Could I do this again? For a woman I don’t know. In a case I might lose.
Should I wait to get more information from Carlos about what evidence they have? Every moment with someone less experienced or savvy than me increases the risk of a mistake that could cost Lily her freedom.
And that possibility scares me slightly more than my own failure. At least if I took her case, I would have control. And that I’ve always craved, but especially now that I’ve worked hard to rebuild myself.
Usually, that only applies to my own life. I’m not sure what it means that it now apparently extends to this woman whom I’ve never met, never spoken to.
Sure, I like the control that I have when I’m on a case, and every decision on how to help my clients is made by me. There’s just something different than that brewing inside me about why I want to take on her case. And I don’t know how to interpret or how to react to it.
My feet halt, and I look around the park, the breeze ruffling my hair and cooling my overheated skin. Vibrating from my pants pocket pulls me back to the moment. I take it out and groan.
“Yes, Mandi?”
“I know you said to cancel your appointments this morning, but are you sure? Because we have some very pissed off clients.”
I slam my fingers through my hair, imagining Lily inside the police station. Alone. Scared. My jaw clenches as I yankmy car door open and climb inside, still unsure what I’m going to do. “Fuck. Yes. I’m sure. I have something to do for the rest of the day.”
Her sigh is loud and grating, but I don’t blame her. She’s been carrying my ass for the last few years, and today, apparently, is no different. She bites out, “Fine. I’ll take care of it.”
After thanking her profusely, I make one more call as I quicken my pace back to the police station. It rings for entirely too long for my sanity before Carlos picks up. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.”
“Tell the detectives Lily Bennett’s attorney is on his way.”
Carlos chuckles. “I made a bet with myself, and it’s nice to know I won.”
I roll my eyes. “Just do it, Carlos.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I will. And I’ll do it with a smile, anticipating the moment they see you walk in.” He hesitates, then his tone morphs to one of concern, and he continues. “Just hurry up. Barrington has his head up his ass, and even though I’ve told him what I know from my investigation, he seems resolute. He hasn’t even looked at anything I gave him.”
“Fuck, okay. I should be there in ten minutes, max. Ifanythingchanges before I get there, call me.”
“You got it.”
Disconnecting the call, I jog down the sidewalk. I’m inside and telling the receptionist who I’m there to see when Barrington walks out of an office nearby.
He saunters over to me with an overly cocky expression on his annoying face. “Rivers, second time I’ve seen you in here today. Did you get lost? Last I heard, we haven’t had any contracts that need you to look them over.”
Forcing a smile, I explain, “I’m actually here as a defense attorney.”
His face falls. “Since when? I thought you quit a few years ago.”
I nod. “I did shift my focus for a little bit. But I’ve had a case come to my attention that has apparently lured me out of retirement.”
Surprise flashes in his eyes. “Oh yeah? What case is that?”
My smile is much more genuine this time. “Lily Bennett.”
When his jaw hinges open, I walk past him.
“So let’s get a move on with this. I’d like a few minutes alone with my client to discuss a few things before the questioning begins.”
He rushes after me. “She asked for a public defender. Don’t tell me you left private to become a public defender.”
I don’t slow my steps. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course, I didn’t.”
“But—”
I don’t let Barrington finish before I whip around to face him. “Detective, stop wasting all our time. I need you to either release her or arrest her so I can get her bailed out.”
