“What if it doesn’t matter?” I said.
“What?”
I turned back to Eric. “What if it doesn’t matter what we believe about Joe? I keep coming back to the same conclusion. Tallon might be right.”
“What do you mean?”
“How am I not doing every single thing she’s accused me of? I left the courtroom because of Joe’s lie. My protecting him is in direct conflict with Katy’s defense.”
“Only if Joe’s guilty,” Eric said. “I know you don’t believe he is.”
“Eric, if this were any other client we both know what I’d have to do.”
His face turned to stone. I didn’t want to say it. I didn’t want to think it. I heard the back door open and shut downstairs. Miranda was off today. Jeanie would have seen my car parked in the lot. She knew I was here. In another moment, she’d head up to tell me how things went in court today.
“Cass …” he said.
“If I found out a potential suspect lied about his alibi … if I had no other provable theory … I’d put him back on the stand. I’d confront him with the lie.”
“It doesn’t mean he had anything to do with the murder.”
“But that isn’t my job. It isn’t my duty. Reasonable doubt. That’s my job. Give the jury reasonable doubt whether Katy committed this crime. Give them an alternate theory of the case. I’ve won cases with less.”
“It isn’t your call anymore,” he said. “You don’t have to do anything.”
“Don’t I? It’s still my name out on that sign. I was fooling myself thinking putting Jeanie out front would somehow absolve me. I sent her back to court blindfolded and with one hand tied behind her back. I lied to my client. Katy asked me point-blank whether Joe was the reason I withdrew.”
“Katy isn’t just some normal client. You can’t …”
“That’s the whole point,” I said. “I did this, Eric. Tallon is right. I was stupid to get involved. I led with my emotions, my family loyalty. And it has cut me off at the knees. It has compromised Katy’s defense.”
“What if she’s guilty!” he shouted.
“Cass?” Jeanie called from downstairs.
“I have to tell her,” I said. “She might hate me for it, but I put Jeanie in the line of fire. And I’m withholding what might be her best weapon in court. If things were reversed, I don’t know if I could forgive her for that.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yes.”
I heard the back door open and close again. A moment later, Jeanie came up the stairs. As soon as she got to the threshold, she knew something was wrong. I’m sure Eric and I both looked like the grim reaper.
“It looks like I can save myself the trouble of telling you how things went today,” she said.
Her words caught me a little off guard. Jeanie came into my office and took a seat on my couch. She put her feet up on the table.
“Jeanie,” I started.
“I did my best with her, Cass,” she said. “Maybe you could have been smoother, maybe you couldn’t. But the story’s the story. The station manager was a dud. Addison got her all twisted around. Castor let him introduce about twenty kooky fan emails to just about all the on-air talent at the station. He pretty much put the jury to sleep with it. It’s not going to be enough. I’m sorry. Katy is another issue. She’s not backing down. She wants to take the stand first thing in the morning. I don’t think I’m going to have a choice. Not unless you’ve got some surprisewitness you can throw my way. Please tell me you found Tallon Shipley.”
“I did,” I said.
Jeanie’s whole posture changed. I saw a weight lift from her shoulders. She smiled. But before she could launch into orbit, I told her what happened, leading with Tallon’s ironclad alibi. I handed her the flight itinerary.
“Damn,” she said. “But if …”
“Jeanie,” I said. “There’s something else you need to know.”
