Page 36 of Another Girl Lost

“Of course,” I said.

“Did I see you talking to people?” she asked. “Maybe a man?”

That teased a smile. “A few.”

“Luke Kane?”

“That’s correct.” The Judge missed so little. “What’s his story?”

“Why do you want to know?” Curiosity mingled carefully with amusement.

“Just curious.”

The Judged chuckled. “Interest is a positive sign.”

“You don’t have to tell me anything.”

“No, no. I’m happy to. He’s a tough attorney. Used to work as a prosecutor in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. For the last two years he’s become one of the Tidewater’s best defense attorneys. Too good. I’ve seen the best prosecutors lose to him.”

I’d often wondered if Tanner had lived and Della had been found, how their trials would have played out. I’d have been forced to testify and retell the story that I’d recited to dozens of cops. But Tanner was dead, and Della had vanished into the wind. Maybe the universe had done me a solid when the police had killed him and saved me from more scrutiny.

“Would you say ruthless?” Oddly, I was comfortable with predators. They wanted what they wanted and went after it. I knew what to expect.

“I’d say so. But he’s also turned down cases that could have landed him a lot of money. The guy has a personal code.”

“Okay.”

“Did he ask you out?”

“He did. I’m on my way to Lito’s wine bar now. A glass of wine won’t kill me.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

“What?”

“He bought your print at the auction.”

“Did he?”

“The man has good taste.”

“Don’t get too excited. My longest date lasted sixty-two minutes.”

“Here’s to breaking the sixty-two-minute record.”

Another smile teased my lips. The Judge checked in often, but she never pushed or badgered unless I was teetering toward a downward spiral. Thankfully, I’d not really lost my shit in a few years.

“Thanks, Judge.”

“I’m proud of you,” the Judge said.

Compliments always made me uneasy. I never felt like any of them were deserved.

“Give him a chance,” the Judge said. “Not an order, but a humble suggestion from an old, growingly sentimental friend.”

“You’re neither old nor sentimental.”

“I might be softening in my old age.”

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