The Veiled Cage (Lady Lawyer Series Romantic Suspense Novels Book 1)

by Johansen, Rita

  “I’m just sorry I blew that chance.”

  “Trust me, you’ll have another. That you wanted to say something matters.”Ruby gestured to the tray.“Coffee? Colin made it the way I like it—strong enough to singe your insides. Interested?”

  “No, thanks. I don’t drink coffee.”

  “Your choice. I’m a firm believer nothing gets the neurons firing like strong brew. But we’re not here to talk about my vices. Why do you want to work with me instead of a Larry or a Jim?”

  “You want to make a difference. They’re willing to get rich at their clients’expense.”

  “True, good read. Observing people and discerning their motives are necessary skills in this area of practice. I’m selective about my clients. Does that astonish you?”

  “You could run the risk of discrimination.”

  “Very good. Indeed, if I chose certain criteria—gender, race, religion. What do you think is my criteria?”

  “Charged offense?”

  “A solid criterion, but no. I’ve accepted clients accused of battering their spouses, kidnapping their own children. Women who sold their bodies. Neophytes to the system who insist they aren’t like those people—those common criminals who deserve a heavy whack from the hammer of justice. What do these people have in common?”

  “Complex dynamics?”

  “Yes, you’re getting there. Some cases aren’t what they seem. Law enforcement is ill-equipped to detect dynamics when they fall outside standard protocol. And the justice system cannot force people into better chapters of their lives. As their trusted advisor, I’m in the best place to encourage those who want to do so to take their power back and reclaim their lives.”

  “And those who aren’t a fit for your firm?”

  “They’ve given up on themselves and their ability to do better, to be better. I don’t want hardened criminals resigned to a bleak cycle of wrongdoing, punishment, freedom to commit more wrongdoing. This area is rife with lawyers who will defend the scourge of the planet for a price. I believe everyone deserves a defense. But I want to do more than defend my clients. I want to grab hold as they’re trying to free themselves from the quicksand in their lives, and help them make a clean break. They keep one foot in, and they’ll get sucked down again. I can show them how to get out. But they have to do the work. One of the hardest parts of this job is that you cannot do their work for them.”Ruby turned her attention to her PSC.“I know you’re qualified. Your references overflowed with superlatives. I have three more questions for you.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Does my vision for my firm resonate with you?”

  “Oh yes, it’s what I went to law school for. I want to make a difference in people’s lives.”

  “Good. Do you mind if I call you Jazz?”

  “Yes, of course. I have a brother, and Jazz is much better than what he’s called me over the years.”

  Ruby laughed.“Ask Colin what he came up with.”

  “Was it good?”

  “I’ll let you decide. Jazz suits the spark you have within you.”

  “It can’t be too bright or I would’ve spoken up like you did.”

  “Stick with me, Jazz. We’ll stoke it into a roaring blaze in no time.”

  “What’s your third question?”

  “Can you start right now?”

  “Yes, absolutely. I didn’t want to be presumptuous, but I cleared my day. What’s on the calendar?”

  “A bail hearing at nine for Veronica Epstein. Her nickname is Vera. She’s charged with a DUI. I’ve set an intervention for this afternoon. Her husband will attend, and hopefully their teenage children. Psychologist Amy Larson will facilitate. You’ll see the best in action.”She led Jasmine from the conference room, and past Colin’s empty desk.“You’ve met Colin. He’s off preparing for the day’s events. Let me show you the rest of the office.”

  Jasmine admired the bold gerbera daisies popping against beige walls.

  “We’ll go all the way down and come back.”They curved right.“Here we have the kitchen. We usually order in or go out. Have you handled a bail hearing?”

  Jasmine looked up from taking notes.“We’ve practiced applying the case law and analyzing the applicable factors in Advanced Trial Advocacy.”

  “What better time than now to put theory into practice?”

  “I’ll need time to prepare.”

  “You’ll have it. What did you think of Colin?”

  “He’s great.”

