Legal Briefs (Lawyers in Love)

by Silber, N. M.

  “Well, so then, I’ll get out of here. I’ll find someplace else.”

  “Lily, it might not matter. It’s not they couldn’t find you in another apartment. In fact, Sachs might want to put you under federal protection …”

  “It’s not like I actually witnessed a crime or McGuire gave me anything,” I said, feeling anxious. I knew that going into protection could mean being shipped off somewhere – without Adam. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid or risky.”

  “I won’t do anything stupid or risky.”

  “Adam, I’m serious. Don’t make me kill you myself.”

  “Just relax, Adler. I’m not going to get myself killed. It wouldn’t be fair to you now that you’ve finally experienced great sex.” I rolled my eyes and he laughed.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Sometime during the night I woke up and reached for Adam. All I found was empty bed. I panicked. He wouldn’t actually leave, would he? I got up and threw on a robe. I padded into the living room where in the darkness I was able to make out Adam’s form standing at the door looking through the peep hole. I walked up behind him.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Jesus!” He jumped and spun around. “You want to give me a fucking heart attack?”

  “No. I just want to know why you’re messing around with my peep hole in the middle of the night.”

  “You liked it when I was messing around with your peep hole earlier,” he said lasciviously.

  “Adam, you promised you wouldn’t do anything,” I growled.

  “I promised I wouldn’t do anything stupid or risky. Looking through a peep hole when I heard somebody in the hall, wasn’t stupid or risky. By the way, I want you to call your landlord tomorrow and verify it was a maintenance guy in here the other day.”

  “I’m sure it was.”

  “Look, you’re worried about my safety? Well, I’m worried about yours, so don’t argue with me. Promise me you’ll do it.”

  “Okay, I promise.”

  “If it turns out it wasn’t a maintenance guy, maybe you should move. I’ll come and stay with you until you figure something out.”

  “Why wouldn’t I come stay with you?”

  “Because, I can have Abby apartment sit for me, and maybe I’ll see something important while I’m here. It shouldn’t take too long to find another place.”

  “I don’t know, Adam. We just started this. That would be like moving in with each other after one date. Not even Gabrielle and Braden did that.”

  “It would be temporary and we’ve known each other since we were four. It’s not the same.” I was just about to argue the point further, when I heard a noise out in the hall. Apparently, Adam heard it too because he was back at the peep hole.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, trying to look over his shoulder, like that would have worked.

  “Shh! It’s the guy from next door, the charm school guy who almost smashed you in the face that night when we were coming in.”

  “R. Nardo. What’s he doing?”

  “He’s walking down the hall. Which was one was McGuire’s apartment?”

  “Four oh four,” I answered, nervously.

  “I think that’s the door he’s standing in front of. He’s listening,” Adam paused for a minute. “I guess he didn’t hear anything. He’s going back to his place.”

  “Well, that’s creepy,” I said, hugging myself and wondering if Adam and I had an audience earlier when I was doing my rodeo show.

  “Maybe he thought he heard something like a groan or a cry.”

  “Or maybe he’s a pervert,” I suggested alternatively. Just then we heard another noise and Adam returned to his post.

  “Is it R. Nardo again?” I asked curiously.

  “No. This time it’s the Ninja. Doesn’t anybody in this place sleep?”

  “U. Hu is out there now? What’s he doing?”

  “He’s looking around furtively, and now he’s walking down the hall … and listening at the door of four oh four. They must have heard something.”

  “Well, whatever it was, we didn’t hear it, and don’t even consider trying to go out there yourself to take a turn eavesdropping.”

  “I won’t. At least not tonight.”

  “Adam,” I said in a threatening tone.

  “Don’t worry. Come on, let’s go back to bed. Now that Gabrielle has moved to appeals, I have to face Mark in court, and he’s a bit more aggressive. If I don’t get some sleep he’s going to kick my ass tomorrow.”

