Page 12 of King of Justice

“Really?” I couldn’t help but smell her hair—it was right there under my nose. “You don’t believe that people can be good?”

“Some people.”

“I could be some people. You don’t know me.”

“I know that you’re wearing a five-thousand-dollar suit to a meeting in Cold Spring. Do you have any idea how many families that would feed?”

“I could be feeding families while treating myself to a nice suit. Haven’t you ever—”

“This isn’t about me, Mr. Wright.”

“Put a pin in that. We’re nestled under our coats in the dark. I think it’s time you called me Nathan.”

She impatiently exhaled. “Well, Nathan… I hate to discriminate based on appearances, but in my line of work? People who shop where you do usually end up conning those who don’t out of their most basic rights.” Lifting up her head, she stared at me with a defiant look. “You don’t think Jacob Buzz made a fraction of his wealth by blatantly stealing from people like Ryan McFadden?”

“I do, and that’s why I’m standing against him and his sleazy lawyer in court. I’m on McFadden’s side.” Frustrated, I confessed out loud, “I can’t believe I need to defend myself to you.”

“You don’t need anything from me, least of all my approval.”

“Fine, what if I want it, though?”

“Shocking.” She scoffed. “When was the last time a successful, famous attorney didn’t get what he wanted?”

I hadn’t the slightest idea why her words got to me—I was normally cool as ice. “Who hurt you?” I spitefully threw the question. It didn’t mean that I didn’t immediately regret it.

“Classy,” she whispered. “Let’s just stop talking.”

“Or what? You’ll throw me out into the storm?”

“It might come as a surprise to you, but I’m not that bitter.” She paused, snuffling before lowering her voice, “Besides, I’d never forgive myself.”

“Ca—”

“I said, stop talking.”

“Looks like it’s gonna be a long night. You didn’t seem so upset about being stuck here before, but I’m starting to think that it was all an act.”

“Damn right it was,” she blurted out. “I, too, had plans, you know.”

Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Patting her arm—careful not to make it feel remotely affectionate—I whispered, “If there’s a chance we’d come out of here as friends… I’d like to take it.”

“You know that’s not practical, Nathan. We don’t even live in the same city.”

“If I managed to keep friendships in Athens alive, I’m sure I can make this work.” I looked down and thought I saw her cheeks rise with a smile. “So… where were you supposed to be tonight?”

She remained quiet for a moment before finally responding, “JFK? Getting on a plane?”

“Someplace warm?”

“In a non-tangible sense, yes.”

“With a boyfriend?”

“Quit hitting on me.”

“Seriously?”

“With my parents… and my older brother.”

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