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“No, it does not, but then, we all think she did it.”
“Lauren showed me the images they took of the two of them fighting.”
“Yes, there is trouble in paradise for sure. The question is, did that trouble originate from the trial pressure, or is it long term?”
“I know you stated in your opening statement that the baby is not his and he adamantly denies ever sleeping with the victim. Do you still feel that is a truthful statement?”
“I do. I was afraid I wouldn’t after tonight, but nothing has changed.”
“Why didn’t he call you before he did this?”
“He knew I’d tell him not to go and he wanted me to have deniability,” he says.
“Does his wife believe him?”
“Yes, which she says she will state in court.”
“Is it safe to let her testify? What if she sets him up?”
“It’s a risk that I have to take to try to get a confession from her, because I damn sure don’t have any evidence. Hell, it might be the boyfriend. I am flying blind.”
“The prosecution has no evidence either,” I say. “You’re going to create reasonable doubt. You have already. When are you coming back?”
“As soon at Blake and Kara finish up, we’ll all fly back, including Nelson and Kelli, in the Walker plane.”
“You’ll get back here early in the morning, without any sleep, and you have to be fresh for court Monday.”
“I have to be prepared Monday, which means sleep is a luxury I can’t afford. Call me when you wake up and I’ll come pick you up.”
“No. You have to sleep and focus on your Monday game plan.”
“I’ll do those things with you, Cat. I’ll see you soon.” He hangs up.
I let the phone drop to the bed, and I’m back to staring into the darkness, but this time, I am not fretting. Lauren was right. That call means something. It tells me that I am a part of his life now, and it’s terrifyingly wonderful.
Chapter twenty-two
Reese
By the time Blake, Kara, and I follow my client and his wife back to their house, it’s seven. I leave them with two of Royce’s men watching the house. I walk them to their door and Kelli goes inside, while Nelson and I stand on the porch. “You’re paying for the plane, and the services I found necessary today. That’s non-negotiable.”
“Understood,” he says. “I know I fucked up. Are you telling the judge that I left?”
“No, but I should,” I say. “Just like I should ask to be recused from this case, but it’s too late in an expensive trial. The judge won’t let me. But be clear: If you give me one more reason to doubt you, my closing statement will get the job done, and nothing more.”
I turn, walk away and climb into the back seat of the Escalade Blake is driving instead of Royce this time. Once I’m inside, I shut the door and watch as Nelson heads back into his house.
“She did it,” Kara says. “I spent the entire flight talking to her, and she did it.”
“I don’t disagree, but we’re all speaking on gut instincts,” I say. “I need more.”
“Unless you have a problem with it,” Blake says, “Kara wants to talk to Nelson’s secretary.”
“I don’t have a problem with it at all,” I say, “but why? Where are you going with this?”
“A secretary knows the boss’s secrets,” Blake says. “I can’t tell you how many times a secretary busted open a case for me.”
“And women share dirty secrets more readily with another woman,” Kara adds.
