Free Hardy 11 - Suspect, The by John Lescroart

reality. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to place a call to Inspector Juhle and tell him that you've retained me and that of course we're anxious to cooperate with his investigation in any way we can, but that I've instructed you not to talk to him outside of my presence from now on. You think you can live with that?"
    Stuart still didn't like it, but he gradually started to nod. "It sounds like I have to."
    "That's the right answer." No nonsense now. Gina got her cell phone out of her briefcase and started punching numbers.
     
     
    "And now, if both of you don't mind," Gina said, "I wonder if Stuart and I could have a private discussion."
    Debra's back straightened, an electric shock through her. Her eyes suddenly blazed as she whirled around on the couch. "What for?"
    Gina, annoyed, threw her a quizzical look. "I'd think that would be obvious enough. We need to talk about strategy and then he can catch me up on everything I've missed."
    "You haven't missed anything. Haven't we just established here between us that he didn't do anything wrong? He got home this morning and called emergency, then had the talk with your inspector, which you already seem ..."
    Stuart butted in. "Deb. It's okay. That's why she's here."
    "But you need ... I mean . . ." She couldn't express exactly what she meant, and tried it again. "I don't think we should have to go. We can be here to help you if you need anything."
    "It's the attorney-client privilege," Jedd said. "If you talk to your lawyer and you let somebody else listen in, the privilege doesn't apply."
    "But," Debra said, "this isn't a good time for him to be alone."
    "He won't be alone," Gina told her. Matter-of-factly, putting on a tight smile, she added, "I'm afraid that this isn't really a request." She spoke to Stuart. "It's a condition."
    Stuart nodded. "Don't worry, Deb. I'll be fine. She's on our side."
    Jedd was already on his feet. "Stuart's right, Debra. The best thing we can do is let them go to work."
    Worrying her lower lip, Debra seemed to be fighting it for another second, but finally she shrugged, huffed an "Okay, then," and stood up. Stuart got up with her. She put a hand on his arm one more time and told him she'd be on her cell phone if he needed her. "Have you had anything to eat? I could bring you dinner when you're done here. Or we could go out."
    "Maybe," he said, "but I've got to be picking up Kym sometime. She's taking the bus up from Santa Cruz."
    "Oh God, that's right. Kym. We could go down to Greyhound and get her together. Just let me know."
    "I will."
    Jedd Conley was standing by the open door, holding it. "Gina, if you need anything else from me, you've got all my numbers. And again, thanks for coming." He cast an expectant glance at Debra, motioned to the doorway.
    Debra turned and clipped a cold "Yes, thank you" in Gina's direction.
    When they'd gone, Gina sat down in her chair and let Stuart get comfortable on the couch. Meeting his eyes, she smiled. Sitting back, adopting a casual air, she crossed her legs. "So," she said, gently now, "how are you holding up?"
    The question caught him off guard. He rubbed a palm along his unshaved cheek. Finally, he drew in a lungful of air and let it out. "Not too well. I keep thinking this can't be real, that I'm going to wake up and it won't have happened."
    "I know. That's how it feels at first." Gina took in her own deep breath. "My fiancé was killed a few years ago. Sometimes it still doesn't feel real."
    "I'm sorry," he said.
    Gina shrugged. "You go on." Regrouping, not having meant to reveal even so little about herself, she said, "But you've already told Inspector Juhle that you and your wife were having troubles."
    "Having troubles doesn't mean I wanted her to die."
    "No, of course not. But how you felt about her may become an issue. It is an issue."
    "Is that a question?"
    "This is one: Did you love her?"
    He hesitated, scratched at the birthmark near his eye. "Once upon a time I did."
    "But not