The Veiled Cage (Lady Lawyer Series Romantic Suspense Novels Book 1)

by Johansen, Rita

  “No, I, I was preparing for this hearing.”

  “By not reviewing the defense’s disclosure? What could have possibly taken precedence?”

  “I had notes to review.”

  “Instructions from Stuart Johnston?”

  “Well, yes. If you must know.”

  “I bet he was rather detailed on how to pin the murder he committed on an innocent woman.”

  “That’s preposterous! How dare you defame the county attorney! He’ll have your bar card for such an unfounded and heinous accusation. Where’s your proof?”

  “In the discovery file I sent over.”

  Stark stood still, jaw open.

  “I know of two others that followed Stu’s instructions. One is dead. The other is missing. And they followed his orders perfectly.”

  “No, it’s . . .”

  “It’s what?”

  “It’s all set. The grand jury is scheduled. It’s open-and-shut.”

  “Do what’s right. This isn’t about you, Stark. It’s about a woman who did nothing wrong. She deserves to go home.”

  He stared back at the door—lost, silent.

  “See you in chambers. I trust you know the way?”She breezed down the hall, and into reception.“Hi, Regina. I’m here on the Susan Combes matter.”

  When Stark entered, the Regina asked,“Who’s this?”

  “This is Eugene Stark. He’s lead counsel for the state.”

  Regina raised an eyebrow at Ruby.

  “An assignment made by the county attorney himself.”

  “I see. Go ahead.”

  Without waiting for Stark, Ruby strode into chambers.“Good morning, Judge Penwick.”

  “Please, have a seat, Ms. Miller.”Not one to waste movement or time, she gave a curt nod, and asked,“Which matter?”

  “Susan Combes. Fourteen-eleven-seventy-one,”Ruby recited from memory.

  The judge pulled the file and perused it.“Where’s the prosecuting attorney—a Eugene Stark?”

  “He’s still in with Regina.”

  “What’s he doing there?”

  “I believe he’s composing himself, Your Honor.”

  “Is he new?”

  “New to his current position, yes.”

  “Is he qualified for a first-degree murder case?”

  “The county attorney made the assignment.”

  “Then who are we to question it?”

  “Precisely.”

  Stark emerged—pale and slouched. He focused on a chair and made a beeline for it, head down. He dropped his briefcase to his right and looked up. Somewhere along the way, he’d lost his books.

  “Shall we begin?”Judge Penwick asked.

  “The defense is ready to proceed.”

  “Go ahead, Ms. Miller.”

  “This morning, the defense submitted its discovery to the state.”

  “Have you had the opportunity to review it?”

  “No,”Stark squeaked.

  “That’s not entirely accurate, is it, Mr. Stark?”

  He sank in his chair.

  “What do you mean, Ms. Miller?”

  “For safety reasons, I had to wait to disclose discovery until Johnston’s arrest, which occurred at—”Ruby checked her PSC.“Eight-fifty-two.”

  “On what grounds?”the judge asked, eyebrows raised.

  “Stuart Johnston is in federal custody on charges related to first-degree murder for the benefit of a drug enterprise.”

  Stark did a boneless slide halfway off his chair before his elbow caught in an armrest.

  “I see.”

  “Shortly after his arrest, my paralegal sent discovery to Mr. Stark via his legal secretary. It included investigatory reports, photographs, forensic results, an expert profile by Dr. Amy Larson, and footage from surveillance equipment surreptitiously installed in my client’s home by Jerald Combes.”

  “The victim?”

  “No, Your Honor. You see, the murder for which Stuart Johnston is held is of an Anthony Priestley. He hired a plastic surgeon to give Priestley the face and prints of Combes. The surgeon is now missing.”

  “You cannot blindside me with this! It’s not fair!”

  “You arrived in the office today at nine. The discovery file was transmitted by then. You accessed the discovery file sent by my office. True?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “You haven’t reviewed discovery?”Judge Penwick asked.

  “No, Your Honor.”He squirmed in his seat, and pulled at his tie.