  Adam and I did manage to get up early for work the next day, although both of us were double fisting the coffee. He dropped me off at the library, and I agreed to let him bring me home. Jane, the Health Class Sex Talker, was the head law librarian, and she usually stayed until six, so I volunteered to help her lock up, since Adam worked later than I did. That part worked out well. When he dropped me off and walked me into my building, though, things kind of broke down a little.

  The problem was that he stopped to chat with every one of my neighbors that we encountered. For example, there was a big Russian guy named Yuri, who lived on the second floor, and bore a striking resemblance to Lurch from the Addams family. I don’t judge people on looks though. It was more the fact that he had the demeanor of a KGB agent that turned me off. He obviously went to the same charm school that Nardo did, but somehow, Adam managed to engage him in conversation about local sports bars while I stood, shifting my weight impatiently from foot to foot and thinking about how much I wasn’t writing at the moment.

  Then we ran into that sweet young thing, Vixen from the third floor. I had never heard her say a pleasant word to anyone, but within minutes she and Adam were laughing like old friends. How did he do that? Before I knew it, he was telling her somewhat raunchy stories about some of the cases he had seen in court. She just loved those. At least he didn’t mention our sex life. We did, finally, make it to my apartment, but not until after another disturbing conversation with Donna that included many obvious references to a threesome.

  “What in hell are you doing?” I asked as soon as we got inside.

  “What do you mean?”

  “What do I mean? What, are you running for office? What’s with your sudden interest in socializing with the residents of the nuthouse?”

  “I’m just being friendly. If there’s something going on in your building it wouldn’t hurt to get to know your neighbors. You’re not jealous, are you?”

  “Jealous?! Are you out of your fucking tree, Tarzan? Who would I be jealous of, the drunken cougar who turns tricks, or the chick who looks like an extra from Hellraiser?”

  “I just don’t know why you’re getting so upset because I was nice to somebody. I’m a nice fucking guy.”

  “Nice? You sold my gym clothes. You tried to sell my cat!”

  “In tenth grade!”

  “And a week ago you were telling me my neighbors were nuts. I know why you’re doing this, Adam. You’re trying to find the Fox. Well, not only is it unlikely that you’re going to unmask a hit man with a friendly chat, but you promised me you wouldn’t do this.”

  “Lily, if you’ll recall, I was friendly to Mr. Viagra and Ms. Cougar even before all this shit happened. You’re being paranoid!”

  “You knew Mr. Davis already and Donna talked to you first!”

  “Okay, look. I don’t want to argue about this, because first of all, it’s stupid, and secondly, I’m starting to get turned on and I have to get some sleep tonight or Mark’s going to kick my ass all over the courtroom again tomorrow. He just loves the fact that we’re dating, by the way.”

  “I have to do some serious writing anyway.”

  “Will you let me bring you home again tomorrow night?”

  “Okay, I guess, but let’s limit the neighborliness.”

  “Whatever you want, Lily. I’m going to kiss you now, and then we’re going to stop kissing and I’m going to leave.”

  “Who are you trying to convince?”

&nb
sp; “Get over here, you nutty broad,” he said and pulled me into his arms, giving me a sweet, lingering kiss that left me wanting more.

  “You know that I’m just …”

  “Stop,” he interrupted. “Did you call your landlord?”

  “No. I forgot,” I admitted.

  “Lily! You promised me you would do that.”

  “I will. Tomorrow. I swear.”

  “If not, I’m moving in here no matter what. You hear me?”

  “Yeah, I hear you,” I said, looking away. He took my chin and directed my gaze back to him, looking me very intently in the eyes.

  “I hope so, because all the stuff you’re feeling? I’m feeling that too.” We stared at each other for a moment in a silence that felt heavy with all that we weren’t saying. “Don’t make me tie you to my bed, Lilith,” he added, with a small laugh, purposely breaking the spell. With that he turned and left.

