The Perfect Alibi (Robin Lockwood #2)(76)
“That sounds right.”
“They’re the same boys who invited Blaine Hastings to the party. I know that because Jeff talked to them. They said they told you Blaine was going to be at the party.”
“What if they did?”
“You told me that you didn’t know Blaine would be at the party.”
“I guess I forgot.”
“When Blaine attacked me in the parking garage, he said the DNA evidence in his case had been rigged. I got the impression that he was implying that he got the idea for his scam from you.”
“That’s ridiculous. How would I know how to do something like that?”
“A nursing student would know all about DNA and what it can do. You’re not stupid, Randi. You told me your GPA, remember. I think you’re quite capable of coming up with a plan to frame Blaine.”
Randi studied Robin for a moment. Then she leaned forward. “After Annie told me about your meeting, I researched the attorney–client privilege. It’s pretty powerful. I even read about a case where a client told his lawyers that he’d murdered a person, and they couldn’t tell anyone even though an innocent man was in prison for the murder. That was really awful.” Randi looked directly at her attorney. “I definitely did not frame Blaine, but from what I read, if I did tell you I set him up, you and your investigator couldn’t tell anyone that Blaine is innocent. Is that right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Even if I did frame Blaine—which I didn’t—you shouldn’t get upset. He deserves to be in jail.”
“No one should be in jail for a crime they didn’t commit.”
“I agree. Ryan should never have been in jail. He wouldn’t have been if Blaine hadn’t framed him.”
“Is this revenge for Ryan?”
“If I did frame Blaine, which I didn’t, it would be justice for Ryan. But it would also be justice for me. Did anyone ever tell you why Ryan fought with Blaine?”
“Blaine insulted you and called you a slut.”
“Yeah, he did after Ryan accused him of raping me.”
“What?”
“I was pretty wild in high school. I had fake ID and I’d go to some pretty dicey bars. One night, I was with Ryan at one of them and we ran into Blaine. He came on to me and I blew him off. He couldn’t take that, so he followed me into the parking lot when I went for a smoke.”
Randi paused and looked at Robin. Her jaw quivered and her eyes teared up. She took a breath. “Have you ever been raped?”
“No.”
“That’s good, because you never forget it. Every time I have sex, I have to block out that bastard’s face.”
Randi took another breath. “He beat me and raped me in an alley. Ryan found me and took me home. The next day, he went after Blaine, and Blaine made sure Ryan went to jail to shut him up.”
Again, Randi took a breath. “My conscience is clear. Blaine raped me and he’s in prison for rape. And, by the way, I lied about the nightmares. Since the judge put that animal in a cage where he belongs, I’ve been sleeping like a baby.
“So, Robin, where do we go from here? Because, if you’re not interested in representing me, I’m sure there are plenty of lawyers who would like a percentage of a multimillion-dollar verdict.”
* * *
Robin was working the heavy bag with so much fury that she attracted Barry McGill’s attention.
“Who you pounding on?” McGill asked.
Robin wrenched around, her fist cocked. “What?”
McGill nodded at the bag. “Who’s that supposed to be?”
Robin dropped her fist. “Client trouble,” she answered.
“Like the kind you had with Willis Goins?”
“Worse. There’s someone in prison who might be serving time for something he didn’t do.”
“You sure the guy in prison is innocent?”
“He is and he isn’t. It’s complicated.”
“Tell the DA.”
“I can’t. I’m forbidden by law to reveal anything a client tells me or anything I learn while I’m investigating the case. The attorney–client privilege has me handcuffed.”
“That’s got to weigh on you.”
Robin’s shoulders sagged. “Honestly, Barry, it’s tearing me up.”
McGill nodded at the heavy bag. “I can see that. Those bags are expensive.”
Robin flashed a sad smile. “Sorry.”
McGill shook his head. “I don’t envy you. When I was boxing, I could take care of my problems with a left hook.”
“The law isn’t as simple as boxing.”
“I get that. Well, I’ll let you get back to work.” He pointed at the bag. “Go easy on my friend.”
As soon as McGill walked away, Robin squared up, but her anger had ebbed while she was talking with Barry and she didn’t feel like working out anymore. After a few more halfhearted swings at the heavy bag, Robin headed for the locker room.
* * *
Robin didn’t know what to do, but there was someone she knew who might. As soon as she was home, Robin checked the time in Athens and called the hotel where Regina Barrister was staying. Stanley Cloud answered the phone.