  “He’ll hook you up with a portable supercomputer. A PSC, as we call them. Our last e-man left tech like that behind. It’s essentially a smartphone on steroids. Are you tech savvy?”

  “Fairly.”

  “You’ll be a pro in no time. Colin will link your PSC to our system, and help you retrieve the Epstein file. He’s a whiz at research, at locating forms, and at applying the law. He’s full of practical info about court personnel. Don’t hesitate to brainstorm with him. I’ll be in my office if you need anything. You can work in the conference room, or in here.”Ruby skipped a door and opened the next. She motioned to the passed door.“That’s where our e-man worked, before his urge to hack overcame his better judgment. He insisted that hackers benefit mankind by serving as the internet’s immune system. What do you say to that rationale?”

  “I haven’t studied computer crimes in depth, but my guess is the law doesn’t see it that way.”

  “Very good. Maybe it’s helpful to have someone locating breaches in data security, but he doesn’t need to be on my staff when his‘humanitarian work’ is discovered. You could make his old office into your own, if you’d like.”

  “I’ll start here.”

  “Sounds good. Cassandra’s office is next door. Need anything before I let you get started?”

  “No, I’m good. Thanks, Ruby.”

  “Welcome to the team, Jazz. If you see Cassandra’s door open, drop in. She wants to meet you.”

  “I’d like to meet her.”

  “We’re having lunch at Chestnut—my treat. You’re invited.”

  “I’d love to.”Jasmine took a seat at the round table in the middle of the room.

  Ruby hesitated in the doorway.“It’s your chance to stand for someone. Don’t get too mired down in details. Learn Vera’s story. Focus on the big three—public safety, roots, and contributions. The first is the most important to Judge Mason. I’ll come back in half an hour. Go for it, Jazz.”

  Chapter 4

  “Sometimes I swear she’s a cutting-edge droid in disguise,”Cassandra said.“The way her mind works is more computer than human. But her heart is liquid gold, eliminating any real concerns about a Ruby-Robot going rogue among us. And never call her that. Her mother does so in the most insulting way. It’s a sore subject.”

  “Which subject?”Jasmine asked.“The nickname or her mother?”

  “Both.”

  Ruby breezed into Cassandra’s office.“Good, you’ve met. Cass, are you junking up our intern’s impressionable mind?”

  Thinking fast, Cassandra said,“I was telling her about the latest hit. Horror genre.”

  “Naturally.”Ruby turned to Jasmine, and said, “She watches nothing else.”

  “It’s true,”Cassandra confirmed.“Give me a good scare over a rom-com. You never know who is who nowadays if you can believe the technology used in‘Sinister Switch.’This psycho kidnaps and puts women in an induced coma, and then swaps everything—their faces, prints, even their DNA. Then he releases and stalks them. They go to their family and friends for help, but nobody believes them. Meanwhile, this wacko is after them, and—”

  “Let me guess, Cass. It ends in a gruesome slaughter. You think he’s dead, but Wacko revives in the last scene to allow for a sequel.”

  “Thanks, spoiler. Still, it’s worth the admission. Popcorn flew, screams filled the theater. A pixie of a teen left bawling. I couldn’t sleep for a week.”

  “Cass isn’t all there, Jazz.”Ruby tapped
her temple.“Want me to predict the sequel?”

  “Don’t wreck another sequel for me, Ruby.”

  “Jazz?”

  “I want to hear,”Jasmine said.

  Cassandra sighed, waved her hand, and said,“Go ahead.”

  “See enough in real-life and you get pretty good at predicting dramatized Hollywood horror. They use new combinations to achieve the same end. The identity swapping was a hit. In the sequel, the murderer will swap identities. His victims will have no idea who to watch out for. He could be lurking in the shadows, or any guy in broad daylight that looks at them sideways.”

  “I hope you’re wrong. I’m sick of picking up the movie tab. We’ll have to take Jasmine next time. You wouldn’t believe the gaping hole in her horror-film education.”

  “A travesty, Cass. We have a hearing in thirty. Mind if I take off with Jazz? You can give her gore lessons later.”

