Page 10 of Scorched

“Even if it meant you had to defend some truly guilty people?”

She nodded. “Yep. Even the guilty deserve a fair trial.”

“So, are you defending Judge Brandt or the Paulsons?”

“Hell, no. Even if they asked me, I’d say no. After what they did, not just to those kids, but to Rayna, I hope they rot in jail.” She gave him a sheepish smile. “I might think they deserve a fair trial, but that doesn’t mean I want to be the one who finds a loophole that gives them a lighter sentence.”

“You could just ignore it.”

“Not really. It would show up in appeals, eventually. Then I could lose my law license on an ethics violation.”

“Seriously? How is it unethical to look the other way to make sure people who rented children like cars and ruined them get what they deserve?”

“Morally, it’s not, but legally? That’s why I won’t touch that case. I’ll leave it and those like it to someone who has no scruples and can sleep at night if one of those monsters walks.”

“What kinds of cases do you take, then?”

“Mostly just domestic stuff and civil disputes. You were the first murder case I ever took on.”

“How is it you can pick and choose? Aren’t they assigned to you?”

“No. I have my own practice. Mom and Dad put down the capital to help me set it up.”

“Huh. I thought you worked for the public defender’s office and just took me on as a pro bono side case.”

“I did. Take you pro bono, that is. But no, I’m not a public defender.”

“So, how did you get assigned those cases, then?”

“They weren’t assigned. I was hired. People are given a choice when they’re arrested, if they want a public defender or if they want to hire someone. These people chose to hire an outside attorney. I may be new to the job, but I’ve already built a reputation as competent, tough, and fair.” Maggie worked hard while in law school to learn what she could about being a skilled attorney. She knew she wanted to come home and practice law in Boone County, but not in the public defender’s office. She still worked hard to be the best she could be.

The cubicle door opened again, and a woman with light brown hair, wearing a lab coat and blue scrubs walked in. “Hello. I’m Dr. Demarco.” She sat down on the rolling stool. “You were injured in the fire earlier today?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Do you remember what happened?”

He nodded. “I never lost consciousness.”

“Okay. What did happen? I wasn’t here when your partner was brought in, but I heard a firefighter came through.”

“The fire flashed over on us, causing a small explosion. It threw me and Reeves about twenty feet. I landed on my hip and the side of my chest.”

“And that’s what hurts, correct?”

He nodded.

“Do you have any bruising?”

“A little.”

Maggie snorted. “The entire left side of his chest is one giant purple bruise. I imagine his hip looks the same way.”

Declan glared at her.

She stared back, but spoke to the doctor. “Have him take off that hoodie. You’ll see.”

Dr. Demarco raised a brow. “Is she correct?”

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