Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Pacing
- Fast
- Mood
- Suspenseful, Tense, Gritty, Hopeful
- Read it if
- You enjoy legal thrillers with a child protagonist in peril and a strong, underdog lawyer.
- Skip it if
- You prefer fantasy or science fiction, or dislike stories involving child endangerment.
The Client Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
The Witness
While smoking a forbidden cigarette with his younger brother, Ricky, in a secluded wooded area near their Memphis home, eleven-year-old Mark Sway sees a luxury car pull up. The driver, later identified as Jerome Clifford, a lawyer for the Mafia, tries to commit suicide by running a hose from his exhaust pipe into the car. Mark and Ricky approach the car, and Clifford, before dying, tells Mark where Senator Boyette's body is hidden. Boyette was a politician murdered by the Mafia. Clifford then shoots himself, leaving Mark with a traumatic secret and Ricky in a state of shock, which soon turns into a coma.
The Hospital and the FBI
Ricky Sway is rushed to the hospital with severe psychological trauma that leaves him comatose. Mark, still shaken, is questioned by local police and then by the FBI, specifically by Agent Foltrigg. Foltrigg, a zealous prosecutor, quickly suspects Mark knows more than he is letting on about Clifford's death and the missing Senator Boyette. Mark, fearing for his life and family's safety, pretends ignorance, but his evasiveness only strengthens Foltrigg's belief that Mark has key information about the mob killing.
Enter Reggie Love
Feeling cornered and unsafe, Mark realizes he needs a lawyer to protect him from both the FBI and the mob. He secretly leaves the hospital and, remembering an advertisement, seeks out Reggie Love, a recovering alcoholic and former public defender who now runs a small practice. Despite her initial reluctance due to his age and lack of funds, Reggie is moved by Mark's desperate plea and his obvious fear. She agrees to take his case for free, understanding his immense danger and the complexity of his situation.
The Grand Jury Summons
The FBI, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roy Foltrigg, issues a grand jury subpoena for Mark to testify. This puts Mark and Reggie in a difficult position: if Mark testifies and reveals the secret, he risks assassination by the mob. If he refuses, he faces contempt of court and potential imprisonment. Reggie explains the legal consequences to Mark, stressing the need to protect him while dealing with the constant pressure from authorities. They decide to fight the subpoena, buying time and seeking leverage.
The Mob Threat
The Mafia, specifically hitman Barry 'The Blade' Muldano, learns of Mark's involvement and his potential knowledge of Senator Boyette's body. Mark receives direct threats, making it clear that his life and his family's lives are in great danger if he reveals what he knows. This escalation reinforces Mark's determination to keep the secret, despite legal pressure. Reggie understands that her main role is now to shield Mark from both the legal system and the violent criminal world.
Reggie's Strategy
Reggie, with her limited experience but sharp instincts, begins using every legal move possible to protect Mark. She files motions to quash the subpoena, arguing that Mark is a minor and that his testimony would put his life at risk. She also tries to get Mark declared an incompetent witness due to his trauma. Her efforts meet resistance from Foltrigg, who sees her as an obstacle to justice, but Reggie remains firm, determined to buy Mark time and find a solution.
Ricky's Condition Worsens
Ricky's condition in the hospital worsens. He remains in a deep coma, and doctors give a grim prognosis, suggesting he may never recover. This development deeply affects Mark, increasing his guilt and his resolve to protect his family. He feels responsible for Ricky's state and is torn between helping his brother and keeping the secret that could save his own life. The emotional toll on Mark is immense, and Reggie tries to provide him with both legal and emotional support.
The Plea Bargain Attempt
Roy Foltrigg, growing increasingly frustrated, offers Mark a plea bargain: immunity from prosecution and witness protection for his family in exchange for the location of Boyette's body. Reggie, however, is cautious of Foltrigg's motives and the terms of the deal. She understands that witness protection might not be enough to shield them from the Mafia and that Mark would essentially become a government pawn. She advises Mark to consider his options carefully, knowing the stakes are very high.
The Search for Answers
Realizing they need more leverage, Reggie and Mark start independently investigating Jerome Clifford's background and the circumstances surrounding Senator Boyette's murder. They learn about Clifford's desperate situation, his involvement with the mob, and the pressure he was under. This research helps Reggie understand the full scope of the danger Mark is in and allows her to develop a more informed strategy. They uncover details about the mob's operations and their desperate need to keep Boyette's body hidden.
