Read Online Wild Justice by Phillip Margolin - Free Book Online

done. We ll need to discuss this calmly if I m going to repair it. I want those motherfuckers out of my house, now! Frank s face darkened when Cardoni swore. I don t believe I ve ever introduced you to my daughter. Amanda is a fine attorney. She s just finished a clerkship at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. That s a very prestigious job. Now she s lowered herself and is working in my firm. Amanda, this is Dr. Vincent Cardoni. He s a surgeon at St. Francis. Cardoni stared at Amanda as if seeing her for the first time. Pleased to meet you, Dr. Cardoni, Amanda said, extending her hand. Cardoni gripped her hand hard, and his eyes stayed on hers for a brief moment before sliding down her body. Amanda felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She released Cardoni s hand. His eyes held hers for a moment, then shifted back to her father. Let s go inside, Cardoni said in a tone that made the words sound more like an order than the acceptance of an invitation. Frank led the way, and the doctor followed. Amanda hung back to allow a bit of distance between her and Frank s client. Inside, Frank turned on the lights and escorted Cardoni into the living room, where he indicated a couch. Tell me what s going on, Frank said when they were all seated. I have no idea. I was out for a run in Forest Park. When I drove back, I saw cops swarming over my yard and my house. I didn t stop to ask them why. He paused for a moment. This can t have anything to do with the scrape you got me out of last year, can it? Doubtful. The case was dismissed with prejudice. Then what s going on? No use speculating. What s your phone number at home? Cardoni looked puzzled. I m going straight to the horse s mouth. The police are probably still at your house. I ll ask the man in charge what s going on. Cardoni rattled off his number, and Frank left the room. Amanda did not like being left alone with Cardoni, but he showed no interest in her. He fidgeted, then stood and began to pace around the living room, glancing briefly at the artwork and fingering curios. Cardoni walked behind Amanda and stopped moving. She waited for Cardoni to move again, but he did not. When she could not stand the stillness any longer, Amanda turned sideways on the sofa so she could see the surgeon. He was standing behind her, his eyes on the painting across the room from him. If he had been watching her, there was no way Amanda could prove it. We re going to drive over to your house, Vince, Frank said as he reentered the living room. Did they tell you what s going on? No. I spoke with Sean McCarthy, the detective in charge. He wouldn t answer any of my questions. Vince, Sean is a homicide detective. Homicide? Frank nodded, watching Cardoni for his reaction. Sean is a sharp cookie, very sharp. He said he wants to talk to you. When I hemmed and hawed, he threatened to get an arrest warrant. You re kidding. He sounded very serious. Is there something we need to worry about? I don t like walking a client into a meeting with a homicide detective when I m not fully prepared. Cardoni shook his head. Okay, then. Listen up. I have lost damn few cases, but when a client of mine has been convicted it is usually his mouth that s done him in. Do not speak unless I give you the okay, and when you do respond to questions, listen to what you re asked. Do not volunteer anything. Do you have that straight? Cardoni nodded. Then let s go. Frank turned to Amanda. I ll ride with Vincent. You follow in our car. On the ride to Cardoni s house, Amanda decided that she did not like Frank s client. She didn t appreciate the way he had moved his eyes over her when Frank had introduced her. It was unnerving to be examined so clinically, without lust or friendliness. The speed with which the doctor had switched off his anger while he studied her was also unsettling. However, Amanda s concerns about the doctor were quickly forgotten in the excitement of being included by Frank in what might be a murder investigation. Since