Chapter 81
Lauren doesn’t stay for the afternoon in court, but I’m feeling pretty good about the cigar in my purse that she gave me for Reese. I settle into my seat, waiting for the courtroom to come to order. After Reese and I had our little talk about babies and everything, he might have a little idea I’m pregnant, but he’ll have to wait for the birthday surprise and I know it will be a really special day. Especially when Reese reclaims his spot in the courtroom and winks at me. There are a few murmurs in response that tell me we most likely got the attention of the press but I’m not complaining. Mr. Hotness winked at me, and I’m the lucky girl in the room.
The rest of the morning, the prosecution seems to stay on safe territory. They call non-consequential witnesses and fill up time. Come lunchtime, I reluctantly allow Savage to walk me to the food truck. “How long do you think it will be necessary to have you by my side?”
Savage holds his heart. “You wound me. I thought I was too good to let go of.”
I laugh and Reese steps to my side, wrapping his arm around me, and eyeing Savage. “I’ll take it from here.”
Right at that moment, Reginald steps in front of us. “I didn’t do it,” he says. “I didn’t fucking do it.”
Savage steps between us. “You need to back away, man.”
“I just want to talk. Please, Reese! Please, just talk to me.”
Reese looks down at me. “Stay away from him and with me or Savage at all times.” He then refocuses on the two men and calls out. “Savage, I’ll talk to him.”
Savage pulls Reginald in front of him and holds his arms. “As long as Reginald here doesn’t mind being friendly with me while you do,” he says, towering over Reginald and Reginald is not a small guy.
Reginald doesn’t even seem to notice. “I didn’t do it. Tell me what I need to do to prove I didn’t do it.”
“Tell the truth on the stand,” Reese says. “Martha didn’t and that didn’t go well for her.”
“Can you be my attorney?”
“That’s a conflict of interest.” Reese says.
“You think I’m guilty.”
“It wouldn’t matter either way,” Reese replies. “It’s a conflict of interest.”
“I’ll protect her. Put me on the stand, and I’ll protect her.”
“I intend to,” Reese says. “When it’s our turn which could be a long way off.”
“What if I get Martha to confess? I’ll confront her. I’ll record her.”
“We could make that work,” Savage says.
“Talk to Savage, Reginald,” Reese replies. “But don’t talk to Dana. You’re going to make her look guilty.”
“Because I look guilty?” he demands.
“Because she looks guilty,” Reese says. “She’s the one who was charged. Don’t give anyone a chance to question her. As long as there’s no evidence against you, they won’t charge you to just charge.” He eyes Savage. “We’re going back.”
Savage nods and Reese wraps his arm around my shoulders and turns me back toward the courthouse. “First thought?”
“I hope he doesn’t get an attorney. That could work against us.”
“Agreed,” I say.
“Maybe he’ll deliver us Martha and save himself and Dana.”
“Desperate people do desperate things,” I remind him. “This feels volatile to me. It feels like a problem.”
“That’s why he’s with Savage and on another note: Your brother texted me. Debbie is on an airplane and I talked to Royce. Wilson is stable. I think for now though, we’ll keep Walker in place through the rest of the trial.”
“Because of Reginald?”
“Because I want you safe.”
We head back into the courthouse and I think about the baby in my belly and decide not to argue. I’m not taking any chances with our child and maybe on some level Reese senses that he needs to protect more than me. He needs to protect his child.
The afternoon is slow. The prosecution calls a number of police officers who are so uneventful that Reese allows Elsa to cross-examine them. It’s four o’clock when Savage enters the courtroom and delivers a note to Reese. Reese reads the note and nods to Savage. “Judge, can we approach please?”
The judge motions him forward and he and Milton are quickly in front of him. Both are clearly arguing before the judge bangs his gavel. “Counselors, in my office. Court is adjourned until eight am tomorrow.”
Savage is waiting on me at the end of the aisle, and we don’t speak until we’re outside. “What’s going on?” I ask as soon as we’re out of the cluster of people.
“The police raided Martha and Reginald’s apartments an hour ago,” he says. “Things are heating up.”
“That’s doesn’t mean they won’t find a way to connect Dana,” I say, hurrying toward Reese’s private hallway.
“An insider told Royce to expect an arrest,” Savage tells me as we turn down the hallway.
“One arrest?”
“One.”
“Which one?”
“He wouldn’t say more,” Savage says, “but after dealing with Reginald this afternoon I vote for Martha.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He was willing to be recorded setting her up,” he says. “If he had something to hide he wouldn’t be that stupid. Well, not likely. I’ve met some really fucking stupid people.”
“What’s the plan on that anyway?” I ask.
“Reginald is with our team, but Martha is MIA. No one has seen her since she left court.”
“Dana’s in freak out mode,” Richard says, rushing toward us. “She’s afraid Reginald is being arrested.”
“Isn’t that adorable,” Savage says dryly. “I just love when a woman on trial worries about her money-grubbing boyfriend.”
“I thought you thought he was innocent,” I say.
“Of murder,” Savage says, “but I know men, and that man is in love with money, not the woman with the money.”
I don’t get time to ask where this assessment comes from. Reese exits to the hallway and we all wait eagerly to hear the news. “Well?”
“Milton tried to blow off the warrants as unimportant, but the judge wasn’t convinced,” he says. “We’re meeting him in chambers for an update before court tomorrow morning.”
Dana appears at the conference room door. “Well?”
Reese turns to look at her. “Warrants were issued for Martha and Reginald’s apartments which are currently being searched. Time to get to that hotel room and wait out any news. No conversations with Reginald. Don’t break that promise.”
Dana hugs herself. “I want this to be over.”
“Even if there’s an arrest and your case is dismissed,” Reese says, “it’s not over until the killer is proven guilty. That means you need to trust cautiously and protect yourself.”
“That’s not easy to do with someone you love,” Dana says, shoving her blonde hair from her face, her blue eyes bloodshot, as if she’s fighting tears.
“Good news,” Savage says. “That’s why you have us right now.” He wiggles an eyebrow. “And beyond our reasonable charges, we don’t want your money.”
“But Reginald does?” Dana asks.
“That’s between you and him, ma’am,” he says. “But we can talk about it over a ten-dollar deal night pizza, if you like.”
“Go have pizza,” Reese says. “And try not to overthink what comes next. It’s going to happen no matter what.”
“You really think my case will be dismissed?” Dana asks, sounding hopeful now.
“Unless there’s evidence in Martha or Reginald’s apartments to convict you,” Reese says. “Then yes, I do.”
Her eyes go wide. “What if one of them sets me up?”
“The only one that could set you up is Reginald,” I say. “He came to us today and swore he’d protect you. We’ll know soon if he meant those words.”
“You have to wait this out,” Reese says. “There’s no way to take the hard part of that out of the equation.”
“Sure there is,” Savage says. “Ten-dollar pizza and cheap wine, the likes of which a rich Princess like you doesn’t understand.” He motions her forward.
Dana stares at Reese a moment. “You’ll call if you hear anything tonight?”
“I will,” he promises.
She gives a sharp nod and joins Savage who eyes Reese. “I’ll have one of my men get you two home.”
Reese nods and looks at Richard and Elsa. “Go eat pizza and drink cheap wine. Our job here is done for now.”
They say they’re goodbyes and Reese pulls me to him. “How about ten-dollar pizza and cheap wine for us, too?”
“No olives and no wine—I have to write my column—but I’m all in for the pizza,”
His lips quirk and he studies me. “No olives and no wine. Deal.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and we start walking. “If I guess the birthday present do I get it early?”