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He slumped in his seat and refused to meet anyone’s gaze.
“Were you at your aunt’s house?”
Dara shook her head, blond hair swishing. “I was in the playhouse. It was dark. I didn’t have my pin.”
Shel stroked the top of her head as she choked back a sob. “I’ve got it right here, baby.”
“You do? I thought I dropped it in the woods.” Her blue eyes widened with innocent joy.
“We found it.” She fastened the daisy pin on the little girl’s dress.
The girl beamed, then leaned against her mother. “Can we go home now?”
“Dara, how did you get here?” The judge took off her glasses and set them on the desk.
“A nice man got me out of the playhouse. At first I wouldn’t go with him, but he knew the answers to all my questions and promised he’d take me to Mommy.”
“Dara, you know not to go with strangers,” Shel scolded.
“Did you know the man?” The judge’s tone was softer than any she’d used in her courtroom.
“No, but he was nice. And he did what he said.”
“Would you recognize him if you saw him?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Duke flew under the radar. He’d do all he could to stay that way.
“Can you tell me why your aunt and father put you in that room?”
“They said it was an adventure. I like adventures.”
The judge cracked a fond smile. “Me too.” She leaned back in her seat. “Mr. Plater, stay put. Counselor Whitley, your client is free to go.” One brow arched in aget out of my chambersgesture.
I stood. “Thank you, your honor.”
As soon asI’d parted company with Abraham, I retrieved my phone to call Duke. Before I could dial, Wicked’s name flashed on the screen.
“How’d you do it?” she demanded as soon as I answered.
“How’d you know I just walked out of the courthouse?”
“Did he tell you where to find her?”
“Can we take a breath here?”
“Why do you sound so calm?”
“Didn’t you hear? I won a case without having to do a thing. My client was innocent. A little congratulations would be nice.” I grinned just because she couldn’t see me.
“I’m calling because I heard. And you don’t need a pat on the back since you didn’t do anything.”
I stifled a laugh. My girl kept it real. “So no celebratory blow job?”
A man walking past cut his eyes at me. I lifted my chin in ayou wishgesture.
“Is sex all you think about?”
