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“You can’t do a good job with all your personal distractions. Besides, I don’t want a creep for a lawyer.”
“We’re all creeps.” I grabbed the handle of my bag. “Good luck. Hope you figure out what I did about Alex.”
My hand was on the doorknob when he called my name. Slowly, I turned.
“What do you know?”
I pressed my lips together. “Uh-uh. You don’t need me.”
“Did he hurt her?” The chains linking his ankles clanged when he stood.
“I wish you the best.” I didn’t care anymore. If the accused couldn’t give me the benefit of the doubt, who would? At the very least, this guy should be on my side.
“Whitley, did he do something to her?” The desperation in his voice, his features, clawed at me. The guy was huge, but a sheen formed over his eyes.
“Do you believe you can get out of here?”
Confusion flitted across his face. “I don’t know.”
“Do you believe I’m the person who gives you the best chance?”
“How can you defend me when you’re in a similar position?”
I sighed. “Twice now, you’ve assumed I was guilty. If you want my help, we’ve got to establish some kind of trust and fast. The trial is in nine days. Either you’re with me or you’re on your own. But if you choose me, no more of this waffling.”
“Is this why you’re a lawyer?” He sank back in his seat.
I strode back to the table and rested my hands on top of my briefcase. “I wanted the accused to know what it was like to have at least one person in their corner. You’re lucky your father believes in you. Not everybody has that.”
“You think I’m guilty.”
“I’ve defended a lot of people who were, even though I believed in their innocence.”
He squinted at me. “You’re bitter about that.”
“Jaded is a better word.”
“Why’d you take my case?”
“You’re my last hope.” I plunked my legal pad on the table.
“How?”
“I need you to be innocent. And if you are, I need to win. To prove I haven’t wasted my entire career.” I dropped my phone on top of the note pad.
“What if I’m guilty?”
“Then I’m just a misguided schmuck.” I already felt like one.
“Would you throw the case if you figure out I am?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you?”
“Would you?”
We ended up in a stare-off, until he finally flinched.
“I didn’t do anything to Dara.”
