Free The Veiled Cage (Lady Lawyer Series Romantic Suspense Novels Book 1) by Rita Johansen Page A

Yes, Jasmine, I think sh e’ ll do well. What does this do for her case, Ruby ? ”
    “ Clean record, BAC a hair over the gross-misdemeanor threshold, speedy and voluntary enrollment in the most rigorous rehab program in the country, and voluntary installation of an IID. The case is clean. I anticipate negotiating for a careless. Tha t’ d mean a blemish on her record. A significant one, but not the oozing sore of a DUI conviction. I’ m starving . ”
    “ After that delightful metaphor, my appetite has waned , ” Amy said .“ Count me in for something light . ”
    “ Chinese takeout anyone ?” Ruby asked with a hopeful grin .“ No takers ? ”
    Amy and Jasmine shook their heads.
    “ How about Good Globe ?” Amy asked.
    “ Conveniently located right next door to Cha n’ s Chow . ”
    “ I love Good Globe ,” said Jasmine.
    “ It seems yo u’ re out-voted . ”
    “ All right, democracy carries the day ,” Ruby said .“ But if everything is glowing, I’ m bolting to Cha n’ s . ”
    ✧
    “ Nine-one-one. Wha t’ s your emergency ? ”
    “I’ m calling to report a murder. This is Stuar t —”
    “ Mr. County Attorney, I’ d recognize your voice anywhere . ”
    “ Yes, i t’ s me. Stuart Johnston . ”
    “ I beg your pardon, but I have to continue this conversation according to protocol . ”
    “ Yes, of course . ”
    “ Please state your emergency . ”
    “ Ther e’ s been a murder. The victim is Jerald Combes. I’ m at his lake cabin. His wife, Susan Combes, fled the scene in her car. I saw her. I t’ s imperative that you locate her immediately. They live on three-one-eight-one Baker. Sh e’ s mentally unstable and has already killed once . ”
    “I’ ve located your position, and dispatched units to your location and to the Combes residence. Are you in a safe place ? ”
    “ Yes, I’ m in front of the cabin . ”
    “ Please remain where you are until peace officers arrive . ”
    “ I will . ”
    “ Between you and me, Mr. Johnston, I voted for you. I appreciate your commitment to cracking down on crime. I’ m so sorry yo u’ re part of this tragedy . ”
    “ Thank you. H e’ s a dear friend. I want justice for Jerry . ”
    “ Would you like me to remain on the line until law enforcement arrives ? ”
    “ No, I need the time to pull myself together . ”
    “ All right then. Take care now . ”
    “ Thank you . ”
    He signed off, leaned against his car, and folded his arms across his chest. When he saw flashing lights, he crouched down and lowered his head.
    An officer approached and laid a hand on Stuar t’ s shoulder .“ Are you all right, Johnston ? ”
    He raised his head .“ Strauss, thank God yo u’ re on dut y— a man I can trust. I’ m sorry. Give me a minute. I’ ll pull myself together . ”
    “ Take whatever time you need . ”
    Stuart shook his head and rose .“ I was able to positively identify . . . him. The victim is a close friend of mine. More like a brother, really, since our crew days at Princeton. I was able to positively identify the . . . him. God, I ca n’ t believe Jerr y’ s gone. Murdered by his own wife. He warned me sh e’ d been unstable. I never thought sh e’ d take it this far. But I saw her drive away with my own eyes . ”
    “ Wha t’ s her name ? ”
    “ Susan Combes . ”
    “ Physical description ? ”
    “ Brown hair, medium length, petite frame . ”
    “ Walk me through what happened tonight. Whose cabin is this ? ”
    “ Jerr y’ s . ”
    “ What brought you here ? ”
    “ Jerry called me around seven. H e’ d had another fight with his wife . ”
    “ That happen a lot ? ”
    “ Yes. Sh e’ s the jealous typ e— tracks his whereabouts, has a suspicious mind. Quick to flip her lid, as Jerry would say . ”
    “ He say anything else to you ? ”
    “ Jerry was heading down this road when he called. H e’ d caught his wif e’ s car in his rearview mirror a few miles back. He said h e’ d calm her down and send