Personal Counsel (closed)

[pc_2000_ky]

Note: This is a closed thread for pc & chanaud. Hope you enjoy it...

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I always feel nauseous before a big trial. Always have. Always will. There’s just something overwhelming about trying a case before a jury. I’d like to say that it’s the notion of justice being played out before my eyes which overwhelms me. However, I am a realist, so I can admit to myself that what it really boils down to is the simple distinction between winning and losing. I live to win, and I know I could not handle losing. While I’ve never had to suffer through losing a trial, the fear of one day experiencing the bittersweet taste of a loss is the strongest motivator I know. And here I am, facing the biggest trial of my career. Only this time, there was so much more on the line than ever before.

I’ve had juries award my clients millions of dollars. I’ve had juries acquit my clients of many a heinous crime. This time, however, if I lose, God forbid, I'll lose the only woman who has ever captured my soul. The stakes have never been higher.

Before going on, let me walk you through the events which led me to where I am today...

Up to this point, my life had consisted of one grand accomplishment after another. I cannot say that any of them were unexpected. After graduating from college with high distinction, breezing through law school, and receiving numerous job offers, I had settled on the firm of Williams & Wagner, the most prestigious firm in town. Ten years into the practice of law, I left the firm, started my own firm (Carrington & Gray), and quickly began to try many of the high profile cases in town. However, with all that I had accomplished, I was still in search of my greatest professional challenge. Little did I know that it would also consume my heart.

That’s when she came into my life, almost as if the hand of fate had pushed her towards me.

The first time she called, I almost didn’t take the call. It had been one of those days…so much to do, so little time. I’d been on the phone all day and was ready to take a little time for myself and prepare for an important hearing scheduled for the next morning.

When my secretary buzzed me to announce that there was a woman on the phone, desperate to talk with me, my first instinct was to have her take a message. However, there was something more to this call and even my secretary knew it.

“Andrew”, she said….”I think you’ll want to take this one…”.

And so it began.

 

[chanaud]

“Andrew Carrington the Fourth, please”

My voice was surprisingly cool as I read the handwritten name on the beige linen paper. His name was given to my late husband’s attorney. He said with conviction that Andrew Carrington was the best defense attorney in the state and anyone else just wouldn’t do. His winning percentage proceeds him. And he’s handled many high profile cases, but none like mine.

After announcing my name to the receptionist, I held my breath. I prayed silently that his secretary would schedule an appointment. For you see, I needed this man more than I’ve needed anyone in my lifetime. He was the only one who can give me a remote chance. I had no one. I had cut the cords to all my family ties long ago. My late husband’s family turned against me and hired a detective to dig into my past. My friends have abandoned me. The public had already labeled me guilty. The police have searched my home twice. They implied they have enough evidence for an arrest. I was completely and utterly alone.

I was transferred from one secretary after another. I knew each time I was put on hold my chances of speaking to Mr. Carrington was favorable. If his reputation holds to be true, his staff would be efficient. At least efficient enough to recognize my name. After all it’s been the headline of every syndicated newspaper in each county and the talk around every water cooler.

Not a minute later, a youthful voice, just barely out of school announced. “Andrew Carrington.”

“I wish to make an appointment with Andrew Carrington the Fourth, please.”

“This is he, how can I help you.”

My voice fell silent. It took a long moment to regain my surprise.

“Yes, how can I help you.”

His voice sounded hurried and a bit annoyed. I had to state my name and hope for the best. My voice was low. I can hear Mr. Carrington lean forward in his chair to hear me better.

“Mr. Carrington, I wish to make an appointment with you.”

My spine straightened into a steel rod and with my head held high, I announced myself with clear clarity and conviction.

“My name is Lacey Anderson.”

 

[pc_2000_ky]

Upon hearing her name, my mind quickly began to race, feverishly trying to place her name within the context of its apparent familiarity. Suddenly, it was upon me...all the headlines, the television reports...and the accompanying gossip, stories and rumors which had followed her breaking story. Even in a big town like Atlanta, its not every day that a strikingly beautiful young woman is accused of having her husband brutally slain.