  “The most compelling piece is footage showing my client cleaning up her kitchen and heading to bed at the time of the murder.”

  “In light of the new evidence, will the state dismiss its case against Susan Combes?”

  “I’ll have to ask—”

  “Stuart Johnston?”Ruby interrupted.“You can see how that’d be inappropriate, as he’s held in a federal facility for the murder your office has pinned on my client. You’re lead counsel, Mr. Stark. The decision is yours.”

  “Well, I, I won’t dismiss at this time.”

  “Very well, then. If the state submits the evidence collected with Johnston’s involvement, and excludes the aforementioned exculpatory evidence, the state may bamboozle the grand jury into returning an indictment. In which case, the defense would request an Omnibus Hearing. The issue would be probable cause. In consideration of the extenuating circumstances in this case, it’s appropriate to release Susan Combes on her own recognizance until the defense may be heard on the issue of probable cause. If not an RPR, then any public safety concern would be assuaged by requiring Ms. Combes to wear a Trak bracelet. I’d request that her restrictions include movement about her home, the Ramirez Ranch for domestic-violence survivor therapy, and her place of employment.”

  “Domestic-violence survivor therapy?”

  “Yes, Your Honor. Her husband installed surveillance equipment in her house, and a spy application on her phone. Footage from the home shows Jerald Combes fracturing her wrist. The obvious conclusion is the correct one.”Ruby held up her hands.“A Trak under the requested conditions would be amenable to my client pending further proceedings.”

  “It was open and shut!”Stark blurted.

  “If that’s all the state has to add, I’ll grant the defense’s request.”

  Stark placed his hands on the armrests and looked ready to flee.

  “The state will be present to go on the record in open court?”

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  Ruby rose, and offered her hand.“Thank you, Your Honor.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Miller.”

  Ruby returned to the courtroom, located Emilio and Colin, and motioned for them to follow her out.

  “We’re on track. Let’s take a page from Jerry’s playbook, shall we?”

  “The spoofing application is activated. Stuart Johnston’s number is entered. What should I send? Susan is out? She goes home today?”

  “No way, this is Stuart talking,”Ruby said.“Hand it over. Let’s see.”She typed, and said,“Your woman is out on house arrest. That should do it.”She handed the PSC back to Colin. It beeped.“Well?”she prompted.

  “The bitch dies tonight,”Colin recited.

  “He expects his biggest thrill yet,”Emilio said.

  “It just might be.”

  ✧

  Arianna descended the steps and approached Susan slowly, as she did for each newcomer to her ranch, whether human or horse. Maintaining eye contact, she smiled and held out her hand, waiting for Susan to come to her. When she did, Arianna smiled.“I’m Arianna Ramirez. You can call me Anna. Welcome to my ranch. It’s not big enough to get lost on, but it’s the perfect size for my work. We’ll take care of your bags, and get you settled.”

  “I don’t have any—”

  “Sure you do, Susan. Ruby had your things sent over. She doesn’t miss a trick,”Jasmine said, and started to unload.

  “Justin, would you help Jasmine? I’ve set Susan up in the Virginia Roo
m.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “What would you like to do, Susan?”

  “I, I don’t know.”

  “Would you like to take a walk with me? Get some fresh air after being in a stale space?”

  “Yes, that sounds nice.”

  “I love this time of day. It’s still early enough that it could turn into anything. Full of potential. What’s your favorite time of day?”

  “The hour before dinner.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “I’m home from work, and have the house to myself.”

  “You have as much time and space to yourself here as you’d like. Feel free to wander the property. It’s all fenced in. You’ll know when you run out of land. Would you like to meet my staff?”

  “I’m, I’m not really dressed to meet anyone.”

  “You’re dressed perfectly.”Arianna led her into the stables.“They pay attention to how you act, not how you look.”

  A great white head poked out.“That’s Willow. She’s the most curious, always first to see what’s going on.”

  As if in response, Willow shook her head and whinnied.

  “It won’t be long now before Trenton takes a look.”

