Page 13 of Nick

“We went last week. Jeff doesn’t want us to visit him there because it was so hard for us.” Axel and the other boy came into the kitchen at that time. “Cal, who is your friend?” she asked.

I spoke up, “This is my son, Axel.”

“Your son?” she asked with confusing eyes. I nodded in the affirmative. “He’s very handsome.”

“Thank you,” Axel said, smiling. Cal chuckled.

“Tina, did you want to grab some clothes?”

“Yes, I’ll get some now. Give me a sec. I won’t be long.”

* * *

I left earlythe following day. I was prepared to fight to get in and see both of my clients. I knew I would surprise both Jeff and Luca. They had no idea they had a lawyer. If I saw one bruise on Jeff, someone would be in a lot of trouble. I read the police report and knew the detective didn’t even try to clear Jeff. He thought him guilty because a man was dead.

One thing I learned when I thought Liam was our father is that innocent people went to prison. I wanted to be sure no one was locked up if they were innocent. I was a district attorney and a public defender. Then I wanted to have my own practice, but I soon realized that I didn’t want to be a lawyer full-time. That’s why I decided to open the bread store, which I always wanted. I pulled into the prison parking spot, and someone over a loudspeaker wanted me to move my vehicle. “Why do I have to move my car?” I shouted up.

“Because there are no visitors allowed today.”

“I’m not a visitor; I’m a lawyer.”

“Are you expected?”

“No, I’m not. I want to see my clients.” I grabbed my bag and shut my vehicle door. I started walking toward the main entrance. I waited—very impatiently—until a guard came and unlocked the gate.

“You are supposed to have an appointment.”

“Open the gate. I didn’t have time to make an appointment.”

“It’s been three years since I’ve seen you, and you still look the same.”

“I wish I could say the same about you, Dave. You have gotten yourself a gut. Did you get married? That’s what always happens when a man marries. He puts on weight.”

“What can I say? My wife is not only beautiful, she’s a wonderful cook.”

“I’m glad to hear it. How have you been?”

“Good. Wait, did you know Luca is in here? He won’t talk to me. He’s in here for murder. You and I both know Luca wouldn’t kill anyone for no reason. I swear his shoulders are so wide he must work out all damn day.”

“I’m going to talk to him. If he refuses to speak to me, I’ll make them take me to his cell.”

“Why don’t you come for dinner tonight? You can meet my wife.”

“I can’t. I have to get back home. Just because we were friends in high school doesn’t mean we are best buddies. How come you didn’t call me about Luca?”

“He told me not to tell a soul he was here, or my family would be crying at my funeral.”

“He’s all talk.”

“All talk my ass. Did you know he was a Navy Seal?”

“I seem to remember hearing something about that. I haven’t seen Luca since we graduated college. So how did we all grow so far apart.”

“Come on, Opal, any girl we dated didn’t want us to have anything to do with you, and it didn’t help that you always wore those sexy dresses. I see you still wear them.”

I chuckled. “Are you the warden?”

“I’m the deputy—not quite there yet. Who are you here to see?”

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