Good. I dodged that one. Constance was glad that Jack would deal with it. He was the perfect man for the job. But Jack didn't seem to agree. He jumped to his feet and pushed the case folder away. "I'm not defending this guy. Don't even try to make me do it."

"Oh come on, Jack. We all know how you love publicity. What could land you in front of television cameras more than a case like this?"

"I won't touch a porn case. You can't succeed in defending that. If he's guilty, I become the disgusting defender who made excuses for his actions. If he's innocent, I'm still associated with kiddie porn. Give me any ten other cases, but don't make me do this one."

Poor desperate Jack. Constance felt a pang of empathy for the man. He really had his eye on a bigger goal, every minute of the day. He even thought about the ultimate consequences of each new case he agreed to take, which-she realized-had little to do with the accused person.

Phil pushed the folder back at him. "Sorry, Jack. Someone has to defend him. I picked you."

"Give it to Gina." He ran over to where she sat, giving her his best imitation of a puppy dog.

Anxious for someone to take the case, Phil offered the folder to Gina Simon. She scowled. "Screw you, Jack. I took that schoolyard drug dealer from you last week-you can't unload on me again. Sorry, but Phil's right-this one's custom made for you. The media is already making headlines over it." She stroked her chin in pretend thought. "Tell you what. . . I'll call up The Post and tell them that Jack Cummings is going to defend the pervy principal. They'll eat it up."

"No, no, I can't." He turned and gave Constance his best shot, this time looking more like a wounded puppy dog-a look that he probably worked hard on perfecting. She had to admit he just about had it right. "Please take this case, Constance. I know you don't like big publicity, but just this once?"

She shook her head and tried not to smile at his desperation. "Don't even think about it. You know I don't like to get my name in the news. Besides, I thought you usually dump your boring cases on me, not stuff like this. I don't want it anymore than you do. And I'm up to my ears in work."

"Oh come on, Constance. Please." He amped up his look with big sad eyes and even escalated his offer. "I'll take you out to dinner at Top of the Park."




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