  Two stalls down, a black head appeared, shaking his mane.

  “He likes to look good for company. I was going to take him into the exercise ring. Would you like to join us?”Arianna asked.

  “Sure.”

  Arianna expertly haltered Trenton, and held the rope out to Susan.“Would you like to lead him? He’s an excellent follower.”

  “I, I wouldn’t know what to do,”Susan said, and kept her free hand at her side.

  “You’d take the lead rope a foot from the head collar with your right hand, and you’d hold the rest of the lead looped up in your left hand.”Arianna demonstrated.“You’d face this way, bring your hand slightly forward and click your tongue. Then you’d start walking. Would you like to try?”

  “What if he runs? He’d pull at my wrist.”She held up her cast, and wiggled her fingers.

  “I know him. He won’t run. I could stand to your left and hold the looped portion. What do you think?”

  “I think you should lead him. I’m no good at that sort of thing.”

  “You may be better than you think. Do whatever seems right. Feel free to walk alongside us. It’s enough that you’re with us, Susan.”

  Susan stayed at Arianna’s side, and gazed over at Trenton. Pace matched to Arianna’s, he gazed forward—the equine silent treatment.

  Tuned into him, Arianna said,“I know, Trent. You’ll have your freedom soon.”

  When they approached a round pen, Arianna said,“You may join us or stay outside. Once you’ve chosen your spot, close the gate.”Arianna led Trenton past the gate, and said,“Whoa.”

  Trenton stopped and lowered his head.

  Arianna removed the lead rope, patted his neck twice, and settled on the fence next to where Susan stood—inside.

  “What do we do now?”Susan asked.

  “I’m going to sit right here. You can do whatever you’d like.”

  Susan stepped toward Trenton, and then back to the fence. She started pacing.“I, I feel like I’m supposed to do something.”

  “What?”

  Susan held up her hand toward Trenton.

  He stood still.

  Susan started to cry.“I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Where else in your life do you feel that way?”

  “Everywhere.”

  “Horses are empathetic creatures. They pick up on cues. Trenton doesn’t know what you want from him, because you don’t know yourself. He’s as confused as you are. You’ve lost touch with what you want. Your world became what Jerry wanted. It’s your life, Susan. You get to choose.”

  “You’re a horse whisperer,”Susan said, awe-struck.

  “That’s what Ruby likes to say. We humans are not the only conscious beings to converse with one another. Horses have a native language. I’ve taken the time to learn it.”

  “You make it sound so easy.”She eyed Trenton warily.“You said I’d see your staff.”

  “Yes, and you have. Trenton and Willow are my best therapists. My ranch is a retreat center for survivors of abuse—like you, and like me.”

  Susan studied her and cast her eyes down.“I had no idea. You’re nothing like me. You’re so sure of yourself.”

  “I think we’re more alike than you realize. My abuser never cleaned up the mess he made. Neither will yours. He’s trashed your front yard for years, and left you to clean it up. You don’t have to do it alone.”

  “I don’t know where to start.”

  “We’re going to spend the day working through where you’ve been. You need to understand you weren’t responsible for any of it. By the time the sun rises tomorrow, it will be over. He won’t be able to hurt you anymore. And you’ll have these beautiful possibilities spreading before you for your life. It’s yours. It was never his. I’m going to help you figure out what to do with it, if you’d like.”

  “Yes, I’d like that.”

  “See, you’ve made a choice already. Well done, Susan. And look.”She pointed.

  Trenton ambled toward Susan.

  “Hold out your hand again. This time, bow your head, and hold still.”

  Susan did so.

  Trenton nuzzled Susan’s hand.

  She laughed, and stroked his nose with her free hand.

  Trenton moved forward.

  Susan stepped back.

  Trenton stepped back.

  “You’re okay, Susan. You’re safe. If you’d like him to move closer, hold your hand out again and bow your head.”

  Eyes on Trenton, she gave a heavy sigh. She extended her hand and lowered her head.

  Trenton nosed in and nuzzled her hand.

