Page 14 of Tequila Tuesdays

He snorted. “What did Wendy mean when she said you never date, and you’re considered a challenge?”

I shook my head and tried to look sincere. “I have no idea. You need to drop off your paperwork. I’ll see you later.”

I started to walk off, then paused. “Will you let me know if there’s anything I can do? And keep me posted?”

Damien nodded, watching me as I walked away. I needed to stay away from that man. He was too nosy and astute for my peace of mind.

Chapter 6

Thefollowingweekanew public defender client sat across from me, squirming in her seat, and lying through her teeth. Shanda had just turned eighteen two months ago, and she looked young and scared.

I sighed heavily and leaned back in my chair. “Let me recap what you’re telling me. The two eyewitnessesandthe victims in the vehicle he hit—” She open her mouth, but I put my hand up. “Excuse me, in the vehicleyouallegedly hit, all either lied or their memory was faulty, and they somehow thought Jason was driving.”

“Yes. That’s what I’m saying.” Shanda’s eyes slid around the room, and she bounced her leg and chewed on her thumbnail. I idly wondered whether she was high or just nervous. It was only nine in the morning, but that didn’t mean much.

She’d dyed her hair orange at some point, but her dark blond roots were showing. The orange color hadn’t been a good choice with her skin tone. Shanda wore ripped wide-leg jeans, a short black pullover, and combat boots. And then there were her piercings.

Shanda must’ve gotten a discount when she’d gotten her ears pierced because I counted at least seven hoops in each lobe—not counting her septum piercing. I wouldn’t have thought twice about them, except it looked like one of her ear piercings and the nose piercing were becoming infected.

“You probably think you’re protecting Jason by lying for him and taking the blame for the accident. But this is serious, and you both could get charged with obstruction of justice and lying to a police officer.”

“Why would I lie? I’m not.” She was absolutely lying, and she looked a little panicky.

“Shanda, what you tell me is confidential. That means what we discuss doesn’t go outside this room unless you permit me to discuss it. But for me to help you, I need to know what happened.”

“Itoldyou what happened. I was driving and the other car pulled out too soon,” she insisted.

“The driver is still in the ICU, and both you and Jason had meth in your systems.” I looked at the documents that had been emailed over to me listing their drug test results. “There was also meth and paraphernalia found in the backpack behind the driver’s seat.” I glanced at her. “And Jason also tested positive for heroin.”

He looked mean and unhinged in his mug shot. I saw her body go still for a split second, but she stayed silent and focused on the wall behind me. Then her eyes started darting around the room again.

Since she wasn’t talking to me, I decided to tell her what I thought happened. “I think Jason tried to make the light but ended up T-boning the Honda Accord with the couple in it.”

She glanced at me but didn’t say anything. “After the accident when he got a look at the occupants and saw their injuries, he told you to lie for him.”

Her knee bobbed furiously. “You don’t know shit.”

I continued. “He knew he’d test positive for methandheroin, and he probably told you he might go to prison if you didn’t lie for him. I bet he also threatened you.”

Her gaze jerked involuntarily back to me, and it was a dead giveaway. “That’s not what happened. You don’t know anything.” She started shaking her head.

“I’ve seen his criminal history. He has over two dozen assault and drug-related charges and multiple convictions. And a conviction for giving false information to a police officer.”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with this case.” She stood up and shoved her chair back. “I want another lawyer. You’re supposed to be helping me, not… accusing me of lying, then lying yourself!”

I shook my head. “You can’t pick and choose your public defender, Shanda, just because you don’t like what I’m telling you. And why would I lie?” I held up both hands. “But I’ll make you a deal. Sit down and listen—please.”

“I’m listening. But I still want another lawyer.” She didn’t sit down.

“If you don’t change your mind after I show you a couple of things, I’ll try to help you get another attorney myself. Okay?” I pulled out a document. “Here’s Jason’s criminal record. I know those charges and convictions are all his because they match his full name, Jason Carter Ulrich. And his birthdate as well.”

I handed her the five-page report. She took it reluctantly and scanned through it. The record included everything from aggravated assault to small claims and petty theft. And drug charges—so many drug charges.

“This doesn’t prove anything.” She quickly flipped through the document, then set it down on my desk.

“Maybe not. But this does.” I turned my laptop around so the screen faced her. She slowly sank back into the chair. Then I hit play and showed her the short video clip an insurance investigator had emailed me two days ago. It was a grainy video taken from someone’s cell phone.

The wreck happened at the intersection of Ramone and Cathedral Village Drive. It was a busy intersection with shopping centers on both sides. Dust and smoke still hung in the air when the video started. Both cars were smashed and dented from the impact, and glass and debris littered the ground.

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