Mistletoe and Murder in Las Vegas Read Online Free PDF Page B

them incendiary device tactics, he could deny bond and she’d end up in jail for months.” He sat for a moment, his eyes getting that glassy look again. “But you,” he said, his voice cracking, “can save my Dita.”
    Kimmie placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “They were once engaged.”
    “Sorry things didn’t work out,” Joanne said.
    She truly felt sorry, too. Poor guy seemed to be barely holding it together...so obviously Dita had broken his heart. The worst hurt in the world had to be the hurt of learning you’re not wanted.
    “However,” she continued, “I can’t take this case be—”
    “Jo will be at the arraignment and make sure Dita gets bonded out.”
    Kimmie gasped, her gaze bouncing from Joanne to Gloria. “F’sure? I mean, you just said you can’t take this case...”
    For several long, awkward moments, the only sound was Lenny making crunching sounds as he ate popcorn.
    “Excuse me,” Joanne said, turning to Gloria the Big Mouth. “I need to speak to my investigator.”
    She faced Gloria, her back to the others who started rustling papers and chatting loudly about work to give them privacy.
    “I can’t believe you lawyered me up with an alleged arsonist-eco-terrorist whose case has LOTS OF TROUBLE FOR NO MONEY stamped all over it,” she whispered. “No more decision-making on my behalf, remember ?”
    “This isn’t about my making a decision for you,” she whispered back. “It’s about seeking justice for a poor woman they’re trying to railroad into prison.” She rolled back her shoulders, making her five-nine look six-two.
    Using my own words against me . Plus that puffed-up height-thing…how low could her friend go?
    “Sorry to interrupt, Miss Galvin,” Lenny said loudly. “But as I mentioned, Dita’s arraignment is in an hour and I’d like to quickly discuss a retainer.”
    As she turned around, his lips kept flapping.
    “I have three thousand dollars left in my savings. If the judge increases her bail today, all of that will go to her bondsperson. But I’m hoping my parents can chip in, plus this is a great time to sell things with people buying Christmas presents.”
    As he talked about selling some vintage concert posters on eBay, she imagined the looks of horror on his poor parents’ faces as their son asked them to “chip in” thousands of dollars for some ex-girlfriend’s felonious arson escapades.
    What a crazy, tragic mess. Without a lawyer, Dita was going to be eaten alive by the legal system at her arraignment, but if Joanne took on this case for little or no money, life would eat her alive.
    Then it dawned on her how to feed life’s monsters. For today, anyway.
    “Forget the retainer, Lenny. I’m going to represent Dita for her arraignment, free of charge, then I’m off her case and you’ll need to hire another lawyer.”
    She quickly explained how she’d once handled an arraignment hearing as a one-time deal. All she needed to do was inform the judge she was making a specialty appearance with no commitment to handle the rest of the case.
    “Darlin’,” Kimmie said, “for helpin’ out Lenny like this, I’d like to give you the first month rent free.”
    Joanne felt a spurt of happiness. One free month stretched her money further, no need to embarrass herself asking for a second discount. That ten-minute walk to the courthouse saved her lots of gas money, too. Looked like this cowgirl was going to save the herd despite the blizzard, after all.
    “Thank you, Kimmie. Of course, I’d like to see the place before I sign anything…”
    “F’sure. Let’s do a walk-through after the arraignment hearing. That way we can take our time.”
    Joanne could almost hear the bluebirds chirping over the rainbow, except for one issue. “I can’t wear a strawberry-print maxi dress for a court appearance. Well, I could if I wore a nice jacket or coat...got anything I can borrow, Kimmie?”
    “Darn it, no.”
    “Bad to the rescue.” Gloria