Free Hearsay by Taylor V. Donovan Page A

to take the case?"
    "If Mr. Coleman hasn't already retained other counsel," Roman answered, finally looking him straight in the eye. Or so Derrick thought. The light reflecting off of Roman's glasses made it difficult to know for sure.  
    "He hasn't. He really doesn't have the means to afford the kind of representation he needs," Derrick rushed to confirm. "I just told him earlier today that I would represent him."
    Roman lifted his eyebrows. "You have no experience with criminal defense cases."
    "Better me than someone who won't care enough about Tyler's future to try his best." Derrick knew he wasn't experienced, but it didn't sit well with him to have Roman point it out. "Tyler is a dear friend," he said with a glare.
    "I saw your name was mentioned in the investigation," Roman said. "Have you been approached by any detectives, investigators, or ACS personnel?"
    "I really don't think I'll need help. I haven't been approached by anyone. Is that why you picked the case?" Derrick asked in a hopeful tone. "Because you wanted to help me?"
    "I won't have the firm's name dragged through a sexual molestation scandal," Roman explained, barely opening his mouth.
    Derrick lowered his eyes. "I understand." He'd been so worried about Tyler that he hadn't stopped to think what his involvement with the social worker could mean to Acosta, Bradford, and Chadwick. "I have never observed or participated in any improper conduct," he assured Roman, glancing at him from under his lashes.
    Roman nodded once. "Are you intimately involved with Tyler Coleman?" His gaze didn't waver, but that nervous tick on his strong jaw was back in full force.
    As much of a good sign as Roman's interest was, Derrick wasn't willing to let him get away with asking such a personal question. Not unless the same right was bestowed on him. One thing was for sure, though. He wouldn't be seeing Tyler tonight. He couldn't possibly have sex with another man after being so close to Roman.
    He tilted his head to the side and studied Roman intently for a few seconds before saying, "That's none of your business."
    "It is if you want to second chair on this case." Roman's tone was stern and commanding, letting Derrick know he had no choice but to answer. "I thought you'd like to be there for your friend, but I won't let you anywhere near the discovery procedures if you have something going on with him. I need you to be impartial, and you won't be if you have romantic feelings for him."
    "Why are you asking me to second chair if you don't think I'm experienced enough?"
    "Do you want to work with me on the case or not?" Roman growled.
    "Yes, I do," Derrick exclaimed. " Of course I want to work with you."
    "That's settled, then."
    Derrick pursed his lips and swallowed down the squeal of excitement he felt making its way up his throat.  
    Roman Bradford was a renowned defense attorney with fifteen years of trial experience under his belt. He rarely lost a case, and Derrick was already salivating just from thinking about how much he could learn from him.
    Not to mention, he would never refuse to spend time with the man, and he wasn't above using his friend's very serious legal situation as an excuse. He knew it would be better for Tyler if Derrick bowed out and let Roman get a criminal defense associate that was familiar with sexual molestation charges to second chair him. But this was a golden opportunity that would allow Derrick to be around the man he wanted, and he'd be damned if he passed on it.
    "He hasn't been indicted yet," Roman commented after perusing the intake sheet. "Has Mr. Coleman talked to the police investigator or representatives from any child protection agencies again?"
    "I advised him not to."
    "Any new developments I'm not aware of?"
    "He's received a couple of phone calls from a reporter."
    "That means someone close to Mr. Coleman has been talking or the DA's office has tipped the reporter off." Roman added that information to the intake sheet. "General