Page 60 of Necessary Evil

Chapter 13

Lucy wasn’t her best in court today. Luckily, hers wasn’t the first case and she was able to pull it together in time to request that her client be let out on his own recognizance. It was good enough.

She shook hands with her client and went back to her office.

“I tried to stop them,” Jenny said, “but they insisted.”

That was never a good sign. And sure enough, on her desk was a candy jar full of cinnamon red hots, a bottle of vodka and a Zippo lighter with a red bow around them, and a bottle of Fireball whiskey.

“They couldn’t have sprung for the good stuff?” Lucy asked, shaking her head at the discount vodka. “Did you get the assholes’ names? I should send a thank-you card.”

“It was just a few of the detectives,” Jenny hedged. “Detective Munson was also here first thing. He didn’t have anything to do with that, though.”

The office phone rang, and Jenny picked it up with barely disguised relief. “Attorney Simmons’s office.” She handed Lucy a message slip.

Call me when you get in.—Travis

Lucy crumpled it in her hand. She’d just gotten rid of her headache; she didn’t need another one just yet.

Lucy cleared the detectives’ “gifts” off her desk. It could have been worse, she figured; it could have been spiders. She suppressed a shudder.

“Oh my God.”

Frowning, Lucy looked back out at Jenny. She sounded upset. Sure enough, her head was in her hand.

“But…No, I understand….Yes, she’s here….Of course I will.” Jenny met Lucy’s eyes. “It’s Bobby.” Her eyes filled with tears.

Oh, shit, this isn’t going to be good.“Put him through.”

Lucy sank into her chair. “Hey, Bobby.”

“I need you. I’ve been arrested. You’re my one phone call.”

No. Not this. Not again.

“Are you all right?” She got up and closed the door to her office. If he was using again, it was going to break Jenny’s heart.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Pissed.”

He didn’t sound mad. He sounded tired, defeated. Lucy would have preferred him spitting mad. “Did you do it?”

“No,” he said coldly.

“What are the charges?”

“They’re trying to pin a double homicide on me.”

“What?” Lucy screeched. Her brother was a lot of things—a horndog, a serial cheater, and an occasional thief. But he wasn’t a killer.

“In California.”

“Where are you?” The headache was coming back, and it brought friends. She fumbled in her desk drawer for some ibuprofen. Shaking two tablets out, she considered washing them down with the cheap vodka, but she thought better of it.

“Suffolk County,” he said. “I haven’t left Long Island. I was with Jenny this weekend.”

“Don’t say anything else. Tell them your attorney is on her way. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” Lucy tossed her phone in her purse. She’d kill for a nap and to make this whole situation go away. But wishes didn’t come true. She was the poster child for that.

Flinging open the door, she stormed out. “Reschedule my appointments for this afternoon, please.” Lucy tacked the “please” on the end in a different tone of voice. Jenny didn’t deserve to have Lucy take her anxiety out on her.

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