Read Online Wild Justice by Phillip Margolin - Free Book Online Page A

joining Jaffe, Katz, Lehane and Brindisi, Amanda, like most first-year associates, had been given the jobs no one else wanted to do. She liked legal research, so she had not resented her time in the law library. But she really wanted to try cases, and the bigger the stakes, the better. She wasn t certain if Frank had asked her along because he wanted her involved in Cardoni s case or because he might need a ride home. She didn t care. Either way, she would be in at the start of a murder case. Cardoni lived in a sprawling yellow-and-white Dutch Colonial on half an acre of land shaded by beech, oak and cottonwood. When Amanda drove up she saw black-jacketed PPB officers scouring the grounds. Police cars were blocking the garage, so Cardoni parked his Porsche in the street and Amanda parked behind him. Sean McCarthy was waiting for them at the front door. Frank, McCarthy said with a smile. Good to see you again, Sean. This is Dr. Cardoni, and this is my daughter, Amanda. She s an attorney with my firm. McCarthy nodded to Amanda and extended a hand toward Cardoni, which the surgeon ignored. McCarthy seemed unconcerned about the rebuke. I apologize for the intrusion, Doctor. I ve given strict orders to my men to respect your property. If there s any damage, please notify me and I ll see that you re compensated. Cut the bullshit and get your men out of my house, Cardoni responded angrily. I can understand why you re upset, the detective answered politely. I d be too if I found strangers prowling through my home. McCarthy withdrew a document from his jacket and handed it to Frank. However, we do have court authorization to search. All I can promise is that we ll be out of your hair as soon as possible. Is that legal? Cardoni asked. I m afraid so, Frank answered after reading the search warrant. You have a very pleasant den. Why don t we go in there and talk? It will be warmer, and we won t be in the way of my men. That will speed up the search. Cardoni glared at the detective. Frank placed a hand on his arm and said, Let s get this over with, Vince. McCarthy led them down a hall and into a comfortable wood-paneled den where several other men waited. McCarthy introduced them. Frank, this is Bobby Vasquez. This is the Milton County sheriff, Clark Mills. And this is Fred Scofield, the Milton County district attorney. Gentlemen, this is Dr. Vincent Cardoni and his attorneys, Frank and Amanda Jaffe. Dr. Cardoni, why don t you have a chair? Thanks for inviting me to sit down in my own home, Cardoni replied. Amanda heard the edge in his voice but wasn t certain if it came from anger, fear or both. What s going on here, Sean? Frank asked. I ll answer you in a minute. First I d like to ask your client a few questions. Go ahead, Frank said to McCarthy. Then he turned to Cardoni and told him to wait to answer each question until after they consulted. Dr. Cardoni, do you know Dr. Clifford Grant? I believe he also practices at St. Francis. Cardoni and Frank leaned toward each other and had a whispered conversation. I know who Dr. Grant is, Cardoni said when they were through. I ve even spoken to him a few times. But I don t know him well. Do you know a woman named Mary Sandowski? Cardoni looked disgusted. He didn t bother consulting with Frank before answering. Is this about Sandowski? What happened? Did she swear out a complaint? No, sir. She didn t. Cardoni waited for more explanation. When it did not come, he answered McCarthy. I know her. In what capacity? She s a nurse at St. Francis. That s it? Vasquez pressed. The interruption seemed to annoy McCarthy. Cardoni s eyes swung slowly between the vice cop and McCarthy. Cardoni was so focused and tight that it made Amanda uneasy. What s going on here? the surgeon demanded. When was the last time you were at your cabin in Milton County, Dr. Cardoni? McCarthy asked. What the fuck are you talking about? I don t own a cabin in Milton County, and I m not going to play this game anymore. Either tell