Read Presumption of Innocence: David Brunelle Legal Thriller #1 for Free Online Page B

opted for more equal terminology, "that is, co-counsel for a capital case I just filed."
    "Capital?" confirmed Yamata. "As in death? Oh yeah, I'm on board. Can I shove the needle in his arm?"
    She laughed a deep, throaty laugh.
    Brunelle wasn't sure what to think. He was pretty sure he was scared.
    But he kind of liked her attitude too.
    "When do I start?" she asked.
    "Right now," declared Duncan. "Why don't you go down the hall to Dave's office and he'll brief you on the case."
    "Great," said Yamata. "I know where your office is." And she started down the hallway, her tight ass swinging invitingly down the hall.
    Brunelle turned from the sight and forced a smile to Duncan. "Thanks, boss."
    Duncan winked. "I knew you'd approve. Go get her, tiger."
    Brunelle nodded, but the smile slid from his face as he turned and followed his new partner to his office.
    ***
    She was sitting in his chair. "Nice view," she motioned toward his windows and Elliot Bay beyond. "I have an interior office in the drug unit."
    She popped up and danced to one of the chairs across his desk. "I can't wait to work on a murder case. I'm so sick of drug possession trials. Two rocks, two cops, two days. I want something I can really sink my teeth into."
    She leaned forward as Brunelle sat in his chair. It smelled of her perfume. She had really nice perfume.
    "Just tell me what to do, Mr. Brunelle. I'll do anything you say. Anything."
    Brunelle succeeded in forcing out the improper thoughts that rushed toward his mind's eye. Instead, he said, "Let's start with not calling me 'Mr. Brunelle.' That makes me feel old. 'Dave' will be fine."
    Yamata smiled, a bright, full-lipped, red-lipstick smile. "Okay, Dave. So, what do I do first?"
    "First," said Brunelle. "You listen."
    Then he pulled the binder of scene and autopsy photographs off of his bookshelf and slid it across the desk to her. "And follow along."
    So he told her the facts of the case. Everything from Holly's fingerprint on the note to Karpati's high-priced asshole defense attorney. She had tried to follow along in the binder, but couldn't quite make it through all the photographs. When he'd finished, he asked, "Any questions?"
    Yamata paused, then answered, "Yeah, one."
    "What is it?"
    "Seriously," she said, "Can I shove the needle in his arm?"
      Brunelle appreciated her enthusiasm. "Sorry, no. There's a separation of powers thing or something. But let's take it one step at a time. We have to get a conviction first."
    Yamata grinned. "Right. First thing's first."
    But that reminded Brunelle of what really came first. "Actually, the first thing we have to do is lock in his accomplice as our witness."
    Then he explained what had happened that morning.
    "Wow, that sucks," Yamata observed. "Hope he doesn't bail out before then."
    "Well, I don't think he will," Brunelle answered. "But even if we do, the judge will take him back into custody if we can show her he has to be held without bail."
    "Need a brief?" Yamata offered. "My briefs are exquisite."
    Brunelle nodded. "Of course they are."
    Then he shook the thoughts of her panties—her exquisite panties—from his head. "That would be great. First thing to research is that 'no bail' issue. My guess is Welles is full of shit. That provision has been in the Constitution since 1889. I bet there's case law that interprets it the way we want."
    "That's why he did it orally," Yamata suggested. "If it was written, you would have had time to research it."
    Brunelle grimaced. "Yeah, he's pretty sleazy. But it might come back to bite him if Quinn feels like he tricked her."
    "Is there anything else we need?" Yamata asked.
    Brunelle rubbed his chin. "It might be useful to know whether we can rely on Holly's statement even if we don't have her on board. Once Jess gets wind of our predicament, she's gonna squeeze me— us —for a better deal."
    Yamata stood up and leaned over his desk. He managed not to look at her chest. Just barely. "My briefs will be on your desk