Page 21 of Dead Air
"She got attention." Claire continued searching. "The Wallace case went viral. Five million downloads. New York Times coverage. Speaking engagements."
"You sound skeptical."
"I'm a defense attorney who overturned a conviction." Claire finally looked up. "I believe in justice for the wrongfully convicted. I also understand career advancement disguised as moral crusading."
Lawson circled back to the earlier point. "Hutchinson and Associates. Any connection to Savannah?"
Claire returned to her search. "Checking court records now. Their client list is mostly New York based, but larger firms often have satellite offices or take cases with national implications."
Lawson stared out the window while Claire worked. Forsyth Park stretched green and manicured below. Joggers circled the fountain. A yoga class formed geometric patterns on the grass. Normal life continued while she hunted ghosts through computer records.
"Found something." Claire's voice sharpened. "Hutchinson briefly represented Victor Mendez in 2020."
"Mendez." The name clicked immediately. "The mechanic."
"First suspect in Monica's murder." Claire pushed a printed file across the desk. "Picked up two days after the shooting. Released three weeks later when charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence."
Lawson flipped through the file. Victor Mendez. Thirty-eight at time of arrest. Auto mechanic with connections to the Rafferty operation. Allegedly serviced vehicles used for drug transport. His garage sat four blocks from the warehouse where Monica died.
"We could never connect him directly to the shooting." Lawson scanned the case notes. "Anonymous tip placed him near the scene that night. His alibi had holes. But forensics found nothing definitive."
"According to this, Hutchinson sent a junior attorney for his bail hearing." Claire pointed to a notation. "Charges dropped before they got further involved."
Lawson frowned. "Why would a Manhattan law firm represent a Savannah mechanic on murder charges?"
"Exactly." Claire leaned back in her chair. "Small time mechanic gets a white shoe New York firm for representation? Someone with money or influence arranged it."
"Someone connected to Rafferty."
"Likely."
Lawson turned to the final page. Case closure form signed by the district attorney. Reason for dismissal: Insufficient evidence to proceed.
"This was Blackwell's firm." Lawson looked up from the file. "She would have had access to case details. Witness statements. Police reports."
"Not necessarily." Claire raised a finger. "Large firms compartmentalize. Associates work on assigned cases only. Client confidentiality is sacred."
"But she might have seen something. Heard something in office conversation."
"Possible." Claire turned back to her computer. "Let me check if she was directly involved."
Lawson resumed pacing. Victor Mendez. The name brought back memories of interrogation rooms. Mendez sitting stone-faced across the table while she fired questions. His calm denial of involvement. The frustration when forensics failed to place him at the scene.
"No direct connection." Claire pushed away from her desk. "Blackwell worked in corporate liability during that period. Different department from criminal defense."
"Still the same firm." Lawson stopped at the window. "Might explain her interest in Monica's case."
"Or complete coincidence." Claire closed her laptop. "Thousands of cases pass through firms like Hutchinson. Most associates never see files outside their department."
"I don't believe in coincidences."
"You believe in conspiracies." Claire stood and stretched. Hours at the computer left creases in her silk blouse. "Which reminds me. Judge Byrd filed the temporary restraining order against the podcast."
Lawson turned from the window. "When will it take effect?"
"These things take time." Claire poured water from a crystal decanter. "Legal proceedings move at their own pace."
"Even with an active judge filing it?"