  “We can pick this up at lunch.”

  “Real appetizing, Cass. Not all of us have iron stomachs.”

  “Do you, Jazz?”

  “Usually. Not at the moment.”

  “Sorry, was it the gore?”

  Jasmine shook her head.

  “Her rite of passage is today if you want to drop in. It’s her first bail hearing as first chair.”

  “I’ll be in chambers at the Family Justice Center. You’ll have to tell me all about it at lunch.”

  “Good thing we’re eating after,”Jasmine said.“I don’t think I could keep anything down right now.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with nerves, Jazz. They’re your body’s way of getting you ready for fight, flight, or freeze. We fight for our clients, Jazz. And I’ll be right there next to you as second chair.”

  “Thanks.”

  Ruby guided Jasmine to the back exit and ushered her intern out first.“Do you want to be second chair today? You can take first next time,”she said as she fell into step beside Jasmine.

  “No, I’ll take first.”

  “That’s the spirit.”

  Jasmine gave a weak smile, and followed Ruby into the elevator.

  Ruby pressed the button for underground parking.“It’s already quarter to. We’re driving. Have you observed a bail hearing at Kaye County?”

  “No.”

  When the doors slid open, Jasmine hurried to keep up with Ruby. Sliding into the driver’s seat, Ruby turned and tossed her briefcase in the backseat, and motioned for Jasmine to do the same. Ruby roared the engine to life, floored it in reverse, gunned the engine, and zipped through the underground maze until they emerged on the street. She weaved through traffic.

  “Were you a race car driver?”

  “I’ve learned how to go places fast. It comes in handy. Time is not on our side. It’s a good thing you have that iron stomach.”

  “Yes, it’s banging around my insides like a pinball.”Jasmine kept her eyes trained ahead.

  “We’re here, and it’s our lucky day. A prime parking spot. These are harder to find than a straight-talking politician.”

  “Maybe I have beginner’s luck.”

  They entered the atrium and Ruby directed Jasmine to stay left, toward the court-side tower.

  “You do have the Midas touch today,”Ruby said.“I rarely see the security line this short.”

  Jasmine and Ruby moved quickly through the queue. When their turn came, they placed their briefcases on the belt and moved alongside through the metal detector.

  Cleared, Ruby and Jasmine joined the crowd at the elevator bank. Suits, briefcases, and neutral colors set the legal professionals apart from the colorfully dressed accused. They followed a woman with spiked purple hair and studded boots into the packed box.

  “Floor?”she asked around a wad of gum.

  “We’re twenty-two, thanks,”Ruby said.

  “You lawyers?”

  “I am, and she’s well on her way.”

  “I don’t see enough girl lawyers around here.”

  “Neither do I,” Ruby said.

  They walked out of the elevator and onto a catwalk bridge.“The courtrooms wrap around this middle atrium,”Ruby said.“You’ll find one through fifteen on the left, sixteen through thirty on the right.”

  Ruby motioned for Jasmine to take the lead. Ruby followed, and said,“Kaye is similar to other courts. Some judges start on time while others don’t. This one doesn’t. Judge Mason allocates the first thirty minutes for prosecutors to meet with pro se defendants, for those represented by counsel to meet with their attorneys, and for the defense and the state to negotiate. It’s a bit like the Wild West.”

  “Organized chaos.”

  “I suppose it has its own semblance of order.”

  They reached the other side and Jasmine steered right. As they approached courtroom twenty-two, Ruby motioned for Jasmine to stop.

  “Catch your breath, Jazz. Any questions before we enter the fray?”

  “What’s your strategy?”

  “Convey what makes Vera different, human. She’s not another DUI defendant. She’s Veronica Epstein. Make that mean something to the state, and to the judge.”

  “How does it work to meet with our client?”

  “I’ll take the lead during our client interview. Colin e-filed the Certificate of Representation. You’ll check us in, and then we’ll head past the divider and through the labyrinth to holding. We’ll meet with Veronica, and return to the courtroom.”

  “What if I miss something and it results in her being held for the duration of her case?”

