“I’m shocked and saddened!” said Shug. “Of all people, I never thought you would falsify material to sensationalize a story!”
“You’re actually firing me?”
“It’s only temporary. We’ll rehire you right after they film the security guys ejecting you from the building. Nigel already has your new employment application.”
Nigel waved the document. “Viewers love a comeback story.”
The guards came in and grabbed Reevis.
“But we have to hurry,” said Nigel. “Your next assignment is a long drive up north.”
Chapter 15
Last Case of the Day
The flags of the United States and the state of Florida stood against the wall. A clock ticked. A bailiff stood and tried not to yawn. The court stenographer sat with fingers at the ready.
Between the flags, a man in a black robe set some papers down and looked out over his reading glasses. “Let me see if I have this straight, counsel. You are asking me to return seized property to a client you refuse to identify?”
“That’s correct,” said Brook.
Another attorney jumped to his feet. “Your Honor, I move that you immediately dismiss this specious appeal against the upstanding municipality of Coral Cove!”
“Calm down,” said the judge. “You’re already winning, so can we just wrap this up and get to dinner?”
“Of course, Your Honor.”
“Now then,” said the judge. “Unlike regular criminal cases, seizure appeals require a certain burden of proof upon the person seeking to retrieve their property.” He turned to Brook. “If your clients won’t come forward to testify, I find it insurmountably problematic for your case.”
“Your Honor,” said Brook. “The fact that I won’t identify my client is our case.”
The judge took off his glasses and searched for words. Finally, “What?”
“Why don’t you ask opposing counsel?”
The other attorney just gave a clueless shrug.
The judge sat back and gazed at the plaintiff’s table. “Why don’t you simply come out and say what’s on your mind in plain terms.”
“Your Honor,” said Brook. “It’s so hugely obvious that everyone is missing it. The city of Coral Cove is claiming that the appeal should be denied because my client won’t come forward.”
The other lawyer was back on his feet. “That’s right, Your Honor. This was a justified drug-trafficking forfeiture designed to undercut the scourge of narcotics, exactly as the legislature intended.” He swelled with cockiness and gave Brook an accusing glare. “If her clients won’t present themselves, I think we all have a pretty good idea why.”
The judge raised his eyebrows in her direction.
“If I may continue,” said Brook. “The city is making an issue of me not identifying my clients. But it was their police department that made the traffic stop and took property. Why don’t they have the ID?”
The judge’s head swung. “Is that true?”
The municipal attorney nervously flipped through papers in his briefcase. “I’m sure it’s in here somewhere.”
“That’s not even close to good enough,” said the judge. “But we’ll get back to that. What was your basis to seize the money?”
“Our canine alerted to drugs.”
“Did you find any?”
“No, but there was a large, unexplained amount of currency, and our experience has found that such cash often has trace amounts of drugs that our dogs detect.”
Brook held up a newspaper. “According to an investigation by the Miami Herald, most twenty-dollar bills in the Metro-Dade area have at least some drug residue. The newspaper collected sample money to be tested from prominent businesspeople, politicians, even clergy. This article has been accepted as evidence in other jurisdictions.”
“I object,” said her adversary. “Unless she’s prepared to swear in these reporters—”
“Won’t be necessary,” said Brook. “My main point is they never intended to charge my client with any offense. In fact, they didn’t even issue a ticket for the ostensible traffic offense, and neither of the vehicle’s occupants had a valid driver’s license between them. Yet they were still let go.”
The judge looked the other way for an answer. The city attorney brimmed with a smile. “Your Honor, she just made my argument. Smugglers often use undocumented aliens as couriers. That’s the real reason her clients didn’t have a driver’s license and aren’t present today. They’re here illegally!”
“What do you have to say?” asked the judge.
“He’s absolutely right,” said Brook. “They are here illegally.”
“Wait, you’re admitting this in open court?”
“If I could call a witness.”
The judge shook his head to clear the legal haze. “Go ahead.”
A police officer put one hand on the Bible and raised the other. Brook approached.
“Officer Malloy,” said Brook. “You handle the police canine named Nixon?”
“He’s more like a partner.”
“How does he rate as a drug sniffer?”
“In a controlled test, he correctly identified all twenty-three sources.”
“Is he obedient and easily trained?”
“Completely.”
“Could you make him bark at will?”
“I guess I could.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” said Brook. “Does he bark for any other reason?”
“Well . . .” Malloy broke into a grin. “For some reason, squirrels.”
“And do you detain these squirrels?”
The bailiff snickered and quickly covered his mouth.
“Counsel!” said the judge. “I will not indulge such sarcasm, especially in disrespect for a law enforcement officer.”
“My apologies. That was out of line,” said Brook. “And I can’t do this anymore. I’m just going to tell you how I feel. Yes, I represent illegal aliens, and what they’re doing is wrong. But there’s a bigger wrong. On a personal level, I come from a family tree full of officers, and have nothing but respect for the vast majority of police in our state who don’t pull these shenanigans, and don’t deserve to have their integrity tainted. Forfeiture started out well intentioned enough, except there’s so much temptation that it’s gotten completely out of hand. There’s a sheriff on the west coast driving a confiscated Hummer, for heaven’s sake—”
The judge held up a hand for her to stop. “And everyone knows that migrant workers don’t have bank accounts . . . I’m way ahead of you. My dad and both brothers were on the force.” He turned and glared at the city attorney. “Appeal is granted.”
The lawyer sighed. “I understand, Your Honor.” He began putting files back in his briefcase.
“Go get it.”
The attorney looked up quickly. “Get what?”
“The money.”
“Now?”
“You don’t want to test my patience because you’re going to be spending a lot of time in this courtroom. I’m requesting that the state attorney convene a grand jury to investigate your seizure practices . . .” Then toward Brook: “Hope you have calendar space for a few more clients.”
Cassadaga
The silver Corvette rolled through the tiny paranormal community, passing a number of pastel wooden cottages that composed psychic row.
“Look,” said Coleman. “The first regular sign. ‘Warning: Neighborhood Watch.’”
“Perhaps the most ominous of all,” said Serge. “What idiot would pull a burglary in this town? You’re definitely going to get caught, possibly even before you enter the property.”