Cutting my eyes up, I stare at the older man. While I appreciate the vote of confidence, for some reason, it surprises me that he would tell me as much. “It was certainly unexpected, but she deserves a good defense.”
He tilts his head, a knowing gleam in his gaze. “That she does.”
Connor starts to deal the next round, and I can’t resist the urge to ask a question that’s gnawing at my gut. “So who do you think did it?”
The man sitting next to me shifts in his seat. “Why thefuck would you ask him? What if he says he thinks she did it?”
I don’t know this man very well. He’s only been coming for maybe a year or so, but I haven’t played with him much.
I shrug. “A good defense attorney doesn’t give a shit who thinks their client is guilty, as long as we can make a good enough defense for why they should be found guilty.”
The man chuckles. “I get that. I’m more worried about your reaction when he tells you he does.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” I snap.
The man holds up his hands in a defensive gesture. “Nothing, Rivers. Calm down. Just got the impression you feel a little stronger than normal about her.”
Annoyance and a tinge of embarrassment heat me up. I didn’t intend to give the impression that I felt anything else besides professional duty toward Lily.
I frown as I look over my hand. I deny as best I can. “She’s just a client that I want to make sure gets the defense she deserves. Nothing more than that.”
He takes a sip of his whiskey. “Whatever you say, Rivers.” He tilts his glass toward Vernon. “Well, Vern. Are you going to answer the question?”
As we place our bets, Vernon finally responds, “Bennett wasn’t always the most well-liked man. If, and I say if, Lily did do it, she wasn’t the only one who wanted him dead.”
It’s somewhat comforting that even his long-time personal attorney confirms what Carlos alluded to. Now the only question will be—what will convince the detectives of this?
11
Lily
Itighten the tie on my robe as I inspect my makeup application. I need it to be enough coverage to cover the bruises, but not so heavy that people notice and question why I’m wearing significantly more makeup than I usually do. I touch up a few spots, and once I’m satisfied, I pick up my coffee cup and bring it out into the bedroom with me to get dressed.
To say I’m nervous about going into work today is an understatement. When I told Cheryl and Chris that I needed to go back to work to distract myself, they probably thought I meant from grief. And while there’s a slight tinge of grief, I realized last night that what I need the most distraction from is the guilt that I don’t feel more of it.
I just can’t seem to muster that particular emotion from the hurricane of others swirling inside of me.
I carefully pick out my outfit, deciding on a form-fittingcharcoal grey pencil skirt and suit jacket with a white button-up underneath. Grabbing a pair of black slingbacks, I walk into the living area of the suite.
My phone rings from where it’s charging on the desk. I set down my coffee cup and smile when I see who it is.
“Hi, Anna. Yes, I’ll be in today.”
“I know that’s what Cheryl said, but I wanted to call to check in. What can I do for you before you even get here? Would you like breakfast ordered? Do you need your morning meetings rescheduled? What can I do for you?”
I pull the phone away from my ear so I can see the time, noting it’s forty-five minutes before she normally clocks in. “Are you already in the office?”
Anna sighs. “Yes, I woke up at three and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I figured I’d come in early and get a start on the day.”
I shake my head at my overachiever of an assistant, even though she can’t see me. “In that case, you’re leaving early today. But no, I don’t need anything this morning. I need to stay busy, so keep all my meetings. And I don’t need breakfast.”
With a harrumph into the phone, Anna replies, “Well, I need breakfast, so I’m ordering something for both of us. And if you don’t eat it, I’m sure I can find someone in the office who will.”
The smile that spreads across my face feels nice after the last few days. “Thanks, Anna.” I’m about to tell her that I’m going to let her go so I can leave, but I hesitate.
She notices immediately. “What? Lily, whatever it is, tell me. I’ll take care of it for you.”
I blow out a slow breath. “Will you be honest about what the rest of the staff is saying about me behind my back?”