  “I’ll be right next to you at counsel table. Do your best, Jazz, but remember that this is my case. The responsibility rests on my shoulders, not yours. Anything else?”

  “No.”Jasmine took a deep breath and released it.“I’m ready.”

  “Go ahead, first chair.”

  Jasmine squared her shoulders, and walked into court holding her head high. She glanced around, noting the defense lawyers settling in, the empty prosecutor’s table, and the galley starting to fill with apprehension. She located the court clerk and headed over.“Good morning,”she said.“I’m Jasmine Sinclair from Miller Law Office.”

  “Hello, Jasmine. I’m Penny Johnson. It’s nice to see a new face. What’s your attorney ID number?”

  “I’m a student attorney, certified under the Minnesota Rules of Practice. Ruby Miller is attorney of record. She’s present in court today, as required under the Student Practice Rule.”Jasmine checked her notes.“Ms. Miller’s ID is three-three-seven-nine-two-five.”

  Penny removed her magenta reading glasses and scanned the galley, where Ruby sat chatting with a teenager and her mother, whose arm was wrapped protectively around her daughter’s shoulders.“Hi there, Ruby,”Penny said.“I see you finally hired that intern.”

  “Good morning, Penny. I see you finally caved and bought readers. They suit you.”

  “Thank you.”Penny put them back on her face and smiled as she turned to focus on Jasmine.“Are you familiar with Judge Mason?”

  “Not really.”

  “She’s been very concerned with public safety.”Penny sent Jasmine a meaningful glance.“You might want to take that into account.”

  “I certainly will. Thanks, Penny. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise.”Penny lowered her voice.“First bail hearing?”

  “Yes. Is it that obvious?”

  “So far so good. You’re a natural. Show those guys how it’s done.”Penny’s eyes twinkled as she winked, and turned back to her computer screen.“You’re all checked in, Ms. Sinclair. Head back whenever you’re ready.”

  Ruby excused herself and fell into step alongside Jasmine. They approached a barrel-chested man in uniform.“Hey, Rich,”Ruby said.“How are your parenting preparations coming along?”

  “I don’t think I’ll ever feel ready, Ruby. Who’s your sidekick?”

  “Jasmine Sinclair. She’s my new intern. Jazz, meet Rich. He and his wife are expecting their first child in a couple months.”


  “Congratulations.”

  “Same to you. Let me take you on back.”

  They filed through the narrow hallway.

  “Which one’s yours?” he asked.

  “Veronica Epstein.”

  “Nice lady. Wish they were all like her. It’d make my job a lot easier.”

  “Want to go in front of the judge as a character reference?”Ruby joked.

  “I would if I could with this one.”

  They reached the heavy door and Rich knocked. His partner opened it.“Marian will take over from here. See you back in the courtroom.”He waved, and turned back down the hall.

  Marian’s face broke into a grin.“Here comes trouble.”

  “Marian, meet Jazz, my new intern.”

  “Hi Jazz. First time back in holding?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You have nothing to worry about.”

  “As long as you stay on Marian’s good side,”Ruby added.“Don’t let this lady’s smile fool you. She’s a fortress. Cass has been after her for her skin secrets. Turns out they’re passed down from her great-granny and she’s not telling. Cass is convinced she hasn’t found the right bribe.”

  “She might be right,”Marian said.

  “And you can’t twist her arm,”Ruby continued.“I’ve seen Marian take down a guy twice her size, maybe triple—small for a giant, huge for a man.”

  “Ruby’s being modest. She was holding her own before I made it over for the take down.”

  “Mixed martial arts champion, this one. My karate training fell short. I’ve since expanded my studies, and challenge you to a rematch.”

  “When?”Marian asked.

  “I’d like to say soon.”

  “Take a break, would you?”

  “I can’t yet.”Ruby’s eyes darkened.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think. Longhorn gets transferred on Tuesday. The orders came down this morning.”

  Jasmine frowned at Ruby.

  “I’ll fill you in later, Jazz. Right now, we have a client to see.”