Mountain Top(22)
“Yes, she contacted me looking for you after it happened. I gave her your number at the church and urged her to call you.”
“I haven’t heard a word.”
“Do you know how to reach her?”
“No. She didn’t have a phone the last time we talked.”
“I’ll track her down and let you know. What else can I do for you?”
Mike turned around and shut the door.
“I can’t believe I’m doing it, but I’ve agreed to help an old man who is in some trouble. He runs a lawncare business and preaches on the side. He’s a strange person, but I think he’s as innocent as Danny and—”
“Sam Miller,” Juanita interrupted.
“Do you know him?”
“Oh yeah.” The tone of Juanita’s voice changed. “But I don’t know why you’d want to help him. I think he’s either a fraud or a fortune-teller. He told my cousin Lou some things and claimed he was speaking for God, but it was all bogus. I think Lou even gave him some money.”
“Did he ask for the money?”
“I don’t know the details. Lou is a trusting person who is vulnerable to manipulation. What kind of trouble is Miller having?”
“Criminal charges. He’s accused of embezzling money from a church.”
Juanita pursed her lips. “That figures. I know the law says the accused is innocent until proven guilty, but I’d be careful. You’re wrong about one thing. Sam Miller isn’t another Danny Brewster. Danny was a sweet boy abused by that sorry older brother of his. This is different, and I’d hate to see your name linked to Miller in a way that damages your reputation. It’s one thing for an ordinary lawyer to represent someone in a criminal case, but you’re in another world now. People will assume you believe Miller is innocent, and if he’s not, the taint of his guilt will spill onto you.”
“You feel that strongly about him?”
“Yes. I’ve always told you the truth. You could have fired me when I did it before.” Juanita smiled slightly. “Now, I’m immune from a pink slip signed by you, but that doesn’t change who I am. My cousin’s experience with Sam Miller was bad, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Mike was silent for a few seconds. “I appreciate your concern. My main job is to get Miller out on bond so he can hire another lawyer. Bobby is going to work on that part. Is he here?”
“No, he had to leave early this morning for a meeting in Asheville. He’s doing a lot of work for Mr. Forrest.”
“Yeah, he mentioned that last night at the church.”
Juanita lowered her voice. “Did he tell you about Jeff?”
Mike nodded.
“A whole lot of new work is getting dumped on me, too,” Juanita continued. “I was here until seven o’clock last night.”
Mike made a quick decision. “And I’m not going to add to your load by asking you to type any paperwork for the Miller case.”
“Are you sure?” Juanita replied hurriedly. “I wasn’t trying to avoid helping you.”
“I know, but what you’ve told me is more valuable than a few pecks on the keyboard. Tell Bobby I’ll call him later.”
“Okay.”
“And thanks for letting me know about Danny.” Mike opened the door to leave. “One other thing. What is your cousin’s full name?”
“Lou Jasper.”
STILL THINKING ABOUT DANNY BREWSTER, MIKE WALKED ACROSS the street to the courthouse. He would track down Danny’s mother and offer condolences, but he wasn’t sure what else to do. He walked up the familiar steps to the courthouse. The first floor of the building had high ceilings that helped keep the courthouse cool in summer, but, more importantly, communicated to those who entered the gravity of the business conducted there.
The district attorney’s office was on the ground floor next to the main courtroom. Emblazoned in gold paint over the entrance were the words Ken West, District Attorney. At the rear of the office suite was a door that opened directly into the courtroom. On trial and arraignment days, the prosecutors would make a grand entrance beside the bench where the judge sat. It always looked a little too cozy to Mike, but there was no legal reason to seal the door. The government lawyers argued that proximity to the courtroom resulted in increased efficiency.
No one was in the reception area. Mike looked down the hall. He knew the rotund district attorney’s office was the last one on the left. He edged down the hall.
“Anyone here?” he asked.
When no one appeared, Mike retreated to the reception area. Photographs of West posing with well-known political figures hung on the wall.