could be a telltale sign of hidden weapons, but I don’t see any.
Comforted a little, I try to unlock my muscles to appear relaxed. “It’s time you told me who you are,” I nudge after he doesn’t say anything for the first few moments.
The wind tracks a piece of hair over my face, so I bring it back around, tucking it behind my ear and wait for his response.
“I’m Mr. Lordson, attorney for Rocket Enterprises.”
I recognize the name—obviously—but I don’t show any outward signs to that fact, even though my heartbeat starts to pick up. “You’re going to have to do better than that, Mr. Lordson.”
“He’ll be pleased with that response.” Mr. Lordson reaches into one of his interior pockets, a smile playing over his cracked lips.
I still, unable to figure out if he’s reaching for a weapon or something else.
He notices my reaction, so he lifts a finger to tell me to hold on a second. My fingers itch to grab the contraband knife I won off another resident from my pocket, but I resist. Finally, it pays off. Mr. Lordson pulls a white packet from his pocket. He takes it in his hands, smoothing it out. With a grin, he passes it over to me.
I take it, instantly recognizing the logo of the hot chocolate I love. I crush it in my fingers and slip it into my pocket. I nod at Mr. Lordson to go on, instantly relaxing. This guy is a friend.
“Now that we got that settled...” He takes a seat on the wide railing with me. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he runs it over his forehead before putting it away. “I’ve been working with Mr. Marx from the beginning of your...delicate situation.” He takes a deep breath, resting his hands casually on his thighs. He’s older than a lawyer I would’ve pegged the Crew hiring. His hands are weathered and wrinkled, but with those wrinkles probably comes a hell of a lot of knowledge. “I’m here to tell you that not thirty minutes ago, DA Schneider has decided not to press charges against you for the death of Dominique Jenkins due to lack of evidence.”
A whoosh of air releases from my lungs, and I grip the railing with my hands. I’m not being charged with murder. I don’t think I’ve ever heard more glorious words.
Mr. Lordson nods. “They had your fingerprints on the murder weapon, however, just because your prints were on the weapon doesn’t mean you pulled the trigger. The eyewitness—”
“Bogus eyewitness,” I interrupt, silently seething. There’s no way there could’ve been an eyewitness because I definitely didn’t shoot that poor young girl. The whole thing has reeked as a setup from day one.
The corners of Lordson’s eyes crinkle. “Well, he has changed his tune, much to the dismay of Detective Reynolds and the DA.”
I can’t even feel bad about the possibilities that come to mind regarding how the Crew handled that situation, considering the fucker was lying in the first place. “So, not enough evidence?”
“Not at this time,” Lordson says. “In cases such as this, they’ll usually wait to acquire more evidence. They don’t want to charge you formally if there’s any possibility a jury wouldn’t convict.”
His words burn my brain. Something similar was uttered to my aunt and uncle about Big Daddy K murdering my parents, though I suspect that was just bullshit. They were too scared to go after him and what he represented. As far as my case goes, I suspect it’s a lot more accurate. “So, it’s not over?”
Lordson shakes his head. He glares at the peeling paint that surrounds the picture window. “I’m afraid not, Ms. Samson, however, since they’ve decided not to pursue you at the moment, you’re allowed to leave this place. In fact, I believe—”
The attorney cuts off just as a sleek black car pulls up to the curb. My mind whirs. He’s here. One of them is here. Someone is here.
For me.
The car parks and sits there, idling. The damned tinted windows don’t give any indication in regard to who’s inside, and I can barely keep myself together.
I stand on shaky feet, and Mr. Lordson stands with me. “Just one last word, dear. That Detective Reynolds is one persistent SOB. As your lawyer, I need to inform you to stay out of trouble. I have a feeling he’ll use anything he has against you, and you’re not out of the woods yet. Should other evidence arise, you could be right back here.