Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Ruby parked in front of her lawyer’s office. It was in a stucco building on the outskirts of West Oaks, set amidst suburban neighborhoods and chain stores.
The assistant smiled as Ruby walked in. “Hi, how can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Ms. Simon.”
“Of course. You must be Ms. Whitestone. Jane’s waiting for you. First door on the right.”
Ruby had worn a dress with an asymmetrical hemline, and she’d styled her hair and makeup. It made her feel like her normal self again. Like her entire world hadn’t turned inside out in the last week.
Jane’s door was open, and she stood when she saw Ruby. “Thanks for coming.” She came around the desk and wrapped Ruby in a hug, like they were old friends and hadn’t just met the one time.
“Sit down, sit down. Tell me how you are.” Jane took a leather chair and gestured for Ruby to take the one next to her.
Everything about Jane’s office, her energy, her expression—it relaxed Ruby. She didn’t even think before responding.
“It’s been tough.”
She’d already called Jane about the CPS visit yesterday.
Jane had referred her to a family lawyer, who was going to help advise her.
Because of Ruby’s murder charge, CPS was going to open a court case to consider Haley’s best interests.
Ruby would have to respond to all kinds of requests for information and questions about her parenting.
There were so many worries, so many uncertainties. She’d barely slept last night.
Especially after Chase’s bonkers offer of marriage. That truly showed what a mess she was in. Chase was normally so level-headed and reasonable. If he was willing to go to such extremes, then her situation had to be desperate. Right?
“Where’s your little girl today?” Jane asked.
“With a neighbor who looks after her. I don’t really need day care anymore since I’ve lost my job.” Jane already knew about that, too. “But my neighbor needs the money. And it was useful today.”
“Indeed. You and I have a lot of work to do.”
Ruby nodded. “I want to figure out how to pay you. I know that Noah Vandermeer is taking care of it for now, but I don’t feel right about that.”
“Why not? Wouldn’t you help a friend in need?”
“Of course. I just…”
“You don’t like being the one in need?”
Ruby laughed sadly. “Exactly. I like to be the one dispensing sage advice. Not the one needing it.”
“I get that. Believe me.”
Jane crossed her legs. Now that they weren’t in a courtroom surrounded by prosecutors and prisoners, Ruby studied the woman more closely. Jane was older than her, maybe mid-thirties. Great skin and an expert hair cut. No wedding ring. A warm smile.
She wasn’t what Ruby had expected, but then again, Ruby had never known any defense lawyers before.
“How did Noah find you?” Ruby asked. “I didn’t have a chance to ask him.”
“He went to Lana Marchetti for a recommendation, and she gave Noah my name.”
“Really?”
“Sure. Lana and I have been close since she joined the West Oaks DA’s Office. We clash in the courtroom, but we can set that aside and go out for drinks. You’re surprised she’d hang with a defense attorney?”
“No, it’s not that. I just know she’s staying as far away from my case as possible. I’ve seen her, and we’ve texted. But we haven’t spoken about what’s happening except in really vague terms.”
“Lana’s recused herself, and she’s letting the other DAs do their job. But I know she wishes she could do more as your friend. You have a lot of family and friends who love you. That’s clear.”
She was more right than she even knew. “One of them asked me to marry him last night.”
Jane sat forward. “Hold on. What? I thought you didn’t have a boyfriend.”
“I don’t! It was Chase. My friend who’s a cop with West Oaks PD. He just wants to do something. He probably feels powerless, like I do.”
She wasn’t marrying Chase. She’d just have to come up with some other magical idea, because that one? It was too bizarre. He was…Chase.
“I promise, we are not powerless.” Jane reached over to squeeze her hand. “You’ve got Bennett Security in your corner, for one. Which is some serious firepower, from what I’ve heard.”
“My brother works for them.”
Jane nodded. “Max Bennett has called me, too, letting me know we have their full resources. I intend to take them up on that. But even more importantly? You’ve got me.
It might sound cocky to say it, but I’m kind of a badass in the courtroom.
” She winked. “Sucks for the DA’s office that Lana can’t go up against me in this case.
I don’t think anyone else can handle what I’m going to be bringing. ”
Ruby laughed. “Glad to hear it.”
“I intend to press every advantage we have. Maybe even your not-boyfriend Chase at West Oaks PD. But in the end, you and I are in charge of this case, and we’re going to be an epic team. We’ll put up a hell of a fight.”
She reached over to her desk and flipped through a file folder.
“I’ve received the police report and the prosecutor’s initial discovery.
The murder weapon was missing from the scene, as were the cash and credit cards from Mickey’s wallet.
The prosecutor will claim you stashed those somewhere, trying to make it look like a robbery.
But the police took you into custody at Mickey’s apartment building, so they’ll have a hard time convincing the jury. ”
Ruby nodded. “Exactly. I had no time to hide anything.”
“The police chose not to search your home apartment. They believe you attacked Mickey in a fit of rage at the murder scene. But we can argue they decided on one suspect and one theory, and ignored anything to the contrary. For example, the autopsy report showed bruising all over Mickey’s body, some of it old. ”
“That would make sense. He was an MMA fighter.”
“Exactly. But some of the contusions were fresh. I’ll bet my expert will testify that a woman with small fists, like you, probably couldn’t have made them.
There was also bruising and bleeding inside his nose, as if the attacker grabbed him by his nostrils.
A very aggressive, threatening kind of move.
I want to find out if the coroner swabbed for foreign DNA from the individual’s fingers. ”
Ruby suppressed a shudder. She was glad Jane didn’t pull out the autopsy report or photos. It was hard to even think about Mickey’s injuries, much less see them again. Those images were already haunting her memories.
“And don’t even get me started on their comments about your demeanor. You were in shock. People who’ve just experienced trauma behave in unpredictable ways. It’s normal not to scream or cry until later. Even to appear calm. I’ll hire an expert to explain that to the jury.”
The more Jane spoke, the more relief Ruby felt.
“The judge set your first appearance for next week,” the lawyer explained.
“You’ll be with me in the courtroom. The first appearance will be pretty boring, but it’s a step in the process.
Later, we’ll enter your plea of not guilty.
If the prosecutor decides to make an offer, we can discuss it.
” Jane held up a hand. “I know you don’t intend to plead guilty, but let’s just wait and keep all options on the table.
This will take time, Ruby. There will be a lot of waiting.
It will be hard, but I can tell you’re a fighter, and I’ll be with you all along the way. ”
“Thank you. I really appreciate this.”
“You can call me anytime.” Jane grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down a number.
“You have my office line, but this is my personal cell. I’m here for you.
Oh—and I almost forgot. We got a call yesterday.
Someone named Tag Bailor who claimed to be an old friend of yours.
He must’ve seen in the news that I’m representing you. ”
“He was a friend, yeah. But I haven’t spoken to him in a couple of years.”
Tag had been Mickey’s best friend, but he hadn’t approved of the way Mickey had treated her. Tag had tried to contact her after she’d gotten pregnant, offering his help.
“He said he believes you’re innocent and has info to share with you, but wasn’t sure if you wanted to hear from him.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Would you like me to call him back right now?” Jane picked up her phone.
Ruby was relieved that Tag was on her side, but couldn’t imagine what else he would have to say to her. More than that, Tag’s name brought up uncomfortable feelings. She liked Jane, but she didn’t want to spill every raw detail of her life to the woman.
“No, I can call him myself. Thanks.”
“You shouldn’t tell him anything about the case, all right?” Jane added Tag’s number to the paper she’d given Ruby. “If he’s willing to chat about Mickey, I’ll follow up with him more formally. You have a lot of friends on your side, but I’ll never say no to more.”