CHAPTER SEVEN
Vis Legis
“As Taylor reminded us, Karma is a bitch!” (@deisebloombastic)
“Damn it,” I muttered, catching sight of myself in the rearview mirror and realizing I was wearing a red shirt.
Director Vargas had strung me along yesterday afternoon without giving me a time slot for this week.
When I mentioned the possibility of sanctions due to the prolonged isolation my client was being subjected to—and that any judge would see the measures as bordering on psychological torture—he quickly found me an appointment.
The problem was I hadn’t planned on being at Braxton today and had unfortunately chosen a red turtleneck to pair with a navy blue pencil skirt.
After we completed the entry procedures, I walked to Director Vargas’s office, which was in the building next to the cell block.
“Miss Torres.” Vargas extended his hand in greeting. I shook it without hesitation, unfazed by how tightly he squeezed my fingers. “My secretary said you needed to speak with me.”
“Dr. Torres, please,” I smiled at him. “I’m here as an attorney, Director.”
Vargas was an old acquaintance of my father’s and a regular presence at his political meetings.
“Of course, Doctor.” He sat down and gestured for me to do the same. “But I was surprised when I learned you were representing Marino.”
“I don’t know why you’re surprised. I have a law firm and I’m a criminal defense attorney.”
“Of course. I just thought your father…”
“Why is my client being denied visitation?”
“Right.” He pulled a folder from the stack of documents in front of him. “Well, from what I can see, he got into some trouble during a cell inspection.”
“That’s not grounds for three days in isolation.”
“I don’t tell you how to do your job, Doctor.”
“Apologies, Vargas. I’m just trying to understand what kind of trouble he got into.”
“He apparently disrespected a guard when he was asked to hand over a book that didn’t come in through proper channels.”
“A book?” I stared at him in disbelief. “You gave him a severe punishment for receiving a book? That seems a bit excessive, Director.”
“I gave the appropriate punishment so he’d understand this isn’t a hotel.”
“I’d like to see him,” I said.
“He’s in—”
“Isolation. Yes, I know. But I also know you can’t keep him that long without human contact. Even criminals have rights. And even if that weren’t the case, Dante Marino has the presumption of innocence until trial.”
“Look, Helena… I understand where you’re coming from. But I need you to be reasonable.” Vargas leaned over the desk. “The Darwin Quinn case is much more than a simple murder. A lot of important people are demanding an exemplary punishment. The guy is guilty as sin.”
I licked my lips and leaned toward Vargas.
“Until a judge looks me in the eye and says definitively that Dante Marino is guilty and there’s nothing more to be done, my client will be treated as a human being.
And as a citizen of this state, he must be treated fairly and respectfully.
” I stood up, adjusting my skirt. “Now, Antonio. I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt by not walking out of here and finding the first justice-hungry judge to bring Braxton down—along with all your questionable conduct regarding the case and my client.
Especially since this place’s track record isn’t exactly spotless. ”
I smiled.
Vargas leaned back, staring at me. Every additional second in this room was another spark on my pile of reasons to burn everything down.
“All right, Helena.” He stood up. “I’ll ask the guards to take him to the visiting room so you can verify your client is fine. That’s what I can offer you.”
“I know you can do better,” I said, extending my hand to him—taking control of the handshake this time. “But for now, that’s enough.”
“I’m glad, Doctor.”
“But don’t get too comfortable. I’ll be back,” I replied, leaving the office where a guard was waiting to escort me to the visiting room.
My heart was racing and my throat was dry as I waited for them to bring Dante. The agonizing wait left me more unsettled by the second.
When the guard finally appeared with Dante, I froze.
Dante had a slight cut above his eyebrow. His lips curved into a half smile as his gaze dropped from my eyes to my red blouse. He sat down and the guard stepped away. My fingers reached for the phone, and he watched my every move before picking up the receiver on his side.
“Helena.” His husky voice came through the phone.
“Mr. Marino,” I swallowed hard. “How are you?”
He looked around.
“It’s no spa.” His eyebrow arched. “But if I’d known all I had to do was get into trouble again for you to come, I would’ve done it sooner.”
I shifted in my chair and rolled my eyes in response.
“Who says I didn’t come here to tell you to go to hell for making my last few days a living nightmare?”
Dante shifted and I sat up straighter. He leaned over the table between us.
“If you really wanted to hurt me, you would’ve just ignored me.” He smiled. “But you’re here, aren’t you?”
“I wouldn’t miss the chance to see your face when I told you I wasn’t interested.”
“But you are now.” He looked right through me. It was like the room had emptied out completely.
“That bruise around your eye… was it the guards?” I gestured at his face through the glass. “All this over a book?”
“I hadn’t finished reading it.” He pulled back from the glass, giving me room to breathe. “Why?”
“What?”
“Why did you change your mind? Do you think I’m innocent now?”
“I think you deserve justice that’s truly just.” I noticed the guard moving closer. “We’ll talk about your case later. I need to get up to speed on it.”
“My sister can help you,” he replied. “So you’re really in?”
“I have conditions,” I replied.
“I’m willing to accept them, Helena.”
“First, stop calling me Helena.” I lifted my chin. “It’s Dr. Torres.”
Dante’s lips pressed into a cynical line.
“And what else?”
“I don’t want you sending anything else to my house.”
Dante’s expression turned serious.
“Okay.”
“And I want you to advance a few months of my payment,” I explained. “I need to recover what your little game cost me so I can handle the case properly.”
“I’ll give you whatever you want, Helena.” I arched an eyebrow in response. “Dr. Torres.”
“I’ll bring the contract when I come back Monday.”
“Yes, ma’am. Whatever you want.” His gaze bore into mine. “As long as it’s you.”
“And you need to behave,” I warned him. I needed Dante to cooperate since everyone seemed determined to prove their worth on this case.
Dante raised a finger to his lips, pressing it across them. My eyes, which had been carefully avoiding that direction, were suddenly drawn there. He had full, well-defined lips. His features were striking, especially all together.
“I’ll be a good boy, Doctor.” He smiled. “Until you don’t want me to be anymore.”
“Time’s up.” The guard stopped behind Dante. “He has to go back.”
“They’re going to take you back to your cell,” I explained. “Don’t screw everything up before Monday.”
Dante nodded and stood up. Before the guard could grab his arm, he picked up the phone again.
“Red is your color.” Dante hung up and turned to the guard.
I felt my face flush and had to take a deep breath to keep my composure.
Now it was real. I really had the case of my life, and I’d need much more than faith to win it. I’d have to resist the devil—or end up dancing with him.