Gibson & Clarke (Failed Justice Series Book 2) by Rick Santini Page B
Authors: Rick Santini
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thought it was obvious. He was not talking for the sake of talking.
“Go to Mei Ling and tell her. Tell her I have repented. I will give up the business tomorrow morning. I will use all my wealth to do good for all she has fought so hard for. Talk to her. You are a lawyer; convince her I mean it.”
I may be a lawyer, but I am not a miracle worker.
“I will do what I can. There are no promises, no guarantees.”
Xiang Yeung stood up to his full five foot three, looked up slightly, clasped Marta’s hands in his own, and thanked her profusely.
We shall see what we shall see.
CHAPTER 22
Stalling would do no good. Marta knew a phone call would be useless. She already had Mei Ling’s home and business address, and Rik had supplied a schedule of where she was most of the day. It was now time for a short trip to Manhattan.
She decided to tell no one. At this point, there was nothing to tell. She decided to dress down, no use looking like a lawyer. No one trusts lawyers, especially other lawyers.
Mei Ling wasn’t difficult to recognize. She was about to enter the clinic, having walked the short distance from SoHo to Mott St. It was warm out, and Mei Ling was wearing wide black trousers and a white blouse. Her long black hair was in a French braid. Marta decided the direct approach was best.
“Ms. Ling, may I talk to you for a minute?”
Mei Ling was immediately suspicious. She had never seen the tall black woman before, and yet she had called her by name. For a split second, the hair on the back of her neck stood up.
“Who are you? How do you know my name, and what do you want? If you touch me, I will scream for the police.”
Marta raised her hands palms out and backed up a step. She stood quickly and waited a second before talking.
“I have no reason to hurt you. I just want to talk. I am an attorney, like yourself, and represent an individual who would like to contribute a large sum of money to you and your clinic. Can we get a cup of coffee somewhere?”
Mei Ling relaxed for a minute. “Who is this benefactor? Why me, and how much?”
“For now, I’m unable to say, but my client has been following your work, understands you can always use a large transfusion of funds, and the dollar amount would be substantial.”
Marta was about to say several million, but that was unrealistic and would have immediately scared Mei Ling off. “I am guessing fifty thousand to start with and more later if needed and he can spare it.”
Mei Ling could think of a dozen places to spend fifty thousand dollars. Maybe two dozen. The black lady was dressed well and did not appear threatening. She had a relaxed smile on her face.
“There’s a coffee shop two doors down. I just have to call my office and let them know I’ll be a few minutes late.”
Forty minutes and two cups of coffee later they shook hands and promised to meet again in a few days. Marta was forced to tell a few white lies, but let Mei Ling know money was not a problem—as long as it went to a worthy cause. Mei Ling swore to it.
They shook hands like old friends and parted company.
***
The message was short if not so sweet.
“We have decided to drop all charges immediately.”
The voice was clearly that of Ronnie Rosenthal. No reason was given. Marta was sure she had not heard the last from the frustrated ADA. She desperately wanted to know who made the switch but was afraid of the answer. She was still an officer of the court.
“Mr. Fung. Marta Clarke. I just heard from the district attorney’s office. Apparently they lost the evidence or it magically transformed itself into several bags of talcum powder. In any case, all charges have been dropped. I am moving to expunge your record and seal the file.”
“Thank you, Ms. Clarke. I’m sure you will be hearing from me again. Goodbye.”
Marta felt it odd that Tao did not express shock or surprise. It was as if she had called to let him know the
“Go to Mei Ling and tell her. Tell her I have repented. I will give up the business tomorrow morning. I will use all my wealth to do good for all she has fought so hard for. Talk to her. You are a lawyer; convince her I mean it.”
I may be a lawyer, but I am not a miracle worker.
“I will do what I can. There are no promises, no guarantees.”
Xiang Yeung stood up to his full five foot three, looked up slightly, clasped Marta’s hands in his own, and thanked her profusely.
We shall see what we shall see.
CHAPTER 22
Stalling would do no good. Marta knew a phone call would be useless. She already had Mei Ling’s home and business address, and Rik had supplied a schedule of where she was most of the day. It was now time for a short trip to Manhattan.
She decided to tell no one. At this point, there was nothing to tell. She decided to dress down, no use looking like a lawyer. No one trusts lawyers, especially other lawyers.
Mei Ling wasn’t difficult to recognize. She was about to enter the clinic, having walked the short distance from SoHo to Mott St. It was warm out, and Mei Ling was wearing wide black trousers and a white blouse. Her long black hair was in a French braid. Marta decided the direct approach was best.
“Ms. Ling, may I talk to you for a minute?”
Mei Ling was immediately suspicious. She had never seen the tall black woman before, and yet she had called her by name. For a split second, the hair on the back of her neck stood up.
“Who are you? How do you know my name, and what do you want? If you touch me, I will scream for the police.”
Marta raised her hands palms out and backed up a step. She stood quickly and waited a second before talking.
“I have no reason to hurt you. I just want to talk. I am an attorney, like yourself, and represent an individual who would like to contribute a large sum of money to you and your clinic. Can we get a cup of coffee somewhere?”
Mei Ling relaxed for a minute. “Who is this benefactor? Why me, and how much?”
“For now, I’m unable to say, but my client has been following your work, understands you can always use a large transfusion of funds, and the dollar amount would be substantial.”
Marta was about to say several million, but that was unrealistic and would have immediately scared Mei Ling off. “I am guessing fifty thousand to start with and more later if needed and he can spare it.”
Mei Ling could think of a dozen places to spend fifty thousand dollars. Maybe two dozen. The black lady was dressed well and did not appear threatening. She had a relaxed smile on her face.
“There’s a coffee shop two doors down. I just have to call my office and let them know I’ll be a few minutes late.”
Forty minutes and two cups of coffee later they shook hands and promised to meet again in a few days. Marta was forced to tell a few white lies, but let Mei Ling know money was not a problem—as long as it went to a worthy cause. Mei Ling swore to it.
They shook hands like old friends and parted company.
***
The message was short if not so sweet.
“We have decided to drop all charges immediately.”
The voice was clearly that of Ronnie Rosenthal. No reason was given. Marta was sure she had not heard the last from the frustrated ADA. She desperately wanted to know who made the switch but was afraid of the answer. She was still an officer of the court.
“Mr. Fung. Marta Clarke. I just heard from the district attorney’s office. Apparently they lost the evidence or it magically transformed itself into several bags of talcum powder. In any case, all charges have been dropped. I am moving to expunge your record and seal the file.”
“Thank you, Ms. Clarke. I’m sure you will be hearing from me again. Goodbye.”
Marta felt it odd that Tao did not express shock or surprise. It was as if she had called to let him know the
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