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

by Johansen, Rita

  “No.”

  “Then who is this guy patting the stranger on the back? He looks a lot like you, right down to the mega-grin. Why did you do it, Stu? Why did you kill your best friend?”

  He laughed, deep and long.“You’re looking right at my best friend.”

  “Of course I am. It turned out your new best friend was your old best friend. What if I told you the plastic surgeon figured out a way to get you from the grave? He concealed data within the hairline of your buddy Jerry.”

  “You’re bluffing.”

  “Am I? It’s quite clever. You told him it would be his last job for you. The truth, as it turned out. You and Jerry had everything planned so well, down to the last minute. You executed your plan perfectly. But you made one grave mistake. You didn’t factor in the human element. Dr. Abrams didn’t play along. Neither did I.”

  “Sit down. It’s my turn to have the floor.”

  Ruby sat and splayed her hands in front of her.

  He scrubbed his face.“So you’ve figured it out, have you? I should have eliminated you when I had the chance. I underestimated you. You did good work. It’s a shame no one will see it.”

  “And no one will know about your greedy, corrupt little hobby. Why, Stu? It’s the one part I couldn’t figure out. Why did you do it? Were you always after capitalizing on cokeheads? Did you find your calling when you made your first kill?”

  Stuart rushed toward her.

  On instinct, she covered her head to defend against the anticipated blow. When it didn’t fall, she looked up.

  Stuart stood staring at the screen.“I was idealistic once, like you. Fresh from law school and assigned to the Community Prosecution Division. I thought I’d make a difference. Help clean up the streets. Make the community safer. All that crap they force-feed you in law school to make you think you’ll stand for something. That your work will matter.”

  “What happened?”

  “The years went by. I worked harder than anyone. I’d come in first, leave last. Like you—you were a joke. The intern who lived at the office. You took your work so seriously. So did I. But I woke up.”

  “How so?”

  “I sat in my pathetic excuse for an office. I took out my stash, needing a hit to deal with the miserable affair of being a cog in a wheel. Drug cases stacked in front of me. All that money flowing in an industry we demonize that has no victims—only those self-medicating by choice. Like me. You see? What about the others like me? Like Jerald? How would we get our medication? That fucking federal bust. I called my supplier. He was lying low. What was I supposed to do?”

  “Ever heard of cold turkey? Narcotics anonymous? You’re nothing special. Just another cokehead. Just another corrupt politician.”

  “No, don’t you see? I got smart. I stopped being a pauper for a meaningless cause to become rich. Haven’t you yearned to be somebody, to make something of yourself? You have a fine mind. I could put it to use and make you richer than your wildest dreams. You’d be an asset to my organization. What you do now means nothing. Your case files today will close and new faces will replace the old. Friendship? This is friendship!”He lifted his hand to the picture, and laid his palm on Jerald’s new face.“I went to great lengths for my friend—to help him, to protect him. Are we so different, Ruby?”

  “Not in all ways, but in the most important one. You stand for nothing. Let’s talk about friends. Mine are cleverer and better equipped. You didn’t think I’d walk in here without my team, did you? A sniper has you in her sights. I assure you that her bullets will slide through this glass like coconut spread. Drop your weapon, Stu.”

  “I’ll never surrender to a stupid bitch like you.”

  “I’m disappointed at your lack of creativity.”

  He fired three shots at her, blasting the wall behind her.

  She clutched her chest, and dropped to a knee.

  He lowered his weapon, and walked toward her.

  Reaching out her free hand, she sent out an electrical burst.

  Stunned, he fell onto his side.

  Ruby disappeared, and entered through the door to stand over Stuart’s paralyzed form.

  Federal agents streamed into the conference room, led by a stocky man with a wide smile on his square face.

  “Let us finish our chat, Agent Mitzu. Then he’s all yours.”

  “How? How’d you?”Stuart mumbled.

  “Hologram, not yet available on the market. And there was something about rigging doors and synchronizing projectors. Very realistic, don’t you think? Boggles my mind, too, how it manages to deliver that jolt. Agent Mitzu, kindly add attempted murder to the litany of charges against Mr. Johnston. You’ll have my full cooperation.”

