Chasing Justice: A Matt Royal Mystery Read Online Free PDF

the charge is based on a substantial amount of evidence and a likelihood of prevailing in order for the judge to deny bail.”
    “What was the evidence that led somebody to think Abby killed that bastard?”
    “I can’t discuss that with you right now. I’m sorry, but at least for now, I’m Abby’s lawyer and I’m bound by all kinds of confidentiality rules.”
    Bill nodded and was silent for a moment. “Will you represent her?”
    “Do you think that’s a good idea, Bill? I’ve been out of it for a long time.”
    “You couldn’t tell that when you were representing Logan.”
    “Let me talk it over with J.D.”
    “We’ve got quite a bit of money saved,” he said. “Abby has a small trust fund, and we’ve been living on our salaries and putting that money away. We can pay you.”
    I shook my head. “That would ruin my amateur status. But if I take the case, I’ll have to hire an investigator and maybe an assistant to take care of some of the paperwork. I’d probably be able to get a second-year law student at Stetson to help. They’ll need to be paid.”
    “Whatever you need.”
    “There’s another issue, Bill. If I’m Abby’s lawyer, anything she tells me will be confidential. I won’t be able to share it with you. She can tell you, but if she’s in jail, I don’t want you two talking about anything dealing with the case. You don’t have any right to privacy, and they record those conversations. I’ll only be able to tell you what she allows me to say. Can you live with that?”
    “I guess I’ll have to.”
    “Bill, your friendship means a lot to me, and I don’t want to get into a situation where you’re mad at me for not telling you everything I know.”
    “That won’t happen.”
    “Okay. I’ll be having breakfast with J.D. and then I’ll get back to you. If I decide to take the case, I’ll go downtown and meet with Abby. I’ll talk to you by ten this morning.”
    * * *
    It was nearing six o’clock as I drove north on GMD. The fog had cleared, but it was still dark. Harry’s Corner Store was just opening. I pulled in, bought the morning paper, and drove on home.
    I heard J.D. stirring about in the bedroom and then the shower running. I prepared some eggs for scrambling, put bacon in a frying pan, and started a pot of grits. I filled the coffeemaker with water and coffee and turned it on. Breakfast would be ready by the time she was dressed.
    She came into the kitchen just as I was putting the food on the table. J.D. was beautiful any time of day or night, but the mornings always brought a smile from me. She was dressed in what she called her cop uniform; black slacks, a white polo shirt with the logo of the Longboat Key Police Department embroidered above the breast pocket, and comfortable shoes. Her dark hair just touched her shoulders and she was showing that smile that could bring a grown man to his knees. “I smelled the bacon,” she said. “We sure are domestic this morning.”
    “Nothing’s too good for my sweetie.”
    We sat and ate. “Do you want to talk about this morning?” she asked.
    I went through the whole thing. I told her about the charges, about Harry Robson and Wes Lucas and our confrontation in the interview room. And I told her about the evidence that I knew about. “You know you can’t tell anyone any of this.”
    “I know. How’s Abby holding up?”
    “Actually,” I said, “she’s holding up pretty well. She and Bill want me to represent her.”
    “What did you tell them?”
    “That I wanted to discuss it with you.”
    “It’s your decision, Matt.”
    “But it could affect you. And us.”
    “How?”
    “If I lose this case, your job could be in jeopardy. Bill Lester wouldn’t be happy with me, and by extension, maybe you. And he probably wouldn’t hold on to his job either. The husband of a convicted murderer isn’t going to be working as a cop. His career will be over. Maybe yours, too.”
    “I’ll take that chance.”
    “Are you