I nodded. I had no doubts. From what I learned in legal ethics class, Larry was definitely violating ethics by putting me this case, and consequently, I was as well. But this was a small town.
What he said made a lot of sense. If we were that stringent about conflicts, we’d have to bring in outside counsel to prosecute every case. That wouldn’t be feasible. So I would work the case to the best of my ability. I didn’t want Talon to go to jail. I could see that he paid restitution and got community service or something.
I walked out of the building, and Marj met me with some takeout.
“I grabbed us some food. I thought we could eat in the park. Such a beautiful day. Might help us take our minds off Talon.”
Talon. Why did I have to be the one to tell her?
“Talon came back,” I said.
She smiled. “Really? Where is he? What happened?” Then her happy face fell. “Oh, God.”
I swallowed, nodding. “Marj, I can’t have dinner with you right now. I have to go next door. I have a case to work on. Talon has been arrested. Colin filed charges against him for assault and battery. That’s why the cops were looking for him last night.”
Marj clamped her hand to her mouth. “What are we going to do? I’ll go with you.”
I shook my head. “I need to go alone. This is business.”
“But he’s my brother.”
“That’s exactly why I need to go. You’re too emotionally involved.” What a crock. I was just as emotionally involved, if not more so. “Besides, it’s my job.”
“But you’re working for the city attorney. That means…”
I nodded. “Yes, that means I’m working against Talon. But don’t worry. I’m going to take care of this so that he’s in as little trouble as possible. I promise you.”
“I need to walk over to the firm and get an attorney for him,” Marj said.
I nodded again. “That’s a good idea. Hurry. It’s almost five. They might be closing soon. I’ll let him know another attorney is on the way.”
Marj ran off, still carrying our food, while I plodded over to the police station.
Fifteen minutes later, I was sitting in a witness room across the table from Talon. Even in orange, the man was a god. He made prison garb look like Armani.
He didn’t speak, clearly on edge. Tense. It was written all over his face, from his pursed lips and clenched jaw to his wrinkled forehead.
I cleared my throat softly. “Talon, I want you to know that you can have an attorney present during this meeting.”
“You mean you’re not my attorney?”
I shook my head. How I wished I were. “No, I’m the assistant city attorney. Larry Wade just hired me and gave me this case.”
Talon rolled his eyes. “Oh, for the love of God…” He glared at me, his eyes black and angry.
“You’re not thinking anything I haven’t already thought myself. But this will be all right. I can make sure everything turns out okay. The first thing we need to do is get you an attorney.”
“Jade, you have to get me out of here. I don’t want an attorney.”
“If you want to get out of here, you need one. Marj is heading over to the firm right now to find one for you.”
“Those jokers? I wouldn’t pay one of them to represent me.”
“Talon—”
“I plead guilty, damn it. I fucking plead guilty. Send me off to prison.”
My brain was rattled for a moment. Had I heard him right? “Talon, I’m going to consider this all off the record. You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“You are a representative of the city of Snow Creek and consequently the state of Colorado. I am pleading guilty to you, an officer of the court. Take my plea, and send me up the river.”
What was with him? Three seconds ago, he wanted me to get him out of there. “As I said,” I continued through clenched teeth, “this is all off the record. This conversation is not taking place. Any guilty plea you want to enter with me is not going to get entered. I will not be taking any pleas from you, only from your attorney.”
He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “Suit yourself.”
“Now, I can help you. Colin is a reasonable man. I’m sure he will agree to drop the charges if you pay him restitution.”
“I’m not paying that asshole off.”
“Talon, you beat the crap out of him. He might have medical bills. You owe him that much.”
Talon said nothing, just crossed his arms and glared at me.