The day grew late. It was almost time for Evan to leave work, if she hadn't already. I watched over her every night, keeping tabs to keep her safe. I left the courthouse a little after eight. A light mist floated through the city and made halos around the streetlights. I didn't have an umbrella and made do with my light jacket and my briefcase over my head. I found some shelter in a doorway on the street Evan frequented for her nightly takeout. It was only a few minutes before I saw her jump from a cab and dart into Taj. Indian night for her, it seemed.
After she'd safely nabbed her dinner and retired to her penthouse, I rode the subway up to my shabby apartment.
On the train, even though I was worn out, I spared a few fatigued neurons to wonder who she could possibly be trying to add to the case, but came up empty each time. I was too tired to really dig deep.
I made it back, showered, and crashed into my bed. I thought of Evan as I drifted off to sleep. I imagined her fresh out of law school, doing pro bono work, doing her best to help those in need. One day I'd figure out what changed, what happened to her to cut off that bright future and give her this one instead.
The next day was more of the same work with experts, chasing down facts and figures. My phone pinged, reminding me of the hearing with Evan. I hadn't forgotten it, just let the time get away from me. I took the courthouse steps two a time, not wanting to bring down Judge Crane's wrath by rolling up in her courtroom too terribly late.
I smoothed my suit and fastened my top two buttons before pushing through the wooden doors. The courtroom gallery was empty; no one came to see run-of-the-mill hearings like this. Nothing doing, really.
Evan sat at the counsel table to the left, a man next to her.
He was familiar. Too familiar. My mouth went dry.
I reached the balustrade and pushed through.
He turned. "Linc."
"Wash. What are you-"
"Now that Mr. Granade has decided to make his appearance, are we ready to proceed?" Judge Crane's sharp voice cut through my surprise.
I glared from Wash to Evan. She kept her eyes forward, wouldn't look at me.
"Yes, Your Honor, I'd like to move for the admittance of Washington Granade. He is-"
"Granade?" Judge Crane peered over her spectacles. "Any relation?"
Washington gave an easy smile. "Yes, ma'am. Lincoln's my brother."
"Well, isn't this an interesting turn of events?" Judge Crane looked at me and back to Washington. "I can certainly see the resemblance."
Washington was only an inch or two shorter than me. His eyes were blue, and he had lighter brown hair. He had dimples and had always been a charmer. Given the way Judge Crane looked at him, the charm was already hard at work.
"Go on, Ms. Pallida. You were saying?"
"Yes, Judge. Mr. Granade is admitted to the practice of law in good standing in the State of Louisiana. He meets all the standards and fitness criteria to be admitted pro hac vice in the Southern District of the State of New York. I'll have my secretary file his bar license and other paperwork."
"I see. Well, Mr. Granade-hmm. I suppose I'll have to start referring to you two by your first names to tell you apart. Lincoln, do you have any objection to her motion for pro hac status for Washington?"
I had a multitude of objections, but none of them were grounds to disqualify Wash's admittance to the case. It was like I'd been hit with a haymaker, blindsided.
"No, Your Honor."
"In that case, I will conditionally grant the motion pending the receipt of Washington's paperwork. Counsel is dismissed." Judge Crane exited through the chambers door.
"What the fuck do you two think you are doing?" I kept my voice low. The walls had ears. But I wasn't going to let Evan waltz out of here without an explanation.
Wash smirked. "I got a call from a lady in distress." He looked at Evan and then back to me. "I always come running when I get a call like that. You know a few things about butting in where you don't belong. Remember, Linc? I'm just taking a page out of your book."
My emotions were changing by the second. Guilt over what I'd done to Wash mixed with the anger of him ambushing me like this.
Evan still didn't look me in the eye. The bad bitch was having the last laugh.
I'd thought I was making progress, getting her to open up to me. I even believed her vulnerable act. Was anything she told me about her past, her family, even true? She'd asked me that night at my apartment if I'd been telling her the truth. Maybe I should have asked her the same thing.
"Evan?" I put a lot in the question.