The Wages of Sin Read Online Free PDF Page B

through the swinging kitchen door, and Madeleine called to her, her voice a bark.
    â€œCoffee! Please!”
    The coffeepot arrived. The waitress wouldn’t look at Madeleine as she poured. To Elsie she said, “How’s everything tasting today?”
    â€œOh my God, Jeanie, it’s great.”
    â€œI had it for lunch. It hit the spot.” Jeanie’s sullen look brightened.
    As the waitress walked away, Elsie turned her attention back to Madeleine. “The witness is really young—­just six years old, right? She’ll need work. First off, we’ll have to demonstrate that she understands the oath.”
    Madeleine nodded her agreement. Child witnesses had to establish to the court that they understood the difference between telling the truth and telling a lie; the judge had to be satisfied that the child’s oath was meaningful.
    â€œThe summary of her statements in the police report was horrific.” Madeleine nibbled the corner of a saltine cracker. “I can’t sleep. It’s keeping me up nights.”
    Elsie sawed at the chicken patty with her knife. Staring at Elsie’s plate, Madeleine said, “I don’t know how you can eat that.”
    â€œI gotta keep up my strength.” Elsie looked down at the platter; the Sycamore served generous portions, and she’d devoured a fair amount. Maybe she should leave a bite or two on her plate, just to look dainty.
    But her resolution was destroyed when Jeanie swept by and slid the side dish of macaroni onto the table, saying, “Sorry. Almost forgot.”
    With a sigh, Elsie dug her fork into the golden dish of starch. She looked up at Madeleine and said, “Gotta eat my vegetables.”
    A brass bell hanging from the front door of the diner jingled, and a young man in white shirtsleeves, with longish sandy-­streaked hair, walked to the cash register.
    â€œIt’s Josh Nixon,” Elsie whispered.
    Madeleine twisted around in the booth to take a look. “Don’t say anything. He might hear you. Your voice carries.”
    â€œI called in an order to go, Octavine,” Nixon told the cashier.
    Octavine, a woman past sixty whose curly perm was an alarming shade of pink, whispered something to Nixon that made him laugh. Madeleine watched them with suspicious eyes, then leaned in across the booth, speaking close. “Judge Carter appointed the Public Defender to represent Larry Paul. I suppose that means Josh Nixon will be his attorney.”
    Elsie watched Nixon flirt with the redheaded cashier. “Could be worse. Nixon’s not a liar, not unethical.”
    â€œIs that the best you can say about him?”
    The women scooted back in their seats as Nixon turned to them and approached. With a cordial expression, he walked up and grasped a metal coatrack attached to Elsie’s side of the booth.
    â€œLooks like you ladies are working overtime,” he said.
    Madeleine sat very erect and spoke in her chilliest tone. “Mr. Nixon, we’re consulting on a case. So if you don’t mind—­”
    Nixon plucked a dinner roll from Elsie’s platter. Pulling off a chunk of bread, he said, “Bet I know the case you’re talking about.” He popped the bread into his mouth and chewed.
    â€œDon’t put your dirty hands on my food. Damn it, Nixon, you probably just came from the county jail.” Elsie pushed her plate out of his reach.
    â€œAs a matter of fact, you’re right, I did.” He focused on Madeleine. “Just had a chat with a new client I’ve been appointed to represent. Guy named Larry Paul. He tells me your detective at the Barton PD interrogated him before he had a chance to obtain counsel.”
    Elsie spoke up. “You can be absolutely certain that Detective Ashlock advised him of his rights before questioning. One hundred percent certain.”
    â€œWell, that’s a comfort. I’ll sleep better.” He wiped a bread