“I was saving for that boat,” he tried to explain.
“I guess it’s just a coincidence you had the money the week after you identified my client as the person who robbed you.” She shrugged like it was a mystery that needed solving. Mr. Dominic’s face grew red while he fidgeted in his seat. Good. After everything he’d put her client through, he deserved to sit in the hot seat.
“Is there a question?” the DA snarled from his seat. Alexandra winked at him, loving the animosity.
“There was.” She refocused her attention on the witness sound. “Where did you get the money for the boat? You admitted you don’t make enough money for high-end purchases, so who gave you the money?”
His gaze slid toward the detective, again, but his eyes widened. She turned toward the gallery to watch the detective leaving. Nothing abnormal about it, but given all the facts surrounding this case, she wanted to see him. Since the main prosecution’s witness continued to stare at the detective while she was cross-examining him, Detective Trajeo moved to the top of her list of people to talk to.
“Answer the question,” the judge prodded. Mr. Dominic shut down, his shoulders sagging in defeat.
“I’d like to plead the fifth.”
“I told you to answer the question.”
“With all due respect, sir, I’d like to exercise my Fifth Amendment right to no self-incrimination.”
The judge lay into Mr. Dominic, and in the end threatened to arrest him for contempt of court. Alexandra didn’t want to see a sixty-eight-year-old man be lead away in handcuffs, but it didn’t come to that extreme. She dismissed him; the damage had been done, and she wasn’t surprised when he left as soon as he got off the stand. She approached Corey, who’d been slack-jawed as he watched the spectacle.
“What does this mean?” He had to shout in her ear over the noise of the people filing out of the courtroom, clamoring with what happened with the prosecution’s witness. Talia had moved to his side, rubbing her hand over the baby.
“It’s not over. I mean, I’m pretty sure we’ll win.” She moved to reassure him after his face fell. “There’s no way in hell the jury doesn’t have reasonable doubt. But we stick with the plan. Today is a major loss for the prosecution and should prove to be their downfall, but I want you to stay vigilant. Our goal now is to make sure you stay out of prison so you can be a father to your baby. You did not break the law, and everyone now knows this. What you don’t need to do is get cocky and then not follow through with what we’re supposed to do. I want you guys to go home, have a nice, low-key evening, and get ready to kick their asses again tomorrow. We’ve got this, and we will win this by sticking with the plan.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “Thank you.”
She smiled, patting his arm, and watched the two of them walk off. What a crazy couple of weeks. She had a client set to take the fall for a crime he didn’t commit, a boss who warned her off the case, a pizzeria owner who received a bribe and lied, and a detective who ducked out when her questioning discussed an overflow of cash. What the hell is going on? Although, the confusion at the seemingly simple case did nothing to put a damper on her excitement. After that shit show, there was no way they would convict Corey.
She pulled out her phone, wanting Roman and a margarita but unsure of his plans today. She needn’t have worried, because her lock screen showed a text from him.
Roman: 202. The Braddock downtown. Pack a bag for tomorrow.
***
Alexandra took a deep breath, standing when prompted as the judge entered the courtroom. Roman followed her lead, smoothing down the front of his suit, the outward picture of calm. She’d practiced their arguments until she was blue in the face, but it was subject to the judge’s opinion. Gerald Arrow stood on the other side, looking smug, while his wife was nowhere to be found. Gina may not be there but the media was, ready to discover if they would have access to the list Roman kept locked up tighter than Fort Knox. Not if she could help it, because this was his livelihood and people’s reputations were on the line. Gerald couldn’t use Valentine’s membership list for a fishing expedition.
The judge sat down, going over the information and asking for their arguments. Gerald’s lawyer went first, laying on how he felt it was irresponsible for Roman to allow married people, such as Gina, to become members of his club and how it led to the destruction of their marriage. Gerald took the stand, playing the sympathetic husband who’d given everything for his community and was repaid by discovering his wife had an affair. He dodged Alexandra’s questions, pretending he was at the club to salvage his marriage and protect his wife, a martyr who sacrificed his own morals for his family.
Alexandra went through their argument, how the lawsuit was a clear violation of the civil liberties of the people in Roman’s club. It also amounted to a witch hunt for a potential lawsuit down the line. The judge listened to both sides before telling them he was going to look over all the information before he made a decision.
“What happens now?” Roman pressed his hand on the small of her back to escort her out, hoping to avoid the press that’d converged where Gerald’s lawyer was doing an impromptu press conference.
“I’d be surprised if he came back right away. This is a big decision, but I’m sure we’ll get what we want. If he says you have to turn over the list to Gerald, we’ll appeal his ruling. But I can’t see any judge giving the list to Gerald without a legitimate reason. His divorce isn’t a legitimate reason, but he still needs to ensure he’s coming to the best decision.” Roman opened the door, the sunlight blinding and the shouts drowning out Roman’s response.
“Alexandra!”
“Roman!” The media converged, like vultures needing fresh prey, and Alexandra figured she would be doing the mini-press conference she was avoiding.
“What did you think about what the judge said?” A microphone was shoved in her face along with a tape recorder, looking for their soundbite.
“I have every faith the judge will rule in our favor. He’s taking time to examine all the information, and will provide his decision following that process. As I said in the courtroom, Gerald has no reason to access the membership list for his personal vendetta against his wife. I’m confident the judge will see this as a marital spat, which Club Valentine is not responsible for or contributing to.”
“What’s wrong? Scared because you’re on the list?” someone yelled from the back, and Alexandra felt her heart stop beating. She felt Roman’s hand on the small of her back, but her attention was focused on the ginger haired female reporter she’d never seen before in her life with the wicked gleam in her eyes. She forced air in and out of her lungs, feeling her chest closing in. Her worst nightmare was staring straight at her, and she couldn’t do a thing to stop it. The reporters turned to the woman in the back, who continued to spew accusations at Alexandra.
“I have pictures from the last couple months of you coming in and out of the club. Rumor has it you and Roman have been hitting it up in his sex club.” Faces flashed back to her, and thankfully Roman recovered enough to issue a statement in her defense.
“It’s not illegal to have a relationship with someone who owns a sex club.” Roman rubbed circles up and down her back, and she was never more grateful for his presence.
“True,” the woman acknowledged before her Cheshire smile came across her face. “But we both know you guys weren’t dating. Yet Alexandra’s been going to the club for months. Tell me, are the men at the club as good as they’re rumored to be? Is Roman?”
19
The question stunned Alexandra into silence. She was vaguely aware of Roman’s presence, but heard his voice break through over the shouting reporters.