Suspicion of Innocence Read Online Free Page A

to decipher the initials upside down: ALQP, stitched in tiny red letters. Gail's curiosity about the P following the Q was cut short when she had to move to the next chair. She glanced up and Quintana was looking at her again. He leaned back in his chair and dropped his hands into his lap.
    Finally, gratefully, she moved down to the final seat, and heard Judge Coakley say, "Well, looks like you folks are all she wrote."
    "Gail Connor, with Hartwell Black, for the plaintiffs."
    "How you doing, Gail?"
    Quintana's eyes lingered on her as he handed the judge the court file. He hadn't missed the familiarity. "Anthony Luis Quintana, your honor. Ferrer and Quintana, for the defendant."
    "Good afternoon, Mr. Quintana." Gail noticed the twangy mispronunciation. Kwintana.
    "That's Keentahna, judge," he said, smiling.
    "What? Okay. Sorry. I guess I ought to learn español." Judge Coakley settled back, springs squeaking. "Keentahna." He opened the court file. "Motion to suppress. Tell me about it."
    Startled, Gail sat up straight in her chair, staring across the table.
    "Pedrosa Development is moving to suppress the plaintiffs quest for production of certain financial records on the grounds—"
    "Hold it." Gail nearly laughed out loud. "What motion to suppress? We've received no such motion."
    Quintana frowned at his copy. "No? The certificate of service is dated two weeks ago. It's in the court file."
    "Impossible." She looked at the judge, but he lifted the top sheet in his file.
    "Says it's a motion to suppress." He chuckled. "The post office strikes again."
    "Apparently," said Gail. "But I don't have it. And Mr. Quintana's motion isn't on the computer list outside. His motion can be heard as soon as he properly sets it."
    Quintana bounced his gold pen lightly in his palm. "Surely Ms. Connor would not take up the court's time at another hearing, when we can dispose of this matter now."
    "We have had no opportunity to prepare for this motion, judge."
    Coakley was thumbing through the court file. "Then what are you here on, Ms. Connor? I don't see anything from your office."
    She felt her stomach tighten. "A motion for sanctions on two matters, judge. First, fees. Second, along with the documents we want, we've attempted to take the depositions of Ernesto and Carlos Pedrosa for over two months, and—"
    "Judge—" Quintana broke in. "Ernesto Pedrosa has nothing to do with this case. He owns the company, yes, but in name only. Plaintiffs' counsel is aware of this."
    "I prefer to hear about it at his deposition," Gail said. Her eyes were on the judge, who was still looking through documents.
    "Here it is," he said, pressing open the file.
    "Such blanket production of the company's financial records is beyond the bounds of discovery," Quintana said. "The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure—"
    "Don't quote the rules to me." Coakley looked pained. "This case just keeps coming back and coming back. Can't you settle it?"
    "We've offered a reasonable settlement, your honor. The plaintiffs—"
    Gail quickly broke in. "What counsel would call 'reasonable' is nothing less than total capitulation." She noticed the judge look at his watch, and forced herself back on track. "As we are here on my motion, I'd like to explain to the court—"
    "No." Coakley flipped the file shut. "This is what I'm going to do. Mr. Quintana, I'm ruling that your clients don't have to turn over the records on the list. It's too long. And Ms. Connor, you go ahead and set the depositions. Both Pedrosas. I don't care if it's at two a.m. at the Orange Bowl, they have to show up. If they don't show up, come back and I'll make them pay whatever you think is fair. Are we clear on that, folks?"
    Quintana looked pleased. "Yes, judge."
    "And when Ernesto and Carlos arrive, they can bring all the records along and Ms. Connor can look at them and decide what she needs."
    His smile faded. "All the records? My clients cannot bring every piece of financial data—"
    The judge stood up and