Richard: (shocked and outraged) Objection!

Lindsay: (persistantly and just as outraged) Make your objection, but I am putting this on the record. They charged her with murder and they offered to drop everything if she would flip George Vogelman on concealment. He's the one they're after. The arrest of Ellenor Frutt is not only unethical, it is flat out immoral.

Richard: I completely reject that. We never offered to drop this. And any and all settlement discussions are inadmissable. She should be sanctioned for attempting to raise this in these proceedings. (their voices get louder and louder)

Lindsay: You're charging her with homicide to coerce testimony. Yes, sanction me!

Richard: (at the same time) Not only to mention that she misrepresented everything that was said in the context of our prior discussions -

West: All right, All right! I'll take all this under advisement. I'll rule tomorrow.

Lindsay: Your Honour, I would ask that you release Miss Frutt on our own recognisance pending your decision.

West: I can live with that. O.R. Adjourned till tomorrow. (bangs gavel)

Leonard's jail cell.

Rebecca: (coming in) You can go. Your case has been dismissed.

Leonard: Thank you, God.

Rebecca: You're the only one to catch a break this week, Leonard. You know that heroin you bought? Lab results show that it wasn't heroin. It was some brown confectionary or something. That's how gone you are, Leonard. Even the dealers -

Leonard: I can go now?

Rebecca: Right now.

Leonard: Good. Not a second too soon. I need a fix.

Rebecca: You know, I can't stop you from going to get your fix, but don't you ever come into our office again and bring that stuff. Ellenor Frutt is in a lot of trouble right now because of you.

The conference room, where Kevin Michaels' deposition is taking place.

Bobby: By your own admission, this affair, it was consentual?

Kevin: Yes, but I feel that after it ended, this letter was not a ringing endorsement. That was clear to anybody who read it.

Bobby: Well, did it say anything negative?

Kevin: No, but it wasn't glowing. I think it was what she didn't say that was conspicuous.

Bobby: Is it possible that you weren't that great a clerk?

Kevin: It's possible, but... (he trails off)

Bobby: But what?

Kevin: Well, I don't think she had the opportunity to really know whether I was a great clerk or not.

Bobby: Why's that?

Kevin: Once our personal relationship began, the only thing that transcribed in her chambers was sex. For the last seven months, we probably made love two to three times a day, sometimes four.

Bobby: (in disbelief) Four times in one day?

Kevin: One day, I think we hit eleven. She was insatiable.

Bobby: (lost in thought) Wow. (back on track) Are you claiming that in any way it was against your will?

Kevin: (haltingly) No no, It was the most amazing... Look, I didn't complain. And if she tried to seduce me again today, I can't honestly say that she wouldn't succeed, knowing how... Look, my point is that what chance did I have to excel at being a clerk when all we did was -

Bobby: Mr Michaels, why did you ask her to write a recommendation in the first place?

Kevin: It was probably a mistake. I just figured, I don't know, I mean, if a woman can't get enough of your penis, chances are she'll write a decent letter.

Kittleson: (after a pause and leaning forward) Uh, can we go off the record here a second? Kevin, I will write you a superlative recommendation, right now. Maybe a call or two, I could get you a job in a second. How about I do that? Can we call off this lawsuit?

Kevin: It's a little late.

Kittleson: No, it isn't. (pause) This isn't about you getting a job, Kevin, it's about getting me.

Kevin: Excuse me?

Kittleson: You're obsessed with me. Does your lawyer not know that?

Kevin: (he scoffs at that, and then looks at her) You're sad.

Kittleson: Am I? (she pauses again) I could give an erection from across the room, we both know that. (another pause, no one moves) Go ahead. Stand over there, I'll prove it. (Kevin doesn't move) Probably getting aroused right now. (commanding) Stand up, Kevin.

Long pause. Jimmy carefully tries to sit up straighter to see over the table.

Milton: (warningly) Hey. (Jimmy sits back down) Let's just go back on the record.

-------------------- Commercial --------------------

Bailiff: All rise. (they rise as Judge West enters) Be seated (they sit)

West: A man gets chased into an office. Leads to a search, turns up a knife. Somebody somewhere has an idea as to what's going on here, but it isn't me. The search of the desk drawer was valid. As far as the muder charge, possession of the weapon alone does not constitute probable cause, at least not to me, under these circumstances. That count is dismissed. As far as the charges of concealing evidence and obstruction of justice, those counts stand. The defendent is bound over for trial, personal recognisance. We'll conference (he checks his calendar) Tuesday, ten o'clock. (bangs gavel) Adjourned.

The hall outside the courthouse. It is packed with reporters as Bobby and co try to get through.

Reporters: Miss Frutt? Did you help George Vogelman get away with murder? Do you know who killed Susan Robbin, ma'am?

Bobby: Come one, let us through.

Reporters: Where did the knife come from? If you could just answer a few questions-

Their questions are cut off as the lawyers enter an empty room and Eugene shuts the door. There's a long pause.

Bobby: We'll beat it, Ellenor. Every one of us is on it. If we have to drop every other case to fight this, it's done.

Eugene: As of right now, George Vogelman is the enemy.