  “But, but you weren’t here. It wasn’t real.”

  “You didn’t know that, did you? You intended to kill me, and took a substantial act toward that end. An issue of first impression, I suspect—attempted murder of a hologram. It’ll be a fun trial. Of course, it won’t really impact your sentence. You’ll get a lifetime for the first-degree murder of Anthony Priestley. Another, I suspect, for Patrick Abrams, and yet another for a guy known to you cokeheads as Cheeze. Save us some time and tell us where they are.”

  “You’re too late.”

  “No, you’re too late. You had your chance to wear the white hat, and you blew it. Get comfortable on Mardova. Don’t worry. Your best buddy will be there, too. In a separate section, of course, but you’re smart enough to figure out how to pass notes across a super-max, right?”Ruby knelt down.“You’ll see my pretty face at trial. I have a feeling you won’t forget it anytime soon.”

  “You’re dead, do you hear me?”

  “You already tried that and failed. Yes, I’d say we’re markedly different, Johnston, in all the ways that matter.”A glint caught her eye.“Nice ring. Priestley would like it back. Agent? Your call.”

  He beckoned an officer over.“Hawke, photograph and document this item, and give it to Miller. She’s collected enough evidence to lock him away without the ring.”

  “Thanks, Mitzu.”

  “Thank you. If you ever need any assistance from my office, you know where to find me.”

  “He gets a one-way to Mardova, and we’re square. Oh, and Stu? As a parting gift, I’ll ensure you make the news—as soon as your buddy joins you in lockup. I know how you love the limelight.”

  ✧

  “Please, remain sitting, Susan,”Ruby said.“We have much to cover and most of it will shock you.”Ruby passed the threshold into the cramped holding area with Jasmine by her side.

  “We’ve had a busy weekend,”Jasmine said, and sat next to Susan, giving her a small smile.

  “How’s your wrist, Susan?”Ruby asked.

  “It’s better than it’s been in a while. Thanks. I don’t know what you said, but whatever it was, they had a medic back as soon as I got to my quarters.”

  “Good. Susan, we figured out what happened to Jerry.”

  She raised her hand to her mouth.“I’ve been going over it. I can’t figure it out. Who would want him dead? I didn’t want him dead. I just wanted him to stop hurting me. I wanted to go back to being happy. He was so different when we were first married.”

  “Marriage is a common change point for batterers.”

  “He wasn’t a bad man. He could be so charming.”

  “Susan, I know he could be charming. You may rethink that first part after you hear what we have to tell you.”Ruby handed her PSC to Jasmine.

  She propped it up for Susan.

  “Jerry rigged surveillance equipment in your house—the kitchen and master bedroom.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “To monitor your movements.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Susan, it’s going to take a long time for this all to sink in, and for it to make sense.”

  “We’ll get you through this, Susan.”Jasmine said.

  “Do you want me to continue?” Ruby asked.
<
br />   “Yes. I need to know the truth.”

  “Good. Let’s walk through your birthday. You didn’t misplace your car keys. Jerry took them from the bowl.”

  Jasmine played a video clip.“See, he’s caught red-handed.”

  “You put it there, as you thought. He took it, and twisted reality.”

  “Why? Why would he take my keys?”

  “To drive your car to the cabin.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You noticed his zippy new car?”

  “Yes, the red sports car.”

  “He didn’t get a promotion at work. He’s had an illegal business with Johnston. Remember your inheritance?”

  “Yes, Jerry said he’d take care of it. He’d sell it for our nest egg.”

  “He lied,”Ruby said simply.“That property is still in your name. We sent out a drone to survey. He cleared out the farm equipment and created a private coke lab.”

  “Coke? Why would Jerry be involved with cocaine?”

  Jasmine pulled up a photograph.

  “Who is that?” Susan asked.

  “Jerald Combes.”

  “No, no. It couldn’t be. My husband is dead. They told me he’s dead.”

