. You’re staying on the case.”

  Goldman backed away. “No, I’m not.”

  “Don’t fuck with me.”

  “Get out, Jake. This is bullshit.”

  As they stood face-to-face, Jake let out a disgusted sigh. Then as Goldman stood there gawking at Jake with a contemptuous look on his face, Jake grabbed his shirt collar with his left hand and smashed his right fist into Goldman’s stomach. When he doubled over, Jake pounded the side of his face with a right hook he usually reserved for guys he was going to whack.

  Goldman toppled to the floor, moaning. Was dazed and uncertain what had happened. When he ran his hand over his mouth and saw blood, he sobbed a soft cry.

  “You dumb fuck,” Jake yelled. He went into the kitchen, yanked a dish towel off the counter, threw it at Goldman. “Wipe the blood off your face. Get up.”

  Goldman curled himself up into a ball, gazing at the floor. Had a blank look on his face. Then as he was reaching for the towel he let his
arm drop to the floor before he took hold of it.

  “Show up at court tomorrow or I’ll make sure you never show up at any fuckin’ court again.”

  Without moving his head, Goldman shifted his eyes and glanced up at Jake, then he slowly looked away.

  “Listen to me,” Jake said through clenched teeth. “Don’t make this your last fuckin’ case.” Then he walked out of the house, leaving the door wide open.

  Jake drove to a phone booth on Wilshire Boulevard and called Al.

  “We got a problem.”

  “What are you talking about?” Al said.

  “I fucked up.” Then Jake told Al what Goldman said to Claudio about wanting off the Mangano case.

  “He wants to pull out of the case?”

  “He says it’s me. I’m too rough with him or some shit like that.”

  “I told you to be careful when you’re around him.”

  “I was as nice to him as I am with anybody. Sometimes, he just can’t take a joke.”

  “We need him on the case. He’s doing what I—”

  “I know, I know. So here’s the other part. You’re not gonna like this. I went to fat boy’s house to try to reason with him. He wouldn’t listen, acted like someone’s whiny wife. It was sickening to watch. You’d be glad you weren’t there to see it.”

  “Cut the crap. What did you do?”

  Then Jake told Al the most disturbing part of the story, how he “smacked” around Goldman.

  “Jake, this is not good. I told you…”

  “I know that, but you gotta know how that guy fuckin’ bugs me.”

  “We’re doing good on the trial. We can make it, but we need him.”

  “Fuck ‘im. We’ll get someone else.”

  “This puts everything we’ve been doing in jeopardy.”

  “Okay I’ll take the blame. What can we do?”

  “It’s not gonna be we, it’s gonna be me.”

  “I could do something.”

  “No, no, Jake, I’ll handle it. Myself.”

  “What are you gonna do, call him up or something?”

  Al let out a deep sigh. “He just can’t walk away and never show up in court. He’ll have to appear in court and ask to be relieved. I’ll have to think of a way of stopping him. Just stay away from him, okay.”

  “No problem. The less I see that fucker, the better.”

  36

  EARLIER THAT EVENING, LINDA HAD gotten ready to go to Bernard’s Chop House. After putting on her navy-blue blazer and the pearl necklace Al had given her, she had a little time to kill, so she watched TV.

  When it was finally time for her to go, she went to the garage, got into her white Mercedes 380 SL, and drove to the restaurant.

  She was meeting Congressman Hamilton for dinner.

  He’d called her last night, saying it was important for them to meet so he could show her the latest revisions the S&L company had made to the contract specifications.

  Linda really didn’t want to meet with him, but felt if she refused, it could affect her getting the contract. What could go wrong anyway? Hamilton had always been a gentleman and they’d be in Newport Beach at Bernard’s, where she’d eaten many times before. She liked the place and wouldn’t mind having the grilled swordfish again, surprisingly good for a chop house.

  When she arrived, Hamilton was sitting at a small table in the back. He stood up and greeted her. “I’m so glad you could meet me on such short notice.”

  “No problem. I think it’s important for us to communicate and for me to keep up to date on what’s going on. This is one of my favorite restaurants anyway.”

  “That’s what I thought.” He sat down and finished off a highball glass containing an amber colored liquid with no ice, Linda suspected was probably bourbon. Then he gazed at her with a wide grin on his face. “I might say, you look very nice tonight.”

  “Thank you, I bought the blazer in New York last year,” Linda said, attempting to deflect a complement she thought was meant for her onto the jacket.

  Hamilton called over the waitress and ordered a Jack Daniels for himself and tried to coax Linda into having a cocktail or a glass of wine. After much persistence, she finally relented and had a glass of Chardonnay, but only took two swallows throughout the evening.

  After ordering dinner, they talked about local Newport Beach political issues. There was a dispute about airport noise and a new park proposed for an area near the beach.

