Rich Blood (Jason Rich #1)(8)

Brooks sat in a burgundy leather chair in the middle of an elevated platform. A microphone had been placed in front of him, but it wasn’t turned on.

Jason stood and squinted up at the chairman. He’d had one case against Brooks that had settled for just north of a million dollars. That didn’t create a conflict of interest, but Jason doubted that it garnered him any favor with the man, whose client probably hadn’t been pleased at having to shell out seven figures. He glanced at the other three members of the commission. Seated to Brooks’s left: Mary Crosby, a forty-five-year-old real estate attorney from Dothan, and Gary Debro, a fifty-two-year-old insurance defense lawyer from Decatur. To the right: Josephine Scales, a young prosecutor for the Fayette County District Attorney’s office.

“Yes, sir,” Jason said. His voice felt dry, and he knew it sounded hoarse. He’d dressed in a navy suit with a light-blue tie. During his drive from the Perdido Addiction Center to Montgomery, he’d passed three billboards where he was wearing the exact same thing.

IN AN ACCIDENT? GET RICH.

INJURED IN A FALL? GET RICH.

HURT ON THE JOB? GET RICH.

Each advertisement had Jason’s goofy, smiling face. Normally, Jason might have chuckled at being in the same suit as in the ad; today, he felt nothing but a dull sense of numbness. Rehab had done that to him. At first, during the detoxification period, he’d been keenly aware of everything happening. Now, with only a week left of his mandatory three-month stay, he could barely feel anything at all. Almost as if he was a spectator to his shit show of a life.

Even today, “on the outside,” as a criminal might say, life seemed odd and disjointed. Though he’d been given his phone for the trip, he hadn’t even turned it on. In truth, he hadn’t wanted to use it. His partner was keeping him updated on his cases during her regular visits, and sadly, he could think of no one else he needed or wanted to call.

“Mr. Rich, we’ve reviewed the findings of the general counsel’s investigation and his recommendation,” Brooks continued, his tone stern. “However, before we make our decision whether to approve his proposal, we wanted to hear from you in person.”

Jason glanced to his left, where the only other person in the boardroom sat. Anthony “Tony” Dixon was the general counsel for the Alabama State Bar. Like Jason, Tony was thirty-six years old, and they’d been in the same law school class at Cumberland. They hadn’t been friends, nor had they run in the same social circles. However, Jason had always felt that Tony was a solid person and smart lawyer. He’d been fortunate that Tony was heading up the investigation.

“Mr. Rich, you understand that this is the second time that you’ve been investigated due to a disciplinary complaint.”

Jason managed a smirk.

“Something wrong, Mr. Rich?” said the chairman.

“That first complaint was dropped, and I wasn’t punished in any way.”

“You got into a fistfight with Nate Shuttle on the courthouse steps in Walker County,” Mary Crosby chimed in. She raised her eyebrows, but her voice carried no irritation. Perhaps amusement? Curiosity?

“Yes, ma’am,” Jason said. “I believe Mr. Dixon’s investigation concluded that I wasn’t the aggressor in the altercation, and, if I’m not mistaken, Mr. Shuttle had to pay a fine. Isn’t that right, Tony?”

The general counsel nodded. “That is correct. There was no discipline cited, but you were given a warning for . . . inciting the confrontation.”

“And remind us how you did that?” Ms. Crosby asked.

“I called him a fucking prick,” Jason said, sneering up at Winthrop Brooks. “Pardon my language.”

“You also broke his nose,” Brooks said.

“After he pushed me and took a swing,” Jason said. “You should read Tony’s report.”

Brooks’s face turned red. “I have. And I’ve also read the one we’re here about today. Everyone involved in the deposition of your client, Ms. Eileen Frost, back in February—opposing counsel, his associate, the court reporter, and Ms. Frost herself—reported that you were under the influence of alcohol and acting impaired during the proceeding so that the deposition had to be stopped due to your erratic behavior. You were reported to the bar and agreed to an emergency suspension of your license pending a ninety-day stint in a rehabilitation facility. That about cover it?”

Jason swallowed, tasting bile in his mouth. Any bravado he’d felt after bringing up his avoidance of punishment for the fight with Nate was gone. He hung his head. “Yes,” he said. “I would add that my partner recently settled Ms. Frost’s case for $950,000, and she was ecstatic. It was a good result.”

“Yes,” Brooks said. “We know. We’ve spoken to Ms. Frost. In fact, we’ve spoken to almost every current and former client of your law firm. While none of them were displeased with your representation, several, including Ms. Frost, admitted to smelling alcohol on your person and having questions as to your sobriety during consultations.” He took off his glasses and scrutinized Jason with a cold gaze. “Mr. Rich, you understand that this behavior is improper, unprofessional, and unethical.”

“Yes, sir,” Jason said.

Brooks put his glasses back on and gave his head a jerk. “Mr. Rich, I have to say that I don’t understand you.” He took out a piece of paper and slid his spectacles up his nose. “We’ve meticulously combed through your background as a student and lawyer, and it’s impeccable. Golf scholarship to Davidson College in North Carolina, where you graduated with honors. Law review at Cumberland School of Law along with being on the trial advocacy team that won a regional championship. Two years as an associate at Jones & Butler and then nine years as a solo practitioner. You made Super Lawyers magazine in the ‘rising star’ category. And you and your firm have been a leader in handling pro bono cases for the indigent.” He paused. “And yet you seem to be on a mission to get yourself disbarred. The fistfight with Mr. Shuttle was the only other formal complaint besides this one that’s ever been lodged against you, but the general counsel’s investigation has revealed a laundry list of bizarre incidents over the past couple of years.” Brooks cut his eyes to his associates on the platform.