AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve been going over the file, and I don’t think there’s any reason to take this to trial. The people are willing to plead down to reckless endangerment and a five hundred dollar fine plus restitution to the alleged victim.”
“That’s a generous offer, Ms. Roberts. I think I can probably sell that to my client.”
“Great. Let me know.” And please do sell it, I added myself.
Now, to convince Talon. I checked my watch. It was almost five. Larry had left an hour ago to take his grandkids for dinner and ice cream. I’d put in a full day, so I gathered my things. I said a quick good-bye to Michelle and left.
When I walked out of the building, there stood Talon.
My breath caught. I would never grow tired of looking at him. He wore a black cotton shirt, short-sleeved, his forearms tanned and sinewy. His denim jeans hugged his hips and thighs. He was rugged through and through, all the way down to his black cowboy boots. A black felt Stetson sat on his head, and I thought I might swoon. He looked every bit the cowboy today, and I wanted to launch myself into his arms.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I came to plead guilty.”
I let out a sigh. “Haven’t we been through this?”
“I changed my mind. I want to plead guilty to a lesser offense. I…don’t want to be locked up.”
“Well then, you’re in luck. I just talked to your attorney on the phone. I’m offering a plea of guilty to reckless endangerment and a five hundred dollar fine, plus any restitution Colin demands.”
“Your boss will go for that?”
“My boss has no choice. He gave this case to me even when I told him I shouldn’t take it.”
“Why shouldn’t you have taken it?”
“I have a major conflict of interest. The alleged victim is my ex-fiancé, and the defendant—that’s you—well, you’re my best friend’s brother, and you and I are…”
His lips trembled a bit. Only a bit, but I noticed. He looked down and mumbled something I didn’t understand.
“What? I can’t hear you.”
He looked up, his dark eyes burning into me. “Thank you,” he said softly.
Those two words permeated my soul and lifted me high. Instinctively, I knew saying them had been difficult for him.
“You don’t have to thank me, Talon. I’m doing my job.”
“Blue eyes, your job is to prosecute me, not get me off.”
“Actually, you’re wrong. Colin is not my client. The city is. My job is to do what’s in the best interest of the city of Snow Creek. And quite frankly, it’s my professional opinion the interests of the city are best served if we don’t spend the taxpayers’ money to prosecute this case.”
“What if you’re wrong? What if I should be prosecuted? What if I beat the shit out of someone else?”
“You won’t.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because, Talon, I won’t let you.”
To my surprise, he nodded. “What do I do now?”
“Your attorney will call you and give you the details. There will be a hearing sometime soon, and we will present the plea to the judge.”
“All right.” He dug his hands into his pockets and looked down again. “For what it’s worth, Jade, I’m…sorry.”
I smiled. More difficult words from him. “Sorry for what? For beating Colin?”