The Breakthrough
Under immense pressure and fearing for Ricky's life, Mark finally confides in Reggie, revealing the exact location of Senator Boyette's body: in a boathouse owned by mob boss Johnny Sulari, on the outskirts of New Orleans. With this key information, Reggie devises a daring plan. Instead of simply handing over the information to Foltrigg, she decides to use it as leverage to secure the best possible protection and future for Mark and his family, recognizing the immense power this secret holds.
The Negotiation
Reggie meets with Foltrigg, revealing that she knows the location of Boyette's body but refusing to disclose it until her demands are met. She insists on a comprehensive deal that includes full immunity for Mark, lifelong financial support for his family, the best medical care for Ricky, and a new life under witness protection. Foltrigg, desperate to close the case and secure a political victory, is initially resistant but ultimately has no choice but to agree to Reggie's terms, recognizing she holds all the cards.
The Recovery and the Aftermath
After the deal is struck, Reggie informs Foltrigg of the body's location. A massive FBI operation follows, and Senator Boyette's body is successfully recovered from Sulari's boathouse. The discovery leads to numerous arrests within the Mafia, including Johnny Sulari. Mark and his family, including a slowly recovering Ricky, are placed into witness protection, given new identities, and relocated. Mark, though forever changed by his ordeal, finds some peace, knowing his secret ultimately saved his family.
Principal Figures
Mark Sway
Protagonist
An eleven-year-old boy who witnesses a suicide and becomes entangled in a dangerous mob secret.
Mark Sway is an intelligent, resourceful, and street-smart eleven-year-old from a working-class background. Despite his youth, he possesses remarkable courage and a keen instinct for survival. He is fiercely protective of his younger brother, Ricky, and deeply loves his mother. His traumatic experience forces him to mature rapidly, making him distrustful of authority figures and determined to navigate a dangerous world on his own terms.
Relationships: Ricky Sway (Younger brother, whom Mark deeply loves and protects.); Dianne Sway (Mother, whose well-being is Mark's primary concern.); Reggie Love (Lawyer and surrogate mother figure, his only trusted ally.); Roy Foltrigg (Antagonist, a relentless prosecutor who views Mark as a means to an end.); Jerome Clifford (The suicidal lawyer who reveals the secret to Mark.)
Reggie Love
Supporting
A compassionate and determined lawyer who defends Mark Sway.
Reggie Love is a relatively inexperienced but highly intelligent and empathetic lawyer. A former public defender and recovering alcoholic, she runs a small, struggling practice. She is driven by a strong sense of justice and a deep commitment to her clients, especially Mark. Her past struggles give her a unique understanding of people on the margins, and she is willing to bend rules and take risks to protect Mark from both the legal system and the mob.
Relationships: Mark Sway (Client, whom she fiercely protects and develops a maternal bond with.); Roy Foltrigg (Legal adversary, whom she outmaneuvers.); Dianne Sway (Mark's mother, whom she supports.)
Roy Foltrigg
Antagonist
A zealous and ambitious U.S. Attorney determined to extract information from Mark.
Roy Foltrigg is the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. He is highly ambitious, politically motivated, and relentless in his pursuit of justice, often blurring the lines between legal and ethical conduct. He sees the Boyette murder case as his ticket to a higher political office and views Mark Sway as merely a tool to achieve his goals. He is intelligent and cunning but underestimates Reggie Love's determination and Mark's resilience.
Relationships: Mark Sway (Target of his prosecution, whom he seeks to exploit for information.); Reggie Love (Legal adversary, whom he initially dismisses but later respects.)
Ricky Sway
Supporting
Mark's younger brother, traumatized into a catatonic state.
Ricky Sway is Mark's younger brother, about eight years old. He is a sensitive and vulnerable child who, after witnessing Jerome Clifford's suicide, falls into a severe catatonic state. His condition is a constant source of guilt and motivation for Mark, whose primary goal is to secure Ricky's recovery and safety. Ricky's trauma highlights the devastating impact of the events on innocent lives.
