Page 10 of Lorenzo

***

The car stops outside the Eighteenth District station, and Mario’s pulls in behind us.

A moment later, a black sedan reaches the curb.

Julian Mercer steps out, perfectly dressed in a dark suit and tie, carrying a leather case as though it is the middle of the afternoon instead of nearly 3:30 in the morning.

He looks every inch the attorney we pay him good money to be.

Mario joins me on the sidewalk.

“What do we know?” Julian asks.

“Alessio was arrested for murder,” I say. “A woman was found dead at the Halston Hotel. They say he was the last person seen with her.”

“Has anyone spoken to him?”

“No. Edoardo made sure of it.”

Julian nods once. “Then let’s go get in front of this.”

We enter the station together.

The officer behind the desk recognizes us immediately. I see it in the brief wariness of his expression before he looks at Julian.

“I represent Alessio Conti,” Julian says. “He invoked his right to counsel before he was brought here. Take me to him.”

“You’ll have to wait for the detectives.”

“No.”

The officer straightens. “Excuse me?”

“My client requested his attorney. I am here. You will inform the detectives now.”

The officer looks past him at Mario and me.

Mario rests one hand on the desk but doesn’t say a word.

He usually doesn’t have to.

The officer holds his gaze for a moment, then reaches for the phone.

Julian sets his case down beside him and checks his watch.

The officer’s mouth tightens as he speaks quietly into the receiver.

A secured door opens less than a minute later.

A detective steps into the lobby. His attention moves over the three of us before settling on Julian.

“Counsel can come back.”

Julian picks up his case. “Has anyone questioned my client?”

“No.”

“Has anyone attempted to?”