Dropping The Hammer

“We have a potential very high-profile case I’d like to discuss with you.”

Rachel couldn’t imagine why he wanted to discuss that with her. She took the chair that faced his desk. He sat down again and leaned back in his oversize leather chair.

“Who’s the defendant?” she asked.

“Hayden Covey. I suppose you’ve heard that he was arrested last night.”

“It was breaking news on my phone alerts this morning.” She was certain almost everyone in the state had heard by now.

Hayden was a student at University of Texas who’d allegedly brutally murdered his girlfriend days after she’d broken up with him.

He was also the only son of a popular and very influential state senator married to an extremely rich heiress.

The victim was Louann Black, nineteen years old, also a student at the university. Though not as wealthy and influential as the Coveys, her family was well-known in the Austin music circuit.

Hayden had written several songs for big-name performers and frequently performed around town himself in popular music venues.

This would likely be the trial of the decade in Texas.

“Do you think Hayden is innocent?” Rachel asked.

“He claims to be and I know his parents believe him.”

“Most parents do, though the evidence against him looks extremely damaging.”

“But not ironclad,” Eric said. “A top-notch defense attorney could win the case.”

“Then coming to you was a good decision,” Rachel said. “Few would argue that you’re not the top defense attorney in the South.”

“But maybe not the best man to defend Hayden. I’ll be honest with you, Rachel. Senator Covey and I have been close friends since our law school days at UT. I’ve known Hayden since he was born. He’s a great kid.”

“He’s twenty,” Rachel reminded him. “Not exactly a kid.”

“That’s true. He’s turned into a fine young man with a great life and a pro football career in front of him. He’s one of the top college running backs in the country and he’s only a junior.”

“Even great athletes commit crimes.”

“Yes, but he’s never been in trouble except for one unfortunate arrest last year for roughing up another student after an altercation at a bar near the university. Several witnesses said the victim was at fault.”

According to the media over the last few days, those witnesses were Hayden’s friends and the roughing up was a vicious attack that sent an unsuspecting underclassman to the hospital with a broken jaw and a serious concussion from repeated kicks to the head.

That was nothing compared to the brutality of the attack that killed his former girlfriend.

“Considering how my friendship with the senator might negatively influence the jury, I’m not sure I’m the best one to officially lead Hayden’s defense.”

“Good point,” she agreed, though she was certain he’d be a strong behind-the-scenes force in the case no matter who was the lead attorney of record.

“Luckily, the firm has several top-notch criminal defense attorneys,” she noted.

“Yes, which makes this a tough decision. But I talked with my son and Edward last evening. We all three believe that you’re the best choice for the job.”

She stared at him, stunned by his words. “You mean as lead attorney?”

“Yes, though you’ll have full backing from the firm and all the assistance you require. But you’ll deliver the opening and closing statements and handle the press.”

She’d worked her butt off for an opportunity like this ever since she started with the firm right after law school. But she was certain her performance had fallen off over the last few months. She tried harder than ever, but she had trouble concentrating and dealing with the never-ending panic attacks.

“Why me?” she asked.

“I’ve discussed it with my partners. We all agree that you have exactly the qualities needed for this trial. You’re not only capable and thorough, you read the jury as well as or better than any attorney with the firm. You proved that time and time again.”

“I’ve never headed up a high-profile like this.”

“No, but you’ve demonstrated that you know your way around a courtroom. You won’t be intimidated by a judge or daunted by the best the district attorney can hurl at you.”

A year ago that might have been the case. Now she wasn’t convinced she could navigate through all the brutal murder evidence and still stay on her game.

She’d only been a team member on the case they’d just tried and won, but even looking at the photos of a young female victim attacked in an elevator at her workplace had brought on an increase in Rachel’s nightmares and a heightened anxiety level.

Her career had been her life, but it seemed to be turning on her. She definitely couldn’t handle a murder case unless she was totally convinced of the defendant’s innocence. “I appreciate the confidence, but—”

“I know it will be your biggest challenge to date,” Fitch interrupted. “We think you’re ready for it.”

She stared into space as she let his statement sink in. What-ifs stormed her mind. What if she wasn’t up to it? What if she wasn’t convinced of Hayden Covey’s innocence? What if she had a meltdown in front of the jury? If that happened in a case this high profile, it would be the end of her career.

Eric stood, walked to the front of his desk and stared down at her, his gaze intent, intimidating. “This case is very important to me and to the firm, Rachel. We’ve stood beside you and supported you in every way we could since your unfortunate incident. Now I’m asking for you to deliver. Don’t let me down.”

Don’t let him down.

The tone and stance made it clear his words were a warning. This was more than an offer. It was a demand.

“I understand,” she said.

“Good. Then I’ve made myself clear.”

“Perfectly clear. When do I meet the defendant?” she asked, though she hadn’t officially agreed to take the assignment. Ordinarily, the firm granted attorneys that privilege. This time that didn’t appear to be the case.

“Hayden and his parents will be here this morning at ten,” Fitch said. “I’ll also sit in on that first meeting.”

“I expected that you would. Is that all for now?”

“Yes, except that I should warn you that Hayden’s mother, Claire, is in a distraught state. I hope you can give her full confidence in the defense we’ll provide for her son.”

“I’ll do as much as I honestly can.” Honestly was the key word in Rachel’s mind.

Eric Fitch Sr. had gotten what he wanted. He stood, then smiled and nodded, acknowledging his win.

Rachel was getting the career boost she’d worked so hard for, the opportunity to make a name for herself and vastly improve her chance of being named at least a junior partner one day soon.