Mickey Haller 4 - The Fifth Witness

edge. I think Cisco’s given me the firepower to do it and hopefully his guard will be down because we’ve had Dahl telling him it’s going to be a walk in the park. Realistically, right now, I think the score is tied. Even with Driscoll blowing up, I’d say we’re either tied or maybe the prosecution’s got a few points up on us. I’ve got to change that tomorrow. If I don’t, we lose.”
    A somber silence followed until Aronson asked another question.
    “What about Driscoll, Mickey?”
    “What about him? We’re done with Driscoll.”
    “Yeah, but did you believe him about all the software stuff? Do you think Opparizio’s people set him up? Was all of that about him stealing software made-up lies? Because now it’s out in front of the media.”
    “I don’t know. Freeman did a smart thing. She coupled it with something he wouldn’t or couldn’t deny—stealing the test. So it all sort of flowed together. Anyway, it doesn’t matter what I believe. It’s what the jury believes.”
    “I think you’re wrong. I think that what you believe is always important.”
    I nodded.
    “Maybe so, Jennifer.”
    I took a long sip of my anemic drink. Aronson then went in a new direction.
    “How come you stopped calling me Bullocks?”
    I looked at her and then looked back at my drink. I shrugged.
    “Because you did so well today. It’s like you’re all grown up or something and you shouldn’t be called by a nickname.”
    I looked past her at Cisco and pointed.
    “But him? With a name like Wojciechowski, he’s got his nickname for life. And that’s just the way it is.”
    We all laughed and it seemed to relieve some of the pressure. I knew alcohol could help with that but it had been two years now and I was strong. I wouldn’t slip.
    “What did you tell Dahl to go back with today?” Cisco asked.
    I shrugged again.
    “The defense is in disarray, they lost their best shot with Driscoll when Freeman destroyed him. Then the usual, we don’t have anything on Opparizio and testifying will be like cutting butter left out on the counter. He’s supposed to call me after he talks to his handler.”
    Cisco nodded. I continued in another direction.
    “I’m thinking Opparizio is the way to end it. If I can get what Cisco has gotten for me to the jury in questions and his answers, and I push him to the nickel, then I think I’ll just end it there and Cisco, you won’t testify.”
    Aronson frowned like she wasn’t sure that would be a good move.
    “Good,” Cisco said. “I won’t have to wear the monkey suit tomorrow.”
    He tugged at his collar like it was made of sandpaper.
    “No, you have to wear it again, just in case. You have another shirt like that, don’t you?”
    “Not really. I guess I’ll have to wash this tonight.”
    “Are you kidding me? You only—”
    Cisco made a low whistling sound and nodded toward the door behind me. I turned just as Maggie McPherson slipped onto the open stool next to me.
    “There you are.”
    “Maggie McFierce.”
    She pointed to my drink.
    “That better not be what I think it is.”
    “Don’t worry, it’s not.”
    “Good.”
    She ordered a real vodka tonic from Randy the bartender, probably just to rub it in.
    “So, drowning your sorrows without the drown. I did hear it was a good day for the good guys.”
    Meaning the prosecution. Always.
    “Maybe. You hired a sitter for a Monday night?”
    “No, the sitter offered to sit tonight. I take it when I can get it because she’s got a boyfriend now so I’ve probably seen my last Friday and Saturday nights out on the town.”
    “Okay, so you get her tonight and you go out to the bar by yourself?”
    “Maybe I was looking for you, Haller. Ever think of that?”
    I turned on my stool so my back was to Aronson and I was directly facing Maggie.
    “Really?”
    “Maybe. I thought you could use some company. You’re not answering your cell.”
    “I forgot. It’s still off from court.”
    I pulled the phone and turned it on. No wonder I hadn’t gotten the call from Herb Dahl.
    “You want to go to your place?” she asked.
    I looked at her for a long moment before answering.
    “Tomorrow’s going to be the most important day of the trial. I should—”
    “I have till midnight.”
    I took a deep breath but more air went out than came in. I leaned toward her and then tilted so that our heads were touching, sort of like how they touch sabers before a fencing match. I whispered in her ear.
    “I can’t keep