Just a Little Bit Guilty Read Online Free PDF

amazement, as a surly, heavily tattooed man bumped him and uttered an obscenity.
    How could Viv—that was the intimate way he thought of her now, Viv —work in this joint? No wonder she had to act so tough and snappy.
    Directions to the five municipal court chambers upstairs were posted over two creaking elevators. Jake exhaled in relief and guided his prisoner toward them. They trundled through yet another set of security scanners.
    "See, man, I told you we should have come in this way instead of creeping in the back door," the man sniped during the elevator ride. "Dumb redneck." 35
    Just a little Bit Guilty
    by Deborah Smith
    "Not so dumb that I couldn't catch you ," Jake reminded him as they left the elevator, went through more security checkpoints, then worked their way to an information desk.
    "Where's Judge Costa's courtroom, ma'am?" he asked an officer.
    She stared at him and his baling-wire-wrapped prisoner.
    "What the ... how did you ... who are ... didn't anyone ask you for I.D. downstairs? What department are you from?" Uh oh. "I'm makin' a citizen's arrest." She nearly shrieked. "You just walked in off the street ?"
    "That's what citizens do, ma'am."
    "Not in this city, mister." She was reaching for the call button on her shoulder radio when Officer Washington walked up. "I know this farmer. It's cool, Shaneeqa."
    Jake looked at him gratefully while giving his prisoner a little shake. "I brought Viv a present. Figured this is more subtle than roses and a bottle of champagne." Barney Washington's dark, surprised eyes filled with sly amusement. "Awright, man. I'll ride this train to Trouble Town with you. Come on."
    He led Jake and the hobbling criminal through a set of double doors identified by a COURTROOM 3 sign. Jake gazed happy at Vivian Costas, looking small but official behind the courtroom's raised desk. She was studying the screen of a computer and didn't see him come in. Her black hair was tucked up in a knot on the back of her head. The front of it fluffed away from her face in layers. Even in a voluminous black robe with a prim white collar peaking out 36
    Just a little Bit Guilty
    by Deborah Smith
    the top, she looked enticing. Jake took a deep breath then lugged his captive up the center aisle.
    The scraggly crowd lounging in the courtroom benches turned to stare. Someone sputtered. "That's police brutality if I ever seen it!"
    "He can be brutal to me any time," crooned a woman in tight purple hot pants and a tank top. "Oooh, baby, your place, my place, any place. Tickle my fancy, you big ol' hunk of flannel-covered sausage."
    Jake's face was grim as he shoved his charge ahead of him. A detective yawned and turned from Vivian's desk to slowly scan him.
    "You work vice, don't you, man?" he asked Jake. "I think you're supposed to take this guy next door."
    "This Duddly Do-Right doesn't work vice!" Jake's captive burst out in exasperation. "Get him off me, man! He's just some crazy mofo out there doin' a Rambo on people."
    "Your Honor," Jake said firmly. "Viv..." Her head came up quickly at the sound of his voice. He noted happily that for just a fleeting second her eyes lit with what might have been delight, and their glow sent shivers through his body. Then her mouth popped open and her face turned bright scarlet.
    "I brought you a present, Your Honor," Jake said solemnly. He nodded toward his prisoner. "This is one of 'em, isn't it? I got a good look at him the other night, but you need to identify..."
    "Mr. Coltrane," she said tightly, her voice wavering. He blinked in surprise at the rebuking tone. "Mr. Coltrane," she 37
    Just a little Bit Guilty
    by Deborah Smith
    repeated more definitely, "you cannot just barge in here with a man trussed up like a bale of hay. We have procedures for this sort of thing, and you have just circumvented all of them. You should have turned this man over to a police officer." She peered around him, glaring at Barney Washington, who stood at the back of the room, trying