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“All right,” Val said. “I’ll make preparations on my end.”
A large engine rumbled the air and a flatbed truck came into view a few seconds later. “Our ride is here. I’ll call you as soon as I can. Be careful, okay?”
“Always,” she said and ended the call.
Kaj glanced at the flatbed. Officer Nolan was directing the driver to the abandoned vehicles, so he and Burke were still beyond their earshot. He didn’t distrust Nolan specifically, but he didn’t know the other cops and preferred to keep things private until he did. “I’m going to call André and let him know. If he can let the officer guarding Rick’s room know that Lucien is coming with his assistants, it’ll ease their way.”
14
Tulane-Gravier, New Orleans, Louisiana
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2:00 P.M.
STANDING BETWEEN VAL and Lucien, Jace faced the front of the elevator that was taking him to see Rick. He couldn’t stop staring at his reflection in the shiny wall. He looked amazing.
He looked like a lawyer who was going to talk to his client, Rick Gates, in the hospital.
Well, like a really young lawyer wearing a light brown wig and a black suit that was a size too small. Val’s friend Molly had brought over the wig when she’d taken over guarding Elijah while they were gone. Lucien had helped him into one of Mr.Cardozo’s suits—while scaring him with guesses as to how much the suit cost. Jace hoped he didn’t mess it up. He hadn’t known any kind of clothing could cost so much.
But it was worth it. The wig and suit plus a pair of dark glasses made him look like someone else. Someone smarter. Someone better. Someone trustworthy.
Because he was trustworthy. Val and Lucien had uncuffed him. He was free. Not that he’d run, not after they’d trusted him. He stood a little taller, still staring at himself.
“You clean up good, kid,” Lucien said, a grin on his face.
“I do,” Jace said in wonder. Then he shrugged. “It’s like a Halloween costume. I’ll never be this.”
Lucien’s grin faded. “This what?”
“This... person. I’ll never have a suit like this.”
“Well,” Lucien drawled, “very few people have a suit like that one.” He straightened the lapels of his own dark suit. “I certainly don’t. I bought mine off the rack and it was on sale. Kaj’s suits are a step above.”
Jace shook his head. “I meant, I won’t have no cause to wear one, except maybe to go to a funeral. I’ll never have a job where I’d wear a suit. I ain’t that smart.”
Val nudged him with her elbow. “You are smart. And if you don’t wear a suit to work, that’s okay. If you’re a mechanic in a garage, that’s wonderful. It’s a good career, Jace. And nothing to be ashamed of.” She smoothed a hand over her hair. She was wearing a dark wig, too. “It’s almost time. Remember, Lucien is Rick’s lawyer and we are his assistants.”
That Lucien actually was a lawyer had blown Jace’s mind. Lucien didn’t practice anymore and wouldn’t say why. “I know,” Jace said, deepening his voice.
Val smiled at him. “Just don’t say anything until we’re in there.” The elevator doors opened. “This is us.”
Jace nodded once, hard. And said nothing. He wasn’t sure he could. His heart was beating so hard that he was a little light-headed as the three of them walked toward Rick’s room.
Lucien stopped in front of the cop standing outside Rick’s room. Jace didn’t react because Val had told him that there would be a cop there.
Jace swallowed hard, scared for his brother. Rick was going to jail. He’d be there with all kinds of criminals who’d... He fought off a shudder. He’d seen movies about prison. He knew what to expect.
But hopefully Rick would share info that would help him get a lighter sentence. That’s what today is all about.
Lucien showed his ID to the cop. “Hi. I’m Lucien Farrow, Mr.Gates’s attorney. These are my assistants. We’d like to speak to Mr.Gates privately.”
The cop studied the ID with a frown, then jerked his head toward the door. “Yeah, the captain said you were comin’. Go ahead. Get him off easy,” he added sarcastically. “All he did was try to kidnap a prosecutor’s little boy. Fucking lawyers. We lock ’em up, you let ’em out.”
Lucien didn’t say another word, just led them into Rick’s room. Rick was hidden, a curtain pulled around his bed. The only thing visible was the rolling cart that had a tray of something beige-colored with gravy that had congealed.
Rick didn’t eat like I did today. The food had been so good, but the company had made the difference. They treated him so nice. Like he mattered. And Rick wouldn’t get that, not for a long time. His heart hurt at the thought.
Lucien closed the door behind them and pulled the curtain, revealing the bed. Rick’s face was pale, his eyes closed and his forehead sweaty even though it wasn’t hot in the room.
