Mayor Kinlan arrived right on time. He walked through the door, and I waved him over. Two men—most likely his driver and his bodyguard—peeled off and stood by the door, watching us. Mayor Kinlan headed straight for my table, and I rose to greet him.
Shaking my hand, he said, “It’s great to see you again, Ms. Stafford. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”
Although we were no more than acquaintances, I’d spoken with the mayor at a few of the city’s events and charities. Nothing major, just small talk about the city, but I was surprised he remembered that we’d met.
“Of course.” I gestured at the table. “Please, have a seat.”
He opened by asking me for my take on an upcoming festival while we perused our menus. The waiter took our orders, and he steepled his hands and frowned at me.
“I was surprised to discover that you’ll be defending my son’s attacker,” Mayor Kinlan said, his tone heavy with disappointment. “Usually you and I are on the same side of the law.”
The mayor was a likable enough guy. He was coming to the end of his first term, and up for reelection in the fall. Before I’d taken this case, I would have voted for him again, but now there was something off and intimidating about him I’d never noticed before. It made me strangely uncomfortable.
Tamping down my personal reservations to remain professional, I replied, “I’m always on the side of the law.”
His lips pressed in a thin line. “Then I’m confused as to why you’re defending the man who tried to kill my son. Don’t you think the monster who attacked him deserves to be brought to justice?”
Monster? Sure, Havoc was big, but monster? And was he really trying to take me on a guilt trip for doing my job? I wasn’t about to put up with that, especially not from a politician I’d voted for who was sworn to protect the rights of the citizens.
“Let me assure you, Mr. Wilson is a human being and does have rights, like the right to legal representation,” I said. “If he’s guilty, I’m quite certain your attorney will present the evidence and the court will convict him. That’s the way the system works, Mr. Mayor.”
“I’m fully aware how the system works, but I thought you were above working with criminals. Shouldn’t you leave this case to a public defender?”
The mayor would like that. He could bully the crap out of a public defender and poor Havoc would end up doing life behind bars for trying to help a girl. Not going to happen.
“What about the girl who was attacked by your son? Doesn’t she deserve justice as well?”
His expression changed. Something darkened within his eyes and he let out a forced laugh. “What girl?”
The son-of-a-bitch knew. A small piece of me had doubted the mayor’s involvement, had wanted to believe that he wouldn’t stoop so low. I’d been hoping he had no idea what his son had been up to. Mayor Kinlan had lobbied for rape victims, for crying out loud. His strict no tolerance policy was one of the reasons I’d marked his bubble on the ballot. Yet he knew what his son had done and was protecting the asshole.
It made my blood boil.
“The girl your son brutally raped,” I replied.
His fake laughter vanished, leaving behind an eerie silence. Eyes narrowed, he leaned forward. “That’s a serious accusation, Ms. Stafford. The kind that could cost you your career if you’re wrong. Are you sure you want to make it?”
Too late to back down now. Even if I wanted to. “Like I said, I’m always on the side of the law.”
He took a sip of water, watching me over the rim. “Representing a criminal who’s so obviously paid off some girl to accuse my son of sexual misconduct is hardly staying on the side of the law.”
My turn for fake laughter. “Oh, I assure you, my client hasn’t paid off anyone.”
In fact, we had no victim, no witnesses, and no evidence. All I had was the promised testimony of Havoc’s club brothers that he was a stand-up guy. I had a little over four weeks, and if I didn’t come up with something soon, I may not lose my career, but my reputation would certainly suffer a black eye. Especially if the mayor decided to play up his son’s victim status.
“I’ll be speaking with my attorney tomorrow, and he’s going to submit a reciprocal discovery request.”
Great. Soon Mayor Kinlan and his attorney would know my case was a giant goose egg. I hadn’t even recovered from that bomb when he dropped the next.
“I also put in a request for the trial to be moved up.”
My heart dropped. “Why would you do that?”
“I see no need for my son’s suffering to be dragged out any longer than necessary. I’m sure you don’t care, but his condition has stabilized, and they’ll be releasing him from the hospital in a few days. He wants this nightmare to be done and over, so he can get back to his life.”
Something sparked in the mayor’s eyes. Triumph? He suddenly looked like such an arrogant son-of-a-bitch. He had to know I didn’t have the girl, or any evidence at all, so he was going to push this case to court before I got the chance to find anything.
“You know…” He stood, tossing his napkin on his plate. “I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. I’m sure you understand.”
