Chapter 4 - The Downfall Begins
The holding cell was freezing cold and smelled strongly of ammonia.
David paced back and forth, his expensive dress shoes clicking against the concrete floor.
His hands were still trembling.
He hadn't slept a wink all night.
Through the iron bars, he could see the duty desk where two police officers were drinking coffee and laughing.
"Excuse me!" David yelled, gripping the cold steel bars.
"I demand my phone call!"
"I have the right to contact legal counsel!"
One of the officers slowly turned his head and gave David a look of pure disgust.
"You've had three phone calls, buddy," the officer replied lazily.
"Nobody wants to talk to you."
"That is a lie!" David shouted, his face turning red.
"I am an attorney at Harrison, Linus, and Vance!"
"Call Charles Harrison!"
"He is the managing partner!"
The heavy steel door at the end of the corridor buzzed loudly and swung open.
A man in a sharp navy suit walked down the hallway, carrying a slim leather briefcase.
David let out a massive sigh of relief.
"Charles!" David cried out, pressing his face against the bars.
"Thank God you're here."
"You have to get me out of here."
"This is a massive setup."
Charles Harrison stopped outside the cell and stared at David with absolute contempt.
He didn't open his briefcase.
He didn't offer a reassuring smile.
"I am not here to bail you out, David," Charles said, his voice completely devoid of warmth.
"I am here to deliver a message."
David's relief vanished, replaced by a sickening dread.
"What do you mean?" David asked slowly.
"As of 6:00 a.m. this morning, your employment at Harrison, Linus, and Vance has been permanently terminated," Charles stated flatly.
David gasped, taking a step back as if he had been physically struck.
"Terminated?" David repeated, his voice raising in pitch.
"You can't do that!"
"I'm your top-billing associate!"
"You're firing me over a domestic misunderstanding?"
Charles let out a harsh, mocking laugh.
"A misunderstanding?" Charles echoed in disbelief.
"You assaulted the pregnant daughter of the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court."
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation raided our offices two hours ago to audit every single case you have ever touched."
David's knees gave out, and he collapsed onto the thin metal cot in the corner of the cell.
"They audited my files?" David whispered in horror.
"We are cooperating fully with the federal authorities," Charles continued mercilessly.
"Furthermore, the State Bar Association has convened an emergency ethics committee."
"Your license to practice law has been suspended, pending a permanent disbarment hearing."
David buried his face in his hands, realizing the full magnitude of his destruction.
"My career," David sobbed into his palms.
"It's gone."
"Yes," Charles agreed calmly.
"And considering the evidence of embezzlement they found in your client trust accounts this morning, your freedom is gone too."
May you like
Charles turned around and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the cold hallway.
David was completely, utterly alone.
