Page 3 of Not Mine to Rescue

I clamped my mouth shut.

“Why are you so reckless?”

“I’m not reckless.” And she shouldn’t ask shit like that with a guard in the room. “Don’t you have some sort of oath to serve your client’s needs?”

“How many times have you had legal counsel? Be honest with me.”

I counted on my fingers. Emancipation, juvenile court…twice, traffic court five times, one battery charge that got dismissed, and today. “Ten.”

“That’s ten times too many.”

“Judgmental much?”

Her eyes met mine. “I’m not making judgments, I’m reminding you that while the firm truly enjoys the payments Mr. Tipton makes to the retainer, I think his defense of every employee of his trucking company is a bit of an abuse on his benefits package. He’s our client, you aren’t.”

That cut me deep. Reminding me the club president was footing this bill was a low blow.

“I’ll bet you don’t think I’m so beautiful now, do you?”

On the contrary, she was gorgeous. I liked women who were direct. “I’d fuck you.”

Her face went cold. “That’s why they didn’t want me taking this client.” Honoria’s volume and pace adjusted as she addressed me. “Your boss is quite generous. Take the two points, otherwise this will go to trial and cost him without a guaranteed outcome. I cannot promise you a jury would look kindly on your behavior when confronted with an eighty-year-old piano teacher in the witness stand.”

“A piano teacher, huh?”

Honoria nodded.

“Well. Two points, they clear in twelve months, right?”

“Yes.”

That sucked, because while she could guarantee me getting released, I couldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t be right back in the system in less than four hours. There was a rift between the Destroyers and the old club that exploded last night. I needed to get to Nickel’s for guard duty, or back on the highways hunting down those assholes who fucked with the club. “I’ll be released today?”

“I will make that happen. The bail bondsman is outside.”

The remarkable clarity and confidence she put into those words was unlike anything old Jim would have done for any of us. He, along with all the partners in the firm Walt kept on retainer, couched their words in ambiguous rhetoric. Honoria didn’t.

“You must be new to criminal defense law.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just that I’ve never had a lawyer with so much…”

Her eyebrow went up, daring me to say something demeaning.

But that wasn’t where I was going with this. “So much heart. It’s as if you like your job.”

“I love my job.”

With that, I was more than halfway enamored with her. “Why?” I leaned in so I could catch the tones inside her words, the flavor of her reply, and the soul underlying it all.

“The justice system doesn’t work if there isn’t a system that operates within the rules. I defend the people at the highest risk of exploitation if the system breaks. One faulty mishandling of evidence, one break in the chain of custody, one hastily executed defense could be the next precedent that hangs an innocent person. I won’t stand for that. Nor do I condone authoritarian violence.” She glared at my black eye.

“I love you.”

The silence squatting on the heels of my confession had weight.

Honoria smiled. “If so, you’re a rarity lately. Thank you.” She gathered her papers and stood. “If you’re ready, we’ll get you in front of the court commissioner. You’ll have time to consider the offer, and I’ll keep you updated with any changes.”