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Hannah began pacing again. “So if Lorrie isn’t helping Thomas to communicate with Dusty, who is?”
Eli’s mouth flattened. “It has to be someone Thomas trusts. He doesn’t have family, which only leaves one logical possibility in my mind.” He paused. “You won’t like it, Hannah.”
She turned to face him. “Who?”
TWENTY-ONE
The Law Offices of Jose Ortiz were strategically located in the center of three counties, with easy access to the freeway for anyone living in the wealthier Austin suburbs. The glass-and-chrome building glinted in the sunlight. Along with criminal law, the attorneys working for Jose handled probate, civil litigation, and family law.
Ryker took note of the expensive vehicles parked in the covered lot adjacent to the offices. “Looks like Jose pays his attorneys well. How long has he been in this location?”
“About five years.” Eli steered his vehicle into a parking space and killed the engine. “He started with a prodigious law firm in Austin doing criminal defense work. That’s his specialty. It’s also where he was working when he handled Dusty Stillman’s murder charge.”
An interesting twist of events that left an unpleasant taste in Ryker’s mouth. Why hadn’t Jose recognized his own client from the courthouse surveillance video? Or from the sketch artist’s rendering done right after Julie’s murder? Eli hypothesized the oversight had been on purpose, that perhaps Jose was acting as Thomas’s accomplice. Hannah hadn’t agreed. She’d argued that Jose made so much money as an attorney, it would be foolish to risk his business and his reputation by conspiring with his client.
Ryker didn’t know what to believe. Jose had given interviews to the media, making it clear the prosecution had no case against Thomas. How embarrassing would it be if he lost the trial? His reputation as a defense attorney would surely take a hit, but was that enough to join a conspiracy to commit murder? It felt like a reach. Then again, Ryker had worked cases with motives far less compelling.
He wanted to confront Jose with the information they had and gauge the attorney’s reaction. Hannah had wanted to join them, but Ryker convinced her to stay on the ranch, under the protective guard of his dad and cousin. He couldn’t keep her there forever. She had to go back to work tomorrow, but the less time Hannah spent off the ranch, the lower the chances of Dusty trying something.
Ryker prayed their efforts at finding the criminal would be successful. Claire was doing everything she could. An informant came forward late last night, claiming that Dusty had reached out. The criminal was attempting to garner support for another attack. What kind wasn’t clear, but it terrified Ryker to know Dusty hadn’t given up on killing Hannah.
Eli eyed him as they traversed the distance between the parking garage and the office building. “You’re not gonna hulk out on me in there, are you? Jose might not have nice things to say about Hannah. I’ve gotten the feeling he doesn’t particularly like her.”
Surprise flickered through Ryker. He and Eli had worked dozens of cases together, and he’d never gotten an inkling that his friend didn’t trust his abilities. “You think I can’t handle myself?”
“I think you’re developing feelings for Hannah and that can cloud your judgment. You practically punched out the District Attorney in the middle of the sheriff’s department, remember?”
Oh, yeah. Ryker didn’t like thinking about how Bruce had gotten in Hannah’s face. The need to protect her had been instinctive and, in hindsight, indicated how deep his feelings for the gorgeous woman ran. Their kiss yesterday had rocked his world off its axis. He still wasn’t sure what to do about this confusing mess he’d created. And now wasn’t the time to worry about it.
He reached for the door handle. “I’ll behave. Scout’s honor.”
Eli snorted. “You dropped out of Boy Scouts. Too many rules.”
“And you went all the way to Eagle, cuz you love rules.” Ryker grinned. “That’s what makes us a good team. I know you’ll keep me in line. You have since we were kids. Remember that time I nearly busted my head trying to dive into the lake off Gray’s Rock?”
They’d been twelve. Eli had tossed a sack of marbles over the edge of the cliff to illustrate just how dangerous jumping off would be. Ryker had taken one look at the crushed glass glittering on the rocks below and decided he didn’t want to take the risk. Instead, they’d gone for ice cream.
The memory brought a broad smile to Eli’s face. “You were a daredevil.”
Ryker laughed. He had been. Somewhere along the way, after losing Alison and recognizing his own reckless behavior, he’d started playing it safe. Maybe too safe. He’d guarded his heart with a fierceness that prevented him from ever developing deep feelings for someone. And then Hannah came along. One look at her made him long to be the old Ryker. The one who threw caution to the wind and dared to defy the odds.
Fifteen minutes later, after introducing themselves to the receptionist and showing their badges, they were whisked to Jose’s office on the top floor. Marble flooring, modern furniture, and touches of chrome gave the space an icy feel. In their blazers and boots, Ryker and Eli looked like misplaced cowboys.
Jose was stationed behind a lengthy desk made of the same marble as the flooring. He’d forgone a suit jacket, but his white button-up and tie were crisp. Diamond cufflinks winked from the end of his sleeve as he shook their hands. Pleasantries were exchanged. Jose offered them something to drink and then a seat in the visitor's chair facing his desk. Ryker settled in the wingback that probably cost more than his entire year’s salary.
“What can I help you with?” Jose asked, reclaiming his own seat behind the desk.
The attorney’s position was elevated slightly. It wasn’t enough that most people would notice, but Ryker recognized it as a power play. “We’d like to ask you about Dusty Stillman. As you know, we identified him as the man who assaulted Hannah in the courthouse.”
Jose folded his hands. “Yes. He’s likely the same criminal that threatened Thomas in the parking lot. And killed Julie.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t recognize him.” Eli opened a leather case containing his tablet and removed an old arrest photograph, placing it on Jose’s desk. “He was a client of yours. Seven years ago. Murder charges.”
Jose’s eyes widened slightly, but the move seemed calculated rather than one of genuine surprise. “Well, I’ve represented dozens of criminals over the years. I can’t be expected to remember all of them.” He glanced down at the picture. “Besides, Dusty didn’t have that identifiable scar back then, as you can see from his booking photo.”
“So you never suspected the criminal who attacked Hannah was someone you’d represented in the past?”
“Of course not. I want Dusty found more than anyone. Like I said, I believe he’s responsible for Julie’s murder. A crime my client has been falsely accused of.”
