Jack smiled. “One of my clients is dead and another is missing. Considering your client has a cult following capable of God only knows what, I’d say there’s a lot going on we can’t even fathom.”
Finley for one was grateful Jack didn’t mention the other missing client. It was bad enough that they knew it. No need to tell the world just yet. She reached for the carafe in the middle of the table and poured herself a coffee while relishing the start of a battle between the best and a runner-up.
“What we have here,” Briggs spoke up, “is a hell of a mess. This ridiculous proceeding is a travesty, and nothing good will come of it. Your client, Mr. Siniard, should never have been granted a new trial.”
Siniard laughed. “I refuse to justify that statement with a response. Everyone at this table knows the law.”
Finley glanced around the conference table. She’d sat at this table many times during discussions exactly like this one. Deals were hashed out. Pleas were bargained. But there would be no deals today.
This was not going away quietly.
“I’m still reeling from the idea that one of your clients,” Chief Lawrence said to Jack, “called you to the scene of a murder without calling the police first. And that you and your investigator”—he pointed a finger at Finley—“wasted valuable time before making the call yourselves. You contaminated a crime scene. Potentially rendered whatever evidence is found worthless.”
“There was the matter of calming down our client, Chief,” Jack said. “Our first obligation was to her.”
“Bullshit,” Lawrence raved.
“I’m sorry, gentlemen,” Jack offered. “If we’re not here to discuss Mr. Holmes admitting this entire fiasco is a fantasy, then we’re done.”
Go, Jack!
“We’re here,” Briggs said, “because lines are being crossed.” He looked at Finley as he said this. “I want to make it clear that I will be bringing these issues to Judge O’Sullivan for review.”
“You do what you think you have to, Briggs,” Jack assured him. “If the Judge can find fault with any of our known steps, I’ll be the first to suggest sanctions.”
The key word, Finley mused, being known.
“I’m watching you,” Siniard said, his gaze burning through Finley.
Yeah. Yeah. He should tell her something she didn’t already know.
Jack turned to Finley. “Let’s go.”
They stood together and walked out of the conference room to the sound of dead silence.
They were out of the building and on the sidewalk before uttering a word to each other. Too many ears.
“Can you believe that shit?” Jack snapped as he stalked toward his Land Rover.
“I can.” Finley lengthened her stride to keep up with him. “Their case is flimsy, and they know it.” The single piece of evidence Siniard had was that handwritten note supposedly from Cecelia.
They climbed into Jack’s vehicle.
“The problem is,” he said as he started the engine and prepared to merge into traffic, “they opened a can of worms with this case, and now they can’t close it back up. All kinds of shit is spilling out.”
“Like Bethany Briggs and her relationship with Cecelia.”
“Bingo. The last thing Briggs wants is to have to admit that he pushed the Holmes case through to protect his little girl’s reputation.” Jack made the turn that would take them back to Finley’s house for her car.
“I’m guessing Lawrence threw his support behind Briggs and now he’s worried it’ll come back to bite him in the ass.” Finley hated when the powers that be played God.
“If we don’t find our clients,” Jack warned, “this will not end well.”
“I’ll keep trying to track them down.” She’d already called a friend who had a friend who could illegally track cell phones. Hopefully he could help. Her cell vibrated. She checked the screen. She’d forgotten to take it off silent after they’d left the conference room. The kitchen manager from Riverbend. Maybe news from the prison would turn this crappy day around. “It’s Mickey.”
Jack pulled to the curb in front of her house while she answered the call.
“What’s up? I have you on speaker—Jack is here with me.”
“I may have an opportunity for you.”
“We could use one,” Jack said.
“Our man Holmes is having a visit with the doctor today, and there’s a nurse who called in sick, so a sub is supposed to be coming. I’ve made the necessary arrangements for you, Finley, to be that sub for the appointment with Holmes at one. Can you handle that?”