by Ruth Langan
They settled into comfortable overstuffed chairs with a small, round table between them. When Cam merely sat back and said nothing, Summer glanced at him with a look of suspicion.
“Isn’t this the time when you try to convince me to allow Tio to continue to visit his father in prison?”
Cam merely shrugged. “You said my discussion with the warden hadn’t changed your mind.”
“That’s right. But I thought the whole purpose of your visit was to try again.”
“Is that what you thought?” He sipped his coffee.
Intrigued, she tucked her legs under her and watched him. He looked entirely too smug. “What are you up to?”
“You have a very suspicious mind, Ms. O’Connor.”
“When a man plies me with food and wine, I figure he wants something in return.”
“My, my. I can see that you’ve been hanging around with the wrong kind of men.” He drained his cup and got to his feet. “It’s time for me to say good-night.”
“Good-night?” She set her half-filled cup on the table and followed him to the door of her apartment. “Well, thank you for this lovely surprise.”
“You’re welcome.”
He opened the door and stepped out.
“Cam.” Puzzled, Summer paused in the open doorway and touched a hand to his shoulder.
He turned. “Something I forgot?”
“No. I just wanted…” She felt her face flame. In truth, she’d expected him to kiss her again. Had wanted him to. “If you’d like, I’ll read your report again. Maybe I was a bit hasty.”
He shrugged. “Whatever you’d like, Summer.”
She cleared her throat. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I won’t be home. I promised Tio that if he didn’t miss any school this week, I’d drive him to prison to visit with his father.”
“You what?”
“I said I…”
She lifted her hand, palm up, cutting him off. “I heard you. I can’t believe you would go behind my back like this.”
Instead of the argument she anticipated, he merely leaned close and gave her a devilish smile. “I love what happens to your eyes when you get mad.”
“Don’t try that phony charm.” She started to pull back, but he snagged her wrist and held her close.
“They could cut out a man’s heart at twenty paces. And when you’re aroused, they could melt glaciers.” He leaned even closer, until she could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. “I had every intention of leaving without tempting myself.” His smile was deceptive. “But now I believe I’m going to have to kiss you.”
Before she could frame a refusal he cupped a hand to the back of her head and covered her mouth with his.
She experienced the most incredible heat racing through her veins until she was staggered by it. She felt the room do a slow tilt that caused her to reach out and clutch blindly at his waist.
His lips were warm and firm and agile, moving over hers with a skill that had the breath backing up in her lungs. With nothing more than his mouth on hers, he had her heart tumbling in her chest and her mind taking her to the most dangerous places. The thought of lying in his arms, his hands on her, had the blood throbbing in her temples. She couldn’t resist the little purr of pleasure that escaped her lips.
When he finally lifted his head, he stared at her and touched a hand lightly to her cheek. “I don’t know about you, but to my way of thinking that was better than chocolate.”
He strode down the hall, leaving her staring silently after him. Hoping the floor would soon stop swaying.
Chapter 6
Summer stood on the little balcony off the kitchen, watching a spectacular sunrise. Thanks to Cameron Lassiter, she’d put in a less than restful night.
He’d caught her off guard. After so many psych classes, she thought herself an excellent judge of character. But Cam refused to fit neatly into any slot. She’d scorned him for being just another hotshot lawyer trying to make a name for himself. It was true that he was bright enough and ambitious enough to be employed by one of the finest law firms in a city filled with outstanding legal minds. Why then was he taking a day off to drive an inner-city kid to visit a prison inmate? Was he just doing this to irritate her? Or was there something more going on here?
She sipped her coffee and thought about all the contradictions in this man. He was smooth and glib and, from her own observations, very sure of himself with women. Yet last night he’d been laid-back and fun. She had to admit that she’d had a really good time. Of course, if she wanted to be completely honest, she would also have to admit that she was greatly relieved to learn that there had been nothing between Cam and her sister. Especially after that kiss. She couldn’t remember when she’d been so affected by a simple kiss. Yet he’d apparently had every intention of leaving without kissing her. In truth, she’d been the one to call him back. She couldn’t even recall why, though if she wanted to be honest with herself, it was because she’d been puzzled by his lack of interest.
And then that kiss.
Had it all been an act? Had he pretended indifference just to gauge her reaction? Or had that kiss been purely spontaneous?
Either way, the effect had been devastating. He’d cost her a night’s sleep. Even now, miles away, he was messing with her mind.
She set the empty cup aside and leaned on the balcony railing. Maybe, after a long shower, she would read Cam’s report again, and withhold her decision. At least until he reported on Tio’s visit with his father.
After submitting to a search for weapons and contraband and filling out the proper forms, Cam sat in the dingy room at McCutchin Prison and watched as Tio Johnson signed the visitor’s log and was handed a pass. By now Cam was used to the drill. But he could still recall his shocking introduction to the impersonal treatment meted out to those who came to visit prisoners.