  “No, the man in the morgue is Anthony Priestley. Anthony took orders from Johnston. He hadn’t met Jerald. When Anthony wanted a fresh start, Johnston said he’d reward his loyalty, and help him get a new identity. He paid a plastic surgeon to give Priestley what he thought was a new face. Turns out someone already had that face.”Ruby waited for it to sink in.

  “Oh my God. Jerry.”

  “Yes. What Jerald and Stuart have done is horrifying. Do you want to take a minute?”

  “No, no. I have to know it all.”

  “Once Priestley had Jerald’s face and his fingerprints, Johnston told him to meet at the cabin. Anthony thought he’d have a week to put his affairs in order before starting a new life.”

  “They . . . Oh my, they, they killed him.”

  “Yes, and they laid a trail pointing to you.”

  “Why? Why would Jerry do that?”

  “He’s an abusive and controlling man. His objective was to ruin your life. Once you were shipped to Mardova, Johnston would inherit and liquidate Jerry’s assets. They’d add it to their drug money and take off.”

  “I, I thought I was going crazy. What am I going to do? What’s going to happen? Oh my God.”She looked up. Fear ran wild in her eyes.“He’s going to come after me. He’ll kill me.”

  “No, Susan,”Ruby said forcefully.“We’re ahead of him. He’s never going to touch you again. I promise you. Have I done everything I told you I’d do?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then trust your own judgment on whether I’m a woman of my word.”

  Calmer, she nodded.“What happens now?”

  “You’ll get released this morning, possibly with a tracking device. Johnston was taken into custody by federal agents this morning. He’s out of the picture. Jerry doesn’t know. Your safety is my top priority, do you understand?”

  “Yes, yes. It’s just that he’s—”

  “Violent? Devious? I know what he’s really like, Susan. I’ve taken that into account. I’ve assigned my investigator as your protection detail. His name is Justin Kottke. He’s an ex-cop with a heart of gold. He’d be embarrassed if he knew that I told you that. He’s one of the good ones, Susan. He’s helped piece this together.”

  “I, I can’t go home.”

  “We don’t want you to.”

  “Where will I go?”

  “To Ramirez Ranch. It’s about thirty-five miles north of the city. A dear friend of mine owns it. Arianna would love to have you. She’s one of the bravest women I know. You’ll like her.”

  “I wonder what she’ll think of me, for staying with Jerry. A coward, I bet.”

  “She’ll understand better than you can imagine. Ask her about the work she does.”Ruby placed her hand on Susan’s, and squeezed.“You’re not at all to blame for what Jerald has done. And he’s not going to do anything about cleaning up the mess he’s made. We are. Is that arrangement okay with you?”

  When Susan hesitated, Jasmine said,“You wouldn’t go alone. I’ll go with you and get you settled in at Arianna’s. What do you say?”

  “Yes, I’d like that.”

  “Would you like me to stay in here with you? We can go into the courtroom together,”Jasmine offered.

  “That sounds good. Thank you both. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  “You’re very welcome, Susan.”Ruby rubbed her hands together and grabbed her PSC.“I’ll go meet with the prosecutor and judge. See you in court.”

  “She looked excited. She really likes her job, doesn’t she?”Susan smiled.

  “Yes, she loves it.”

  Susan’s smile drooped as dark thoughts crept in.

  “Have you ever been around a horse?”Jasmine asked to distract her.

  “Not for years. I’ve always loved horses. I used to ride all the time. After I married Jerry, he told me I was too clumsy. I’d go and break my neck. Not wanting to worry him, I stopped riding.”

  “It’s time to get back on the horse.”

  Chapter 19

  “Ms. Miller,”the gangly man greeted her. He straightened his red tie, and brushed the sleeve of his crisp black suit.

  “Mr. Stark,”Ruby acknowledged, and strode to the clerk’s desk.“Hi, Nancy. Sorry to not have time to catch up.”

  “Next time, Ruby.”

