Page 37 of Fifty-Fifty

I finished my plate, the waitress refilled our coffee. Sofia’s family story was tragic. Two clear accidental deaths and now her father’s murder. I wondered how I would hold up if I had to go through that kind of nightmare. The hum and

buzz of life continued in New York City just outside the window. A traffic cop

was arguing with a dumpster truck driver while a homeless man danced around

them, making faces at both men. A young girl holding her mother’s hand joined

in by sticking her tongue out at the cop as they passed the scene on the sidewalk.

A female jogger, her hair covered in a cap, dressed all in black, ran by the window.

‘Motive isn’t everything, you know? Do you think Sofia could murder someone like that? Frank was ripped up pretty bad.’

‘I think we’re all capable of unspeakable things,’ said Harper. ‘I’ve put men down because I had no choice. I’ve no regrets about any of it. There are bodies in the ground right now because you put them there. Here we are – two educated, rational people having a civilized breakfast. No one would think we were capable of taking a life.’

‘But the way Frank was killed. Neither of us could do that. At least I hope not.

Do you think Sofia could have done it?’

‘I don’t think she did it. Why would she? This was a frenzied, rage kill. She’s got anger inside her, but I can’t see Sofia doing that to her daddy. Any violence in Sofia is targeted at Sofia. Did you see her arms?’

I nodded. Something Harper said made me think. I was missing a big piece in this case. There was an element of this crime that just didn’t fit. Two sisters. A father murdered and mutilated and each one blames the other. Both had the opportunity to do it. Neither of them seemed to have a reason. There was a forty-nine-million-dollar inheritance and the cops seemed to think Frank was going to cut one of them out of the will. They don’t know which one and hadn’t been able to track down Frank’s attorney. The cops thought the motive was financial. One

of the sisters felt betrayed – they were going to be cut out of the will so they killed Frank before he could destroy their inheritance. That was the prosecution case. It made sense, and yet, it didn’t. Both sisters had money. I was missing something.

The jogger I saw earlier ran by the window, again. At least I thought she did.

It might have been the same one, but maybe not. New York is full of joggers. I

shook my head, drained my coffee to ward off the déjà vu. I needed a good night’s sleep – I was seeing glitches in the matrix.

‘I want you to look at the forensic evidence. Dreyer gave us preliminary reports this morning. Take a close look at the ME’s report. There’s something in that which isn’t fitting right – in my head. This trial is going to move fast so we need to be ready. Also, Dreyer is pushing for a joint trial.’

‘He can’t do that, not when they’re blaming each other?’ said Harper.

‘He thinks he can avoid a motion for a split trial. He might be right. I need help with that. Someone who knows the law. Legal argument has never been my

strong point.’

Harper snorted, ‘You can say that again. If there was an argument for breaking the law you’d be all over it.’

I had needed someone to help me manage my practice for a long time. An attorney I could trust. Someone who wouldn’t rob me, or steal my clients, or – worse still – clean up the office. For a while I’d been keeping an eye out at court looking for a young attorney who might have the skills. I hadn’t seen anyone I liked. Now I had no choice. I needed help with this case. Harper was a great investigator, but I needed another legal mind.

‘I think I know a lawyer who could join your firm,’ said Harper.

‘Who?’ I asked.

‘I’ll ask if he’s interested first. We’ll talk at Harry’s party, later. I’ve got to go.

There’s a shitload of work to do.’

‘Who’s the lawyer? Come on, give me a clue.’

‘Well, he can’t practice law anymore,’ she said.

I knew, instantly, who she was talking about. I didn’t think he would go for it, but I had to try. Harper was right. This person was perfect, even though he couldn’t say a word in court.

I thanked her, told her she was right, and said, ‘I’m going to see Sofia. Catch you later.’