“Your dime,” Jordyn Yates said when she returned my call.
“And good day to you, too, Jordy.”
“What’s up, Buddy? I’m a busy girl, you know.”
“Is the California Superior Court in your bailiwick?”
“You mean do I argue cases before it?”
“Yes.”
“I do.”
“Is it any fun?”
“What are you getting at?”
“Seems that Leonard, Howard and Arthur are arguing for injunctive relief from my having re-established public access points on the property owned by Boris Petrov. They’re arguing that I interpreted the law incorrectly.”
“Go on.”
“Our Russian friend, Mr. Petrov, wants the fencing on his property restored and public beach access denied.”
“And Craig Leonard is making a case for this to the Court?”
“Yes.”
“And you want me to go up against him?”
“I do.”
“What about the Coastal Commission?”
“You mean why aren’t they taking the lead?”
“Something like that, yes.”
“Looks as if the winds have shifted. The executive who was chosen to restore and uphold the Commission’s integrity resigned and fled the state.”
“Because?”
“Rumor is Petrov laid a bundle on them.”
“You mean you think he paid off the Commissioners?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“And Leonard and Company?”
“I’m guessing their fees were significantly raised.”
“So they’re arguing a case on behalf of Petrov against a suddenly benign Coastal Commission.”
“That’s what I’m thinking.”
“This isn’t good, Buddy.”
“Meaning?”
“Without the support of the Commission, you have no standing.”
“Other than the marching orders I was originally given.”
“I don’t think they’ll hold up. Particularly if the Commission has changed its tune.”
“So, what do you advise?”
“Well, you could start by taking me to Cabo San Lucas for the weekend.”
When I said nothing, she went on. “I don’t think the judge will rule against Craig Leonard.”
“Even if what he’s arguing is wrongheaded?”
“Without the Commission’s assent, yes.”
“Shit.”
“Cabo’s looking better and better.”
“If you went up against them, could you win any kind of a delay?”
“For what reason?”
“I don’t know legally, but before they shut the door in my face, I’d love to investigate these alleged Petrov payoffs more closely. This whole thing stinks. And I hate to think some Russian thug is buying his way out of it.”
“Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“I’ll see if I can stall things.”
“What are the odds?”
“You mean for the average bozo lawyer or for me?”
“For you.”
“You have to ask that? Really, Buddy?”