Ellenor: Why?

Eugene: Because one of the alternative defences will have to be he planted that knife.

Lindsay: Which is possible, by the way.

Ellenor: No, it isn't.

Bobby: Ellenor, look at me. (she looks at him) Everyone in this room stands ready to go to war for you. But you have to let us.

George Vogelman's jail cell.

Eugene: Here's the deal, George. The police seem determined to put you on trial again for killing Susan Robin.

George: (confused) But how can they? I was acquitted.

Eugene: Well, they're gonna end run double jeopardy with concealment, obstruction of justice, perjury and relevant to proving the case the question of whether you commited murder will be played out again. And if you get convicted on perjury and concealment, the judge is going to take everything into consideration when he sentences you.

George: What are you telling me?

Eugene: I'm telling you you could be looking at twenty years.

George: (stunned) This.. this isn't fair.

Eugene: No, it isn't. And it doesn't get better. You need to get another lawyer. Our firm withdraws. Your new lawyer can contact us, and we'll release the files. (he leaves)

Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt -

Bobby: Jimmy, my office. Everybody else, in the conference room. Your Honour...

Kittleson: (stopping before Lindsay) Oh, hello. I'm Roberta Kittleson. (Bobby looks worried, and hovers over the conversation anxiously)

Lindsay: (smiling stiffly and nodding) Lindsay Dole.

Kittleson: Yes, I know. You have quite a reputation at the courthouse.

Lindsay: (with a completely different meaning) So do you.

Bobby: (putting a stop to the conversation) Uh, you can go in.

Bobby's office.

Bobby: Pretty simple. Ten thousand and a better recommendation and we close this today.

Kittleson: Why should I give him money?

Bobby: Because he's looking to save face and it goes away now. Merits aside, this will look bad for you if it goes public. Let's keep it sealed and be done. Can I tell him yes?

Kittleson: I suppose.

Bobby: Great. I'll draft some papers, have you sign them -

Kittleson: (heartfelt) Bobby, thank you.

Bobby: (brushing it off abruptly) I'll be in touch.

He walks out.

Jimmy: (nervously) This is a really good result. Put this down today - good result.

Kittleson: Yes. And thank you too, Jimmy.

Jimmy: (still nervous) Listen. Maybe you wanna get a glass of champagne later? Toast our victory?

Kittleson: (happily surprised) Oh. Would you like to that?

Jimmy: Well, only if you would.

Kittleson: Sure.

Jimmy: Good.

Cut to Eugene, Ellenor, Bobby, Lindsay and Rebecca in the conference room.

Eugene: There are two possibilities. Somebody's out to frame George Vogelman, or he's guilty.

Ellenor: If Gerorge were guilty why would he put the murder weapon in my drawer? What good does that do him?

Eugene: Well, Ellenor, if he's guilty we can forget what makes sense. He cut off a head.

Jimmy walks in and quietly closes the door behind him.

Lindsay: Plus, this could be some kind of fixation thing with you.

Ellenor: What?

Lindsay: Loner, perhaps once in love with you, you dumped him. I mean, maybe when he first cut off the head he brought it to you like a cat showing off a dead mouse.

Ellenor: Oh, come on.

Lindsay: Ellenor, if he's sick, he's sick.

Bobby: But why the knife in the drawer?

Lindsay: I don't know. To keep things alive, to keep a connection with Ellenor, maybe.

Bobby: That doesn't seem like a -

Lindsay: (pointedly) Obsessed people do crazy things, Bobby.

Eugene: Look, let's all admit we don't know George Vogelman, but he's exactly the profile. Nice guy delivering mail one day, walks into McDonald's the next.

Ellenor: That isn't George.

Eugene: Then who, Ellenor? This doesn't make sense.

Ellenor: Look, we figured he was set up the first time. If someone could put a head in his medical bag maybe they're doing the same thing again with the knife.

Bobby: If someone wanted to frame George with the knife, it would have turned up before he was acquitted. Why hold the knife back? How stupid would that be?

Eugene: Maybe they didn't have the knife at first.

Bobby: (incredulous) Didn't have it? If he was set up with the head in the bag it would've had to have been by the killer who would also have the knife.

Lindsay: (frustrated) This just doesn't make sense.

Long pause.

Rebecca: It's the police. (everyone looks at her and she continues after a pause, warming up to her explanation) The knife turned up after the trial. And because of double jeopardy the only way to make use of it was to plant it here, and set up a perjury obstruction of justice charge.

Lindsay: That's a bit of a reach.

Rebecca: This trial embarrassed them. And just like Eugene and Helen said, there is a mission to get George. (she pauses) And I know how they did it.

Cut to Leonard's apartment. Rebecca, Ellenor and Eugene are confronting Leonard.

Leonard: I don't - I don't know what you're talking about.

Rebecca: Yes you do, Leonard. See, what didn't make sense, nobody buying heroin, especially someone so experienced as you, is going to walk off with sugar. The reason it was sugar was so the case against you would eventually get dropped, which you seemed to see coming. Something that also confused me a little, when I went to your cell and said you could go, you weren't surprised. The police sent you running in there to drop that bag to allow them to search Ellenor's desk. Where the knife was either planted then, or sometime before.

