Indecent Encounter(159)

“What is this about the bail hearing? She was only processed thirty minutes ago. We’ve barely had time to talk.”

“Bail hearing is at two.” Bethany gave me a wide-eyed smile before reaching up to smooth down my tie. “Really, Arik. You should be more up on what is going on with your client.”

“I’m trying to figure out why nobody bothered to tell me about my client’s bail hearing.” I brushed her hand aside and resisted the impulse to rub my hand on my pant leg.

“Well, I’m sure they tried to contact you.” She gave me a sweet smile that I knew only went skin deep. “Now that we’ve settled that, shall we go back inside? I’m sure your client is just beside herself with...grief.”

My mouth flattened into a line. “She is. She’s also scared and confused.”

“With the prospect of life behind bars, she should be scared.” Bethany shrugged, absolutely no sympathy in her expression or voice.

“She didn’t kill him,” I snapped.

“Save it for court.” Bethany rolled her eyes and took a step to go around me.

I barred her way. “You don’t talk to my client without me being present.” I scowled down at her. “I’m not in the room so you’re not going in there.”

“Then get in there.” She scowled back, any pretense of politeness gone. “Or I’ll make it clear you’re getting in the way of me doing my job, and that won't do anybody any good. She’s in enough trouble as it is, Porter. Your best bet is to get her to plead out. Either we talk now or you can make an appointment with my office, and we’ll talk when I’ve got time in a few days.”

“I don’t much care for having you trying to steamroll me,” I said softly. “I’m not one of your puppets, Bethany.”

She gave me a little smirk. “Whatever do you mean by that, Arik?”

I didn’t bother to respond. Turning around, I opened the door and shoved inside. Bethany followed me, but I ignored her, keeping my focus on Leayna. She was sitting in the chair, arms wrapped around herself and rocking as if she ached deep inside.

Her eyes, big and scared, met mine.

I went back to the seat I’d been using and took her hand. “Good news. We’ll be having the bail hearing soon.”

“That’s good news?”

“Once you post bail–”

“We’re going to ask that bail be denied,” Bethany interrupted as she gave Leayna a smile that brimmed with mock sympathy. “Standard procedure in murder cases.”

Leayna flinched and I almost wanted to put my arm around her.

“You don't have any proof,” I said.

“I’m simply pointing out–”

I stood up and cut around the table, moving out into the hall again. Bethany was too much a bulldog with her cases to chance having this fucked up by her staying in the room alone with my client, so she followed, as I’d expected her to.

Once she did, I closed the door again, resisting the urge to slam it. Once it was shut, I pivoted on Bethany, eyes narrowed and voice cold. “Don’t pull that shit again. I’m not some idealistic public defender fresh out of law school. I’ve been arguing cases almost as long as you, and I’m better.”

Her eyes glittered bright and hot. I'd seen this side of her before, and it hadn't been pleasant then either. She opened her mouth.

I cut her off before she could speak. “I’ve had less than thirty minutes to discuss things with my client and she's been in shock the entire time, which means she isn't yet capable of assisting in her own defense. So, unless you want me to bring this up to a judge, you're going to back the hell off and do things the right way.”

She sauntered closer, reaching up to stroke her fingers down my jawline. I jerked my head back out of her reach.

“You know, when we first met, I'd really hoped we could be...friendly,” Bethany murmured.

I shook my head. “No offense, I’d rather be friendly with a snake.”

She laughed, but it wasn't a nice sound. “Better prepare your client, and yourself. It doesn’t look good for either of you.”

I was starting to regret coming to New York after all.





Chapter Six





Dena





“Interesting.” Bethany looked at me after I finished and gave a slow, thoughtful nod. Her eyes were hard to read.

My new boss might've looked like the meaner, harder version of Lawyer Barbie, but she had one hell of a game face. After a moment, she shifted her attention to the file I’d given her and tapped it with a French manicured nail.

“You present a good argument.”

That sounded suspiciously like a compliment. I didn’t say it out loud, though. I simply inclined my head and said, “Thank you.”