Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1)(40)

Will didn’t know if Laura was purposefully showing Stephanie in an unfavorable light or if she wasn’t aware of it. “Do you know where I can find your husband? I’d like to ask him a few questions.”

She checked her watch. “He left here to go to Donovan Jewelers to pick up my diamond bracelet. Jared is an old friend, so they probably went to the coffee shop around the corner.”

Donovan and Delaney. Old money and nouveau riche. Or more aptly, old power and new power, as the Donovans were connected to the old political machine that ran Memphis for years and now Laura was the face of new politics. “Can you give me his cell phone number?”

She hesitated, and then rattled it off. “He doesn’t know any more than I do about Stephanie’s case.”

“I still would like to talk to him.”

“You’re fighting a lost cause,” she said. “And I’m getting behind on my schedule.”

Dismissed, Will stood. “I’m convinced Jimmy didn’t kill Stephanie. I’ll get the evidence and be back.”

“When you do, I’ll take it to the judge. But you don’t have much time.”

He tipped his head.

No one had to tell him he was running out of time. That fact was with him day and night.





13


MADELINE STARR WANTED HIM TO WALK WITH HER? David tilted his head, and for the first time he noticed faint laughter lines around her eyes. So her smile did sometimes go all the way to her deep blue eyes. Maybe this would go better than he expected.

“Walk? Sure.”

He followed her to the reception area, where she told Shawna she’d be back in thirty minutes.

“I like your receptionist. She has good instincts,” he said on the elevator.

“She’s my assistant . . . and much more. I should have listened to her this morning. How about the Riverwalk?”

“Good idea.” The walking trail that wound along the Mississippi River would offer a more relaxed atmosphere than the foot traffic on Front Street.

“Lieutenant Raines, I—”

“Call me David.” He glanced down at her. She didn’t look at all like the last time they’d met, with her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. A couple of strands had slipped out of the band, softening the tough lawyer image he remembered from the courtroom. Then, her hair had been in a tight bun on her neck. She’d represented the man he’d arrested, and she’d been relentless in her questioning.

Today she didn’t seem nearly as tall and formidable, although she probably stood five-eight or nine. And she had a nice build. He’d noticed when he followed her down the hallway.

“David.” She said his name as if trying it out. “If you’ll call me Maggie. It’s what my friends call me, and since you saved me from bodily harm this morning, you move from possible adversary into the friendship category.”

She did remember their last meeting. He’d have to see what he could do to stay out of her enemy camp. “Do you always talk like a lawyer?”

“What?”

“Bodily harm, adversary, friendship category . . .”

Maggie laughed softly. “I suppose I do.”

The timbre of her voice when she laughed quickened his heart. There was something soothing about it.

“Maggie?” he said. “How do you get Maggie from Madeline?”

She gave him a wicked grin. “That information is reserved for really good friends.”

“Okay. I’ll have to see how to get moved to that category.” A brisk south wind blew blossoms from the Bradford pear trees across their path as they walked in silence. It’d probably rain later. He caught a glimpse of the Memphis Queen chugging up the Mississippi, well out of the wake of a barge floating south. He loved the river and the way it energized him. Should come here more often. David’s cell phone rang. “Excuse me,” he said before answering. “Raines.”

“Laura Delaney is not going to be any help with getting a stay for Jimmy.”

He recognized Will’s voice. “How do you know?”

“I just left her office, and she almost laughed me out of it.”

“I’ll pass that on. I’d like to meet with you and Brad this afternoon. Why don’t I join you at the Wilson house?” When Will agreed, David hung up and slipped his phone in his back pocket, rejoining the lawyer. “Sorry about that,” he said.

“That’s fine. It gave me a minute to think.”

“About?” They started walking again.

Maggie cleared her throat and said, “Umm.”

Now she had his curiosity up. “Yeah?”

“I need to apologize for . . .”

She bit her bottom lip, and he liked the way she seemed flummoxed.

“The way I acted this morning.” The words came out in a rush. “While I don’t think Thompson would have actually harmed me, you probably kept both of us from doing and saying things we’d regret.”

“Probably?”

“Yes, probably. Thompson isn’t a complete idiot.” She turned to him. “You still haven’t told me why you were in my office.”

That was more than likely all the thanks he would get from Maggie Starr. He’d take it. “I’m here on behalf of Jimmy Shelton.”