Tales of the District

Dan watched his friends, the public defender and former Hill staffer, with amusement wondering which of the stubborn lawyers would win the day. He was biding his time to interrupt and play mediator, but held off, enjoying the spectacle unfold.

“It does seem like a good deal, sugar,” Audrey drawled. “Just get this case over with. Put it behind you.”

“Can you explain it one more time?” Rita Jane asked.

“He’ll dismiss the charges on a couple of conditions,” Paul said.

“I can’t stand the smell of that fish,” Claudia said, referring to the lox that Paul had brought, along with a dozen bagels. “I’m going to puke.” She walked away from the table and opened the kitchen window, letting a frigid breeze blow through the kitchen.

“Are you okay?” Rita Jane said, walking over and putting her arm around Claudia. “We can discuss this later if you’re not up to it.”

“She’s pregnant, she’s not an invalid for Christ sake,” Paul said. “You need to deal with this now Claudia.”

Audrey laughed. “Spoken like a man. I wish men could get pregnant, even just for a month or so, and experience what it’s like to feel like you have a bad case of the flu for nine months, and that’s the easiest part of it.”

Dan decided he couldn’t wait any longer to intervene. “Let’s go over this one more time,” he said. “As I understand it, the government will dismiss the case against you on two conditions: you agree to stop representing Emad and sign an affidavit that admits that you engaged in improper conduct, but hadn’t realized it at the time.”

“No way,” Claudia said. “It’s not true. I can’t sign an affidavit to something that’s not true.”

Paul reached into a backpack and pulled out a stack of photocopied cases.

“I knew you’d say that,” he said handing it to her. “I did a little research. It appears that it is true. Those letters you mailed were written to the organization Emad donated money to. He was under a court order not to contact them. By mailing the letters you assisted him in violating a court order.”

“Bullshit,” Claudia said sullenly.

“And then there was the phone call,” Paul continued, unfazed by her reaction. “You placed a call to the Widows and Orphans Office in Saudi Arabia. They have the phone bill to prove it. Again, acting as his lawyer, you facilitated your client in breaking a court order.”

“I didn’t help my client — I made a call on behalf of his wife.”

“Who was acting on behalf of her husband,” Paul insisted.

“Where’s the proof?” Claudia yelled. “I can’t believe you would have me sell out on this, Paul. Besides the whole charge is trumped up. Emad hasn’t done anything wrong. The court order isn’t valid. How can I provide material support to a terrorist who isn’t a terrorist?”

“Not true,” Paul said. “I researched that point, too. Even if a person is being held wrongfully on a charge for which they are innocent, it is still illegal to disobey a court order related to that charge.”

“Christ,” Claudia said angrily. “This is such bullshit. How can you even deal with these people!” she yelled at Paul.

Rita Jane patted her on her thigh. “It’s okay,” she mouthed silently. “Don’t get upset.”

Paul said, “Listen Claudia. Will you stop acting like a client and start acting like a lawyer? You did, technically, break the law. Why won’t you sign an affidavit admitting it?”

“Because it’s a bullshit technicality. I didn’t do anything wrong. I can’t believe you guys are telling me to agree to this.” Hot, angry tears of pain and rage burst out and she sobbed uncontrollably. “If you’re sick of representing me, I understand. I can find someone else.”

She got up and left the room, with Rita Jane and Audrey following after her. Dan couldn’t remember ever seeing Claudia cry in front of people. She prided herself on her ability to control her emotions. He looked at Paul, but neither knew what to do.

Claudia walked into the kitchen and sat down heavily. Dan felt sorry for her. “I’m sorry Paul. It’s these damn hormones. Is there anything else I need to know?”

“They want you to go public with your admission of wrongdoing.”

Claudia shook her head. “Never.”

“If you sign the affidavit it will be public record anyway. Reporters will find it and make it public. You might as well be the one who goes public so you can control the story.”

She shook her head again but didn’t say anything. It was a lost cause. No agreements would be made today. Dan would have to think of something else to do to get the case resolved. He had an idea, but didn’t want to discuss it with this crowd.

“Please tell me that you’ll at least think about it?” Paul whined.

Claudia nodded, too drained to argue any longer. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I do appreciate it, even if it doesn’t seem like that.”

“My pleasure,” Paul said, but it didn’t sound like he meant it.

After Paul left, Rita Jane said, “It sounds like a good deal to me. I don’t understand why you won’t take it.”

“You wouldn’t,” Claudia practically spat at her. “It’s a matter of principle — something you don’t understand. Locked in your studio you have no idea what is happening in the world.”

“You apologize right this instant, Claudia Jean,” Audrey said. “What is wrong with you anyway?”

Rita Jane stood up and headed for the door, shouting, “I might not understand everything that’s going on in the world, but I do know what it takes to raise a child. Unlike you, who thinks only about yourself. You don’t care about anything except you, yourself and you.”

She was at the door when Dan grabbed her. “Don’t go, RJ. Stay and work it out.”

But Rita Jane wrestled herself free and ran out the door. Women, Dan thought, but knew better than to say it out loud.