Rich Blood (Jason Rich #1)(48)

“I want you to draft me up a notice of appearance as counsel for Jana.”

“Are you out of your—”

“I also want you to look at discovery in criminal cases in Alabama and see what we can get.”

“I haven’t handled a single criminal matter in my life, and neither have you.”

“Well, with this one and one more, we’ll have handled two. I don’t have time to argue with you, Izzy. I have to do this to protect my family.”

“Jason, talk to me. What’s happened?”

“Call Professor Adams over at Cumberland. We’ve given a lot of money to the school. Tell her we’d like her to consult with us, and we’ll pay her a handsome fee to be a guiding post.” He’d paused to catch his breath and could tell his partner was furiously scribbling notes. Pamela Adams was the dean of criminal law at Cumberland and the best teacher Jason ever had. She’d probably agree to consult for free given the high profile nature of the case, but he knew you got what you paid for.

“Anything else?” Izzy asked. The protest in her voice was gone.

“Yeah. Send Harry. ASAP.”

He’d clicked end without further discussion. That was how he rolled when he worked. No wasted effort. No squandered time. It felt exhilarating and oddly comforting to be back in the arena, even if defending a murder case was uncharted territory.

Jason watched the double doors to the side of the reception area swing open. District Attorney Shay Lankford walked toward him with something between a smirk and a scowl.

“I saw your notice of appearance.”

Jason smiled. Once engaged, there was no one faster on the draw than Izzy Montaigne. She’d filed the notice within an hour of their call. “Yes. I’ve decided to represent Jana.”

“Does your client know?” Shay asked.

“Why would you ask that?”

Shay shrugged. “Let’s just say the guards that bring Jana her meals have reported that she seems to say a lot of ugly things about you.”

“She’s my sister. We fight like hell, but we’re family.” The words sounded odd coming out of his mouth.

Shay stepped closer. “I hope you aren’t planning to turn this case into some kind of circus.”

Jason frowned. “What are you suggesting?”

She crossed her arms. “Oh, come on, Captain Billboard. You’re a walking publicity stunt. Just don’t expect Judge Carlton or Judge Barber to put up with any kind of shenanigans.”

Jason felt a trickle of anxiety run through him. He didn’t recognize the names of either of the two circuit court judges. Undeterred, he forced a grin. “I’m going to be myself.”

Before Shay could respond, an officer approached them. “The detainee is in the consultation room.”

The prosecutor gestured for Jason to follow the deputy.

He started to walk toward the double doors but then looked over his shoulder at Shay and added, “You said if I entered an appearance, you’d give me a copy of Waylon Pike’s confession. I’d like it before I leave today.”

Shay pursed her lips. “Certainly.”

“Good,” Jason said. “Looking forward to working with you.”





36


Once they were alone in the room, Jana spoke through clenched teeth. “Well, you’ve got a lot of nerve. Coming back here after making such an ass of yourself yesterday. I’m not in much of a forgiving mood.”

“Shut up,” Jason said.

Jana recoiled. “What . . . what did you say to me?”

“I said shut up,” Jason said. “I’m in no mood for your lunacy, Jana. Tyson Cade almost killed me last night. He held me at gunpoint and said that if you testified in this case and implicated him in any way in any kind of drug deal, that he would kill me, and that he would rape and kill Niecy and Nola.”

Jana’s eyes went wide, and she shook her head back and forth, as if she didn’t want to believe it. “He’s bluffing.”

“He thinks you have something on him. Do you?”

She averted her eyes, looking up at the ceiling.

“Do you?” Jason pressed.

“Maybe.”

“What in the hell does that mean? If I’m going to represent you, we can’t keep secrets from each other.”

“Whoa, now. Who’s saying that you’re doing any such thing. I don’t want that anymore.”

“Too late,” Jason said. “I’m not going to let you endanger your children and my nieces. I’ve already entered my appearance as your attorney. I’m taking the case, and you need to start talking.”

She crossed her arms. “That’s not legal. You can’t represent me without my consent.”

“We’re in Marshall County, Jana. It’s the Wild, Wild West, and I’m not in the mood for your bullshit. You need a lawyer, and there aren’t any other takers. I’m all you’ve got, and I’d say that makes you pretty damn lucky.”

“Oh, really. Why’s that?”

“Because every member of that jury will have driven by four of my billboards coming and going to trial. I’m a household name, and what I lack in experience in criminal law, I make up for in recognition.” He rubbed his hands together. “Your case needs smoke, bluster, and bullshit, and I’ve made a career out of all three.”