Ellenor: (gently) Leonard, is that what happened? The police sent you running into my office? (he doesn't look up)

Eugene: Leonard, you're not gonna get arrested or prosecuted on this if you tell us the truth, I guarantee it. Police misconduct, coersion, trust me, they can't touch you. But if you don't tell us the truth, if you go along with the police trying to frame Ellenor, a person who has been very good to you, a person who has been saving your ass for the last ten years, if you don't come clean, and we find out, (he moves close to Leonard and puts his face right next to his) I will hurt you.

Leonard: (after a pause) They caught me with some stuff again. Said if I do this, they'd let me go. (beginning to cry) I'm sorry, Ellenor. I'm afraid of prison.

Rebecca, Eugene and Ellenor look at each other.

The courthouse, reporters are all jostling each other as a statement is being issued.

DA: So far it appears to be limited to a select group of officers. We've arrested three uniforms and two leiutenants in forensics.

Reporter: Where was the knife found?

DA: It's unconfirmed, but the weapon was evidently found in an abandoned car. We don't know by who at this point.

Reporter: After the Vogelman trial?

DA: That's my understanding. (cut to the lawyers in the conference room, watching the report on TV) I would like to stress this does not represent the Boston police department. These officers are a disgrace to the force. Police Chief Sullivan will be conducting a press conference shortly to address this further. Thank you.

Reporter (on the broadcast): Can you release the names -

She is cut off as Bobby turns off the television. There is a long pause as they all look at each other.

Bobby: I still can't believe it.

Lindsay: How could they be so brazen to think they wouldn't get caught?

Eugene: They almost didn't.

-------------------- Commercial --------------------

We see a fancy restaurant, where Jimmy and Judge Kittleson are having champagne.

Kittleson: So, this was all staged just to get a warrantless arrest?

Jimmy: Figured we had a weak link in our chain with Leonard.

Kittleson: How many officers involved?

Jimmy: Well, investigations just starting, but so far they think five.

Kittleson: Unbelievable.

Jimmy: Yeah. Anyway, at least things ended well. (she nods) Here's to your case.

Kittleson: (smiling) Yes.

They clink glasses and drink.

Kittleson: Tell me, Jimmy. Do you typically toast victory with all your clients? Or did all that sex talk make you curious? (Jimmy chokes on his champagne, and she smiles) I'm sorry. But you can be honest.

Jimmy: Well -

Kittleson: Just between you and me, which part of the testimony was your favourite? (camera cuts to under the table, where she is massaging Jimmy's knee, he looks speechless) Do you remember?

Jimmy: (stutters) My mind's a little blank at the moment

Kittleson: (seductively) I'm sure it is.

Jimmy looks uncomfortable.

Cut to Helen and Lindsay's apartment, where they are watching a news broadcast.

Joy Schenk (news reporter): George Vogelman was released shortly after, hoping, I'm sure, he's been arrested for the last time. Asked for comment, he politely declined.

Helen flicks off the TV.

Helen: (turning to Lindsay) Poor guy. Course he could still be guilty.

Lindsay: (warningly) Don't go there.

Helen: (changing the subject with a quizzical look on her face) Where's Bobby tonight?

Lindsay: (evasively) We're kind of fighting a little.

Helen: (nodding understandingly) Hmmm. Over his representing Judge Kittleson? (she smiles chidingly) Lindsay, she's a hundred and two years old.

Lindsay: She's fifty-six.

Helen: You think Bobby's attracted to her? (the doorbell chimes in the background, Helen sighs) Oh well, here he is. Kissy kissy make up time.

Lindsay smiles and gets up. She opens the door to see Ellenor outside.

Lindsay: (surprised) Hey.

Ellenor: Hey.

Lindsay: Come on in.

Helen: Hi.

Ellenor: Hi. (Helen gets up and leaves) Wow. Some place.

Lindsay: Yeah, well. I make a lot of money.

They both smile uncomfortably.

Ellenor: Listen, I never got a chance to thank you for defending me.

Lindsay: (embarrassed) I lost the motion.

Ellenor: Yeah. (she pauses)

Lindsay: You okay? (Ellenor looks at the floor) What's wrong?

Ellenor: Nothing, nothing. It's uh - (she thinks) When I think about why I practice law, my mind always goes to the little guy, you know, the Leonards, the people that I fight for. And after ten years, for him to just sell me out -

Lindsay: Ellenor, he's a drug addict.

Ellenor: No no no, let me finish. I've been sitting home for the last two hours, feeling sorry for myself. Thinking that nobody's loyal. There's just no such thing as - And then my mind went to how all of you stood up for me, dropped everything. I'm sorry for the way I've treated you lately. I think that this whole partnership thing has blinded me to, I don't know, to what it really means to have true partners. I know I have them. I especially know you're one of them.

Lindsay: (sincerely) Thank you.

Ellenor: Well, that's all I came to say. (she smiles) See you at work.

Lindsay: (smiling too) Okay.

Ellenor walks out and Lindsay closes the door behind her, turning around deep in thought. She sighs and smiles slightly.

-------------------- End of Episode--------------------

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