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She rolled her eyes. “There are motherfuckers running around this town robbing, killing, hurting people and they take the time to come for a lap dance and have the balls to arrest me for something I am willing to give? For fuck’s sake. Why don’t they arrest the assholes that take what they want from women? No, they let them go. Why should they tell me what I can do with my own body?”
“You’re probably right. Although many women are forced into prostitution, I hear what you’re saying. But right now, we need to figure out a way to get you out of here.”
She blew out a frustrated breath. “They assigned me a public attorney this morning. The guy can barely string two sentences together without looking down at his file. It’s like he’s never seen a case in his life before. I bet it’s his first one.”
I bit my lip. It was a habit I developed when I was a child. I noticed it shortly after my parents divorced. I still did it whenever I was nervous or whenever my mother called to check up on me. I did it less around my mom now. Since I got my life back on track and enrolled in school, I wasn’t hiding anything from her anymore, so our conversations were a lot less stressful.
“Maybe he was just having a bad morning. Let me talk to him and see what he has to say about your case.”
She nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Laura. Even just knowing that I have someone with me while I go through this…” Her voice dropped and her lips trembled.
I reached for her hands. I didn’t know a lot about Sam, but I recognized the pain in her voice. “I know. I wouldn’t let you face this alone. I’m here for you, Sam. And I’m going to get you out.”
Her smile was weak, as though she appreciated the words but knew better than to hope. People like us rarely got a break. We had to fight for one. And I would fight for Sam.
*
“Where would I find the public attorney’s office? The one representing Samantha Rivers?” I asked the officer at the front. This one was all business and I appreciated the speed with which he got me the address.
“Thank you,” I said and pushed past the front door and onto the street. The wind whipped my hair around my face and I pulled it back to orient myself. The town’s downtown consisted mainly of office buildings, restaurants, and shops. Punching in the attorney’s address into my phone, I realized it was only a twenty-minute walk from the station. That was better than paying for another parking spot. So, I picked up my pace and headed over.
When I arrived at the red-brick building, the names Simon & Davis were etched onto the glass door. I looked at the name on the sheet of paper the officer had given me. The address was correct, but the name was different. I walked in anyway.
“Can I help you?” the bubbly receptionist asked when I stepped inside. The furniture inside the office looked dated with green countertops and beige wood.
“Hi. Yes. I’m looking for…” I looked down at the piece of paper. “Arnold Cain.”
“He’s not in right now. Is there anything I could do for you?”
Yes. Could you bail my friend out of jail? I didn’t think she’d be willing to be that helpful. “When do you think he’ll be back?”
“I can page him for you. He usually calls back right away.”
“Great, thanks.”
A few minutes later, as I sat in the waiting room, watching my knee bounce, the receptionist called me. “Ms. Stevens?”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Cain is on the line to speak to you.”
I rushed to the desk and put the phone to my ear. “Hello? Mr. Cain. This is Laura Stevens. Samantha Rivers’ friend. I was hoping we could discuss her case.”
“Rivers, yes. The prostitution case.”
My eyes shot to the receptionist, who continued typing. I turned my body away.
“Yes. That’s the one. Can you tell me what’s your plan? She needs to get out of there as soon as possible.”
“Well, that doesn’t seem likely, Ms. Stevens. Your friend propositioned a police officer. She has a record of petty theft and the DA is coming down on us to clean up the streets.”
I rolled my eyes. “My friend is not the problem with the streets. Look, I need to know what you can do for her.”
“I can probably get her less than ninety days, two months at best.”
Two months in prison! For soliciting a cop? That was ridiculous. “If that’s all, Ms. Stevens, I’m really busy and I have to go.”
“Um—"