Many of the people who came here to visit friends and relatives had driven for hours. Yet once they arrived, they found little hospitality. No vending machines offering food or drink. No soft chairs to ease old, tired bones. Not a shred of comfort afforded those who waited in the crowded, airless room, sometimes for hours.
His first glimpse of a state prison had occurred when, as a novice lawyer at Stern Hayes Wheat ley, he’d agreed to a request by his mother to look into the conviction of a gang member doing twenty years for murder. He smiled, remembering. He hadn’t wanted to get involved. His work at the firm was heady stuff for a young lawyer. He’d found himself dealing with international financiers, politicians, global movers and shakers. He was already spending fifty and sixty hours a week struggling to keep up with the workload. But as a favor to his mother he had agreed to read the file.
It had been a shocking discovery. Though it had taken a little digging, Cam had uncovered glaring flaws in the case. When confronted, the court-appointed lawyer who’d handled the defense had admitted that he’d had little time to prepare a case. After only two days of testimony a jury had convicted, and a judge had been forced to follow the letter of the law and sentence the convicted man to twenty years.
It still gave Cam a thrill to realize that it was his hard work that had uncovered enough questions to force a new trial. What had started out as a favor to Kate Lassiter had ended with an innocent man being reunited with his family.
For a lawyer who spent all his time in court battling for money for his already wealthy clients, it was heady stuff indeed to gain a man’s freedom. To be instrumental in giving him back his life.
It had been the beginning of a secondary career that was starting to take up as much of his time as his primary employer. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to stop. Each time he helped free an innocent man, Cam found himself a little more eager to take on the challenge again.
Still, this one was different. Alfonso Johnson’s crime was a little too close for comfort. Though Cam hadn’t had time to review the trial transcripts, he had formed an instant dislike for the man in light of wh
at he’d done. The only reason Cam had come today was to keep his word to the man’s son.
The boy took his seat beside Cam. They had driven for nearly two hours from the city in total silence.
The boy was small and wiry and looked lost in the faded baggy denims and dingy T-shirt. His sneakers had so many holes in them, they were barely holding together. But it wasn’t his clothes that set him apart; it was his anger. He wore it like a badge.
“What time did they assign you?”
The boy didn’t bother to look at Cam. “Noon.”
Cam studied the pass in the boy’s hand, then caught sight of the bruised knuckles. “Looks like you use your fists. You any good?”
Tio shrugged. “When I have to be.”
“How often is that?”
The boy’s head came up. Heat flared briefly in his eyes. “Whenever anybody says something about my dad doing time.”
“You get teased about him?”
He looked down at his shoes. “Yeah.”
“How’re you doing in school?”
“Fine.”
“That’s not what I heard.”
The slender shoulders moved. “I’m failing. Big deal.”
“It’ll be a big deal one day.”
“Yeah? When?”
“When you’re too big for school and can’t get a job. When your grandmother’s dead and your father’s still in the joint and you’re out on the street.”
“I can take care of myself.” To escape, Tio lurched out of his seat and leaned against the far wall, arms crossed over his chest.
Annoyed with himself, Cam leaned back and stretched out his long legs, trying to find a comfortable position on the hard metal chair.
Good going, Lassiter. I’m sure that’ll straighten the kid out. Now why don’t you go over there and kick him while he’s down?
He pulled a bag of peanuts out of his pocket and decided to try again. Crossing the room he held it out. “Have some.”
His offer was greeted with stony silence.
He popped a handful into his mouth, then held out the bag. “You need these.”
“What for?”
“To fuel that temper. Did you know that anger burns twice the calories of laughter?”
“Says who?”
“I read it in a comic book.”
That had the boy looking at him.
“Okay. So maybe it was a textbook. But when I was your age, I got a lot of my information out of comic books. You read any good ones lately?”
Tio didn’t smile. But he did reach for the bag of peanuts and fill his hand before giving it back. “I hate reading.”
“That’s your first mistake. Reading is your way out.”
“Out of what?”
“This life you’re so fond of.”
The boy gave him a long, steady look. “You think you’re smart.”
“I am. And you know how I got that way?”
Tio didn’t respond.
“By reading. If you can read, you can teach yourself anything.” Seeing that the boy wasn’t going to speak to him, he held out the bag.
The two stood munching in silence until a guard shouted, “Johnson. Tio.”
The boy hurried forward, then waited until a second guard led him through an open doorway into the visitor’s section. Cam crumpled the bag and stuffed it into his pocket before taking a seat. It was going to be a long day.
Cam threaded the car through traffic while the boy sat, sullen and silent, in the passenger seat. The angry, nervous tap of his foot was the only sign of his agitation.
Spotting a diner, Cam looked over. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
In the parking lot he turned off the ignition and pocketed the keys. “Come on. I’ll buy you some lunch.”
Tio followed him inside where they found an empty booth. A young woman in shorts and a T-shirt came for their order.
Cam glanced at Tio. “How about a burger and fries?”
When the boy nodded he turned to the waitress. “Two burgers and fries and two tall root beers.”
When their order came Tio wolfed his down without even tasting it.