  I closed and locked my door behind me, leaning against it, and eventually sliding down to the floor like a snowball against a brick wall. I buried my face in my hands and tried to sort what I was feeling, scared, elated … frustrated. Adam had me tied up in knots, as usual.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Tuesday and Wednesday went pretty smoothly, and I was starting to feel rather optimistic. Thursday, Bruce and I chatted in the break room before he left at five.

  “How can you stand to be here alone with Jane?” he asked.

  “Shush! She’ll hear you and that’s mean. I know that she can be a little annoying…”

  “Annoying? She’s a prude and a homophobe and Rochelle is her Mini Me.”

  “She’s a small town person who’s really religious. I wouldn’t expect her to be all that progressive when it comes to certain issues. She thinks I’m a harlot who writes porn. Just ignore it and let her continue to think that both you and I are going to Hell in a hand basket.”

  “Well, we probably are, but at least we’ll be in good company. Jane’s personality is only one issue, though. You should be careful staying here to lock up after what you saw this weekend. You know that anybody could just walk in here and there’s nobody around after five. I don’t even know why they keep this place open until six.”

  “Jane will be here with me.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you can rely on the Janiac to protect you. If someone attacked you she would probably either pray or try to exchange recipes with him.”

  “I think I’ll make it for one hour.”

  “You should at least take my pepper spray.”

  “Oh, for crying out loud.”

  “Take it!” he demanded, digging some pepper spray out of his coat pocket and tucking it into my purse. I rolled my eyes and told him I would see him in the morning if I lived.

  At twenty minutes to six, Jane announced that the library would be closing, which was kind of pointless, since I was pretty sure we were the only ones there, but Jane liked her procedures. I got a cart and began helping her to reshelf books. A couple of minutes later, she approached looking like she needed to tell me something, so I paused.

  “Lily, I just got a message from somebody up in Judge Bradley’s chambers. They need me to bring them the slip opinions from this week.”

  “Aren’t they gone by now?”

  “I guess they’re working late on something. It was a new clerk who called down. Maybe he’s just trying to make a good impression. Anyway, I should be back before six, but if not, just lock up. I have my key.”

  “Okay,” I said a little nervously, remembering Bruce’s warning. It didn’t help that it was dark outside and a cold November rain was pouring down. I couldn’t have written a better atmosphere for something creepy to happen. I was in the stacks on the upper level when I heard footsteps, and I assumed that Jane was back.

  “Jane? Did you need something?” There was no answer, and so then I thought that I must be imagining things. I started pushing my book cart again, but when I stopped a minute later, the footsteps on the tile floor were back. “Jane, is that you?” Again, there was nothing but silence.

  My heart started beating faster and my palms started to sweat. I stood still, listening attentively, but all I heard was my own breathing. I decided to try something. I took two steps, and stopped abruptly. The footfall in the next aisle over kept going, and suddenly a tall guy dressed in black, who I didn’t recognize, rounded the corner into my aisle. For a second, I thought it was just someone who hadn’t heard the closing call. Then I noticed the black leather gloves. Who wears gloves inside?

  Adrenaline shot through my body and I shoved my book cart as hard as I could at the figure in black and took off running in the other direction. It slowed him down, but didn’t stop him. I screamed for Jane to call the police as I flew through the stacks, taking a circuitous route to try lose my pursuer. I could hear his footsteps behind me, getting closer, and I felt dizzy with fear. Think clearly, Lily! Okay, the stairs, I needed to get to the stairs.

  I reached a central reading area and crouched down behind a bookcase, trying to control my rapid breathing so that the stranger wouldn’t hear me. Why did I not put the pepper spray in my pocket, and where in the hell was Jane? Oh God. Don’t think about that! The footsteps got closer and slowed down, as I tried desperately not to make a sound, my legs burning and blood rushing in my ears. They paused for a moment and I bit my lip so that I wouldn’t whimper with terror. Then they began again and passed by, heading for the stacks on the other side.

