Read Online Lion Plays Rough by Lachlan Smith - Free Book Online

of this mess.”
    But I wasn’t getting out. Seeing my name flash across the bottom of the screen, I turned up the volume and heard, “Oakland attorney Nikki Matson, Jamil Robinson’s previous lawyer, said she had nothing to do with the pictures, and that Mr. Robinson had fired her. Robinson’s new attorney, Oakland criminal defense lawyer Leo Maxwell, issued a written statement today refusing to comment. Quote, ‘These photographs speak for themselves. ’ ”
    â€œJesus fucking Christ,” I said aloud. “I’m not his lawyer. I didn’t say that.”
    â€œSources in the Alameda County district attorney’s office pointed out that the person who made the photographs would be subject to prosecution under certain interpretations of California’s wiretapping statute and could face up to a year in jail. When asked if Maxwell would be charged, a spokesperson refused to comment, stating that office policy forbids discussing ongoing investigations.”
    The story ended, and I killed the volume. “Nikki fucking Matson,” I said. I didn’t know what made me angrier, that someone had issued a statement in my name or that the DA’s office thought they could intimidate me with threats of prosecution.
    We were silent for a moment. Then Teddy said, “Did you issue that statement?” But he knew the answer.
    I let out a long sigh. My cell phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket. Jeanie. Crap. I got up from the couch and went into the kitchen.
    â€œJeanie, I didn’t make that statement.” Hearing the tinny sound of my own voice, I knew that she wouldn’t believe me, and that even if she did take my word, she wouldn’t trust me after this. She’d known me too long, and too well, and she would be all too ready to conclude that I hadn’t changed a bit.
    â€œYou screwed me, kid. So I’m going to have to cut you loose.”
    â€œJeanie, I—”
    â€œDon’t. You knew last night what you were going to do, and the least you could have done was level with me. I’m perfectly aware that sooner or later you’re going to want to get out on your own. I guess that time is now.”
    â€œJeanie, I know it’s hard for you to believe, but honest to god, I’m telling the truth. I was just about to call the TV station and demand a retraction.” Now I wished that I hadn’t avoided her all day, that I’d gone immediately and explained. It was all too much to lay on her now.
    â€œWhat you said last night about this thing seeming too good to be true, you were absolutely right. I saw Jamil at the DA’s office. He claims he didn’t hire me and we never talked on the phone . He doesn’t have a sister. He clearly wasn’t the guy who called me . The voices are different . Jamil never fired Nikki. She fired him . I’m pretty sure she was the one who gave those photographs to the TV station. She must also have sent them a false press release in my name.”
    â€œHow does that work?” Jeanie demanded, angry and incredulous.
    â€œShe doesn’t want to be his lawyer anymore, because she represents his boss, Damon. That’s the guy in the pictures with Campbell. If the pictures came out on their own, it would be obvious she’s got a conflict of interest. Either she was in on framing Jamil to take the fall for Damon, or she stood by while Jamil stabbed Damon in the back. By giving the photos to the press with that phony statement, she makes it look like Jamil hired me without her knowledge, like he fired her instead of her firing him.”
    I looked up and saw Teddy standing in the kitchen doorway.
    â€œSo?” Jeanie asked, still not buying a word of it.
    â€œSo now Nikki’s off the hook. She’s not responsible to Damon for Jamil and whatever he might tell the police, and she’s not touched by the frame-up. She manages to cover her ass both