The Orphan
Copyright© 2025 by A Well Traveled Man
Chapter 3
Nicholas arrived at Sky Harbor Airport just in time to catch his flight. He hoped his luggage made it onto the flight, which landed at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank at 7:15 a.m. Kelli met him at baggage claim, and, lucky for him, his bags arrived on the carousel. On the way to the law office, Kelli said she may have a solution to his vehicle problem. She said you were right about David Kroft having issues with a sibling.
His son, who is in his freshman year at college, just got his second DUI. His first offense was reduced to reckless driving, and he was on probation for a year. When he got the second DUI, the first was reinstated, and he lost his driving license until he was 21. David is so pissed that he’s selling his son’s Ford Bronco Raptor. It has 20,000 miles on it and is in excellent condition. It’s a 2024 model, and David asked me if we were interested in purchasing it.
Nicholas said yes upon inspection, and we can agree on a price. They are sky high, new and used, and hopefully, they aren’t worth more than 60% of the new. Kerri said David is taking it to the dealer and asking for its trade-in value. So, let’s wait and see what the dealer offers. When they arrived at the office, Nic asked Tammy if her babysitting came with tuck-ins. Tammy said, “Oh, yes, and kisses,” and everyone laughed.
Once settled in Kerri’s office, she said your early arrival worked out great. I’ve got jury selection tomorrow morning and could use your help. Nicholas said, “Sure,” and Kerri said, “Great.” We’ll go to Brooks Brothers at lunch and see if one of your suits is ready. Nic groaned, and Kerri laughed. She said it was an assault case, and research and trial preparation were done. The prosecutor is charging my client with aggravated assault, and it was a simple bar fight between two people.
The prosecution’s main witness was the instigator, so jury selection is key for our client to avoid jail time. Nic asked if the witness had prior convictions, and Kelli said the judge ruled them inadmissible. Nic asked, “What about a plea deal in a previous case for testifying? “Kelli said she didn’t consider that, but that would be admissible if true. Nicholas said that since your client hired you, he obviously has money, so is there damage to the bar?”
Kelli said, “Oh my god, that’s it.” Yes, the bar owner is claiming $30,000 in damages and loss of business. Nicholas said, “Well, there has to be some link between the prosecutor and the bar owner for them to go after your client. The bar should have insurance, so unless previous incidents risk the bar’s policy, there has to be a reason not to file a claim.” Kelli called Pamela into her office and asked her to find out who insures the bar and research police calls to the establishment. Also, subpoena the bar owner and notify the court and prosecution that they have been added to our witness list.
At lunchtime, they went to the Beverly Center and Brooks Brothers. His suits were ready, and Nicholas had to try on each suit. Kelli giggled as Charlie, the tailor, made sure everything fit correctly. They stopped at a deli for takeout and returned to the office. While they ate, Nicholas raised his soda and said,” Here’s wishing your next suit fitting you have a bull dike seamstress.” They laughed, and Kelli said, “You were right, Charlie was a little handsy.” Nic said Handsy? Charlie knew the length and weight of everything, causing Kelli to spit out her drink.
David entered Kelli’s office and asked what was so funny. Kelli told him Nicholas had his final fitting for the suits we purchased. He complained that the tailor knew the length and weight of everything, and David laughed. He asked Nic why he didn’t kick him in the jewels. Nicholas said he was going to, but Charlie, the tailor, was excited, and any further stimulation might cause an accident. Kelli and David laughed so hard they had to grab something to keep from falling.
When they recovered, David gave Kelli the dealer’s offer for the Bronco Raptor. Kelli looked at it and said, “We’ll take it.” David said, “Great, I’ll bring it to the office tomorrow,” and left. Nicholas asked why she agreed to purchase it without seeing it first. Kelli showed Nic the dealer’s offer, and he said, “Holy shit, they saw David coming.” I bet the dealer was pissed David didn’t trade it in, and they laughed.
A few minutes later, David returned and said the network was down. He asked Nicholas to look at it. Nicholas agreed and asked where the computer room was located. David showed him, and fifteen minutes later, the system was running normally. Nic reported to David that the system was back online. He asked what the problem was, and Nicholas said several, but a cable was unplugged this time. Someone didn’t want to work, so they unplugged the mainline.
David told Nicholas to purchase a digital lock and install it on the door today. He gave Nicholas his Mercedes key and a credit card, telling him to buy whatever he needed but get receipts. Nic found David’s Mercedes by pressing the key fob. It was a Maybach GLS SUV, and he started it. Then, using the navigation system, entered Home Depot. Nic parked at the end of the lot, taking two spaces so the vehicle would not be damaged. He purchased a digital lock, a Dewalt combo kit, a bit combo kit, a chisel, and a hammer.
He returned to the office and installed the lock. When he was done, Nic entered the code several times to confirm it worked. After putting the tools inside, he locked the door and went to David’s office. Nicholas said it was done and gave David his key, credit card, and receipt. He said the tools are locked in the computer room and gave him the code. David thanked him and asked about the other problems.