  As quietly as I could, I crept out from my hiding place on shaky legs, and made a dash for the stairs, taking them two at a time. I could hear footsteps echoing behind me but I just kept moving. When I made it to the main level, one of my heels caught on a rug and my shoe came off. I threw the other one off quickly and shoved another cart toward the stairs. It overturned at the landing and books fell everywhere. Then I tore across the floor to the first door I came to. The law library was located in City Hall, which had a courtyard in the middle. The door I reached led there.

  My hands were shaking like crazy, but somehow I managed to take my key out of my pocket and get the door open. Looking over my shoulder, I saw the figure in black make it to the main level and start climbing over the books in his way. I bolted out into the dark freezing rain and ran like hell, diving into a dark entranceway close by. I tried the door, but it was locked. Holy shit!

  The rain was coming down in sheets, and I was getting soaked, even though I was under cover. I was about to make a run for the north archway to the street, when the figure in black made it to the courtyard. Why hadn’t I just locked the fucking door behind me?! I flattened my back against the locked door, praying he wouldn’t see me cowering in the shadows. I was in the middle of Center City Philadelphia but I felt completely isolated and vulnerable. I had never been more frightened in my entire life. I didn’t know what the guy chasing me wanted, but instinct told me it wasn’t to settle up his overdue book fines.

  He stopped at the center of the courtyard and looked around as I stood trembling with cold and fear. Suddenly, another figure appeared at the north arch I had been considering as an escape route. I thought it was some random bystander, and I was about to call for help, but then the guy in black yelled out to him.

  “Did she run that way?”

  “No,” the figure in the arch called back. “She must have gone out the south exit.”

  “Fuck!”

  The guy who had been chasing me walked forward to meet the other guy and I couldn’t hear what they were saying anymore over the sound of the rain. After a few minutes the two of them walked off.

  I waited for what felt a long time to be sure they were gone, and then I stumbled back toward the library door. When I made it inside, dripping wet, barefoot in torn stockings, I encountered a crowd that included some uniformed police officers, a couple of guys in suits, Jane, Mr. Jane, Adam, Jacob, and some guys who were probably FBI. How long had I been gone?

  I was in the break room at the library with Adam and Jacob. I ha
d already given my statement to the Philadelphia police and the FBI. With a blanket wrapped around me, I sat with a hot cup of tea, considering choices that might dramatically affect my life.

  “I could put you under federal protection,” Jacob told me. “But it would mean being in another city for an indefinite amount of time. The good news is, the government would be paying your expenses, and so you would be able to write full-time if you wanted. The bad news is, the people close to you wouldn’t be able to contact you until further notice. Of course, it wouldn’t be forever, but trials can last several months.”

  “So I couldn’t even talk on the phone …” I looked up at Adam. He just sat there, impassively.

  “No, sorry,” Jacob answered. “You wouldn’t be completely alone, though. You would have federal agents guarding you. And, of course, you could talk to me whenever you wanted. I might even be able to visit if you wanted me to.” I saw Adam flinch but he wouldn’t look at me. I needed to know what he felt about this, but he wasn’t letting me know.

  “What’s the alternative?” I asked, feeling overwhelmed and confused.

  “You could accept a position with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office. It wouldn’t be hard for us to arrange. It would really just be an inter-office transfer since you’re a county employee now. You’re a licensed attorney and you’re certainly up on the law. You would just need a little extra courtroom training. The advantage to that would be that both the DA’s office and the courthouse are very secure. There are metal detectors and you would be literally surrounded by law enforcement officers. Of course, you would be expected to do the job of a prosecutor, which would mean longer hours, more stress and a heavier workload.”

  “And what about when I left work? Would you put an agent in my building or something to watch out for me?”

  “We would be hesitant to actually put someone in the building ourselves,” Jacob said, suddenly very interested in the wall behind me. “We would have people watching the building from nearby.”