Page 59 of Anarchy Missing

“You don’t get to dish out justice, Case. That’s called vigilantism. Justice happens in a courtroom.”

“Not when the judges are corrupt. And if you think for one second there’s even one honest judge on the bench in Cathedral City, well, then you’re just another dishonest, underhanded, unethical, double-dealing lawyer like all the rest.”

“Fuck you,” she snaps. “I’m trying to do you a favor.”

“You’re trying to pigeon-hole me into a prison sentence.”

She lets out a long huff of air through her nose. We stand there in silence for almost a minute before she says, “Did you know that the warden over at CC Penitentiary is named DickCage?”

We both laugh at the same time.

“Because it took me by surprise and I had a hard time tucking down the giggles when I was there this morning.”

“You were at the prison this morning?” I chance a sideways look at her.

“Yup. I was there because that’s where former police chief O’Neil is serving his sentence. And do you know what he told me?”

“I can’t wait to hear,” I say, more sarcastic than I’d like.

“He said Lincoln Wade choked him last winter. And his hand was so hot, it made blistered burns on his throat. In fact, he’s got a very ugly scar as proof. What do you think that’s all about?”

“Fuck,” I mumble.

“What’s going on, Case?” Lulu turns to me, places a hand on my upper arm. “You can tell me. I promise I won’t say a word for at least two days, OK? I’ll give you two days to get your head straight before I let my boss in on it.”

“I don’t think two days will help. We can’t pull it off in two days. We’re not even in Phase One yet.”

“Pull what off?” She sounds desperate now. “What the hell is Phase One?”

“That’s not your concern. It’s got nothing to do with all this.” I wave a hand down at the city. “It’s not connected.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“And that’s why,” I say, pointing a finger at her face, “I’m not gonna tell you anything. Steve,” I say to the ceiling. He pops up immediately. He’s getting better at that. Sheila made some adjustments to his programming last month and it’s a nice upgrade. “Show Miss Lightly out. We’re finished.”

“Very well, Mr. Reider. Miss—”

“Steve,” Lulu barks. “Shut the fuck up and get out of our private conversation. I’m not leaving, Case. I’m staying. I’m staying until I have the lunch you promised me.”

I shake my head at her. “Nope. Sorry. You’re one of them, Lulu. And I can’t take any more chances with you. Not now. Maybe not ever.”

“Do I need to say the name DickCage again to lighten things up? Fine. DickCage.” She snorts a laugh, then glares at Steve’s holographic figure, still looming. “Didn’t I tell you to go away? This is private, lightman.”

Steve manages a surprised look complete with raised fake eyebrows, then flickers away.

“Well, I might need one of those things for my home. He’s oddly obedient.”

I say nothing.

“Case…” she says.

“No. I can’t tell you anything.”

“Then lunch. We can stop talking about this stuff and just have lunch. I’m starving. And I need more than cheese. Where are we going for lunch?”

“I was just going to have something brought up from the kitchen.”

“You have a kitchen? And a chef, I presume?”