  Later, Hamilton said, “I didn’t want to be late for our dinner, but in my haste, I forgot to bring the new contract. After we eat dinner, we’ll have to go to my office to take a look at the changes. It’s not far, won’t take long.”

  That set off alarm bells in Linda’s mind. She thought, I’m not going over there, that’s crazy.

  “You should see DC this time of the year. Still beautiful,” he said giving her a charming smile.

  “Yes, I know, I’ve been there several times.”

  “Let me know when you’d like to schedule a visit, and I’ll arrange tours of the White House and even the Pentagon or the Smithsonian, if you want.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  After they ate and were getting ready to leave, he said. “Let’s drive over to my office and I’ll show you changes and give you a copy of the new contract. You can take it home, study it, and be ready when I call tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh, I don’t want to bother you. I can send someone over to your office and pick it up tomorrow morning.”

  “No, I’ll need to know what you think early in the morning. So it’s best that you get on it right away.”

  Linda was sceptical, didn’t know what to do. It didn’t sound right to her, but he was a congressman and his office was close by. If he wasn’t lying to her, not going could jeopardize her shot at getting the contract. And besides it wouldn’t take that long to go over to his office and get the contract. So she reluctantly agreed.

  “I’ll drive us over and bring you back,” Hamilton said.

  “No, I’d like to take my car.”

  “We can just go in mine,” he said, shaking his head. “No need for two cars.”

  “I don’t want to leave my car here.”

  “Come on, it’d be easier for both of us.”

  “No, Bob, I have to drive,” she said in a firm voice.

  “That’s okay, sure. Follow me, it’s not far.” He looked annoyed.

  They left the restaurant and she followed him to a ten-story building about four or five blocks away.

  As soon as they got into his office, he sat at his desk and pulled a bottle of Jack Daniels out of a large drawer. Poured a slug into a coffee mug and chugged it down in two swallows.

  I’ve got to get out of here, Linda thought.

  Then Hamilton quickly poured another.

  “I need to get back home, so maybe you can let me have the contract. It’s getting late,” Linda said, starting to panic.

  “Aw, what’s your hurry?” He got up and came to where she was standing in front of the desk.

  “The sooner I get home, the quicker I can get to looking over the changes and I’ll be ready tomorrow morning,” Linda said. “Then we can talk.”

  “You don’t have to leave now.” He paused, leering at her. “I thought we could spend some time together. You know…”

  “No, I have to go.” She turned and headed toward the door, not even waiting to get the contract.

  He caught up to her and quickly put his arm around her waist, pressing himself up against her, trying to kiss her. She shoved him away, saying, “Stop it!”

  But he wouldn’t stop. This time he grabbed her with both hands and pulled her tight against him. Then as he tried to kiss her again, she jerked her head away, causing his lips to glance off her cheek.

  “You’re beautiful, can’t get you out of my mind,” he said still holding her tight as she tried to push herself free.

  He wouldn’t let up, but she finally managed to pry herself loose.
“You’re drunk, don’t know what you’re doing,” she said in a panicked voice. “I’m getting out of here.” She went for the door again.

  He grabbed her arm and spun her around. Then slapped her hard in the face. “I’m not gonna be turned down by a fucking Jew.”

  She fell backward, her face smarting. “You’re acting like an animal. Get hold of yourself,” she said as she straightened herself up.

  “You’re not going anywhere,” Hamilton growled. Then in a softer tone, he said, “Just one hug and you can go.” He reached out to touch her arm.

  “You’re crazy. Don’t touch me.” When she saw her words weren’t deterring him, she quickly stepped back. “Let me leave!” she yelled in an increasingly frantic voice.

  But he kept coming toward her. That’s when she remembered what Al told her to do if she was ever sexually assaulted. Kick the guy in the balls or throw up in his face.

  Needing to do something right now, she pushed him back with her left hand and brought her knee into his groin area, but missed, landing on his inner thigh.

  Outraged, Hamilton slapped her again, this time much harder. It banged her into the wall, her leg hitting a lamp, knocking it off the side table and onto the chair next to it.

  Her back against a wall, she was dazed, feeling dizzy, a ringing in her ears. Then she quickly ran her fingers across her cheek, relieved when she saw no blood.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” he said, chuckling. “Go ahead, tell your fucking boyfriend Al Roth. See if he can do anything for you. He’s shit.”

  Linda ignored what he said and went for the door a second time. If he tried to attack her a second time, she was going to knee him again, but aim better.

  “He’s nothing and you people are weak, cowards,” Hamilton continued his rant. “Don't try fucking with me. I’ll take you both down.”

  As she was attempting to open the door, he suddenly switched personalities. “I’m sorry,” he said in a soft tone. “I don’t know what got into me. Too much to…to drink. Of course, you can go.”

  She reached for the door handle.

  He stopped her, putting his hand on the door, holding it shut. “You know, we had a little misunderstanding. Let’s not allow this to spoil our friendship. We can still do business together.”