Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Dirk blinked at him in surprise. “Really? You’re going to use your favors to have me defend this woman?”
“I’m going to call in all my markers to have you prove her innocence,” Easton clarified before glancing at his watch. “Cynthia is turning herself in to you this evening.”
“Did you just say she’s turning herself in to me?” Dirk repeated, focusing on Easton’s exact words.
“Yes. You’ll find her under the stairs of your deck. I told her she would be safe there until I convinced you to represent her.”
“No judge is going to allow me to represent both the company and the person accused of trying to steal billions of dollars from that same company,” Dirk pointed out.
“So, for once, you don’t represent me. The feds have stepped in to prosecute the case, Dirk. She needs someone equally skilled on her side,” Easton shared.
“This isn’t a sound business decision, Easton,” Dirk warned. “I would like you to think about this over a week or two before you make your final choice of how to proceed.”
“I appreciate your counsel, Dirk. You are my oldest friend and the one who’s guided me to establish all that Edgewater Industries has become. I assure you, I’m not going into this blindly.”
“When I find her hiding under my deck, I will have to take her to the police station to turn herself in,” Dirk pointed out. “I can’t harbor an alleged felon.”
“Take time to talk to her, Dirk. Surely a few hours of conversation between a lawyer and his client would be normal before you escort her to the authorities?”
“That would not be uncommon,” Dirk allowed, setting his almost full glass down on the table with a quiet thump. As delightful as the scotch was, he wanted to have his mind clear to meet with the young woman who he had no doubt was either already taking refuge under his deck or would be there shortly.
“Thank you, my friend,” Easton said.
“You’re going to owe me several of these when this is all done,” Dirk warned.
“I will look forward to celebrating with you.” Easton signaled for the bill as Dirk pushed his chair back from the table.
“It’s getting ready to rain. I wouldn’t want a stray dog to struggle to stay dry under my deck. I’ll be in touch,” he promised.
“She deserves your best,” Easton said quietly.
“I wouldn’t give her anything less,” Dirk reassured him before leaving.
Easton sampled the fine scotch in his glass and smiled. His friend had no clue what he was walking into. Damn, this would be fun to watch.
He sent the server off to charge his credit card and messaged Piper.
On my way home. Everything is set.
The return message made him smile. A line of alternating Xs and Os filled several lines of text. His Little girl had needed him badly in the beginning as well. He hoped Dirk garnered as much happiness as Easton had found with Piper.
CHAPTER 1
Dirk pulled into his garage and was out the door of his luxury sedan before the garage door even started descending. He quickly turned off his alarm and dashed into his house. The skies had just opened, and rain pelted from the clouds. Flipping on the lights, he rushed down the stairs to the lower entrance.
He moved slower to slide the glass door open onto the concrete patio located under his extensive deck that spanned the length of the main floor. “Cynthia, are you here?” he called softly, trying to peer into the shadows around the circle of light pouring out.
A small rustle at the edge of the darkness drew his attention. “I can go away if you want. You don’t have to talk to me.”
Something lurched inside his chest. That voice sounded so dejected, as if her last potential source of survival had just kicked her. “Come inside, Cynthia. It’s raining. You’ve got to be soaked.”
Slowly, she inched forward. “Did you call the cops?”
“Easton is my oldest friend. I promised I’d talk to you first.”
The bedraggled figure before him nodded as if resigned to her fate. Water dripped down her face to soak into her wet clothing. She wore a backpack strapped against her chest under her coat. Cynthia’s hands held the edges of her denim jacket pulled as far around the fabric carrier as they would go. He understood immediately that whatever she kept inside the canvas carrier was more important than anything else.
“He said you’d known each other for a long time and that you were the best legal mind he’d ever found. Easton didn’t promise me you’d help me,” she rushed to assure him.
“Come inside and get dry, Cynthia. We’ll talk and I promise I’ll tell you the truth.”
She nodded and stepped inside onto the rug. Her arms remained locked around her body, as if making herself the smallest target possible. “I’m sorry. I’m getting everything wet.”