  “I’m here for Susan Combes. Mr. Stark and I have important matters to discuss with the judge. May we head back to chambers?”

  The clerk checked the judge’s availability on her screen.“She just finished a conference. You may head back.”

  Ruby turned.“Coming, Counselor?”

  “One minute.”He stood and scanned the gallery.

  Ruby caught his gaze.“I’ll wait.”She joined him at counsel table, and said,“Congratulations on your promotion, Stark. Manager of the Community Prosecution Division—that’s a lot of responsibility. Johnston must have great confidence in your abilities. And your first murder case. Welcome to the big leagues.”She thumped him on the back, and grabbed his arm as he toppled forward.

  “Thank you.”He tugged at his collar.

  “New suit for your new promotion, Stark?”

  “Why yes.”

  “Looks expensive. Too bad you won’t have the chance to break it in at trial—not in this case anyway.”

  He sniffed.“I presume your client will not be entering a guilty plea at today’s hearing?”

  “Since the complaint charges an offense punishable by life imprisonment, under eight-point-oh-two, subdivision two, my client cannot enter a plea. You’re familiar with the rule? If the rules permitted it, she’d enter a plea of innocence.”

  He cleared his throat, and rearranged his reference books.“Let’s discuss the course of this case.”

  “Yes, let’s.”She picked up a book.“What a wonderful relic. You tabbed it and everything. I’d highly recommend LegalSeek. Its search capabilities are astounding. Far more efficient, if you don’t mind me saying, than flipping through that small forest.”

  “It’s hemp paper, environmentally friendly.”

  “And still inefficient. I had this debate with a family lawyer before she went virtual. She’ll never go back to hemp. It’s important to recognize when there’s a better way, Stark.”

  He snagged his book with a huff, and reordered it.“Let’s talk about your killer client,” he said.

  “Here? I’m astonished you want to address evidence that reflects so poorly on your boss in open court.”

  “What evidence?”

  “The evidence my paralegal transmitted to your office this morning. That was hours ago. Well, I’ve waited long enough. I’m ready to discuss this matter with the judge. Shall we?”

  “But . . .”

  “This is open-and-shut, right? Didn’t you say that my c
lient is a killer? Well, what I have to say is confidential—and fascinating. You won’t want to miss this. Are you coming?”she asked again.

  “Yes, yes. I’ll be right along.”He fumbled with his stack of books, and scanned the courtroom. He stared at the heavy oak entry.

  “Are you willing it to open? If you’re waiting for Stu, he’s unable to make it.”

  “How could you possibly know that?”

  “Come on back,”Ruby said simply.“Besides, as a material witness, he wouldn’t have been allowed in chambers with us. But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Johnston chose you to lead. Take charge, Stark.”

  His knuckles turned white as he death-gripped his briefcase. His face soon matched.

  “Are you all right? Would you like to send someone else from your office down?”

  “No, I’ll proceed.”

  “Very well, then.”She motioned him ahead.

  They pushed past the heavy divider and filed through a discreet door.

  “I appreciated the state’s timely disclosure of its discovery,”Ruby said.“Do you have anything further for me?”

  “No, the state has disclosed its discovery.”

  “You’ve had nothing new all weekend?”

  “No.”

  “That’s odd. Fortunately, my team conducted its own investigation and recovered that footage. You know which footage I mean, right? We’d hate to see a miscarriage of justice, wouldn’t we?”

  He shifted.“I’d have to review it again to determine if it’s all that you say.”

  “I could re-send the discovery if you can’t locate it on your office’s server.”

  He pulled his cell from his pocket, and checked.“Yes, well. It does appear my office received your discovery.”

  “I’m aware. Your legal secretary sent written confirmation to my office, as requested by my capable paralegal.”

  “I, I was running behind this morning.”

  “May I ask why?”

  “Traffic.”

  “When did you make it in?”

  “At nine.”

  “It’s one o’clock, Stark.”

  “Yes. You can hardly—”

  “Expect you to make the defense’s disclosure in a first-degree murder case a top priority? Were you in court on another case?”