Emily snorted. “This is crazy. You can’t find the victim, you have no witnesses, sounds like some sort of nonsense you cooked up to get your friend out of jail. You expect me to believe this? Your time’s up.”
She pushed the button to open the doors and stepped out of the elevator.
“No,” I replied, following her as I pulled a sheet of paper out of my pocket. “I don’t expect you to believe anything. If you’re half the lawyer I suspect you are, you’ll figure out the truth for your damn self. Havoc’s real name is Marcus Wilson.” I handed her the paper as I lengthened my stride to keep up with her. For only being about five-and-a-half feet tall, she had a fast gait. “Here’s everything I know about the case. It’s not much, but please, at least look into it.”
A couple passed us, and then Emily paused, looking at me as she stuffed the paper into her purse. “You were in court all day today, weren’t you?”
“Yeah. I couldn’t see any other way to get to you. I’d do it again, too. I promised Havoc I’d help him outrun the demons he picked up while in the service. He was getting his shit together until he saw that girl bein’ raped. He might have gone a little overboard, but he did the right thing—protecting someone who couldn’t protect herself—but because this Noah dickwad has a powerful daddy, Havoc’s rotting in the county jail for it. You seem like a nice woman and I sure as hell don’t want to drag your ass into this mess, but quite frankly, you’re the only lawyer with the balls to do it.”
Lips pursed, the slightest tinge of pink coloring her cheeks, she stared at me for a couple of beats before asking me for a dollar.
“A dollar?”
“Yes. There needs to be a monetary transaction so I can honestly say I’ve been paid to represent Mr. Wilson before I go speak to him.”
She was going to talk to Havoc. Relief threatened to cripple me, making me want to lean against the wall for support. It had been five sleepless nights since Havoc had been locked up and I finally had the barest glimmer of hope. Pulling out my wallet, I handed her two crisp one hundred-dollar bills instead.
She arched an eyebrow at me in question.
“It’s a retainer,” I replied.
“I’m not promising anything. Said I’ll talk to him, not that I’ll take the case.”
Folding her fingers closed around the bills, I nodded.
“I’ve read all about the clients you take on, and no way you’re gonna let some asswipe get away with raping a girl while you can do something about it. My contact info’s also on that paper. I look forward to hearing from you.”
She stared at me for a beat before shaking her head and cracking a smile. “Still not promising I’ll take the case, but after my meeting, I will go talk to him.”
“That’s all I’m askin’,” I said. “Thank you.”
Then I got another eyeful of Emily’s round ass as she turned on her heel and walked way. She glanced over her shoulder at me one last time before turning the corner.
I smiled to myself, knowing I’d see her again.