Relationships: Mark Sway (Older brother, his protector and main caregiver.); Dianne Sway (Mother, who is devastated by his condition.)
Dianne Sway
Supporting
Mark and Ricky's struggling, but loving, mother.
Dianne Sway is the hardworking, single mother of Mark and Ricky. She is devoted to her children but is overwhelmed by the circumstances, particularly Ricky's catatonic state. She struggles financially and is initially out of her depth in dealing with the legal system and the threats from the mob. Her love for her children drives her actions, and she relies heavily on Mark's strength and Reggie's legal expertise.
Relationships: Mark Sway (Son, whom she loves and is proud of.); Ricky Sway (Son, whose illness causes her immense grief.); Reggie Love (Lawyer, whom she trusts to protect her family.)
Barry 'The Blade' Muldano
Antagonist
A ruthless Mafia hitman tasked with silencing Mark Sway.
Barry 'The Blade' Muldano is a cold, calculating, and violent hitman for the Mafia. He is Johnny Sulari's nephew and enforcer, tasked with ensuring Mark Sway does not reveal the location of Senator Boyette's body. His presence represents the direct, physical threat to Mark's life, and he is willing to commit any crime to protect the mob's secrets. He embodies the ruthless nature of organized crime.
Relationships: Mark Sway (Target, whom he intends to kill.); Johnny Sulari (Uncle and mob boss, whom he serves.)
Johnny Sulari
Antagonist
The powerful and dangerous Mafia boss involved in Senator Boyette's murder.
Johnny Sulari is a powerful New Orleans Mafia boss. He is a cunning and ruthless criminal who ordered the murder of Senator Boyette and is desperate to keep the body hidden to avoid prosecution. He orchestrates efforts to silence Mark Sway, demonstrating his extensive reach and willingness to eliminate anyone who threatens his empire. He represents the ultimate source of the criminal threat.
Relationships: Barry 'The Blade' Muldano (Nephew and enforcer.); Jerome Clifford (Lawyer, whom he drives to suicide.)
Jerome Clifford
Mentioned
The suicidal lawyer who reveals the secret to Mark.
Jerome Clifford was a lawyer for the Mafia, deeply entangled in their criminal activities. Under immense pressure and facing disbarment and likely murder by the mob for his cooperation with the FBI, he chooses to commit suicide. Before his death, he inadvertently reveals the location of Senator Boyette's body to Mark Sway, setting the entire plot in motion. He is a tragic figure, a victim of both the mob and his own moral failings.
Relationships: Mark Sway (The accidental recipient of his final secret.); Johnny Sulari (His mob boss, who drove him to despair.)
Themes & Insights
Innocence Lost and Survival
The novel explores how Mark Sway loses his innocence through trauma. At just eleven, he is thrown into a brutal adult world of crime, legal manipulation, and mortal danger. He must let go of his childhood naivety and become cunning, distrustful, and resilient to survive. His ability to navigate this treacherous world, while still protecting his family, shows the extreme measures one must take when pushed to the brink.
“He was eleven, a street kid, and he knew things about surviving that most adults never learned.”
Justice vs. The Law
The story constantly contrasts the ideal of justice with the realities of the legal system. Roy Foltrigg, while seemingly pursuing justice, is more concerned with political gain and is willing to compromise Mark's safety and rights. Reggie Love, on the other hand, puts her client's well-being above strict legal procedure, showing that true justice sometimes requires unconventional methods. The novel questions whether the law, when applied strictly, always serves the greater good.
“The law was a maze, and the lawyers were the rats, and Mark was the cheese.”
Family Loyalty and Protection
Mark's strong loyalty to his family, especially his younger brother Ricky and his mother Dianne, is a central force. His main reason for keeping the secret and enduring immense pressure is to protect them from both the mob's violence and the legal system's intrusion. This theme highlights the deep bonds of family and the lengths individuals will go to ensure their loved ones' safety, even at great personal risk.
“He would die before he told them anything that would hurt his family.”
Corruption and Power
The novel shows the widespread corruption within both the criminal underworld and, to a lesser extent, the legal and political systems. The Mafia's power allows them to commit murder and silence witnesses without punishment, while ambitious prosecutors like Foltrigg use their positions for personal gain. This theme illustrates how power can be abused and how ordinary people, like Mark, can become pawns in larger, corrupt games, struggling against forces much greater than themselves.