  “If it feels right to you, reciprocate however you’d like.”

  Susan walked to Trenton’s shoulder and leaned her forehead against it.

  Turning his head, he enfolded Susan between the barrel of his torso and his solid trunk of a neck.

  “Horse hug. Trent loves giving them. He’ll hold you as long as you’d like.”

  After a while, Susan pulled back, and stayed near him, stroking his neck.“That was . . .”

  “The best thing ever?”

  She broke into a grin.“Yeah, it felt amazing.”

  “Would you like to sit?”

  “Yeah, I would.”Susan joined Arianna on the fence, and watched Trenton break into a trot.

  Chapter 20

  Ruby and Emilio carried groceries into the kitchen and put them away, knowing if they put them in the wrong place Jerald wouldn’t notice.

  Jerald perked up and moved closer to the screen. Look at that worthless woman, he thought. She needs another idiot to help her unload groceries.

  “I have no idea how you talked me into an e-geek as backup.”

  “I demonstrated my affinity for rigorous exercise. I can hold my own.”He watched her toss ingredients haphazardly on the counter and dig through cookware, selecting a jumbo pot and perching it on the stove with a look of triumph.

  Stupid woman, fumbling around.

  Holding up a lemon, Emilio said,“Your cooking skills leave something to be desired.”

  Ruby laughed.“True, although you won’t be able to say that for long. Gabi is determined to make a chef of me yet.”

  “Yes, she is. Until the transformation is complete, allow me to cook you dinner. My stomach and I insist.”

  She raised her hands and stepped away from the stove.“Go for it, Chef Milo.”

  He swooped down for a quick kiss.

  “Enough sap. I’m hungry.”

  “Your romantic bent is irresistible. We must make this realistic for our audience.”

  “How so?”Ruby peered over his shoulder as he sliced a lemon.

  That bitch isn’t even replacing me with a real man.

  Emilio pivoted and covered her mouth w
ith his. He held her emerald gaze with his smoky eyes before turning back to their dinner.“Now you can attest to my agility.”

  Whoring herself in my house. Jerry chucked his glass at the screen, and swore when both shattered. She deserves everything that’s coming to her for all she’s put me through.

  “This pert nose I’m sporting for the evening is pretty cute,”Ruby said.

  He tapped her nose.“I prefer slightly crooked.”He turned to the cutting board to hide his smile.“Although I have a weakness for brunettes. Perhaps you’d consider a change?”

  “Careful, I have very good aim. And it’d blow our cover to have me chuck this plate at your head.”

  “I’m relieved you’ve fallen as soundly under my spell as I have under yours, Querida.”

  Ruby grinned.“And I do not have a crooked nose. It healed quite nicely.”

  “From?”

  “From when a girl kicked me in the face during a karate tournament. We were thirteen. She was sick of second place. I left a nice bloody handprint on the back of her white karate uniform when the match was over. Good sportswomanship is important.”

  “That’s only fair.”

  “I thought so. My mother was mortified.”

  “By your injury?”

  “Yes. She feared no boy would have me. I’d be dateless and scorned at homecoming. Mother refused to let Clubfoot Cassie dash her dream—to have a daughter perfect in appearance and manner.”

  “Clubfoot Cassie?”

  “Mother coined the nickname. She loathed that girl, and demanded that I undergo repairs.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I had no interest in being a pretty, pretty princess.”

  “What did you want to be?”

  “An international spy. Mother refused to let me study languages I insisted I’d need for my future profession.”

  “Such as?”

  “Sanskrit, Farsi.”

  “You never put your differences in aesthetics aside?”

  “The older I got, the more different we became. She’d tell you that her hard work amounted to nothing. I’m in an abominable profession, the sewer of the legal profession—nothing prestigious or fancy enough to tell her country-club friends about over tea.”

  “Your work matters.”

  “I know.”

  “You’re here tonight catching a batterer, a stalker, a drug kingpin, a murderer. Nobody would have seen his sinister side if not for you. You uncovered the truth.”