by Naomi Niles
“Please,” I said. “You can call me Mia.”
“Mia, then,” he agreed.
“Why have you come to see me, Peter?” I asked, gesturing for him to take a seat.
“I spoke to Sam last night,” he said. “He told me that you were going to refer him to a good lawyer.”
“Yes,” I nodded. “I was going to refer him to Helen, actually.”
“She seems like a good lawyer.”
“She is,” I assured him. “Very good. And, she has much more experience than I do.”
“Is that the reason you’re not taking Sam’s case?” he asked directly.
I paused for a moment. “No,” I admitted. “That’s not the reason.”
I noticed how kind his eyes were when Peter smiled. “I’m sorry, Mia. I don’t mean to pry. The real reason I’m here is to tell you that I’ve been doing some digging all night, and I found out some things that could really help Sam’s case.”
“Oh?” I said, leaning in a little.
“I don’t know if Sam has told you, but I’m a cop.”
“He mentioned it,” I nodded.
“That gives me access to information that a civilian doesn’t always have,” Peter explained. “I managed to track down the drug ring where the illegal profits for Jackson’s Bar came from.
“A few members of the ring have been taken into custody, too, along with Jackson and Sam. And none of them have any knowledge of Sam. He was never involved in any of the dealings. Apart from his signatures on those documents, there’s no evidence that he had anything to do with the money.
“Mia… I know my brother. Sam is a straightforward kind of guy. He’s blindly trusting and insanely loyal – almost to the point of stupidity. But one thing he’s not is a thief and a criminal. I knew he didn’t have anything to do with this, but now I have more proof that he didn’t.”
I could feel the conviction of Peter’s words; by the time he had finished speaking, I realized he had convinced me of Sam’s innocence, too. The thought of Sam sitting in a jail cell overnight broke my heart. The need to help him was suddenly greater than my need for self-preservation. I knew I shouldn’t be involving myself with him, whether or not he was innocent, but I suspected that I was fighting a losing battle there.
“It still might not be enough,” I told Peter. “The prosecution will build up a good case against Sam. They’ll make it seem like Jackson handled the business end, as well as all the dealings with drug ring, while Sam was more of a behind-the-scenes partner in all this. And as you mentioned, they have his signatures on several different documents. I’m afraid blind loyalty won’t serve as a legitimate defence in a court of law.”
“I’m aware,” Peter nodded. “But it’s a start.”
“It is,” I agreed.
“Perhaps I should share this information with Helen, too?” he asked. “Considering she’s going to be representing Sam from this point on?”
I hesitated for a moment as Peter watched me expectantly. I took a deep internal breath and made my decision. “Actually, that won’t be necessary,” I told him.
“It won’t?”
“I will be representing Sam,” I said.
Peter looked at me for a moment and then smiled. “Sam will be delighted to hear it. Thank you, Mia,” he said, reaching out to shake my hand again.
“Of course,” I nodded.
“You know… I’ve known Sam his entire life,” Peter said. “He’s not someone who pays too much attention to other people’s opinions of him.
“But the only thing he seemed to really care about last night when I visited him was your opinion of him. He wanted you to know – to believe that he was innocent. He didn’t mention anything about getting him out of jail. He just mentioned…you. I think you’ve become an important part of his life, and I don’t think he wants to lose you.”
I stared at Peter for a moment, taking some time to process his words. “Is that the real reason you came down here?” I asked directly.
He smiled. His hazel eyes struck me, reminding me a little too much of Sam’s. “I suppose it is,” he admitted. “Thank you for seeing me, Mia.”
Then he turned and walked out the door, leaving me with a new spasm of unwelcome hope. I tried to squelch it out, but it just refused to go.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sam
The door to my cell was pulled open and the squealing grate of the sound had me cringing. It was like everything about this place had been purposefully devised to remind its inhabitants that they were in prison.
“Morning, Bucko,” I greeted the officer at my cell door with a huge smile. “You look a little grumpy… Didn’t get a good night sleep, then?”
The officer’s name was Buckram, but I had decided to amuse myself by giving all the officers I came into contact with interesting pet names. Not all of them were amused, but I thought I was beginning to crack Bucko’s hard, unsmiling surface.
“Out with you, Burbank,” Bucko said, shaking his head at me.
“Personally, I had an amazing sleep,” I told him. “Once I managed to find the one little spot on the cot that didn’t have wires digging into my rib cage, I slept like a baby.
“Of course, the lights kept flickering in the night, but to be honest, I think they only enhanced my nightmares. But you know what they say about nightmares, right? It’s like personalized television. Do you want to know what I dreamt about last night?”
“Not particularly,” he replied. “Hurry up and get out there.”
I stretched and walked out of my cell. “Please tell me I’m coming back soon, though,” I said in a sad tone. “I’ve really come to love my little home. It’s so…cozy.”
Bucko grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into the long walk down the dreary hallway. “You’re a real funny man aren’t you?”
“Then why don’t you smile?” I asked. “It’s seriously disappointing, but you know I’ll just keep trying.”
