In the Company of Liars

THREE DAYS EARLIER
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17

Paul Riley sits with Allison in a conference room at Paul’s office. It’s jut the two of them, yet an assistant has brought in pastry and pots of coffee. It has been standard fare at the law firm of Shaker, Riley & Flemming. They make an impressive show for clientele. An oak-finished courtroom stands to the side of the reception on the main floor, for mock trials and training for associates, lest anyone doubt that this is a preeminent trial law firm. And Paul, himself, is very good at what he does.

“I think I know why you want to talk,” Allison says.

Paul smiles. He has an incredible ease about him. She can see how he comforts people. No matter how much they may want to deny it, defense attorneys have to play some kind of psychiatric role. Allison, in the few years she worked as a public defender, did not have the same polish.

“I can’t try this case, Allison. I can’t represent you. I want you to understand.” Paul places a hand down on the table, a smooth green marble. “I don’t suggest-I understand what you’re doing. But I’m an attorney. I can’t be a part of it.”

Hecould be a part of it, Allison thinks. He doesn’t want to be. And that is understandable.

“I want you to think about this, Paul. I can’t do this without you.”

“I think you’re underestimating yourself, Allison.” Paul struggles with this a bit. “Look. I realize there is more than one way to look at this. But frankly, I look at this as a fraud on the court. And I don’t want to be a part of it. It’s that simple.”

A fraud on the court.Well, sure, in a general sense. Surely, Paul has represented people who have lied to him. A lot of defenses are lies, themselves, although the difference is that the defense attorney doesn’t actually know it, not for certain.

Yes, that is the difference. In this case, Paul Riley knows it’s a lie. For certain.

“Any new lawyer I get is going to have the same problem,” she notes.

Paul stares at her, traces of amusement supplying his answer.

“Unless I don’t tell him,” Allison concludes.

Paul shrugs. He is not going to give an answer. He can’t advise her to do something unethical, though the ethics, in this instance, are a bit muddy.

“Any new lawyer I get,” Allison says, “is going to ask you why you quit.”

“Is that what I did?” Paul’s look is something between cocky and happy.

Oh. Okay. Allison chuckles. “Paul?” she says. “You’re fired.”

Paul snaps his fingers. “Darn the luck.”

“Then do this for me,” she says. “I’d like you to represent my daughter, Jessica. She, obviously, is a witness. She’s going to need guidance.”

“There could be the issue of a conflict,” he says cautiously.

“I waive it, Paul. She will, too.”

The waiver of any conflict of interest does not appear to mollify Paul. “Allison, I know things that you don’t want Jessica to know. If I’m her lawyer, I’m going to be withholding information from my own client.”

“Not relevant information, Paul. You know that. You know that.”

“But that doesn’t-”

“Listen, just talk to Jessica. Tell her that you’re keeping information from her. If she demands that you tell her things, then she can get another lawyer. Just talk to her. I’m only talking about her testimony in my trial. All that matters is that she sticks to what she told the police. I just don’t want her falling into a perjury trap.”

Paul thinks it over. He shoots a cuff, works on his tie.

“Double your fee,” Allison says. “I’ll pay anything.”

“It’s not that, obviously-”

“Just talk to her, Paul. If the arrangement doesn’t work to your satisfaction, I won’t say another word.”

Paul sighs, finally nods. “I’ll meet with her,” he agrees.

“Thank you. Thank you, Paul. I’ll tell her to call you.” She gets up and offers a hand. “I understand your position, by the way. I might do the same thing, if I were you.”

Paul takes her hand and looks into her eyes. “Allison, promise me one thing,” he asks. “Promise me you will be very careful.”