“The mob had long arms, and the law had long arms, and Mark was caught in the middle.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The MacGuffin (Senator Boyette's Body)
A plot device that drives the narrative by being highly sought after.
Senator Boyette's body serves as the central MacGuffin. Its location is the secret Mark possesses, and its discovery is the ultimate goal of both the FBI and the mob. While the body itself is important for the plot's resolution, its true significance lies in the intense pursuit it generates and the desperate actions it compels various characters to take. It is the catalyst for all the conflict and the key to Mark's leverage.
Child Protagonist in Adult World
An innocent child thrust into complex and dangerous adult conflicts.
The use of an eleven-year-old protagonist, Mark Sway, in an adult world of mob violence and legal maneuvering creates heightened tension and sympathy. Mark's youth makes him vulnerable, yet his intelligence and street smarts allow him to navigate dangers that would overwhelm most adults. This device amplifies the stakes and highlights the moral ambiguities of the adults around him, as they grapple with how to treat a child who holds such a powerful secret.
The Mentor Figure (Reggie Love)
An experienced, albeit flawed, guide who aids the protagonist.
Reggie Love functions as a classic mentor figure for Mark. She is not a perfect hero, with her own past struggles, but she possesses the legal knowledge, compassion, and moral fortitude to protect Mark. She guides him through the legal labyrinth, teaches him to trust, and ultimately empowers him to use his secret effectively. Her character arc is intertwined with Mark's, as her mentorship also helps her reclaim her own professional and personal strength.
Ticking Clock
A narrative device that creates urgency and suspense.
Several ticking clocks operate within the narrative. The most prominent is the grand jury subpoena, which demands Mark's testimony by a specific date, threatening him with contempt. Ricky's worsening medical condition also serves as a ticking clock, adding emotional urgency for Mark to find a resolution. These deadlines intensify the pressure on Mark and Reggie, forcing them to act decisively and creating a constant sense of suspense.
The Client Quotes
“I'm not a lawyer, I'm just a kid who saw something.”
“The law is a weapon, and it can be used for good or evil.”
“Sometimes the best way to hide is in plain sight.”
“A lawyer's first duty is to his client, even if that client is a ten-year-old street kid.”
“Fear can make you do things you never thought you were capable of.”
“The truth is a dangerous thing, especially when powerful people want it buried.”
“There are no easy answers, only difficult choices.”
“Every kid deserves a chance, no matter their background.”
“The world is full of bad men, and sometimes they get away with it.”
“You can't outrun your past, but you can try to outsmart your present.”
“Justice isn't always fair, but it's all we've got.”
“Some secrets are worth dying for, and some are worth killing for.”
“A good lawyer doesn't just know the law, they know people.”
“It's hard to be a kid when everyone around you is an adult trying to use you.”
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
What is the name of the eleven-year-old boy who witnesses the lawyer's suicide?
- Ricky Sway
- Mark Sway
- Barry Muldano
- Clifford Sway
Show answer
B. Mark Sway The protagonist who witnesses the suicide and learns the secret is eleven-year-old Mark Sway.
Question 2
What is the name of the lawyer who commits suicide in front of the boys?
- Roy Foltrigg
- Gronko
- W. Jerome Clifford (Romey)
- Reggie Love
Show answer
C. W. Jerome Clifford (Romey) The suicidal lawyer's name is W. Jerome Clifford, also known as Romey.
Question 3
What secret does Mark Sway learn from the suicidal lawyer?
- The location of a hidden treasure.
- The whereabouts of the most sought-after dead body in America.
- A plan to rob a bank.
- The identity of a serial killer.
Show answer
B. The whereabouts of the most sought-after dead body in America. Mark learns the location of the body of Barry 'The Blade' Muldano, which is the 'most sought-after dead body in America'.
Question 4
Who is Reggie Love to Mark Sway?
- His biological mother.
- His court-appointed guardian.
- His lawyer.
- A social worker.
Show answer
C. His lawyer. Reggie Love is the lawyer Mark hires to represent him and protect him from the mob and the legal system.
Question 5
Why is the FBI so desperate to get information from Mark Sway?
