“Your Honor, the defense has no objections to the postponement of bail.”
When Maceo had been returned to the prison, he and Kate sat in the interview room, hot but weak coffee in front of them. Kate fixed him with a long stare. “Maceo, someone is trying to frame you for Janek’s death. I want you to tell me everything about yourself; where you were born, who your parents were, where you went to school, were friends with, weren’t friends with. Who you’ve fucked. Everything. Something is rotten here, and I want to know what it is.”
Maceo nodded. “Me too, Kate, me too,” and began to tell her the story of his life.
Lisander waitedfor Gerard Greg to be available. Greg’s very nervous P.A’s eyes had widened when she saw who was demanding to see her boss. Lisander tried to smile at her but it came out as a grimace, and he saw her flinch just as Gerard Greg opened the door and ushered him into his office.
The man was elderly, Lisander saw, but there was still the spark of great intelligence and wit in his eyes.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Duarte?”
Lisander sat forward. “Mr. Greg, I am here regarding my friend and your client, Maceo Bartoli. I am concerned about his legal representation.”
“What are your concerns?” The man’s tone was mild, but wariness flashed in his eyes.
Lisander cleared his throat. “Ms. Garcia seems very young to be taking such a big case.”
Gerry smiled. “If that’s your concern, you have nothing to worry about. Kate is one of the best lawyers I’ve ever seen—and I’ve been doing this for nearly fifty years. Don’t let her youth fool you.That one is a killer when it comes down to it. If you’ll pardon the metaphor.”
Lisander wasn’t satisfied, but the older man would not give way, and eventually Lisander stalked out of the office, cursing under his breath.
Kate Garcia was walking into the building, talking on her phone. She saw him, and to Lisander’s amazement, grinned at him. She came to a stop in front of him.
“Yeah, I’m with him now. See you in a few.”
She ended the call, dropping her phone into her bag, and gazed up at him, scrutinizing his face. Lisander suddenly felt guilty.
“Look, I … ”
Kate grabbed his arm. “Come with me.”
She marched him out of the building and down the block, Lisander just going with it. They went to a small bar where Kate ordered two whiskey sours and some chicken wings.
“I don’t eat during the day,” Lisander said, desperate to regain some of the control in this situation. He had to admit, being bossed around by this little firecracker was kind of a turn-on.
Kate scoffed, “They’re not for you, big guy. Get your own.” She took a sip of her drink. “So, you think I’m a little young to help your friend beat a murder rap?”
Ah.Gerard Greghadratted him out. Lisander took a deep breath in. Honesty was the only way to go. “I do. Which is no reflection on your abilities, Ms. Garcia.”
“Kate. And I’m confident in my ability to defend Maceo. What specifically is your concern?”
She met his gaze with a cool, steady look, and Lisander suddenly wondered if she was this assertive in bed. Her caramel hair fell in waves past her shoulders, and her warm honey-colored skin was smooth and clear. The swell of her breasts under her blouse was intoxicating, and Lisander felt his groin tighten.
“Mr. Duarte?”
Damn. She has caught him staring and was grinning. “Mr. Duarte, is it because I have boobs? Because I assure you—hell,Beyoncéassures you, girls run the world.”
Suddenly Lisander burst out laughing, an unusual sound even to his own ears. He shook his head. “You are like no one I’ve ever known,” he admitted with a wry smile.
Kate’s chicken wings arrived, and she fell on them, offering him one despite her earlier declaration. Lisander shrugged and took one. “Let me guess,” Kate said, wiping her mouth. “The women you’re used to are a) pin-thin models with all the personality of the undead, or b) praying mantises who see dollar signs.”
Lisander’s mouth hitched up in a smile. “That’s a very jaded view of the world.”
“I speak as I find.”
“I’m beginning to see that.”
“So, apart from my relative youth, what’s your objection to my representing Maceo?”
