"Again, it's insider... whatever. You need to get yourself acquainted with trading regulations."
We were silent a moment while I worked out what little I knew about insider trading. The amount? A big, fat zero. "How likely is it Juliet will be found guilty?" I asked, wondering how in the world this all fitted in with the credit card fraud and the stalking.
"Based on our evidence... one hundred percent."
The only thing more deflating than hearing my client was about to face a twenty-year jail term for committing a crime was believing she was innocent without being able to prove it. I had nothing to contradict anything Donahue claimed; and according to him, there was enough evidence to bury her. If I hadn't already spoken to Juliet, I would have probably agreed with him that it was a slam-dunk case, providing his evidence held up in court. But I spoke to her and now shared her suspicions. With all that in mind, I wasn't sure why I told Donahue, "I don't think she did it."
Detective Donahue slapped his hand on top of a thick file. "The evidence here says she did. I barely have to open this case to shut it down. It's one incriminating piece of evidence after another. The prosecutor agrees."
"Could she have been set up?"
Donahue took a long moment in which he stared at me, and I tried not to fidget under his glare. "Maybe," he said finally.
"How could someone do that?"
"They would have to access her email, her phone, and her computer at work. They would need all her passwords and could never be seen. It's virtually impossible."
But not impossible, I decided as I twisted my mouth in thought. "Do you have Juliet on record saying anything about the insider trading?"
"No, and we've had her office and phones wiretapped for a month."
Clearly, I was right about the bugs, I'd simply gotten the wrong guys. It wasn't a comforting thought, but I hoped I was right to assume if law enforcement had Juliet bugged, then no one else probably did. "Nothing at all?"
"No, but that's not odd. She knew she was doing something wrong. She tried to cover her tracks, and she wouldn't be getting all chatty about her crimes."
"Or she didn't do it," I pointed out.
"I know she's your client, but face facts, this doesn't look good."
"You just said she could have been set up!"
"No, I said maybe, but it's virtually impossible. My evidence is tight, so I don't believe that happened. Neither does the prosecutor."
"If I can prove Juliet didn't do it, and I bring you the evidence, would you release her?"
Another long, unreadable glance from Donahue that I couldn't begin to fathom. "I would examine it, and if it were compelling, I could lift the charges," he said, barely concealing a sigh.
"Okay, then, I'll do that."
"If you uncover evidence that makes your client guilty, will you also turn that over?"
"Maybe."
"If you don't, I could arrest you for perjury or accessory or obstructing justice."
I wracked my brain for the knowledge that would tell me Donahue just made that up, but I couldn't. "Is that true?" I asked.
"Want to try me?"
"Huh. Okay, deal. I'll turn over any evidence I find; and if it's to her advantage, you'll cut Juliet loose. What happens next?"
"Next, your client requested a lawyer. I can't talk to her without one, so you find her one and I can go back to grilling her until she breaks."
"Since when did you turn into such a hard-ass?"
"Since a promotion just came up and I want it."
"Makes sense."
"If she's lucky, she'll get bail until the hearing."
"She's engaged, and a law abiding homeowner. She's not a flight risk."
"She's got a ton of money. She is so a risk. The judge will probably order her to surrender her passport."
"Sounds reasonable in return for bail."
"Can you get me your cousin's phone number?"
That threw me. I didn't expect it, however, I didn't need to ask which cousin. I guessed it was the one I last saw him sucking face with. I was pretty sure she was still single. "I could put in a good word," I said.
"Fair enough."
I rose, shaking his hand. "I'm going to get you the evidence you need."
"Lexi, I wish you luck," he started with a shake of his head as he guided me towards the station reception. "She's as guilty as hell."
After ushering me into the waiting area, and hurriedly saying goodbye, I watched his retreating back, wishing he hadn't said those words. Instead of feeling relieved that my concerns about Juliet's case were being listened to, all I could do now was worry. Sure, Donahue listened, but he was already convinced of her guilt, which left me with a huge problem. How could I prove Juliet wasn't some kind of master criminal? Even harder, could I actually do it?
Deciding my first step should be to call Rob, I turned around, immediately colliding with a tall man with a broad chest... one who felt very familiar. My hand ran across the firm pecs. The nipples attached to the pecs seemed to like that a lot.
"Lexi, we're not alone," warned Solomon. "And you're feeling my nipples like they're Braille."
I looked up. "You're obviously pleased to see me."
"Keep your hands where I can see them, Graves!"
I dropped my hands to my sides and pouted. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
"That was my first question for you."
"I asked you first!"
"My target got arrested. Your turn."
"My client got arrested." I paused, narrowing my eyes as my heart rate quickened. I smelled a rat. "You said your target is suspected of insider trading."
"Yes."
My mind clicked the puzzle pieces into place as my jaw dropped open. "Oh crap!" I whispered before grabbing his hand and tugging him outside. A cool breeze hit us as we stepped out onto the wide brick walkway. It sent a chill down my spine that was echoed by the sudden realization that just hit me. "Your target is Juliet Hart."
Solomon's brows knitted together. "How did you know that?"
"She's my client!"
"For real?"
"No, I'm making it up!" I quipped. "Yes, for real. How the hell did this happen? How did my client become your target?"
"When did Juliet engage you?"
"Yesterday. When did your client engage you?"
"A week ago."
"This is unbelievable!"
"It's a coincidence. A weird one."
I looked up at him and took a deep breath. My surveillance hadn't even begun on Juliet, but Solomon might have gotten something I could use, something I could take to Donahue. "I need everything you've got on Juliet. Surveillance notes, photos..."
"Whoa! I can't do that, Lexi."
"Why not?"
"Client confidentiality."
"My client..."
"No, my client," Solomon pointed out. "We're on opposite sides of this fence."
"I'm on the side of the truth. Which side are you on?"
Solomon laid his hand against his forehead and muttered something that sounded like "damn you," but I couldn't be sure.
"Here's the thing," I told Solomon. "Detective Donahue is on Juliet's case and he's convinced she's guilty. She's your target and you're..."
"Undecided," he said at my prompt.