Parnell Hall - The Innocent Woman

Steve Winslow frowned. Whats the charge?

Tracy Garvin pushed the long blonde hair off her forehead. Thats not the point.

It may not be the point, but its certainly relevant. Whats the charge?

You have to understand, Tracy said. This is a respectable young woman. Its hard to imagine her being accused of anything. I think as soon as you see her, youll agree that-

Whats the charge?

Tracy took a breath. Petty theft.

Steve smiled. Im not surprised.

Oh?

If it were serious, youd have said so. The more you stalled, the more trivial it had to be.

If youll just talk to her, Tracy said.

About a petty theft?

Thats not the point.

So you say, Steve said. He leaned back in his desk chair, cocked his head. Tracy, one of your chief jobs as my confidential secretary is to keep stuff like this from crossing my desk. I dont have a normal law practice. Im not looking for clients. If an offer I cant refuse comes along, fine. But aside from that I have only one client. Im administering Sheila Bentons trust fund. Not a particularly demanding job, but mine own. I am not actively seeking trail work. Particularly a case involving petty theft.

Tracy Garvin took her large round framed glasses off, folded them up, put her hands on her hips.

Uh oh, Steve said. The glasses off routine? Im guess Im in trouble now.

Damn right you are, Tracy said. I dont need a lecture on your law practice. I mean, give me a break. Its me, Tracy. I know what you do and dont do.

Then you know I wouldnt touch this.

You took the Kelly Blaine case.

That was different.

How was it different?

She was naked.

Tracys eyes blazed.

Steve held up his hand. Sorry. Withdrawn. I dont want to get into it. The point it, that case was unusual.

How do you know this one isnt?

A petty theft?

All right, look, Tracy said. You say my jobs to listen and weed em out. Well, I listened and Im bringing you this. If you dont trust my judgment, whats the point?

Steve sighed. All right, whats the case?

Id rather you heard it from her.

Steve grinned. Im sure you would. If Im going to see her, I want the background first. Whats the basis of the charge? What is it she supposedly stole?

Money.

From whom?

Her employer.

And how was this alleged theft accomplished?

Shes accused of taking money out of petty cash.

The petty theft of petty cash, Steve said. Great. And youd like me to get this woman out of jail?

Shes not in jail. Shes in the outer office.

Shes not in jail?

You know that, Tracy said impatiently. I told you she was here to see you.

Right, Steve said. Sometimes attorneys ask a question to which they know the answer just to make a point. So, Im not dropping everything to get this young woman out of jail-shes not in jail. Tell me, when did this crime occur?

About a month ago.

Is that when she was arrested?

Thats right.

Shes been arraigned for petty theft?

Yes, she has.

What was the disposition of the case?

She was bound over for trial and released on her own recognizance.

Why doesnt she have a lawyer?

Tracy hesitated a moment. She has a lawyer.

Steves eyes widened. Oh?

A court appointed lawyer. She had no money to hire one, so court assigned counsel.

Really? Steve said. So, at her arraignment the judge bound her over for trial, released her on her own recognizance and assigned her counsel. Am I to assume he also set a court date?

Yes, he did.

And when might that be?

Tomorrow morning.

Steves grin became broader. So, he said. The young woman is charged with petty theft. Shes been arrested, arraigned, given a court date and the trial starts tomorrow. She has a court appointed attorney representing her, and she has no money with which to hire any other. And you would like me to hear her case?

Thats right.

Steve Winslow shook his head. I cant beat logic like that, Tracy. This is almost irresistible. By all means, show the young woman in.

Amy Dearborn was an attractive young woman, with short dark hair, curled under and framing a face that at first glance appeared as innocent as a newborn babe.

All except the eyes, which were calculating and shrewd.

For Steve Winslow, who had grown adept at sizing up prospective jurors, that was his first impression-that Amy Dearborn was a young lady motivated by self-interest, and perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

She wasnt one to mince words, either. You dont look like a lawyer.

Steve Winslow smiled. Indeed he didnt. He and Tracy both wore jeans around the office, since they had no clients to impress. Today he was also wearing sneakers, blue T-shirt, and brown corduroy jacket. That, coupled with his shoulder length hair, didnt really conjure up the image of a lawyer.

Then were even, Steve said. You dont look that much like a thief.

Amy Dearborns chin came up. If youre a lawyer, were not even, she said. Because Im not a thief.

I understand, Steve said. Why dont you tell me about it?

Nothing much to tell, Amy said. My boss says I took some money and I didnt.

Some details might help, Steve said. For starters, whos your boss?

I work for F. L. Jewelry. On 47th Street. She jerked her thumb. Just on the next block.

Whats F. L. stand for?

Fletcher and Lowery.

Theyre partners?

Thats right.

Which one is accusing you?

Frank.

Frank?

Mr. Fletcher.

Frank, is it?

Amys eyes narrowed. No, it isnt. Its a small firm. Everyones on a first name basis.

I see.

Theres nothing between me and Frank Fletcher.

I never said there was.

Dont give me that. You said, Frank, is it? Implying there was something going on. Well, there isnt. And I resent the implication.

Noted, Steve said. May I assume the same is true of Mr. Lowery?

Her eyes widened. Marv? Are you kidding? Of course not.

I see, Steve said.

Her face darkened. Just what the hells going on here? Im accused of a crime. All you can think of is sex.

Im sorry if I gave that impression, Steve said. But in any crime, the basis is the relationship of the people involved. So if you dont mind, could you tell me something about these two men?

She took a breath. Marvin Lowerys in his forties. He has a wife and, I think, three children. Hes always been a perfect gentleman, never made a pass at me, if thats the way your minds running.

Frank Fletchers, a little younger, say in his thirties. Hes unmarried and hes asked me out a couple of times. I didnt go.

Why not?

I happened to be dating someone at the time. Amy Dearborn took a breath. Now, if youre through with my personal life, would you mind if we talked about the case?

Steve Winslow shot an amused glance at Tracy Garvin. Not at all, he said. Why dont you tell me about it?

There isnt much to tell. I came to work one day last month. Monday morning. There was a man in the office.

A man?

A detective.

Police or private?

Private. I didnt know it at the time. The man flashed an I.D. at me, asked me if I was Amy Dearborn. When I said I was, he asked me to empty my purse.

Did you?

I did not. I asked Frank and Marv what the hell was going on. Frank said thered been a robbery. Marv said he knew I didnt do it, but would I please cooperate with the detective and help clear it up.

Did they tell you what had been stolen?

Not then.

What did you do?

I emptied my purse.

What happened then?

The detective went through my billfold. I had eighty some dollars in it, mostly twenties. The detective whipped out a notebook, started comparing the twenties to that. He whistled, called Frank over, Frank took a look and called the cops. They came and arrested me.