ADA Harold Felson wasn’t pleased. “It’s Hollywood, Stone. We try to accommodate the movie people.”
“And I appreciate it.”
“But that’s no reason to take advantage.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“I’m expediting the booking because your client has to be back on the set.”
“He does.”
“He’s a producer, Stone. Not an actor or director. They can roll film without him. He doesn’t have to be there. Hell, some producers never show up on the set.”
“This one does.” Stone lowered his voice. “Cut me some slack here. It’s my son’s picture. Billy is his main producer and they work well together. Their last picture just received an Oscar nomination.”
“Which one is that?”
“Desperation at Dawn.”
“Good picture. Congratulations. But that doesn’t mean I won’t catch heat. Hollywood producer given the kid-glove treatment.”
“I’m not asking for the kid-glove treatment, I’m asking for due process. Charge him or release him and get on with something else.”
“‘Release him’? Stone, we’re talking about a murder.”
“You know and I know a Hollywood producer doesn’t burst into a gossip columnist’s office, stab him to death, and stand there waiting for the police to arrive. And other than Mr. Barnett’s presence in Mr. Rosen’s office for a scheduled appointment, you’ve got nothing on him. You’re going to have to drop the charge, and that never makes you look good.”
“Failing to charge a prime suspect for a murder won’t make me look good!”
Stone sighed. “I can bring the full fury of Woodman and Weld down upon you. They’ll send a team of attorneys out here to go through every bit of this case with a fine-tooth comb, and I know your case is weak to begin with. You think arresting this producer is a public relations nightmare? Just wait until you’re humiliated in the courtroom on a high-profile case.”
Harold Felson was speechless for a moment, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. Finally he sputtered, “Stone, you’ve got to give me something here.”
“He was caught in the guy’s apartment, right? Charge him with breaking and entering.”