Free The Man She Once Knew by Jean Brashear Page B

his help in proving it, though, and he wasn’t cooperating.
    The question was, why?
    She needed some means to compel him to participate, some way to convince him that all hope wasn’t lost. Until the last case, she’d had one hell of a track record as a prosecutor, so who would understand better how to find the weaknesses in the case against him?
    A solution hit her just then.
    She would post his bail. Once outside of a cell again, he would savor the freedom, would regain hope, would open up. He’d see that she was on his side, would understand just how good she was. She knew how to win, and she’d win for him.
    And if she proved something to others back in Philly, too, well that would be a bonus.
    Energized by at last having a direction, Callie left to set her plan in motion.
     
    “W HAT DID YOU SAY ?” David blinked at the guard who’d come for him.
    “You’re out on bail. Get your ass in gear. Your mother’s waiting for you.”
    “My mother ?” Where would she come up with the money? How had she gotten to the county seat, for that matter? She hardly ventured from the house. The only asset she owned besides her worthless car was her home. If she’d pledged that…
    He barely managed to keep a lid on the agitation brewing inside as they processed him out with painful slowness, every second agonizing. He cast about in his mind for a solution, but he didn’t think there was anyway to undo the damage. The bitter knowledge that his mother had jeopardized her only security for him ate at him like acid.
    When at last he was released through the final door, he was too worked up to dare say anything. With grim focus, he accepted his mother’s hug, then hurried to escort her outside. When she handed him the keys to the car, he stared at the ground until he could wrestle his feelings under control.
    “Let’s go home, son.”
    He lost the battle. “Why did you interfere? Why would you use the house as collateral? You know they’re going to put me away, and I’ve been trying to save you—” Barely did he clamp off the torrent that wanted to spill.
    Frail as she was, she stood against the hurricane. “Drive me home, David. We’ll talk after you’ve rested.”
    “After—” He looked away. Counted to ten. Twenty. “Mom, I appreciate that you want to help, but I told you—”
    “Do you want me to drive?”
    He was reminded of the woman who’d had the strength to raise him, who, until Ned Compton, had been the oak that had sheltered him during his childhood.
    He hadn’t seen that woman in a very long time. Thought she’d ceased to exist.
    He shook his head. Opened her door and settled her inside, then rounded the car. He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in days, and he was barely rational. Better to save any discussion for later, just as she’d suggested.
    He started the engine, registering just for a second themiracle of being able to drive away when he’d expected to be caged again for a very long time.
    “I’m sorry, Mom. I know you meant well.”
    She patted his hand but remained silent.
    He drove them home. Or what would be home for a little while longer.
     
    T HE POUNDING ON THE DOOR startled Callie, though it shouldn’t have. A glimpse toward the front porch confirmed what she’d been expecting.
    It was David. And he was furious.
    She straightened her shoulders and crossed to the entrance. “Hello, David.”
    He yanked the screen door open and stepped inside, his powerful presence filling the room. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
    Apparently he hadn’t managed to get any rest once he’d arrived home. His face was shadowed with fatigue, but his eyes were flashing, his generous mouth thinned with resentment.
    “I posted your bail,” she answered calmly. “As you no doubt know, or you wouldn’t be here.”
    “I told you to leave me alone.”
    “Actually, I believe your exact words were I don’t want you here.”
    “Don’t get cute.” His brows snapped together.