LaSalle.
He got up and walked back to his counsel table. As he did he felt another look from Rennie impale itself in his back. Then heard Judge Lozano call his name.
“I’d like to approach the bench,” Steve said.
“Is that really necessary, Mr. Conrad?” Judge Lozano said.
“The name is Conroy, Your Honor, and yes, it is necessary.”
Mal Meyer joined Steve at the judge’s bench.
“I want to withdraw from the case,” Steve said.
“You what?” the judge said.
Mal Meyer blinked behind his thick glasses.
“I have good cause to withdraw,” Steve said.
“Let’s hear it.”
“I can’t give that to you.”
The judge said, “You’re going to have to.”
“I’m sure Your Honor is aware of Aceves v. Superior Court.”
“Go on,” Lozano said.
“A lawyer is not required to reveal anything that would violate any ethical duty. That’s what I’m representing to this court.”
The judge looked at Meyer as if for help.
Meyer said, “That’s correct, Your Honor.”
With a frustrated sigh, Lozano said, “Well this is not exactly a good start for you here in Verner, Mr. Conroy. Not good at all. What can you tell me?”
“Nothing, unfortunately.”
“Does this have anything to do with a conflict of interest?”
“I can’t say.”
“Perjury?”
“I can’t say.”
“Both? Never mind.” The judge slapped a palm on the bench. “Let’s go back on the record.” He waited for Steve and Meyer to return to their respective places.
Neal Cullen sat smugly in the jury box.
“Mr. Cullen,” the judge said, “your attorney has decided to turn down the distinct honor of representing you.”
The smugness melted from Neal’s face.
“Do you understand?” the judge said.
“No,” Neal said.
“Your attorney, Mr. Conroy, is withdrawing from defending you.”
Neal shot a look at Steve, who started packing his briefcase. But not without hearing some murmurings in the courtroom.
“So here’s what I’m going to do, Mr. Cullen—”
“He can’t do that!” Neal said.
“He just did, sir.”
“Hey! Steve! What the—”
“Mr. Cullen! Listen carefully. We are going to continue this arraignment so you can consult with an attorney. I’m also going to set a bail amount so you can get out and find one.”
“But I got an attorney!”
“Had, Mr. Cullen.”
“Steve!”
But Steve was already out of the gate and headed for the door.
57
A hand grabbed his shoulder as he started down the courthouse steps.
Rennie spun him around and said, “What was that stunt?”
“No stunt,” Steve said.
“Explain it to me.”
“No,” Steve said. He could feel incipient rage dripping off Rennie, like sweat from a bull.
“Your ice is getting thin,” Rennie said.
“Where’d you get that? Buford’s Book of Insults?”
“You are in this up to your neck.”
“What page is that on?”
“Shut up.”
Steve turned and took the steps two at a time.
“Johnny’s gonna be in touch with you,” Rennie called after him. “Bet on that.”
He didn’t have long to wait. He was back in his office when Johnny called, a little past ten. “You in your office?”
“I’m right here,” Steve said.
“Then you stay there.”
Johnny arrived fifteen minutes after the call. Didn’t bother knocking before he came in.
“You want to tell me what you’re doing?” Johnny said. He was not in a smiling, good-brother mood.
Not that Steve expected it. He was sitting at his desk and offered Johnny a chair. Johnny didn’t move.
“I’m not repping Cullen,” Steve said. “That’s all.”
“Why not?”
“Because he and that goof Rennie are the worst liars I’ve ever seen.”
“Come on.”
“And I’ve seen some pretty bad ones.”
“Yeah?”
Steve just stared at him. Until he got it.
“Oh,” Johnny said, “you’re calling me a liar now. Is that it?”
“What else am I supposed to think?” Steve stood, walked around his desk. “When have you been up front with me?”
“I never lied to you.”
“Really? How about just holding back the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”
“Didn’t I tell you to be patient? Didn’t I tell you to trust me and wait? Why didn’t you come to me before pulling this?”
“Wouldn’t have made a difference,” Steve said.
“How do you know? You don’t even know how much you don’t know, do you?”
“You want to run that by me again?”
“Haven’t I been looking out for you?”
“Have you?”
Johnny slapped his sides. “See that? See how you’re talking? I haven’t even told you about that little problem you had with a former client.”
“What former client?”
“The former client who won’t be sending around people to bother you anymore.”
Steve went cold. Mendez.
He sat on the edge of his desk. Light headed. “How?”
“You don’t think we know guys in the joint? Steve, look at me.”
Steve turned away.
“If you would’ve just waited, Steve. There’s so much I want you to know, but at the right time.”
“The time is