"Tragg was right," the lieutenant mumbled, directing a glare at the wall over the District Attorney's left shoulder. "There's no such thing as an honest lawyer. Defense lawyer," he immediately added as the D. A. opened his mouth to object. However, Hamilton Burger seldom opened his mouth without using it.

"Tragg wasn't right, Andy. Defense attorneys are just human beings, no better or worse than the rest of us." Anderson snorted.

"Don't give me that. Being human is no excuse for bad behavior. Especially if you should know better." He crossed his arms disgruntledly. "I used to brush off all the things Tragg said about Perry. Figured he was holding a grudge against the whole profession. Guess not."

"Look, I'm just as..." Burger hesitated, looking for a word. "... surprised as you are. I know Perry's come close to the line before, but I didn't think he'd actually cross it. Still, that doesn't suddenly mean that everything Tragg liked to accuse him of is true."

"You're using that tone, Hamilton." Anderson quirked a corner of his mouth wryly at the older man.

"What tone?"

"The I-agree-with-you-but-I'm-a-lawyer-so-I-can't-come-right-out-and-say-it tone."

Burger sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with two fingers. "What do you want, Andy? Perry risked his law license - and possibly jail time - in order to save his client. Yes, he got away with it, and yes, this may not be the first time. Or the last. But that's his prerogative. Can you honestly say you've never looked at a case and thought, 'I'd give anything if I could only get this guy?'"

The detective was silent for a moment. "No, I can't say that," he replied quietly. "But I couldn't fight dirty without feeling dirty myself afterwards. Maybe that's what really bothers me. Perry just doesn't seem to care."

A grunt was all he got in reply. Burger looked at the stack of papers on his desk, then the wall clock - blasted thing never seemed to have enough hours for all he needed to do. Anderson followed his gaze and laughed.

"Trying to get rid of me, counselor?"

"Yes. And me, too. It's long past dinner time." The D. A. pushed his chair back. "How does it go? "Sufficient unto today is the evil thereof"? Something like that. I've got enough to do with my own conscience. I let Perry's conscience take care of itself." Anderson laughed again and they walked out together.