No. Only passing in the halls, he admitted. But I hoped to make her team one day. She was a real trailblazer. Did you know that no entertainment industry client of hers ever served a single day in prison?

I think I heard that somewhere, Jessie said.

They reached the conference room, which was indeed large. The table alone had to be a good forty feet long. A burly man in a navy suit stood at the far end of the room.

Thats Ajax, Simon said. Hes here to…ensure everything runs smoothly for you.

Thats okay, Simon, Karen said. We know why hes here. You can dispense with the euphemisms.

Yes, maam, Simon said, his face turning red. Theres water in the mini-fridge behind the cabinet on the back wall. If you need anything else, just have Ajax buzz me and Ill bring it in.

After he left, Jessie and Karen moved over to the pile of paper in the middle of the conference table. Ajax joined them, standing just off to the side. Up close, Jessie saw that he was even more massive than she originally thought. Easily six foot six and two hundred fifty pounds, he looked like he might have just come from playing in the football game Karens husband had been watching. His head was shaved and his hands, the size of oven mitts, had red, angry scars on the knuckles.

Good afternoon, ladies, he said. Im sure this will just be a formality, but I need to go over the ground rules with you. First, what you have on the table is a list of Ms. Estradas clients who have had cases theyve had before the court, along with abstracts describing the cases. If you need actual court documents, Simon can try to provide those, as long as they were in the public record. All other materials are off-limits, Im afraid.

What about clients who didnt have any cases? Jessie asked. Maybe folks who just kept her on retainer?

Ajax shook his head.

Unless specifically authorized, that material is unavailable. Were providing data on people who Ms. Estrada represented in matters before the court. If you have a particular request beyond that, youll need to make it formally.

Though Jessie didnt like having the parameters of her search limited, she wasnt in a position to be too demanding. After all, without a warrant, the firm was under no obligation to allow the access she currently had. She decided not to rock the boat for now.

Okay, she said, turning to Karen. I think we should be looking specifically for two things. Tell me if you disagree.

Shoot.

First, were any of Estradas clients investigated for crimes resembling what happened to herviolence towards women, assault, that kind of thing?

Makes sense, Karen agreed.

Second, were any of her clients unhappy with the outcome of their case? That information wont necessarily be in the files. Well have to cross-reference with news reports to check on that.