Women had an uncanny ability to see through bullshit. I had a feeling that’s exactly what Valentina was doing with me, but she let it go.
“A juror in the trial was killed. I saw that on the news. The Undertaker is planning on killing all of us. Isn’t he?”
The tension within me was mounting. “Maybe. I’m sorry you had to find out.”
“As I told you before, I am much stronger than you give me credit for. Please do me one favor and don’t lie to me. That’s all I ask. Was it the Undertaker?”
“The case is still under investigation.” At least that wasn’t a lie. “However, if you want my gut answer, I’d say yes.”
“He won’t stop.”
Sighing, I knew anything I said would unnerve her. “I believe he’s interested in retaliation, but he’s also sending a message. What that is I don’t know yet. However, there are potentially some people involved with the Delgado Cartel who are on the take.”
“Meaning corrupt.”
When I nodded, she took a deep breath.
“Understood. What are you going to do with Mr. Jones? Are you going to put him behind bars or kill him?” Her question wasn’t timid nor was it filled with fear. Instead, the continued defiance reminded me that there were still good people in this world. In truth, her question shocked the shit out of me.
“I’m going to ensure he faces the consequences for what he’s done by the letter of the law.” That’s what the man even sixmonths before would say. The one glancing in the rearview mirror to ensure we weren’t being followed likely would say something else entirely.
While I couldn’t tell if she was disappointed or relieved by my answer, she was thoughtful as to offering her insight into the man I’d become. “What if the law fails us again?”
Us.
The single word was more powerful than almost any others could be.
“I’ll face that when and if it occurs.”
With a heavy sigh, she returned to silence where she remained for several minutes.
“Were you in love?”
The question came from so far left I had to process the words. “What?”
“Camille. It’s obvious you two were close before this… case in court. I emphasize were because I could see from the minute she walked in the door she wasn’t happy. Call it woman’s intuition, but I don’t think her strong feelings are all about you needing to perform your duties.”
“What did she say?”
“Essentially that you would break my heart. I assume you broke hers.”
“Not in the way you’re thinking.” My thoughts drifted to one of the worst days of my life. Perhaps in some ways the worst.
Valentina shifted so she could stare at me instead of inanimate objects. “What way? You weren’t a couple?”
The laugh sounded bitter even for me. “No. We flirted. We toyed with the idea a dozen years ago, but we realized becoming involved, even if only for a night would destroy our friendship.”
She thought about what I was saying. “This case did so for you.”
“Yes. Not by my choice, but I respected her decision.”
“Until you just had to call in a favor. Why would you do that?”
“Because I knew I could trust her with Bella and she would be the only person you’d feel free leaving your daughter with.”
The air in the car was heavy. “Maybe you’re right. Have you tried explaining what you had to do to her? The truth?”
“I wish it was that simple. Somewhere inside she knows I had no choice. The truth is that while she and others believe judges have the power in their hands to ensure justice is served, often our hands are tied. There are times that nothing can be done no matter how guilty the person or what a decision from a judge could mean. Even though Camille was well aware of how the system worked, when a decision was forced, there was no one else in her eyes to blame but the man in the cloak.” I headed off the interstate, checking the rearview mirror once again.
