“So, what? She never cares about anything but herself. She didn’t take the time to learn anything about Kurtis or she would have known his last name was Nuchols.”
“Really?” Liberty asked. “When you didn’t even know them that well? Had you even brought either of them by the house before they picked you and Chaney up for the weekend getaway?”
Justus sat in silence for a moment. She didn’t want to admit she hadn’t. But the truth was the truth. “No. I hadn’t.”
“If the defense attorney gets her or your former housemates to testify as character witnesses for them it could look damaging for you and Chaney. I’m only warning you.”
Justus groaned bending over at the waist and squatting down, wrapping her arms around her knees.
“No. No. No.” She looked up at Liberty, tears streaking down her cheeks. “Why didn’t you prepare us better for the deposition?”
“I told you what I could. I do civil cases, not criminal. Until I saw what was happening, I couldn’t be sure where the defense attorney was going. And you forget, I was being deposed just like you.” Liberty patted her on the back. “He’ll make a solid case and make it clear that you aren’t the ones on trial even if Felty tries to make it look like that.”
“I hope you’re right,” Justus said not feeling well after their conversation. “I’m going to go brush my teeth.”
Justus hurried to her room. For All was chewing on his rope bone when she entered, and he jumped out of bed to follow her into the bathroom. He yapped at her feet, wanting to be picked up. She scooped him up and cuddled him for a few minutes before sitting him on her vanity, leaving the water running for him to drink while she brushed her teeth. It was funny how the puppy liked to lap at the running water even though he had water bowls in the house.
Turning off the water, she touched up her tear-streaked makeup and straightened her hair. Then she picked up For All and sat him on the floor and he followed her back to the living room.
“Is he going too?” Liberty asked.
“We’re going out to water the grass before we leave,” Justus said. She took the puppy to the backyard where he sniffed around before he took care of business, and they went inside.
Liberty was holding For All’s leash and vest waiting when they returned. “I think he can go with us today. He can keep me company while you’re in session. appointment. It’s a pretty day and we can walk in the park across the street.”
“Sure. If you say so,” Justus agreed. She scooped him up and quickly slipped his harness vest on him before snapping on the leash. “I’ll take a few treats as well.”
They locked up and drove to Dr. Saunders’ downtown office. Justus played with For All keeping him entertained and her mind off what she was about to do.
Rafferty followed,keeping a few car lengths behind the sisters as they left the house. Liberty had texted him that they had to go to a counseling appointment that morning and given him the address. He knew where they were headed even if she didn’t realize he was watching from down the street. She asked to meetup at the little park across the street while her sister was at her appointment. He’d agreed.
He parked on the opposite side of the park and walked to where Liberty had suggested they meet to prevent Justus from seeing his arrival. He didn’t expect Liberty to show up with a Yorkie puppy on a leash.
“Who’s this little fellow?” he asked, stooping to pet the dog, who quickly leaped at him and yapped.
“For All,” she said. “Justus’s puppy.”
He looked up at her frowning for a moment. “Liberty. Justus. For All?”
“You got it.”
He chuckled. “Very patriotic.”
“Our parents were civil liberty attorneys.”
“I get it.” He stood picking up the little terrier who tried to chew on his finger.
“Stop that, For All,” Liberty scolded. “Don’t let him do that. He’ll think it’s okay to bite anyone.”
“He’s fine. He’s not hurting me. He’s still got baby teeth. If anything, he’s teething. Aren’t you, big Fella.” Rafferty held the puppy over his head and looked up at him. “You wanted to meet for a reason. I don’t think it was so I could get to know this little guy.”
“Not at all. I wanted to discuss how Justus reacted to your coming home with us yesterday,” Liberty said.
Rafferty shifted For All into a football hold and started rubbing his head with his free hand. “Don’t think anything about it. I guessed her triggers had been pushed and she needed her space. That was my cue to step back, but I still did my job even if I was out of sight.”
“You were?” Liberty said.
“Absolutely. The two of you were safe the whole night. Although I can’t say your neighbors won’t suspect somethingis up if I continue parking in your cul-de-sac and sitting there 24-7.”