Cam polished off a fry. “How about another?”
The boy shook his head. “Gram will have supper waiting.”
“You like living with your grandmother?”
Tio shrugged. “It’s okay. I’d rather be with my dad.”
“We can’t always have what we want.”
Tio’s nostrils flared. “Who said anything about ‘we’? Looks like you got everything you want. Big flashy car.” He nodded toward the gold watch on Cam’s wrist. “You didn’t buy that in no pawnshop.”
Cam grinned. “You got that right. I came by all this the old-fashioned way. By working hard.”
The boy studied him. “Those hands are too soft for hard work. My dad worked from morning until dark every night. He was the strongest dad in the neighborhood. I can still remember the way he could carry me and three friends in his arms with room to spare.”
“That’s strong.” Cam smiled. “What did your father do?”
“He hauled other people’s garbage. It was the only work he could get.” Tio’s voice lowered. “But it wasn’t good enough for some people.”
This was, Cam realized, the closest the boy had ever come to mentioning his mother. He deliberately kept his tone gentle. “Some people want more than they have.”
“Nothing ever satisfies some people.” The boy’s eyes flashed. “Give ’em the moon, they’ll ask for the stars. That’s what my dad says.”
“What does your dad want?”
“His life back. My dad told me today that if he ever got another chance, he’d never complain again about hauling garbage.”
Cam fell silent, thinking about the man Al fonso Johnson was accused of killing. Dead men didn’t get second chances.
Aloud he merely said, “I guess the life that seemed pretty dreary can look awfully good once it’s been taken away.” Seeing the waitress heading toward them he dug in his pocket and handed her some money before leading the way out to the car.
As they rejoined the streams of traffic Cam glanced at the boy beside him. “I knew a kid who thought he was pretty good with his fists. Used to pick fights with guys twice his size just for the fun of it.”
That had Tio’s interest. “Did he get his butt kicked?”
Cam nodded. “A lot. That just made him madder and tougher. So he picked more fights. He got kicked out of so many schools, there weren’t any left that would consider taking him. Except one. Military school.”
“Wow.” The boy shook his head from side to side. “Now that’s one unlucky dude.”
“Yeah. He wasn’t happy. But he had no choices left.”
“What’d he do?”
Cam sighed. “He had to find other outlets for his anger.”
“How?”
“By becoming the kid everybody else had to beat in class. He stayed up studying half the night, hiding a flashlight under the blankets, just so he’d get the highest grade on a test.”
Tio snorted. “What was that supposed to prove?”
“That he could leave everyone in his dust.”
The boy looked unimpressed. “I suppose you’re going to tell me he grew up to be President or something.”
“Nope.” Cam brought his car to the curb outside the tired-looking old house Tio shared with his grandmother. “But he took some satisfaction out of graduating at the top of his class. And he found out that there are all kinds of ways to fight and win.”
The boy opened the car door and climbed out. Once on the sidewalk he turned and called through the open window, “I’d still rather fight with my fists.”
“Yeah.” Cam smiled. “There’s something to be said for the crunch of fist against bone. Unless—” his smile faded “—the other guy has a gun. Then you might find yourself wishing you’d challenged your opponent to a battle of brains instead of brawn.” He lifted a hand in salute. �
��If your grandmother tells me you stayed in school all week, I’ll see you again next weekend for another visit with your dad. Deal?”
The boy considered, then nodded glumly. “Deal.”
It occurred to Cam as he pulled away that Tio Johnson wasn’t nearly as upset about their agreement as he let on. The kid may want to spend more time with his father, but he was smart enough to know that he could have the best of both worlds by faithfully going to class all week, then enjoying a free ride to prison on the weekends.
It solved the boy’s problem.
Cam’s was another one altogether. In order to keep Tio out of the juvenile system, he was going to have to get busy on Alfonso Johnson’s court transcript.
He couldn’t think of a more unpleasant task than revisiting the trial of a convicted cop killer.
Chapter 7
Summer snatched up the phone before the second ring. Hearing Cam’s voice, her own softened. “How did Tio’s visit go with his father?”
“I wouldn’t know. He didn’t bother to give me a blow-by-blow.”
“He must have said something.”
“Not a thing. But I offered to drive him to prison again next weekend if he promised to stay in school all week. That is, if he’s still living with his grandmother a week from now.”
“Did Tio agree?”
Cam sighed. “Not in so many words, but I have a feeling he’ll give it a try. Why not? Being picked up and delivered in my car beats standing in the heat hitching rides with strangers.”
She could hear the weariness in his tone and without considering the implications blurted, “Do you have plans for dinner?”
He paused just a beat before saying, “No. How about you?”
“I thought I’d grill some chicken. Want to join me?”
“I’ve never turned down a home-cooked meal in my life. What time?”
“How about now?”
His day just turned from gray to golden. “I’m on my way.”
Cam sprinted from his car to the main door of the apartment complex and rang the buzzer. It was amazing how quickly his weariness had fled at the thought of spending the evening with Summer.