Witness for the Defense Read Online Free Page A

the counsel table. ‘That’s ridiculous. This court cannot take away my client’s ability to earn a living!”
    Kellogg sat forward and propped his elbows on the bench. His eyes were darting back and forth between me and Lipton. If my hand slap had done nothing lese, at least it got his attention.
    I took a deep breath. “Your Honor,” I continued, a bit apologetically, “my client has been a teacher for over six years. To take that away from her would be disastrous. She is as ideal a candidate for an OR release as I have ever seen.”
    “But rape is a serious charge, Mr. Dobbs, and if you have nothing more to add, I will have to go along with Mr. Lip ton’s request.”
    “Rape!” I shouted. “What are you talking about? The charge isn’t rape. Read the complaint and you’ll see it’s statutory rape. Maybe if you would take the time to read the penal code, you’d see that means the minor consented.”
    Kellogg’s mouth dropped. He sat motionless, paralyzed, glaring at me. Then his attention was drawn to the few reporters who still remained in the front row, their pens poised. I looked over at the bailiff, who was waiting for the judge to just say the word. It was the OK Corral, and I was outgunned. Kellogg’s face turned a bright red. Except for the creaking of the bailiff’s leather holster, the courtroom was totally silent. Then Kellogg bellowed, “I’ll see you and Mr. Lipton in my chambers.”
    I had no idea what he had in store for me. But as I followed Lipton from the courtroom, I shot a parting glance at my client. She had a look of total disbelief. I knew she had to be wondering who in the hell was the nut-case she had for a lawyer.
    Kellogg slumped in his maroon wing back chair and took a deep breath. Like his courtroom, Kellogg’s chamber was old and musty. The smell of wood, damp and on the verge of rotting, filled the air. Rows and rows of dusty law books lined the mahogany shelves behind his prodigious desk, which served as a natural barrier between the two of us. I was sitting, with Lip ton to my left, on the edge of my chair.
    “I hope you are not inferring, Mr. Dobbs, that I don’t know what I am doing.”
    The judge wasn’t slurring his words anymore. Amazing what a little adrenaline will do.
    “Your Honor, I’m sorry if I may have said anything out of order. But not only is my client’s freedom at stake, but the D.A. is asking you to take away her livelihood. And I don’t think that should be taken lightly.”
    “Correct me if I’m wrong, counselor,” Kellogg said and I grimaced. Judges only call you “counselor” if you’re losing an argument. “You basically said I was unfit—in front of a filled courtroom.”
    Does the truth hurt your feelings? I wanted to say. But I knew the old soft-shoe might be the better approach. “I apologize, but I just want to make sure you understood what the charges are.”
    Before I had even finished, I knew I was dead. Bad choice of words. I watched as Kellogg’s face turned an unnatural shade of red.
    “What I mean is—”
    “Mr. Dobbs!” Kellogg bellowed. “This isn’t the first time you’ve practiced in my court. Have you ever known me not to pay attention to each and every matter brought before me?”
    I didn’t know what to say.
    “Well?” Kellogg leaned forward. His face was within a foot of mine. I could smell the gin on his awful breath.
    Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a smile playing at the corner of Lipton’s mouth. And that, I think, is what finally did it. The blood rushed to my face, and my heart began pounding so hard I thought it was going to explode right through my shirt.
    “If you’re not going to answer me,” Kellogg said, “I’m prepared to rule exactly as I have already stated.”
    “I don’t think so.” The calmness in my voice surprised me.
    “What?”
    “Are you feeling all right?” I asked, too sweetly.
    “What the hell does how I feel have to do with anything?”
    “Well, it’s