Chapter 4
Chris
“So are you just going to let her get a public defender?” Carlos asks from beside where I stand with my arms crossed, my glare melting a hole through the two-sided mirror.
My muscles are so tense, I’m shocked I haven’t crumbled like I’m made of stone. That fucking tear on her bruised cheek makes me angry. So angry that I have the intense urge to slam my fist into the glass inches in front of me.
But I don’t. Because that isn’t what respectable people do.
And yet, the urge still simmers.
Barrington is gripping her arm as he hauls her out of the chair.
They’ll take her back to the holding cell until they can arrange for a public defender to get down here.
She hasn’t been officially charged yet, but I have no doubt it’s only a matter of time, even if it isn’t today.
Barrington and Wilcox have made up their minds that she did it, and don’t give any indication that they plan to look anywhere else.
Not she. Lily. That’s her name. Lily Elizabeth Bennett. Maiden name French. Thirty-seven years old. Five feet seven inches tall. Curvy and hot as fuck.
Most of that I got from a printout of the driver’s license database that Carlos handed me when I arrived, but that last part I got with my own two eyes. And maybe my dick.
I suck in a sharp inhale before turning to my friend, now that Lily is out of the room. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do.”
Carlos nods. “I get it. This won’t be an easy one.
” He slams a fist into his other palm. “But going off everything I know about her husband, there’s no way she was the only one who wanted him dead.
” He stares through the mirrored window to where Lily sat moments ago before looking back at me with a shrug.
“In my opinion, she’d be the only one with a good reason to do it. ”
Following where his gaze just was, I stare at the now-empty chair. I agree that she’d certainly have a good self-defense claim. Her face looks bad, and if what Carlos tells me is correct, that isn’t all her injuries. And there’s no telling what all happened to her over the years.
Looking back at Carlos, I slap him on the shoulder and walk toward the door. “I need some fresh air. I’ll call you in a bit. If the public defender shows up, call me immediately.”
I don’t wait for him to agree before stalking off down the hall, through the lobby, and out the door. I walk out into the parking lot and look around until I see a small park about half a block away. Heading in that direction, I shove my hands into the pockets of my slacks.
I’m sure I look ridiculous, walking laps in the city park in a very expensive suit.
But I need to move. I need some fresh air.
A few years ago, I never really understood the people who said fresh air helped clear their heads.
Then my life went to shit, and I started embracing that adage.
Usually, I go to a lake nearby to sit and stare at the water, but this will have to do.
Could I do this again? For a woman I don’t know. In a case I might lose.
Should I wait to get more information from Carlos about what evidence they have? Every moment with someone less experienced or savvy than me increases the risk of a mistake that could cost Lily her freedom.
And that possibility scares me slightly more than my own failure. At least if I took her case, I would have control. And that I’ve always craved, but especially now that I’ve worked hard to rebuild myself.
Usually, that only applies to my own life. I’m not sure what it means that it now apparently extends to this woman whom I’ve never met, never spoken to.
Sure, I like the control that I have when I’m on a case, and every decision on how to help my clients is made by me. There’s just something different than that brewing inside me about why I want to take on her case. And I don’t know how to interpret or how to react to it.
My feet halt, and I look around the park, the breeze ruffling my hair and cooling my overheated skin. Vibrating from my pants pocket pulls me back to the moment. I take it out and groan.
“Yes, Mandi?”
“I know you said to cancel your appointments this morning, but are you sure? Because we have some very pissed off clients.”
I slam my fingers through my hair, imagining Lily inside the police station. Alone. Scared. My jaw clenches as I yank my car door open and climb inside, still unsure what I’m going to do. “Fuck. Yes. I’m sure. I have something to do for the rest of the day.”
Her sigh is loud and grating, but I don’t blame her. She’s been carrying my ass for the last few years, and today, apparently, is no different. She bites out, “Fine. I’ll take care of it.”
After thanking her profusely, I make one more call as I quicken my pace back to the police station. It rings for entirely too long for my sanity before Carlos picks up. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.”
“Tell the detectives Lily Bennett’s attorney is on his way.”
Carlos chuckles. “I made a bet with myself, and it’s nice to know I won.”
I roll my eyes. “Just do it, Carlos.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I will. And I’ll do it with a smile, anticipating the moment they see you walk in.
” He hesitates, then his tone morphs to one of concern, and he continues.
“Just hurry up. Barrington has his head up his ass, and even though I’ve told him what I know from my investigation, he seems resolute.
He hasn’t even looked at anything I gave him. ”
“Fuck, okay. I should be there in ten minutes, max. If anything changes before I get there, call me.”
“You got it.”
Disconnecting the call, I jog down the sidewalk. I’m inside and telling the receptionist who I’m there to see when Barrington walks out of an office nearby.
He saunters over to me with an overly cocky expression on his annoying face. “Rivers, second time I’ve seen you in here today. Did you get lost? Last I heard, we haven’t had any contracts that need you to look them over.”
Forcing a smile, I explain, “I’m actually here as a defense attorney.”
His face falls. “Since when? I thought you quit a few years ago.”
I nod. “I did shift my focus for a little bit. But I’ve had a case come to my attention that has apparently lured me out of retirement.”
Surprise flashes in his eyes. “Oh yeah? What case is that?”
My smile is much more genuine this time. “Lily Bennett.”
When his jaw hinges open, I walk past him.
“So let’s get a move on with this. I’d like a few minutes alone with my client to discuss a few things before the questioning begins.”
He rushes after me. “She asked for a public defender. Don’t tell me you left private to become a public defender.”
I don’t slow my steps. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course, I didn’t.”
“But—”
I don’t let Barrington finish before I whip around to face him. “Detective, stop wasting all our time. I need you to either release her or arrest her so I can get her bailed out.”
His eyes narrow at me. Finally, he spins and continues down the hall. He points to the door of the room Lily was in earlier. “Wait in there. I’ll go get Mrs. Bennett.”
I step inside, hating the way he called her missus. I set my bag on the floor next to the chair, opting to stand while I wait to officially meet my newest client.