Nic said a computer room is normally dust-free and cooler than the office. Yours isn’t, but it’s workable by cleaning the input and exhaust screens twice a month with a small vacuum. Another thing is a quality firewall and antivirus program. They aren’t that expensive and will save you time and money. The last thing is a backup system so that your data can be recovered if your mainframe dies. David told Nicholas to write him an estimate of the cost of labor and materials. Nic agreed, and he returned to Kerri’s office.
Kerri asked Nicholas where he went, and he said David asked him to run an errand in his Maybach GLS SUV. After driving the Maybach, he changed his mind about the Bronco, and they laughed. Kelli said she couldn’t believe David would let you drive his $180,000 Maybach. Nicholas said he handed me the key like a Ford or Chevy, so he wasn’t concerned about me damaging it. Kelli said, “Yeah, that’s because the firm is paying for it.”
On the way home, we stopped at Jose’s Mexican restaurant for takeout. While they ate, Kelli told Nicholas they would go directly to the courthouse in the morning. Jury selection should be done by lunchtime unless there are issues. Nic asked what issues, and Kelli said each side has 10 objections to jurors, so the selection will take longer if both use them. Also, there are issues before trial, like last-minute witnesses if the other side objects. They finished dinner, said goodnight, and went to bed.
Kerri and Nicholas entered the courtroom early Thursday morning, and Judge Paula Groves was hearing the case. Jarrett Spitzer was the prosecutor, and the court was called into session. Judge Groves asked if there was any last-minute business to attend to before jury selection. Jerrett said, “Yes, your honor, the prosecution objects to the last-minute addition of bar owner David King to the witness list.”
The judge looked at Kerri and asked her for her response. She said new information came to our attention yesterday, and we need David King to clarify some issues. Jerrett said we haven’t had the opportunity to depose the witnesses. Kerri responded that David King and Jerrett Spitzer are friends, and the prosecution failed to notify the court. The judge overruled Jerrett’s objection and asked if there was anything further. Kerri said, “Yes, your honor, we also want to call Jerret Spitzer to the witness stand.”
Jerrett raised his objection, and Judge Grove asked Kerri why. She said the prosecutor offered their star witness, Dwayne Jones, a plea deal on an open felony assault case so that he would testify in this case. The Judge asked Jerrett if that was true and said, “Yes, your honor.” But you already ruled that past offences weren’t admissible. Judge Grove said yes, but you hid the plea deal, so that offence is open for the defense to question. I’m also allowing the defense to call Jerrett Spitzer to the stand, but restricting questions to his relationship with David King and the plea deal.
Jerrett went off the deep end and called the judge a bitch, for sabotaging his case, and Judge Grove cited Jerrett with contempt of court. She dismissed the charges with prejudice and ordered the District Attorney’s office to reimburse Collins and Kroft their attorneys’ fees. Jerrett started cussing up a storm, throwing things, and threatening the judge. The bailiff tasered him and took Jerrett away in handcuffs. Reid Croft thanked Kerri and me, then asked when she would file the civil case.
Kerri said she would file it early next week, and they headed back to the law office. Nicholas said he was disappointed not having to wear a suit on Friday, and they laughed. They passed a Bank of America, and Kerri made a U-turn and parked in front. They went inside, opened his account, and received a temporary ATM card. When they arrived at the law office, David asked what had happened in court that morning. They’ve received dozens of calls congratulating you.
Nicholas said Auntie put on her cape and whipped the prosecutor’s ass, and everyone laughed. Kerri said they were doing pretrial motions, and she requested Jerrett Spitzer, the prosecutor, to take the witness stand during the trial. When Judge Paula Groves heard that Jerrett knew the bar owner and made a plea deal so his star witness would testify, she granted the motion. Jerrett went off the deep end and called the judge a bitch, cussed up a storm, and threw things.
She dismissed the case with prejudice and ordered the district attorney’s office to pay our lawyer’s fees. That further infuriated Jerrett, and the bailiff tasered him and took him away in handcuffs. I’m filing a civil lawsuit for our client, Reid Croft, next week. David said Jerrett Spitzer was the leading candidate to replace the retiring D.A. Now the city hall and mayor are trying to put a lid on the shit storm he created. David told Kelli Great job, and stop by my office to complete the paperwork on the Bronco and left.
Nicholas said, “Wow, my Auntie is a rock star. Can I have your autograph?” They laughed. She said that once I file the Civil Lawsuit, it will have everyone’s attention in city hall. They can’t afford to let it go to trial now that Jerrett has had his breakdown. Hopefully, I’ll get higher-profile cases from the firm and finally make a partner. Nic said if not, plenty of other firms will want you. Maybe you need to ride in the back of the Range Rover like that cable show, and Kelli laughed.