While Justice Sleeps(50)
“Yes, he is.”
The guard smacked the top of the cab, which pulled into traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue and began to travel north. “Where to, miss?”
She gave her home address to the driver. In a rush, the adrenaline left her, and she sagged against the broken vinyl of the seat. Her hand came to her mouth as she caught back a sob.
It was over for her. Her life’s work, gone in an instant. All for a man who’d barely acknowledged her existence.
With the FBI and Homeland Security working together, she’d be in custody in a matter of days, if not hours. Scott Curlee would trumpet the story across cable, and she’d be finished. She didn’t have a firm lined up, thanks to Justice Wynn’s stupid ethical rules. No job, no money.
Except for half a million she wouldn’t and couldn’t spend.
Ling’s admonition from the night before came screaming back: Refuse the power of attorney…Your boss thinks you’re a chess piece that’s disposable. This isn’t your fight. Get away from the Wynns.
Howard Wynn had set her up and put her entire life in jeopardy without the courtesy of a simple explanation. Her roommate was afraid to come home, and strange men were manipulating her exactly like a chess piece on a board. Like an ill-fated bishop—filled with useless power and limited moves.
She’d been an excellent clerk and a loyal worker for Howard Wynn.
She owed him nothing more.
As the driver wound his way through morning rush hour, Avery removed her cell phone and dialed the law firm that represented Justice Wynn.
“Noah Fox.”
“Mr. Fox, this is Avery Keene.”
“Yes, Ms. Keene. We were sorry you couldn’t meet with us yesterday to review Justice Wynn’s estate information.”
Ice coated Avery’s stomach, but she ignored the sense of betrayal. She had to take care of herself. Hadn’t Rita taught her years ago that no one else would? “Mr. Fox, do you have time now to discuss Justice Wynn?”
“Sure.”
“Good. I’m on my way over.”
Ten minutes later, Avery reached the glossy office building and rode the elevator upstairs. She met Noah Fox in the lobby. He extended a hand and welcomed her. “Nice to finally meet you, though I wish it were under different circumstances.”
“As do I.”
He pointed to a hallway and they began to walk. “While we’re all very hopeful, you have a significant responsibility.”
“I know,” Avery acknowledged brusquely.
If she hadn’t realized it before, she certainly understood that now. Problem was, she didn’t want the responsibility. She’d spent a lifetime taking care of one lost soul; she wouldn’t risk her future on another one. A bribery or fraud charge from the FBI wouldn’t simply disappear. A murder charge would guarantee she couldn’t sit for the bar anywhere, assuming she wasn’t rotting away in a federal supermax.
Anything that happened with the justice, any decision she made, would be evidence of a conspiracy. The perfect snare. Keep him alive or kill him, either action would evidence a guilty mind. Worse, she’d have a red flag on every background check, a redacted document in every file. Her legal career lay in ruins—unless she made a grand gesture that exonerated her.
They wound through a corridor, and Avery glanced at the attorney. “Mr. Fox, I need your help.”
“Of course.” He nodded solemnly. “Justice Wynn left careful instructions, and I’m sure we can figure out what needs to be done as his guardian.”
Avery stopped, turned. “That’s just it,” she said bluntly. “I don’t want to be in charge.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s simple, Mr. Fox. I quit.”
TWENTY
Noah Fox ushered Avery into a small conference room. The table had been stacked with the compendium of Justice Wynn’s estate planning. “Ms. Keene, are you sure this is what you want?”
“It’s what I intend to do,” she corrected, wandering to the opposite side of the table. A bottle of water had been put on a blotter, along with a pen. “I want to relinquish my authority and assign it to Chief Justice Teresa Roseborough, effective immediately. She’s known Justice Wynn for a long time, and she is better suited to make his medical decisions.”
Her first thought had been to give it to Jared, but the FBI already suspected the two of them of conspiring together. The Chief was above reproach. A perfect solution. “Can you draft the appropriate documents today? I can wait here to sign them.”
“You truly want to refuse guardianship?”
“Yes,” she insisted, starting to believe it herself. What he’d asked cost too much. “I am rejecting his power of attorney.”
Across the glass-topped table, the silence lengthened. Finally, Noah replied, “I’m sorry, Ms. Keene. You can’t transfer guardianship to Chief Roseborough.”
Avery frowned. “Why not?”
“Justice Wynn made strict provisions for his care. In the event you fail to serve as his legal guardian, Mrs. Turner-Wynn takes control.”
“Celeste? No, he couldn’t have intended to do that. She can’t have guardianship.”
“She can if you refuse to accept the power of attorney.”