Rich Blood (Jason Rich #1)(31)

“Are you going to represent me?”

“No,” he said. “I suggest you call one of the criminal defense lawyers in town.”

“I’ve called all of them. No one’ll take my case.”

“The public defender then?” Jason said, knocking on the door three times.

“Marshall County doesn’t have one.”

“Then ask the court to appoint you one.”

“J. J., please—”

“Don’t J. J. me,” he said, wheeling toward her. “You ask for help, but then you do everything you can do to make me feel like I’m going crazy. The truth is that I believe you probably killed Braxton. And, if you didn’t kill him, I bet he’s dead because of you.”

She glared at him. “Go then. I don’t need you. I don’t need any damn body. I’ll represent myself.”

“That would be a mistake.”

“Calling you was a mistake,” Jana hissed. “Expecting the only family I have left to offer any support was a mistake. Get out of my sight, Jason. There’s a bar right down the street. The Brick. They have great happy hour specials.”

Jason started to fire something back, but the buzzing sound of the door opening interrupted him. The female guard stepped inside. “All done?”

“Yes,” Jason said, scowling at his sister. “We’re done here.”





23


Jason walked with his head down as he exited the consultation room. He wanted to get out of the building as fast as possible, but as he was led down the hall, he realized that a swift departure wasn’t going to happen. There was a barrel-chested man in uniform who appeared to be waiting on him at the end of the hall. Next to him was a tall, thin woman with dark-brown hair wearing a maroon suit.

“Mr. Rich, I’m Sheriff Richard Griffith.” He cocked his head at the woman. “And this is the district attorney, Ms. Shay Lankford.”

Jason held out his right hand and shook both of theirs. He managed a smile, as did the sheriff, but the prosecutor remained stone faced.

“Mr. Rich, are you going to be representing your sister?” Shay asked.

Direct and straight to the point. Jason felt wobbly on his feet. “Honestly, ma’am, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I just met with her in my capacity as a lawyer. As I’m sure you know, criminal law isn’t my cup of tea.”

His words did bring a slight grin to Shay’s face. “Yes, I was aware of that. Ms. Rich has been adamant that you were going to be her lawyer, but I have to say I’ll be surprised if you take this on.”

Jason felt a tickle of irritation. He wanted to get out of this place. “Why? Because I’m her brother? Or because I’m a personal injury lawyer?”

“Both. But mainly because you don’t do criminal work, and you haven’t tried many cases.”

“Trust me, sir,” the sheriff said, his voice gruff but not unfriendly. “You don’t want any part of this.”

“Hearing that a lot,” Jason said. “But I’ll make up my own mind.” He turned to Shay. “Any chance I can get a copy of that confession from Waylon Pike?”

She didn’t hesitate. “There’s no discovery in a criminal case in Alabama until after the indictment is handed down by the grand jury. However, if you enter an appearance, I’m happy to give you a copy of Pike’s statement.”

“Great,” Jason said, slapping his hands together. “Well, Sheriff, Ms. Lankford, I just got into town, and I need to see my nieces.”

“They’re at the house on Buck Island,” Griffith said. “Their aunt’s with them.”

Jason wrinkled up his face. “Isn’t that where—”

“The boathouse has been roped off with yellow tape,” the sheriff added. “And our crime scene technicians have already done a thorough search of the home.”

“OK,” Jason said. “Well, thank you for letting me know.”

“Neither of the girls have come to see their mother since the arrest,” Shay said. “In fact, she’s had no visitors.”

“Well,” Jason said, “thanks for updating me. I’m going to go now.” He stepped toward the sheriff, who moved out of his way.

“Mr. Rich?” Shay called after him.

“Yes,” he said, looking over his shoulder at her.

“I know this is a difficult time for you, but I’m going to give you some unsolicited advice.”

“OK,” Jason said.

“See your nieces. Be with your family. But don’t try to be a hero. Jana is guilty, and I bet, deep down, you probably know that. Let the court appoint her an attorney and go back to taking million-dollar settlements. Given what you’ve been through this year, I doubt a murder trial is the best way to break back in.”

A surge of anger ran through Jason’s body. How in the hell could she know that he’d been in rehab? His thoughts must have registered on his face because Shay took a step forward and spoke in a low tone that only he could hear. “I make it a point to research my opponents. I know you’ve been to treatment. I know you had a bar complaint. I know you and your sister have been estranged for years.” She took a step closer and spoke directly in his ear. “I also know that she’s batshit crazy with a strong motive to murder her husband and a dump truck of evidence against her. Let this one go, Jason.”