Free Lust on the Rocks by Dianne Venetta Page B

win from the embers of defeat!”
    “The point is,” Vic cut in, “twelve men and women agreed it was a foreseeable circumstance.  I think our chances are even better with a health club.  The fact it’s Perry’s third offense should be cause for criminal charges.”
    With an ankle comfortably resting on opposite knee, Diego linked fingers together and settled them on his stomach as he slouched back into his chair.  “This is where I part ways, bud.”
    Taut, riveted, Vic waited for her response.
    She had to confess the AED angle had merit, but criminal?  She was with Diego on that one.  “Why are you so hot on jail time, Vic?”
    “Because Scaliano deserves it.”
    “People die.  Accidents happen,” she said, watching Vic’s expression ice over.  “It’s what keeps us in business.  What makes this guy any different?”
    “He’s got a record.  He’s proven he’s out for himself—at the expense of his customers’ lives.  That’s not okay with me.”  He swapped glances with Diego but focused on Sam.  “And it shouldn’t be with you, either.”
    She eased forward and deposited her pen onto the legal pad in front of her.  Planting both elbows on the edge of her desk, she folded her arms together and glared at him.  “Let me tell you something.”  Warmth flushed her skin as her thermometer bumped up a few degrees.  “Greed is never okay with me.  Negligence is never okay with me.  I’ve seen what it does to people—from the inside—which is why we’re here.”  She cocked her head to the side.  “Mrs. Albright has a valid claim for the death of her husband and I intend to see justice served.  Whether or not Scaliano had a personal hand in this remains to be seen.  Perry is a big organization.  They have layer upon layer of management.  As far as I know, he may be an unfortunate captain on a sinking ship.”
    “He’s not.”
    A chill entered the room.
    “Enlighten me.  What don’t I know, Vic?”
    His last breath trapped in his chest, Vic’s breathing slowed.  “The guy’s dirty.”
    “How so?”
    “Two deaths in California aren’t enough for you?”
    “Not particularly,” she said.  “Not when you run the numbers.”
    The numbers .
    Fury began to rumble inside him.  People weren’t numbers, Sam.  They were human beings.  They had lives and futures and families who loved them .
    And this man takes it all away.  “I think it’s worth a shot,” he said, fighting his impulse to divulge detail; detail sure to seal the deal.
    But to do so would expunge him from this case.  He knew the drill. He was too close.  A lawyer tainted by self-interest was a dangerous animal, capable of jeopardizing the outcome with its unpredictability.
    That’s what he would say, if their positions were reversed.
    “And risk our chances for a civil award?” Sam challenged.
    “Separate trials.”
    She shook her head.  “Mrs. Albright isn’t up to it.”
    “So what—you’re saying you get one or the other, but not both?”
    “Yes,” she said calmly, sparks shooting from her dark brown eyes.  “In this case, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
    “So that’s it?”  Vic felt opportunity swirling down the drain, sucking every ounce of hope for justice right along with it.
    “Like your casino case,” Diego chimed in.  “Hit the company where it hurts.  The bank account.”
    Vic’s heart filled with lead.  In this case, money meant nothing.  They made it every day, blew it every day.  Without punishment, Perry would do it again.  Scaliano would do it again.  It was something he couldn’t allow.
    “Let’s get research working on the forseeability angle,” Sam said, closing the meeting.  “Find out what we can.”
    “I’m on it,” Diego replied and stood with an eager smile.
    The man radiated victory. And whereas Vic knew Diego had missed the mark, he couldn’t resent him.  Diego was the only reason he was here.  Because Sam trusted his judgment to