Resisting Mr. Kane (London Mister #2)(46)

15




Tristan

“I have fifteen minutes, folks,” I explain as I enter the meeting room.

All four look nervous, even Adi, my senior lawyer. It’s his first time working directly with me. Yesterday the judge issued a warrant for Maria’s arrest. Our next visit will be in Bronzefield prison, just outside London. I take a seat at the front of the room and make myself comfortable.

Adi clears his throat. “We’re pursuing the claims that Maria was acting in self-defence. Maria wasn’t subject to a complete medical examination after informing the police that her husband applied physical violence with intent to kill. She was taken immediately to the police station, and a doctor wasn’t called until forty-eight hours later. We’ve been granted access to her hospital records. They clearly establish that Maria suffered deep bruising to the chest and, neck and a broken wrist.”

“So we’ve got a case for police misconduct?” I ask.

“We have the transcripts for the twenty-four hours following her arrest and the official police report. It’s evasive regarding why a full medical wasn’t established immediately. There was little attempt to ascertain whether there were signs of a struggle, either within the property or on Maria’s person,” Jacob explains.

I nod. “Sloppy or deliberate police work?”

Jacob shakes his head. “The evidence doesn’t tell us yet. Maria knew the officer in charge. She claims he has been taking bribes from her husband for years. If Maria is telling the truth, then it’s intentional police misconduct.”

My attention focuses on the captivating brunette in the corner. It’s been a week since I ambushed her date. Unless I make a concerted effort there is no reason our paths will cross, and I know she won’t instigate it.

I force my eyes away from her and back to the dossier Adi has set down in front of me.

“Do we have any evidence of bribery?” I ask, turning back to the team. “I’m assuming we have no police officers willing to testify.”

“Absolutely not,” Jacob confirms.

I flick through the brief until I find what I’m looking for. Maria told us she secretly recorded her husband discussing one of the girls, known as girl D. “What about Maria’s claims of the recording?”

“I’m pursuing that,” Lisa says. “We’ve expedited the request with the phone carrier to get the back-ups. The Colombian police won’t turn over Maria’s phone.”

“Okay.” I nod, scanning the brief. They’ve made good progress. “We have four weeks until the extradition hearing. Ed will email the date once it’s known. Keep looking until you find something we can pin Article 3 on.”

We need to prove that there is a real threat to life if Maria is expedited. So far, we don’t have enough.

“Anything else?” I ask, moving to the final pages of the dossier. “What are these notes?”

Adi leans over to see what I’m reading. “Ah, Elly was studying the transcripts and recommended we probe more into girl D with Maria.”

I look at her. “Why?”

She swallows nervously and pushes her glasses up her nose. “Maria said she never met girl D or any of the girls,” she explains, fidgeting with her hands. “She made a joke about her husband liking the girls feeble and petite so he could feel important. Photos of girl D have never been publicised and the police never questioned Maria about her. So it strikes me as strange that Maria knew she fit the description. I didn’t pick up on it until I listened to the transcripts a second time.”

She looks at me with bated breath, like I might laugh or shout her out of the room.

“Agreed, delve into it,” I confirm, and her shoulders relax. “We cannot have her withholding information.”

I do a final scan then close it. “Good report.”

Adi smiles at Elly. “Actually, Elly did the report. I only had to make minimal changes.”

She blushes. I remember she’s not good at accepting compliments or praise.

“Very good, well done, Elly. How are you settling in?”

“Good, Mr. Kane.” She shifts in her chair, clearly unappreciative of my attention before the team. “I’m supporting three cases including this one. Sophie is a good mentor.”

“Glad to hear it.” I turn to Adi. “Are we done for now?”

“Yes, sir,” Adi replies.

I nod, standing up. “Let’s meet again in two days. I’ll review the full brief by tomorrow.”

They expect me to stride out of the room. I have places I need to be, and Ed has my meetings lined up like dominos.

Instead, I linger as they pack up their laptops.

Still, she avoids eye contact although the deep blush on her cheeks tells me she feels the full weight of my gaze. She studies her laptop like it's the most fascinating thing she's ever seen.

They follow me into the hall, Elly trailing behind. My senior lawyers have the good sense to address me on the way out.

Elly gives me a brief nod, making eye contact with my chin. She walks towards the back elevator at top speed while the others walk in the opposite direction.

“Elly, wait,” I call as she stabs the down button in rapid succession. The elevator opens and she disappears instead. What the fuck? I don’t expect my staff to ignore me.