When the news of her husband's untimely demise hit the airwaves several weeks earlier, it was initially more newsworthy in the business section due to his vast wealth, his corporate holdings and their perennial place within the town's social circles. Richard Anderson was one wealthy son of a bitch...loved by few, hated by many and not shy about destroying anyone who was in the way of his business interests. His death at the relatively young age of 47 had sent reverberations though the community after the details behind his gristly death were revealed by the local authorities.

In an instant, I snapped back to reality from my momentary reflection...

"Yes, Ms. Anderson...what can I do for you today" I asked, knowing damn well why she was calling. One of the first things I learned early on was to never let a potential client know that I had any idea why they were calling...I always wanted them to explain it to me...in their terms. Not their story, or even whether or not they were guilty. The first rule....the ONLY rule to representing clients in the criminal area...is NEVER ask if they did it. However, my own personal first rule was to always wait for a client to explain why they wanted ME to represent them, as opposed to letting on that I knew why they were calling. Perhaps a bit of an ego trip on my part, but its a great way to let a client know early on that I was not swayed by power, fame, money or notoriety. And that I was the boss. Period.

"Mr. Carrington" she replied, "I desperately need your help. I don't know who else to turn to". Her voice sounded of desperation, as a woman with nowhere else to turn.

Now I've been around the block many times, and for the most part, I have a keen sense for when client is being straightforward and honest, and when I'm catching their best line of BS. However, upon hearing her soft voice, I was suddenly overcome with a immense desire to help this woman...a woman whom I'd never met. I knew I had to help her. There was nothing more to it.

"First of all, please call me Andrew" I replied. "Now then, let's talk about why you called."

"Andrew....the grand jury indicted me on murder charges today, and I swear I didn't do it". Her words began to trail off as she continued. "They're saying I....I...." and suddenly, she stopped. After a few deep breaths, she continued on with firm conviction.

"They're saying I killed my husband".

Without so much as losing a beat, I told her that I had seen the paper following the murder. Damn...I had already broken my first rule and let on that I knew who she was...

"Lacey, let me be frank...you're in deep trouble. At this point, there is no one in the world you can trust....no one, but me, that is."

And with that, I had decided in an instant to take her case. Now most times, I'll insist on meeting the client before making such a decision, for if I do not like the client, its impossible to be an effective advocate on their behalf. But I already knew I liked this woman. A lot. There was something about her which captured my essence. She needed me. What man could ever refuse?

And I also knew her case would be front page headlines each and every day. And as a lawyer, there is no such thing as too much press.

With all the excitement of a young child at Christmas, Lacey quickly blurted out "So....you'll take my case?", almost in disbelief.

"Yes", I responded, "and from this point, I am your personal counsel".

 

[chanaud]

“……..I am your personal counsel.”

Upon hearing those words, the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. I sighed loudly.

“Thank you, thank you, very much, Andrew. I appreciate it very much.”

I was groveling, I knew it and didn’t care.

“I think we should meet right away, Lacey.”

Neither of us noticed that we immediately fell into a first name basis.

“Yes we should. Shall I meet you at your office? You’re in Buckhead, am I correct?”

“No. Not yet. I want to meet you without the media’s attention. We can accomplish more that way. I’ll send a company car for you. Ralph will pick you up tomorrow at 10 am. Do you have a wig?”

I can hear his mind spinning faster than his words. For the first time in a long while, my lips cracked a small smile.

The question caught me off guard. A long second later, I answered.

“Yes…. A blonde one.”

“Perfect. Wear it when Ralph picks you up.. just in case the media gets a sniff of you..”

After we hung up, I allowed myself a cocktail of gin and tonic. It was that day. As I sipped it quietly, it dawned on me that I haven’t asked for his description so I will recognize him. He knew what I looked like since my face has been in the media. I, too, wanted the luxury to be able to greet my attorney. No. Personal counselor, that’s what he called himself.

Evenings were a bear. I roamed around my historic house helplessly, searching for something to pass the long nights. I’m not an avid reader, nor a fan for the TV. Besides I can’t bear seeing myself on TV, I took upon myself to drink and stare and remember. Remember my life before this. Mostly of the good times. I tried my hardest to block out the bad times. The way Rich….And how…. It didn’t work. It came crashing back night after night after night. The only relief I had was to pass out from too much alcohol.

Tonight was different. My drink lay unfinished. while I logged onto the computer and searched for everything and anything I can find on Andrew Carrington the Fourth. What I found kept me in awe…