Did she actually have any children? Monica Fullbright might be a knockout, but she was also really an airhead. Anything she told me was a privileged communication. I couldn’t tell anybody even if I wanted to. Didn’t she know this from watching television? There were only two reasons she would have to lie to me: one, it was simple habit, or two, there was something about her story she didn’t want me to know. My imagination began to race; she was a white slaver, a runaway heiress, on the dodge from the law....

Why was I wasting my time with her? I asked myself. Let her find another errand girl. If I could do a good job on the Peterson trial, it would help me get some more work out of Division 39. I’ve done only three jury trials so far—two possessions and a solicitation for prostitution—but I have a 2-and-1 record. You do a good job, the judge remembers, the city attorney remembers.

All that rapport helps. Then they want to work with you again. I was sure it was more important for me to get ready for my voir dire than get wrapped up in the hassles of Monica Fullbright’s failed marriage and acrimonious ex. If in fact there was any truth to that story. I could refer her over to Leo Hernandez, who would probably give me a kickback, which the bar wants us to call a referral fee.

“I haven’t come up with anything on your Carmen Luzano. I think you’re wasting your time with me. Let me give you the name of a friend of mine who specializes in immigration law.” I didn’t want to mention the return of the unused portion of her retainer fee. Unless she said something about it first.

“She called me,” Monica Fullbright interrupted. “She’s here in Los Angeles.”

My heart sank. Now I felt obligated to finish the job. Aren’t we like doctors? Don’t we have professional duties whether or not we like our clients? “Great. Let’s make an appointment. Bring her in, and we’ll get her status clarified.” I wondered if she understood this meant the case was a dead-bang loser. My pen hovered above my nearly empty calendar.

“No,” Monica Fullbright said hurriedly. “She’s afraid. She thinks someone from Immigration is following her and they’re going to grab her. That’s why she waited to call. She wants you to go to her so you can explain about the papers and the hearing.”

I should drive somewhere to get her? Weren’t they prosecuting people in Texas for transporting aliens and providing sanctuary?

“I told her you’d be there this afternoon. She’s waiting for you.” Monica Fullbright said in the voice she probably used when she wanted new jewelry, “I understand this is going to cost more for your time.”