- They believe Mark is involved in the murder.
- They want to use Mark's testimony to bring down a powerful mob family.
- They think Mark has evidence of government corruption.
- They need Mark to identify the lawyer's killer.
Show answer
B. They want to use Mark's testimony to bring down a powerful mob family. The FBI, specifically Prosecutor Roy Foltrigg, wants Mark to reveal the location of Muldano's body to link it to the mob and secure convictions against their boss, Barry 'The Blade' Muldano's uncle, Johnny Sulari.
Question 6
What is the primary threat Mark faces from the mob?
- They want to bribe him into silence.
- They want to kidnap him for ransom.
- They will kill him to prevent him from revealing the body's location.
- They want him to join their ranks.
Show answer
C. They will kill him to prevent him from revealing the body's location. The mob, led by Johnny Sulari, wants to keep the location of Barry Muldano's body a secret at all costs, and they are willing to kill Mark to ensure his silence.
Question 7
What significant personal loss does Reggie Love experience that influences her dedication to Mark?
- Her law practice was almost ruined by a previous client.
- She lost a child in a tragic accident.
- Her husband abandoned her and their children.
- She was disbarred for an ethical violation.
Show answer
B. She lost a child in a tragic accident. Reggie Love had a painful past, having lost her young daughter, which contributes to her fierce protectiveness of Mark.
Question 8
What is the legal strategy Reggie Love employs to protect Mark from testifying?
- She claims Mark is mentally incompetent to testify.
- She seeks immunity for Mark in exchange for his testimony.
- She argues for a change of venue due to public pressure.
- She tries to invoke attorney-client privilege, even though Mark isn't an attorney.
Show answer
D. She tries to invoke attorney-client privilege, even though Mark isn't an attorney. Reggie's most audacious legal maneuver is to claim attorney-client privilege for Mark, arguing that he holds the secret that was entrusted to him by a dying lawyer, thus making him a 'client' of sorts to a dead lawyer.
Question 9
What ultimately happens to Mark's younger brother, Ricky?
- He fully recovers from the trauma and returns home.
- He is placed in a witness protection program.
- He remains in a catatonic state after witnessing the suicide.
- He is accidentally killed by the mob.
Show answer
C. He remains in a catatonic state after witnessing the suicide. Ricky Sway is so traumatized by witnessing the suicide that he falls into a catatonic state, unable to speak or respond, which adds to Mark's desperation.
Question 10
What is Reggie Love's 'last, desperate gamble' to win Mark his freedom?
- She threatens to expose the FBI's misconduct.
- She leaks the information about the body to the press herself.
- She orchestrates Mark's escape from federal custody.
- She negotiates a deal where Mark reveals the body's location directly to the court, under specific conditions, to save his life.
Show answer
D. She negotiates a deal where Mark reveals the body's location directly to the court, under specific conditions, to save his life. Reggie's ultimate gamble is to cut a deal directly with the court and the FBI: Mark will reveal the body's location, but only after specific protections for him and his family are in place, including hospitalization for Ricky and a new life for his family.
The Client FAQ
What is the central premise of 'The Client'?
The novel centers on eleven-year-old Mark Sway, who witnesses the suicide of a lawyer, Jerome Clifford. Before dying, Clifford reveals the location of the body of Senator Boyette, murdered by the mob, putting Mark in a perilous position between federal prosecutors trying to extract information and the mobsters trying to silence him.
Who is Reggie Love and what is her role?
Reggie Love is a relatively inexperienced attorney, a former social worker, who takes on Mark Sway's case. She becomes his sole protector and legal counsel, fiercely defending him against the relentless pressure from both the U.S. Attorney's office and the Mafia.
What is the 'bloody and explosive secret' Mark Sway possesses?
Mark Sway knows the location of the body of Senator Boyette, who was murdered by Barry 'The Blade' Muldano. Jerome Clifford, the mob lawyer, revealed this secret to Mark just before taking his own life, making Mark the key to solving a high-profile political murder.
Who are the main antagonists Mark and Reggie face?
Mark and Reggie face two primary antagonists: 'Reverend' Roy Foltrigg, the ambitious U.S. Attorney who wants Mark to testify, and Barry 'The Blade' Muldano, the ruthless mob hitman who murdered Senator Boyette and is determined to keep Mark quiet.
