His heavy gaze fastened on Aja as she planted herself in front of the one-way mirror with her arms crossed and her fingers tapping on her forearm. He recognized this pose was a combination of frustration mixed with apprehension.
“The prosecutor just arrived. After your ID, he’ll take your statement.”
She gave him a hefty dose of side-eye before turning back to the one-way mirror. “I’m a lawyer, Jackson. I know how this works. What I’m asking is why is the process taking so long? It’s been hours since we arrived. The prosecutor should’ve been en route when you first called this in. I’d like to get home before the cock crows.”
“This ain’t New York, darlin’. Things don’t move that fast below the Mason-Dixon.”
She dropped her hands to her hips and raised a sharp eyebrow. “Stop it. This is Austin, not some rural, one-pony town. I’m sure you all have videoconferencing capabilities. My property has been vandalized, I’ve been attacked, and two people I care about have been implicated in all this mess. I want it over now.”
Her shoulders were pulled back into a sharp line. Even though she was speaking barely above a whisper, her chest was heaving, and Jackson could see the clear signs of anxiety taking control of her.
Aja didn’t do scared; she did angry. And she was about ready to blow. He placed a careful hand on her shoulder. It was the most he could offer in this setting, surrounded by his colleagues and the constant reminder he was here to do a job, not involve himself with her. “It’s gonna be all right. I promise.”
“Don’t patronize me. Don’t treat me like I’m some hysterical woman.”
“I wouldn’t dare. You have a right to be angry, scared, and frustrated. This joker has been doing his best to harm you and people you care about. Frankly, I’d be worse if it were me and mine.”
She took a breath, and some of the tension she was carrying receded.
“This will be over soon, and you’ll be back on your ranch before you know it.” He tightened the hand resting on her shoulder, aching to pull her into his arms and keep her cradled there, protected from the rest of the world.
She steadied herself and returned to her perch in front of the one-way mirror. He’d settled in to watching her again when a tap on the door pulled his focus, and as the prosecutor stepped inside the room, Jackson sent up a tiny prayer. Things were about to get started, and soon she’d be able to return to the safety of her home.
This time, it would be safe, and knowing that gave Jackson more relief than it should have. She was a case; she was work. He shouldn’t feel this bone-deep reassurance that spread through him like the warmth of a fire on a cold night.
Jackson turned to face the prosecutor, a tall white man with a slender build, as he stepped into the room. John Ross had two recognizable characteristics. Except for inside the courtroom, he was never seen without a Stetson covering his head, and he always played to win. So if this young punk stood any chance of leniency, it had floated out the door as Ross walked through.
“Howdy, Ranger Dean.” Ross extended his hand to Jackson.
Ross was every bit the quintessential cowboy. Big hat, big belt buckle, and Jackson was pretty sure if he lifted the man’s pant legs, he’d find spurs attached to the backs of his boots.
Jackson shook Ross’s offered hand. “Hey, Counselor. Thanks for making it in.” Jackson pointed toward Aja. “This is the complainant, Ms. Aja Everett.”
Ross extended his hand to Aja. “Ms. Everett, I’m John Ross. Thank you for your patience in this matter. I have your original statement. Do you feel it needs to be amended in any way?” Aja shook her head. “Good, then after the ID, I’ll question the person we have in custody, and we’ll try to get you home and out of here as quickly as possible.”
“Where’s the defense attorney?”
“The suspect hasn’t requested a lawyer yet,” Jackson answered. He could see tension lines furrowing her brow. “No worries. We’ll Mirandize him again before we question him to make sure he knows his rights.”
Aja agreed and returned her attention to Ross. “Thank you, Mr. Ross. I want this over. I have a life I need to get back to.”
Ross tipped his hat to Jackson. “What say we get this started, Ranger?”
Jackson agreed. He pressed the speaker button on a nearby desk phone and said, “Send them in,” before disconnecting the call.
They all turned toward the one-way mirror and watched in silence as each man filed into the room, one behind the other, standing against the wall, each holding a number in front of himself as they faced their darkened side of the same mirror.
Aja tensed, her body pulling itself straighter and tighter, bracing against the task before her.
The intruder wore a mask during the attack. She’d never seen him. Hopefully, there was something about the suspect she’d recognize, or it would be hard to pin her attack on him.
“Are you okay? There’s no pressure.” Jackson stepped closer to her, hoping to impart his concern through his nearness, since he couldn’t show her in any other meaningful way in the prosecutor’s presence. “Take your time and tell us if you recognize anything about them.”
“Number Six, I know him.”
Jackson and Ross looked at each other, and then Jackson pressed the button on the intercom positioned at the side of the mirror. “Number Six, please step forward.”
The nerves in his stomach loosened. She recognized the same person he’d arrested tonight. He was hoping this would turn into a positive identification.
