“He… canceled.” She doesn’t want to tell me this, I can see it in her eyes. “The news story…”
“That fucking story! I can’t actually believe it. Why would people believe this? It’s ridiculous. And who tipped the fucking reporters off to ensure they got a picture of the police coming here?”
Sal doesn’t answer, but she doesn’t need to. We have been going around this over and over again the last two days since all of this broke. It had to be the same person who sent them here. Now, although nothing was found, a lot of people seem to be taking the attitude that there’s no smoke without fire. Even people who I have worked with forever. It’s driving me mad, the more I defend myself, the guiltier I look.
“What am I going to do about it, Sal? I can’t lose my business over this.”
“Don’t you have anyone you can get some advice from?”
“I…” I don’t know how to answer that. I almost spoke to Nova about it last night to see what she thinks, but she appears to be increasingly fearful with each passing day. I didn’t even mention the initial drug raid because I don’t want to pile unnecessary pressure on her. “I suppose I could speak to Dan.”
I haven’t seen much of him because he’s been busy. I know he’s working on a massive case, but it’s a little hard to ignore the voice in my mind that tells me that he wants to protect himself.
“Yeah, he might know what to do… I wish I could offer you advice.”
“You are coming here every day to work and that itself is enough support, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She smiles thinly, and I can almost see her worrying about her job. It sure as hell isn’t that bad yet but I really hope it doesn’t get there. I cannot lose my business, it defines me, it’s everything. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, and I refuse to let it go just because someone has decided to take a grudge up against me.
I try to reassure Sal with my eyes that she won’t need to worry, but I don’t know if she takes it from me. She continues to look like she’s expecting a million more cancellations today, which she might be right about. People don’t ever want to get associated with a shady lawyer, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to prove otherwise.
I might be fucked. Maybe I should just move to Hawaii and forget all about it, put this life behind me. It would be simpler and possibly a lot more pleasant, especially if Nova comes with me…
No, Nova is the reason I can’t give this up yet, I need to get her divorced first.
I head into my office and use the time to call Dan. He doesn’t answer for the first few rings which amp up my paranoia, but he manages to shut it down as soon as he answers in his usual friendly tone.
I don’t know why I’m getting so worried. He’s my friend and he always will be.
“Hey, buddy, how’s it going? I’m so sorry I haven’t been in touch…”
“No, I know you’ve been busy and things have been crazy here too.”
“What happened? What’s this drugs bullshit? Why would anyone think that about you?”
“I don’t know. The cops got a tip off, apparently I associate with shady people.”
“Do you think this is related to the note you got?”
I sigh and nod. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking that a lot.”
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault, I told you to just ignore it.”
“I was going to ignore it anyway.”
“You shouldn’t have done that… then maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Whoever set it up called the press too. They are determined. I’m sure it would have happened regardless.”
“Do you know who it might be? Have you made any specific enemies recently?”
I have a theory and now I think this might be the time to share it. I need to get it off my chest to someone, and this is the only person who won’t judge me at all.
“Well, I think it might be linked to the charity case I’m working with…”
“I keep telling you not to do those. They are more trouble than they’re worth.”
“I haven’t ever had trouble before…”