Page 85 of Homecoming

“That’s a double adverb.”

“Focus, Counselor.”

“I’m focused entirely on you, so much so I’m going to miss the interview if you don’t release me immediately.”

Kara kissed him. “Go get ’em, tiger.”

“Please remember that wildly thing at bedtime,” he said over his shoulder as he went into the living room to handle the interview.

Chapter

Eighteen

Dan putin his ear buds and clicked on the link Kate Bannister had sent. While he waited for her to join the Zoom meeting, he texted Walter.The press have figured out where I’m staying. Do you think we need security for Bertha’s?

I don’t think so. Saw you on the news just now.

They ambushed me in the driveway, thus my worries about security.

I think you’re okay around here. It’s not like the big city.

Thanks for the gut check.

Any time, boss.

Kate Bannister began their meeting a few minutes later.

“Sorry for the delay,” she said. “I got called into another meeting that just ended.”

“No worries.”

“I caught part of your presser. What can you tell me about the eyewitness and his beef with the Ballard family?”

“He was fired for cause and filed suit, demanding a cash settlement that the company has refused to pay. The matter goes to trial in December.”

“What was the cause of his firing?”

“I’m not at liberty to divulge those details. I believe you’ll find them in the countersuit filed in court by the company, but in my opinion, this information puts his motivations into question. I’ve requested bail for my client until a full investigation can be completed.”

“Keith Ballard has a criminal record.”

“I’m not representing Keith, and Kirby has never been arrested.”

“But you can acknowledge Keith’s criminal record?”

“I have no comment on him. He’s not my client.” After a pause, he added, “I will say, however, that prior arrests for DUI or fighting don’t mean someone committed murder. It’s a huge leap from bar fighting to murder.”

“You have a reputation for introducing alternative scenarios in your cases. Do you intend to do that this time, too?”

“Absolutely. Think about the crime of murder. It takes a tremendous amount of anger, passion and evil to take a life. Where was any of that in this case? By all accounts, Keith and Tanya had a fun evening at the bar. They had some drinks, they danced, maybe they fooled around in the restroom. It happens between consenting adults. Kirby was nowhere near any of that until he arrived to give Keith a ride home. Where’s the motive for murder here? I’ll help you with that. Neither of these men had a motive to harm Tanya.”

Dan was walking a fine line speaking for Keith, but the facts of his case affected Kirby’s. “The only mistake, if you want to call it that, Kirby made was responding to a call from his brother for a ride home.”

“Keith has been charged with three DUIs.”

“How is that relevant other than to explain why he called his brother for a ride home?”

“I’m simply stating that he’s been charged.”

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