Page 18 of Cause and Effect

“Hi,” they said, raising their hand for a small wave.

“Hey.” Julian nodded.

“Did you eat?” I asked him. “My mom cooked dinner, and there’s plenty.”

“I haven’t had a chance to grab anything yet,” he said.

“Come in the kitchen, and I’ll make you a plate.”

As I was plating Julian’s food, the girls were questioning him.

“Are you as good a lawyer as my mom?” Stella asked.

“Are you married?” Sophie asked.

“Where do you live?” Sara asked.

Julian glanced at me as I set his plate in front of him. I could tell he was irritated.

“Girls, Julian didn’t come here to answer your nosy questions. Go upstairs and finish your homework.”

They stood from their seats and ran out of the kitchen.

“Sorry about that,” I said, sitting down.

“They seem like a handful,” he said. “Wow. This is really good.”

“I’ll be sure to let my mom know.” I smiled. “As for the girls, they can be a handful sometimes.”

“So, what do the cops have on Georgina?”

“They reviewed the CC footage and found her walking into the hotel with her husband.”

“Fuck. Are you serious?”

I grabbed my laptop from my bag, set it on the table, opened it, and brought up the footage.

“It’s from behind. You can’t even see her face,” Julian said. “They’re grasping.”

“Several hotel workers recall seeing her there with him that night,” I said. “But something isn’t sitting right with me.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“This isn’t looking good. The cops have the murder weapon, Georgina’s blood-stained dress, and now footage of her entering the hotel with her husband.”

“The prosecution is going for no bail,” I said.

“The prosecution can kiss my ass.” He set his fork down and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

I grabbed his empty plate and mine and took them to the sink.

“She’s not a flight risk,” he said. “Although, it’ll take a miracle to get the judge to grant her bail with all the evidence stacked against her.” He stood from his chair. “Thanks for dinner. It’s been a long day, and I have to get home.”

“Sure. Okay.” I wiped my hands on the dishtowel.

As I walked Julian to the door, all three girls ran down the stairs, shouting at each other.

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