“Don’t waste your time.”
“Yup,” I nodded. “You definitely had a bad night. You know what helps? I find that a good breakfast can put a smile on your face any day. Do you like bacon wrapped sausages? Those things are the bomb.”
“For fuck’s sake, Burbank,” he sighed. “Can’t you shut up for two seconds?”
“I don’t want you to forget my voice once I’m gone,” I said, giving him a wink.
Bucko rolled his eyes and pulled me to a stop outside one of the rooms used for meetings. “Get inside,” he instructed. “Sit down and shut up.”
“That’s quite a few things I gotta do,” I said sheepishly. “Can you write it down for me?”
Bucko pushed me inside the room and slammed the door in my face. I turned to the door and raised my voice to make sure he could hear me. “Bacon wrapped sausages,” I yelled. “You can’t go wrong!”
Silence descended, and I took the seat that was facing the door. I tapped my fingers against the table and hummed to myself, trying to deflect from the thoughts running through my head.
I may have been in a tight spot, but I refused to let that change my personality. I wasn’t going to be one of those sad sacks who grew bitter and angry in prison. That was not to say I wouldn’t have my moments, but the point was not to let them consume me.
After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened and none other than Mia walked in. I rose to my feet in amazement as though I had just seen an angel.
“Mia?” I said in delight. “What are you doing here?”
She stared at me for a moment before her face softened and she gave me a smile. “I’m your lawyer,” she said. “Where else would I be?”
“You…you’re my lawyer?” I repeated.
“Uh-huh.”
“Since when?”
“Since your brother came to speak to me yesterday morning,” she said as she came forward and took the seat opposite me.
“Peter met with you?”
“He did,” she said. “And, he made a compelling
case in your favor. He convinced me that you are innocent.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, and I desperately wanted to reach out and kiss her. But I restrained myself at the last moment. “So, you believe me?”
“God help me, I do,” Mia nodded. “Which is why I’m going to represent you.”
“I’m so glad,” I said. “Seriously… I am so, so glad. You have no idea how glad I am.”
She smiled in amusement. “I can see that on your face.”
“Thank you, Mia”
“Are you going to spend this whole meeting thanking me?” she asked. “Because I’ll be honest with you, we don’t have the time.”
“Okay,” I said, putting my game face on. “Talk to me.”
“This is going to be difficult,” she said without mincing her words.
“Because of my signatures,” I said.
“Yes,” she nodded. “The truth is, your fate sort of rests in Jackson’s hands.”
“Jackson?” I repeated.
“He’s the one that’s incriminated you,” Mia explained. “Which means he has the power to exonerate you, too.”
“Do you think that’s likely?”
She raised her eyebrows. “I was going to ask you the same question,” she said. “You know Jackson better than I do.”
“Considering where I am and who put me here in the first place… I can’t really claim that I know Jackson anymore,” I sighed.
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m going to try and do my best to get you out of here, Sam,” she said. “I promise you that.”
I smiled. “And afterwards?”
“Afterwards?” Mia repeated.
“After you get me off the hook, can we continue…where we left off?”
Mia gave me a mysterious smile. “How about we get through this first…and we can decide that later?”
I sighed. “I suppose,” I said. “Just for your information, trust is my only flaw.”
Mia’s smile broadened. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“So, what’s the plan?”
“I’m working on a few different angles,” she admitted. “I spent the whole of yesterday trying to craft your defence. But the truth is, I’m hoping we can avoid using it in the first place.”
“Meaning you’re hoping to have the charges dropped?” I clarified.
“Yes,” she nodded. “If I can get a meeting with Jackson.”
“Peter requested a meeting with him,” I said. “He turned it down.”
“He would,” Mia nodded. “Peter’s your brother. I’m your lawyer. It’s different.”
“I suppose…”
“Leave it to me,” she said. “I have a favor to ask you.”
“A favor?”
“Actually, it’s more of a requirement. I need you to tell me about your relationship with Jackson – specifically the times in which you’ve had each other’s backs. And, the times in which you’ve saved each other’s life.”
“That could take awhile.”
“Take your time,” I said. “It’s important that I know this.”
“Why?”
I smiled. “It might come in handy. Just trust me.”
“Okay,” I agreed.
I launched into a tirade of stories about Jackson and me. I started with stories from our rookie days and then worked my way up to the present day. By the time I was finished, I felt let down and betrayed all over again.
“Thanks for sharing those stories with me,” Mia said, pushing her chair from the table.
“You’re leaving?”
“I have work to do,” she reminded me.
“Right,” I nodded, hating to see her walk away. “How’s Renni?”
Mia hesitated. “She asks about you often. She misses you.”
“I miss her, too,” I said emphatically. “She’s a rad little girl.”
Mia smiled. “She doesn’t know about any of this… I just told her you had some stuff to work out.”
“I suppose that’s the best way to describe it,” I sighed. “I’m sorry to have to put you through all this, Mia. I’m sorry that I’ve put you in this position, and I’m sorry you have to deflect questions from Renni because of me.”
