Page 109 of Homecoming

“I need to get the hell out of here before I lose my mind.”

“I have some good news for you. Keith asked for a meeting and has signed on to be represented by me, pending your approval.”

“Why do you need my approval?”

“Because you’re my client, first and foremost, so my allegiance is to you, but if you’re okay with me also representing him, I can mount a joint defense, provided you both sign conflict-of-interest waivers.”

Kirby thought about that for a second. “Normally, I’d want nothing to do with being on the same team as Keith, but he didn’t do this. I don’t want to see him railroaded because of his past problems. I’ve seen him trying to turn things around. He needs a good lawyer, and Matt Gallagher isnota good lawyer.”

“In that case, I’m happy to represent you both. Keith gave me a ton of very useful information about the victim and his prior involvement with her as well as her difficult split with a longtime boyfriend. I’ve got people working on this, with a goal of discrediting the investigation and getting the charges dropped at the preliminary hearing.”

“That’s days from now. I’ll never make it.”

“The judge has asked for a meeting today as well. Not sure what that’s about, but it’s good news that he asked to see us.”

“None of this is good news until I’m out of here.”

“You didn’t do this, so give me a chance to prove that, and it’ll go away.”

“It’s just unreal, you know? To be living your life, minding your own business, and then get caught up in something like this.” He sent a hesitant look Dan’s way. “When I first heard about what you do, your innocence project, I admit I was a bit skeptical. Like, are you out there getting criminals out of jail? I mean, who doesn’t say they’re innocent of whatever they’re charged with? Now I get it.”

“It happens far too often, which is why I’ve made it my life’s work.”

“Thank God there’re people like you protecting people like me.”

“It’s possible you could end up with a nice big settlement from the state at the end of it.”

“I don’t care about that. I care about my good name, my reputation, my life.”

“There hasn’t been a person I’ve spoken to who hasn’t said what a good guy you are and how there’s no way you had anything to do with this.”

“Well, that’s nice to hear. I’ve had far too much time to think while I was in here and to imagine what’s being said.”

“I know it’s hard to believe from in here, but I honestly think you’ll be going home very soon. I’m taking advantage of every opportunity I get to say you had nothing to do with any of this. I’ll say it again when I meet with the judge today.”

“Thank you, Dan. Thank you so much.”

“I’m glad I could be here to help. Don’t lose hope, okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll try not to.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

“How’s Kara doing? It can’t be easy for her to be back here.”

“She’s holding up as long as you are.”

“Tell her I’m okay and not to worry.”

“I will. She’ll be glad to hear it.”

After he left Kirby, he went to speak to Detective Cosgrove. “Please tell me you’re starting to realize you have no case against my clients.”

“We have additional witnesses that can put Keith with Tanya before last weekend.”

“He fully admits to having dated her during the summer.”

Judging by his surprised expression, the detective hadn’t expected Dan to concede so quickly.

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