Page 27 of Defend Me

“A blank slate,” I grumbled.

So here I am. Blank.

Even as my pulse pounds at the back of my throat.

“Good morning,” Von says. “As many of you know, I’m Siobhan Everton and this is my associate, Grayson Ling. We willbe representing Noah Patterson in the murder of Marion Everton. Yes, Marion was my mother. And yes, I believe Noah is innocent of this crime. However, there have been tawdry and downright inappropriate rumors circulating about a possible romantic relationship between Noah and my younger sister, Daisy. Let me state right here and now, these rumors are categorically and unequivocally false. Noah is a close family friend, and Daisy was at the arraignment purely to show her support. My family and I look forward to resolving this matter quickly and proving Noah’s innocence so that the police can focus on finding the real murderer. Every day this charade continues is another day the true killer is at large.”

“Siobhan! Siobhan!” the voices shout at her.

“What evidence do you have that leads you to believe Noah is innocent?”

“I’m not going to discuss defense strategy at this time,” Von says. “But the prosecution’s case is weak and circumstantial.”

“What about the fingerprint?”

“One fingerprint on a shell casing that should have been found five years ago is not compelling if you ask me,” Von says disdainfully. “And the technology used to lift that print is relatively new and highly controversial.”

Is it? I didn’t know that. I trust the labs. I wonder what Von has found out about it. My spirits lift—that print is the only piece of hard evidence in this case.

I quickly dull that thought because Von will eviscerate me if I she finds out I’m looking hopeful right now.

“Have you spoken to the prosecutor about a plea?”

Von’s eyes flash. “As I said, Noah is innocent. Innocent men do not make deals.”

“When will the judge set a trial date?”

“We are still waiting for him to make a decision on that, but?—”

Suddenly, three police cars pull up to the house, fronting mylawn and boxing the reporters in. Grayson and Von exchange the barest of surprised glances as the reporters swivel their attention toward the sheriff, storming through the crowd toward us.

“Sheriff Briggs! Sheriff Briggs!”

“Have you found more evidence?”

The sheriff ignores them and thrusts a piece of paper at Von. I know what it is before he says it.

“Search warrant,” Sheriff Briggs announces. Von glances at it then passes it to Grayson.

“Have at it,” she says, gesturing back to the house. “My client has nothing to hide.”

Sheriff Briggs nods to his men—my former colleagues, my former friends. Falco won’t even look at me as he hurries past. Cindy Watson gives me a suspicious glance. Only Derek looks uneasy at being assigned to tear apart my house.

Even though Von is right—I don’t have anything to hide—this makes me nervous. I don’t like the thought of them invading my privacy. Looking through my room. Looking through Pop’s things. I feel exposed.

“Oh, and by the way,” the sheriff adds, “Judge Warner requests your presence. He’s ready to set a court date.”

Grayson’s eyes shoot up his forehead but Von keeps her cool. “Thank you, Sheriff,” is all she says. As soon as he’s gone inside, she leans in and hisses to Grayson, “Stay here and keep an eye on things.”

Grayson nods.

“We need to go,” she says to me.

“What about the search?” I ask. “What about Pop?”

Forget trying to be a blank slate—I can’t leave my grandfather here on his own.

“I’ll be here with him,” Grayson says. “Don’t worry.”

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