Page 85 of The 1 Lawyer

When she didn’t answer, I repeated, “Okay, Rue?”

“Okay. I know we’ll get this straightened out. See you this afternoon.”

I was glad to hear her sound confident again, even if it was just for show.

After I hung up, Mason swore a blue streak and said, “Why’s Caro throwing your intern in jail? Hell, that man had a narrow escape from incarceration last year. Why is he so eager to see someone else locked up?”

It was on me; I was sure of that. “I’ve made the Caro family unhappy. The timing of the attack on Jenny, and now this accusation against Rue—it’s payback or a warning.”

Mason pulled out his phone and called the clerk’s office. He said, “Hey, Reagan. I’ve got a client in jail, a woman named Rue Holmes. They’re bringing her over for a first appearance today. What time do I need to be there?”

He listened, nodding. “Thanks. See you then.” He hung up and said, “They’re bringing her in for arraignment in an hour. I’ll meet you over there.”

After Mason left, I checked a coat tree that stood in the corner, where I kept a couple of emergency wardrobe items: a tie and a navy sport coat. I hadn’t dressed for court that morning. I’d come to the office in jeans and an old button-down oxford that was frayed at the collar.

I pulled the tie off the coat tree, slid it under my collar, and tied a double Windsor knot. Then I slipped on the jacket and stepped into the office restroom to inspect myself in the mirror.

It had been a long time since I’d worn these items. The red tie had a visible grease spot, and scrubbing at it with a paper towel didn’t make it disappear. And the jacket, which had hung on the rack for over a year, looked like it was long overdue for a trip to the dry cleaner. While unsuccessfully trying to tug the jacket sleeves straight, I noticed that the cuffs of my shirt were frayed too.

I frowned at my reflection. Rue deserved better.

CHAPTER 66

WE HAD a stroke of good luck.

The clerk informed me that Rue’s case had landed in Judge Ross’s court. Ross was the judge who had handed me a victory in my recent landlord/tenant lawsuit. If I could have, I would’ve brought every client I had in front of her.

Mason was already in the courtroom, talking to Charlene, the bailiff. When I walked in, they turned to stare. I headed down the aisle, and Charlene gave an ear-piercing wolf whistle.

She called, “Just look at you, Stafford Lee! You getting your picture made today?”

Charlene’s reaction was over the top, but I had cleaned up. I’d decided against appearing in court wearing a soiled tie and wrinkled jacket and headed home for a wardrobe change.

Mason squinted as I joined him at the counsel table. “The spit shine on those shoes is so bright, you’re blinding me.”

“Shut up.”

Charlene sidled over and gave me an admiring glance. “New suit?”

“Nope. Just haven’t worn it in a while.” I’d found the three-piece suit hanging in a bag at the back of my closet. The charcoal wool wasn’t ideal for the heat of September, but it was clean and pressed and had a sharp crease down each pants leg.

Mason nudged me. “Looks like you’ve taken Judge Eckhardt’s advice. I heard him bitching about your casual courtroom attire.”

The door to chambers opened. Judge Ross leaned out and said to Charlene, “Are we ready to handle the afternoon arraignments?”

“I’ll bring them in, Judge.”

Charlene hustled out the side door that led to the holding cell. A minute later, the bailiff reappeared leading a short line of inmates.

Rue was among them, dressed in orange jailhouse scrubs. After the defendants were seated, I stepped over to speak to her. “Rue, how are you holding up?”

She raised her chin with a shadow of her usual confidence. “About like you’d expect.”

The bailiff called out, “All rise!” and I returned to the counsel table. When Judge Ross took her seat at the bench, she looked down to where I sat with Mason.

“Gentlemen, on whose behalf are you appearing this afternoon?”

I said, “Your Honor, Mason Burnett and I are appearing on behalf of Rue Holmes. She’s here on a first appearance.”

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