Hollow Man Read Online Free

just strands of circumstantial evidence that I connected tightly enough to get a conviction. Some in the office weren't convinced the guy was even guilty, the case was that weak. I didn't much care either way, but as I said to them, How good am I if I can convict an innocentman with shitty evidence? Of course, they laughed and walked off as if I was joking.
    â€œYes, you did.” The way he said it switched on a light in my head.
    â€œShit, does that trial have something to do with my reassignment?”
    Cherry held up a placating hand. “Not that I know of. It's true that you've been in the news and on the TV more in the last month than our dear leader has in a year, and I'm sure he doesn't like that, but I'm also pretty sure he doesn't do revenge reassignments.”
    â€œBullshit.” I felt my hackles rising.
    â€œLook, you think you're immune from the way this place works? You think your floppy hair and pretty accent mean you can stay wherever you like for as long as you like?”
    â€œNo, Cherry, I think I'm one of the better trial lawyers in this office, and I think that it makes no fucking sense to take me away from prosecuting murder, rape, and robbery so I can give probation to wannabe gangbangers who smoke weed and steal sneakers from Wal-Mart.”
    â€œHey, corporations are people, too. Apparently.”
    â€œShut up, Cherry, it's not funny. I'm better than that, I don't want to be doing that.”
    â€œMy, we do have a high opinion of ourselves.”
    â€œAnd I deserve to, don't you think?”
    â€œAs I keep explaining, my opinion doesn't matter.”
    I knew he was right, and I liked him enough not to cuss him out anyway. “When does this move happen?” It being Thursday, I had a pretty good idea of the answer.
    â€œMonday. Maureen Barcinski is the chief down there. I told her you'd stop by this afternoon to say hello, meet some people, and then move over by Monday.”
    â€œCan't wait.”
    â€œHey, you'll be sharing an office with Brian McNulty. He's a musician like you, so take your guitar.”
    â€œOK, stop right there. First of all, Brian illegally downloads music off the Internet and burns CDs for people. That makes him a thief, not a musician. Second, I'm sharing an office?”
    â€œYes, everyone does except the chief. They don't have much room down there.” Cherry shifted in his seat, like he wanted out of there. “One more thing, too. You're not going to like it.”
    â€œThat surprises me. So far it's been nothing but good news.”
    â€œYeah, well. Part of your docket will be handling drug cases, where the kids are sent to in-patient treatment here from other counties. Sort of an inter-county liaison.”
    â€œSounds awesome.”
    â€œThing is, that's a state position.” He sucked in his cheeks, clearly uncomfortable. “Paid for with a state grant, rather than a regular county position like you have now.”
    I sat up. “Oh, no. No. Don't tell me—”
    â€œYes, I'm afraid so.”
    â€œA fucking pay cut?”
    â€œA little less of the green stuff, yes.”
    A vision of the girl in green popped into my head, but right then I wanted to be annoyed and didn't appreciate the comfort, or distraction, she offered. With the stress of this conversation, of her, I barely noticed the hum that set into my hands, the twitch that on weekends made me grab my guitar just to feel the strings against my fingertips. I'd written a song about that feeling, comparing it to the shivering skin of a “cutter” or to the cold gasp of a drug user's desperate veins. I needed the sweet relief of my guitar, but instead Cherry was still talking.
    â€œYou'll keep your current benefit package,” he said, “including healthcare and retirement. Vacations and sick time will remain as is, too.”
    â€œCherry, look. I know every prosecutor has to do their bit, and these moves happen.” I leaned