She smiled. “I owe you an apology, too,” she said.
“Me?”
“I didn’t believe you right away.”
“You had no reason to.”
“Still… I can see now that you’re innocent,” she said. “And, I’m sorry it took me so long to realize that.”
I smiled. “Better late than never.”
“Your brother did a good job of making your case for you,” she said. “You’re lucky to have him.”
“That I know,” I nodded. “He’s always been there for me and my brothers.”
Mia stood, and I mirrored her movements.
“Any other interesting cases you’re working on?” I asked in a last ditch attempt to prolong her visit. She saw right through me.
“I’ve got to go, Sam,” she said.
“I know,” I sighed. “I just… Thanks for coming. And, thanks for taking my case.”
“Of course,” she nodded.
“When will I see you again?” I asked.
“Tomorrow, hopefully,” Mia replied. “I need to get a few things in order first. How’s your cell?”
“It’s like being in a five star resort,” I smiled.
“I’m sorry.”
“You are going to get me out, right?” I asked hesitantly.
Mia gave me a teasing smile. “Of course,” she nodded. “But you’re going to have to owe me one.”
I sighed and looked around longingly. “To be honest, I don’t know if I can leave now. Prison is all I know.”
Mia rolled her eyes at me. Then she leaned in and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek. I felt my heartbeat a little faster, and I desperately wanted to pull her closer to me and give her a real kiss. But I wasn’t sure she would appreciate that, and I didn’t want to push my luck. It was enough that she was here. It was enough that she believed me.
She gave me a parting smile as she headed out the door. A moment later, Bucko appeared in the doorway, ready to lead me back to my cell. This time, he didn’t have to prompt me. I came forward of my own accord and followed him down the hall.
“You realize you’re in prison, right?” Bucko asked suddenly.
I gave him a quizzical look. “I’m aware.”
“Then why do you look so damn happy?” he asked. “It doesn’t have anything to do with your hot lawyer, does it?”
“Well, well,” I said, raising my eyebrows at Bucko. “Looks who’s suddenly interested in having a conversation with me.”
“I’m not,” he said instantly. “Just asking a simple question.”
“Seems to me that’s a leading question…and there’s nothing simple about them.”
He rolled his eyes.
“She is hot, isn’t she?” I asked, wagging my eyebrows at him.
“Hotter than you deserve,” he said wryly.
I clutched my heart as though he had stabbed it. “How you wound me, Bucko,” I said. “I thought we were friends.”
“Friends?” he smirked.
I looked at him as though he had broken my heart. “You’re a cruel man, Bucko. But I must admit, I’ve grown fond of you. I promise I’ll come visit you when I’m out of here.”
Bucko looked at me with a tired look on his face. “If you’re really fond of me, then promise me you won’t.”
“Aw, I know you want me to think you don’t care, but I know it’s all a game,” I said, with a wink. “You’re just playing hard to get.”
He opened the door of my cell and nudged me inside. I noticed that he wasn’t as rough as he usually was. I turned to face him and gave him a bright smile. “Do you have a hot wife, Bucko?”
His response was to look at me unblinkingly for a moment before he turned and walked away, without a backward glance.
“No?” I called after him,
hoping everyone could hear. “Hot girlfriend? Boyfriend? That’s okay… Hang in there – there’s still time to meet someone! Don’t let this place harden your heart!”
I could see him shaking his head, and it made me laugh. I sat down on my cot and leaned back against the hard wall, thinking of Mia. After a moment, I reached up with my right hand and touched the spot on my cheek where she had kissed me.
I was sure it was my imagination, but that spot felt a little tingly, almost like an angel had kissed me.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mia
“Mia?” Helen’s voice pulled my head up from the mountain of paperwork on my desk.
“Hi, Helen,” I said.
“You’re here early.”
“I know, I wanted to get all my ducks in a row,” I said. “I finished the paperwork on the McKinley case, I got the affidavits you need for the Bucker-Pullman trial and the subpoena we need to get Betsy Davidson to the Michaels hearing.”
“Geez… I could have done all that,” she said. “Especially considering you’re working on the Burbank case.”
“I took this case on at the last minute,” I said. “I didn’t want to leave you high and dry with all the other stuff we need to get done.”
“You really are something, Mia,” Helen said, taking a seat behind her desk. “I don’t know how you juggle it all.”
“I just pretend to juggle it all,” I said.
“If that’s true, you’re doing a fucking good job.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Helen. I must say, you’re really good for my self esteem.”
“Happy to be of service,” she said, mimicking a bow. Then her tone turned serious. “How are things going…with Sam’s case?”
“Jackson agreed to meet with me today,” I told her.
“No way,” she said. “That’s a win for you.”
“That remains to be seen,” I said. “He’s not meeting with me alone. His lawyer is going to be present; from what I could glean of the situation, he was advised against meeting me in the first place.”
“Who’s his lawyer?”
“Kent Bradley,” I said, with a small sigh.
Helen let out a burst of laughter. “This should be interesting.”
“I’m glad you’re amused,” I said. “Because I most certainly was not.”