Page 14 of Salem's Fall
“Ha ha. Not like that.” I grin. “Just more work for our new case. He wants me to research a few new things for tomorrow morning.”
“You’re so lucky,” she grumbles. “You get Brad Pitt’s younger—and even hotter—lookalike for a partner, and I have Jabba the Hut at my office.”
I laugh. “The DA isn’tthatbad.”
“Oh yes, he is,” she says. “If only Quinn was my boss, the things I’d do to him.” She sighs dreamily. “It’s really wasted on you, you know.”
“Come on, Katie. He doesn’t think of me like that.”
“Oh, please.” She snorts into her martini. “Quinn has it bad for you, and you know it. You’re both just too damn stubborn to do anything about it.”
After a few more minutes of drinking and catching up on the usual biggies—work, life, family stuff—Katie’s demeanor shifts. She sips at her drink slowly and looks at me with a sincere, sympathetic smile.
“James, I just… I want you to know, I had no idea about Jess and William. I was shocked when I heard. If I had known, I would’ve done something—” She pauses, fidgeting with the stem of her martini glass. “You know that, right? You know I’m on your side?”
I reach out and squeeze her hand across the table.
“Yeah, of course I do, Katie. I know you’d never betray me like that.” I smile, though it’s tinged with bitterness. “Honestly, it’s fine. William was… well, pathetic is the polite word for it. Clingy, spoiled, and way too possessive. He never could handle that my work mattered to me.”
“Yeah, screw William. He’s a man-child, and you’re so much better off without him.” She pauses and gives me a long, serious look. “But to be fair, youdotend to prioritize work over everyone else—even the people who really do matter. I mean, I’ve barely seen you in weeks,” she says with a small shrug. “And… Maddie’s been calling me. She’s lonely, James. I know she seems all grown up, but she isn’t. She still needs her big sister every now and then.”
“I know. You’re right.” I look down, swirling the ice in my drink, a twinge of guilt creeping in. “Things have been so crazy at work, but I’ll try to be better. Really, I will.”
I give her a strained smile. It’s a promise I want to keep, but we both know how it’ll end. Work will always come first.
“So,” I say, trying to sound casual. It’s time to get to the real reason I asked Katie to meet me tonight. “Have you heard anything about the Damien Blackhollow case?”
She lets out a loud snort, thumping her hand on the wooden table. “You little sneak!” she says, swiping playfully at my shoulder. “I knew it!”
“Knew what?”
“I heard you were on that.” She chuckles. “So that’s why you dragged me here? I thought we were catching up, not working.”
“We are, Katie!” I attempt to give her my most sincere smile. “I just thought you might have heard something. You know, since you work in the DA’s office and all.”
“I’m not on the Blackhollow case, James. It’s way too high-profile for a first year.” She sighs, leaning back in her chair. “But yeah, sure, I’ve heard bits and pieces. Everyone has. The entire office is buzzing about it.”
She takes a long sip of her drink before her eyes flick over my shoulder, and she leans in closer.
“Okay, so not to sound like a complete degenerate, but… Damien Blackhollow?” She lets out a low whistle. “Jesus! That man is, like, objectively yumable. If he wasn’t, you know, a big ol’ lady killer.” She scoots her chair in closer. “Tell me the truth, he’s even sexier in person, isn’t he? I bet he smells amazing too!”
I shake my head, laughing. “Oh my God, Katie. Get a hold of yourself, woman.”
“I’m just saying he’s smokin’ hot!” She giggles. “I’d seriously let that man have his way with me, if you know what Imean. Well, everything but murder, of course. That seems excessive.” She pushes her drink away and makes a sad little clucking sound in the back of her throat. “His poor, naive fiancée.”
“He didn’t do it,” I blurt.
Even if I have my own sneaking suspicions, I’m certainly not going to let on to Katie what I really think about my client. She may be my best friend, but I never forget who signs her paychecks.
“Uh-huh.” She props her chin on her hand, unimpressed. “You have to say that. You’re his counsel.” She swirls her straw around, thinking. “It’s obvious to anyone with half a brain the guy did it. I mean, let’s be real—someone that perfect has to have a flaw.”
I roll my eyes. “That kind of twisted logic is not how our legal system works, and you know it.”
“Maybe not, but it’s how vibes work.” She smirks before taking another sip of her drink. “I heard from some girls in Junior League that the guy is still planning to attend the All Hallows Gala in a few weeks. Can you believe that?” She scoffs, chewing on her lower lip. “Those crazy bitches are lining up for a chance to go out with a murderer.”
“No way.” I frown. “He wouldn’t dare.”
“Apparently, he hasn’t missed it in, like, forever,” she says. “Biggest donor, blah blah blah. But, like, read the room, dude.”
