Read Online Directed Verdict by Randy Singer - Free Book Online Page B

could handle it that way?”
    “A letter won’t do any good, Sarah. The boys at Trust Indemnity understand two things: lawsuits and punitive damages. Nothing else gets their attention.”
    Sarah shifted uncomfortably and looked down at her hands. “I don’t want to file for punitive damages, Mr. Carson.”
    Brad tried not to look at her as if she were some kind of freak. Doesn’t want to file for punitive damages? Does God still make people like this?
    Still looking down, Sarah continued softly. “I really don’t want to even file a suit. But I’ve got two kids to think about, and the money . . .” Her voice quivered, then broke off.
    Brad leaned forward on the table, looked directly at Sarah, and lowered his voice to its most comforting tone, perfected by years in front of the jury box. “Okay, Sarah, listen to me.” She looked up, and Brad continued. “There’s nothing wrong with filing a lawsuit.” He said it with real conviction, his voice comforting and steady. “Sometimes it’s the only way in our society to obtain justice. These guys owe you a hundred thousand. To let them get away with that is to admit that Charles committed suicide and died from a self-inflicted overdose of cocaine. And I know you don’t want that.”
    Sarah forced her lips into a thin smile and shook her head.
    “Then here’s what I’m going to do. I’ll draft a lawsuit and have it served on Trust Indemnity. My guess is that they’ll pay immediately once they know you’ve got a lawyer involved. If not, we’ll talk about a fee agreement at that stage. I won’t charge anything for drafting and sending the lawsuit.”
    It was not good business, but every once in a while Brad believed he owed it to the profession to take on a case pro bono. If ever there was such a case, this one was it. At least that’s the way he saw it; Bella probably wouldn’t speak to him for a week.
    “Reverend Bailey said it would be just like you to take this case for free,” Sarah said. “I don’t want that. I want you to take your normal fee. In fact, I insist on it, and I’ll go to another lawyer if you refuse.”
    Brad gave Sarah another sideways look. Where did she come from? It was hard not to be charmed by this lady. “I seldom see clients so insistent on giving me their money. But if you insist, I’ll sic Bella on you, and we’ll have you sign our retainer agreement.”
    Sarah paused before answering. “If I’ve got to deal with her again, maybe I’ll reconsider.” She smiled, and her moist blue eyes lit up for the first time.
    Brad laughed politely, struck by the warmth of her smile. He stood and shook hands with his new client, walked around the table, put an arm around her shoulder, and gave her a squeeze. They chatted for a few moments; then he ushered her out of the conference room and into the clutches of Bella.
    Brad watched Bella attack the fee arrangement with gusto, placing one form after another in front of Sarah for her signature. Carson & Associates would receive one-third of any money recovered “against Trust Indemnity or otherwise” as a result of the death of Charles Reed. Brad knew Bella had another form that actually placed the fee at 40 percent, but apparently even she could not spring that form on a grieving widow like Sarah in such a simple case.
    * * *
    Rasheed turned over and reached out to stroke his wife’s hair. As he touched her cheek, he felt the warm tears. He leaned up on one elbow and tried to focus in the dark.
    “What’s wrong, Mobara?”
    He sensed a slight movement, perhaps a shudder, perhaps a shrug of the shoulders. “Nothing,” she said.
    Rasheed knew better than to accept that answer.
    “You just decide to start crying in the middle of the night for no reason? Come on, you can talk to me.”
    Mobara wiped the tears away with the palms of her hands. “I feel so guilty,” she sobbed. “I’ve felt this every day and every night since the Muttawa came . . .” Her voice