He looked at the weapon and back at Chase.
“I’m not going to be able to watch your back every second.”
“I don’t have a gun permit.”
“The next time he threatens to kill you, he’s probably not going to ask for one.” She smirked and cocked her head.
“Good point,” he said, sticking the gun in his pocket. “Where’d you get the arsenal in there?”
“Like I said, long story.”
She turned, and Jason reached for her arm, squeezing it gently. “Thanks again,” he said.
“You gonna be around?” she asked.
Standing there, in his crumpled suit with a loaner gun stuck in his front pocket, badly needing a shave and a shower, Jason felt self-conscious and a bit ridiculous as his heart rate picked up speed. “I think so,” he said.
35
An hour and a half later, Jason walked through the doors of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. He went to the reception desk and saw the same woman he’d seen the day prior.
“Well, well, well. Back again so soon, Mr. Rich?”
“I’m here to see my sister.” He paused but didn’t break eye contact. “My client.”
“OK,” she said, looking hard at him. “I’ll let them know. Have a seat, and someone will be right out.”
Jason took a seat and crossed his legs, trying to look relaxed. He’d driven straight from Mill Creek to the hotel. He’d showered, shaved, and put on a fresh shirt and tie. He was wearing the same suit, but he’d only brought one, and a quick ironing job had smoothed out the wrinkles. On the way to the Hampton Inn, he’d called Izzy. When she’d answered, he’d forgone any pleasantries. He’d made up his mind.
“I want you to draft me up a notice of appearance as counsel for Jana.”
“Are you out of your—”
“I also want you to look at discovery in criminal cases in Alabama and see what we can get.”
“I haven’t handled a single criminal matter in my life, and neither have you.”
“Well, with this one and one more, we’ll have handled two. I don’t have time to argue with you, Izzy. I have to do this to protect my family.”
“Jason, talk to me. What’s happened?”
“Call Professor Adams over at Cumberland. We’ve given a lot of money to the school. Tell her we’d like her to consult with us, and we’ll pay her a handsome fee to be a guiding post.” He’d paused to catch his breath and could tell his partner was furiously scribbling notes. Pamela Adams was the dean of criminal law at Cumberland and the best teacher Jason ever had. She’d probably agree to consult for free given the high profile nature of the case, but he knew you got what you paid for.
“Anything else?” Izzy asked. The protest in her voice was gone.
“Yeah. Send Harry. ASAP.”
He’d clicked end without further discussion. That was how he rolled when he worked. No wasted effort. No squandered time. It felt exhilarating and oddly comforting to be back in the arena, even if defending a murder case was uncharted territory.
Jason watched the double doors to the side of the reception area swing open. District Attorney Shay Lankford walked toward him with something between a smirk and a scowl.
“I saw your notice of appearance.”
Jason smiled. Once engaged, there was no one faster on the draw than Izzy Montaigne. She’d filed the notice within an hour of their call. “Yes. I’ve decided to represent Jana.”
“Does your client know?” Shay asked.
“Why would you ask that?”
Shay shrugged. “Let’s just say the guards that bring Jana her meals have reported that she seems to say a lot of ugly things about you.”
“She’s my sister. We fight like hell, but we’re family.” The words sounded odd coming out of his mouth.
Shay stepped closer. “I hope you aren’t planning to turn this case into some kind of circus.”
Jason frowned. “What are you suggesting?”
She crossed her arms. “Oh, come on, Captain Billboard. You’re a walking publicity stunt. Just don’t expect Judge Carlton or Judge Barber to put up with any kind of shenanigans.”
Jason felt a trickle of anxiety run through him. He didn’t recognize the names of either of the two circuit court judges. Undeterred, he forced a grin. “I’m going to be myself.”
Before Shay could respond, an officer approached them. “The detainee is in the consultation room.”