What is the ultimate goal Mark and Reggie are trying to achieve?
Mark and Reggie are trying to ensure Mark's safety and survival while also navigating the legal system. Their ultimate goal is to keep Mark from being forced to testify and subsequently murdered by the mob, ideally by finding a safe, permanent solution for him and his family.
What significant detail about Jerome Clifford's suicide is revealed later?
It is later revealed that Jerome Clifford was not just a random lawyer; he was the personal lawyer for Barry Muldano and was deeply involved in the plot to hide Senator Boyette's body. His suicide was a desperate act to escape the consequences and potentially protect his family.
How does Mark Sway initially try to hide his knowledge?
After witnessing Clifford's suicide, Mark, in a state of shock and fear, initially swallows the cigarette that Clifford had been smoking, which might have contained incriminating evidence or DNA. He also tries to deny knowing anything to the authorities.
What role does Mark's family play in his predicament?
Mark's younger brother, Ricky, goes into a catatonic state after witnessing the suicide, which adds immense emotional burden and guilt to Mark. His mother, Dianne, is fiercely protective but overwhelmed, and the family's vulnerability is a constant leverage point for Foltrigg.
What is the significance of the 'safe house' in the story?
The 'safe house' is a temporary refuge provided by the U.S. Marshals Service to protect Mark and his family, but it quickly becomes a form of gilded cage. Mark sees it as a prison where he's still being pressured to talk, highlighting the psychological toll of his situation.
How does Mark Sway's age influence the narrative and his actions?
Mark's eleven-year-old perspective is crucial; his naivete and fear are juxtaposed with his surprising intelligence and resilience. His age makes him both vulnerable and allows him to bypass certain adult legal expectations, while also making his ordeal particularly tragic.
Discuss the psychological impact of witnessing the suicide on Mark.
Witnessing Jerome Clifford's graphic suicide deeply traumatizes Mark, leading to intense fear, paranoia, and a profound sense of isolation. This event forces him to mature rapidly, confronting life-or-death decisions no child should face, and fuels his distrust of adults and the system.
Analyze Reggie Love's motivation for defending Mark so fiercely.
Reggie's motivation stems from her background as a social worker and her strong moral compass. She sees Mark not just as a client, but as a child in desperate need of protection from a system that is failing him, driving her to extreme lengths to ensure his safety and rights.
How does 'Reverend' Roy Foltrigg's ambition affect his ethics?
Foltrigg's ambition to become a senator drives him to ruthlessly pursue Mark for information, often blurring ethical lines. He is willing to intimidate, manipulate, and even endanger Mark's well-being to secure a conviction and advance his political career, prioritizing his goals over Mark's safety.
What is the moral dilemma presented by Mark's situation?
The novel presents the dilemma of whether a child should be forced to testify and potentially sacrifice their life for the sake of justice. It questions the legal system's priorities when a child's safety is pitted against the public's right to know and the pursuit of a high-profile criminal.
Is Reggie Love's 'last, desperate gamble' justified, given the risks?
Reggie's gamble to negotiate directly with the mob, despite its extreme danger, can be seen as justified because all other legal avenues had failed to guarantee Mark's safety. It was a desperate, unconventional measure born out of a profound commitment to her client's survival, making her a hero in Mark's eyes.
How does the ending resolve the various conflicts?
The ending resolves the conflicts by having Mark reveal the body's location to Reggie, who then uses this information to negotiate a deal with the mob for Mark's permanent protection and relocation. This allows the authorities to find the body, but crucially, Mark is not forced to testify, achieving a bittersweet victory for his safety.
Could Mark have handled the initial encounter with Clifford differently?
Given his age and the sudden, traumatic nature of the event, it's unlikely Mark could have handled it much differently. His immediate reaction of fear and attempting to conceal evidence is a natural, albeit dangerous, response for a child thrust into such a situation.
What commentary does the book offer on the justice system?
The book offers a critical commentary on the justice system, portraying it as often impersonal, politically motivated, and willing to sacrifice individual well-being for the greater good, particularly when dealing with a vulnerable child. It highlights the system's flaws and the need for dedicated advocates like Reggie.
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