Part 42 (1/2)
When Jennifer arrived, a lone photographer from the Daily News Daily News was waiting. He stared at Jennifer and said, ”It's true! You really handling the Santini case?” was waiting. He stared at Jennifer and said, ”It's true! You really handling the Santini case?”
”How did you know that?” Jennifer demanded.
”A little birdie, counselor.”
”You're wasting your time. No pictures.”
She went inside and arranged for Eddie Santini's bail, stalling the proceedings until she was sure the television cameraman and a reporter and photographer had arrived from The New York Times. The New York Times. She decided she could not wait for the She decided she could not wait for the Post. Post.
The police captain on duty said, ”There're some reporters and television people out front, Miss Parker. You can go out the back way if you want.”
”It's all right,” Jennifer said. ”I'll handle them.”
She led Eddie Santini to the front corridor where the photographers and reporters were waiting.
She said, ”Look, gentlemen, no pictures, please.”
And Jennifer stepped aside while the photographer and television cameraman took pictures.
A reporter asked, ”What makes this case big enough for you to handle?”
”You'll find out tomorrow. Meanwhile, I would advise you not to use those pictures.”
One of the reporters called out, ”Come on, Jennifer! Haven't you heard of freedom of the press?”
At noon Jennifer got a call from Michael Moretti. His voice was angry. ”Have you seen the newspapers?”
”No.”
”Well, Eddie Santini's picture is all over the front pages and on the television news. I didn't tell you to turn this G.o.dd.a.m.ned thing into a circus!”
”I know you didn't. It was my own idea.”
”Jesus! What's the point?”
”The point, Michael, is those three witnesses.”
”What about them?”
”You said they got a good look at Eddie Santini. Well, when they get up in court to identify him, they're going to have to prove they didn't identify him because they saw his picture all over the newspapers and television.”
There was a long silence, and then Michael's voice said admiringly, ”I'm a son of a b.i.t.c.h!”
Jennifer had to laugh.
Ken Bailey was waiting in her office that afternoon when Jennifer walked in, and she knew instantly from the look on his face that something was wrong.
”Why didn't you tell me?” Ken demanded.
”Tell you what?”
”About you and Mike Moretti.”
Jennifer checked the retort that rose to her lips. Saying It's none of your business It's none of your business was too easy. Ken was her friend; he cared. In a way, it was his business. Jennifer remembered it all, the tiny office they had shared, how he had helped her. was too easy. Ken was her friend; he cared. In a way, it was his business. Jennifer remembered it all, the tiny office they had shared, how he had helped her. I've got a lawyer friend who's been bugging me to serve some subpoenas for him. I haven't got time. He pays twelve-fifty for each subpoena plus mileage. Would you help me out? I've got a lawyer friend who's been bugging me to serve some subpoenas for him. I haven't got time. He pays twelve-fifty for each subpoena plus mileage. Would you help me out?
”Ken, let's not discuss this.”
His tone was filled with cold fury. ”Why not? Everybody else is discussing it. The word is that you're Moretti's girl.” His face was pale. ”Jesus!”
”My personal life-”
”He lives in a sewer and you brought that sewer into the office! You've got us all working for Moretti and his hoodlums.”
”Stop it!”
”I am. That's what I came to tell you. I'm leaving.”
His words were a shock. ”You can't leave. You're wrong about what you think of Michael. If you'll just meet him, you'll see-”
The moment the words were out, Jennifer knew she had made a mistake.
He looked at her sadly and said, ”He's really wrapped you up, hasn't he? I remember you when you knew who you were. That's the girl I want to remember. Say good-bye to Joshua for me.”
And Ken Bailey was gone.
Jennifer felt the tears begin to come, and her throat constricted so tightly that she could hardly breathe. She put her head down on the desk and closed her eyes, trying to shut out the hurt.
When she opened her eyes, night had fallen. The office was in darkness except for the eerie red glow cast by the city lights. She walked over to the window and stared out at the city below. It looked like a jungle at night, with only a dying campfire to keep away the encroaching terrors.
It was Michael's jungle. There was no way out of it.
43.