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

her home. He wanted me to come over after that to help him figure out what to do about her. She was getting worse. Violent . ”
    “ She make any threats ? ”
    “ Frequently. Jerry bought her a new kitchen knife. She said sh e’ d slice him up like a stuffed turkey, good riddance, and find herself a real man . ”
    “ When did she say that ? ”
    “ Tonight. I told Jerry time and again you ca n’ t reason with crazy. Damn it, why would n’ t he listen ?” Stuart clenched his fists and turned away for a minute. He scrubbed his hands over his face, turned back, and said , “ Times like this, i t’ s hard to be objective. But as county attorney, i t’ s my job. I’ ll help facilitate the charging process with my office. It could be sh e’ s already grabbed what she needed and fled . ”
    “ Appreciate your cooperation, Johnston. I’ ll send a detective over to get some more specifics. You know the drill . ”
    “ Yes, of course. Anything. I want to help. I t’ s difficult being here, knowing that h e’ s inside . ”
    “ W e’ ll get you out of here as soon as we can . ”
    “ Can you do me a favor, Strauss ? ”
    “ Within reason .”              
    “ Do n’ t get fancy on this one. Follow procedure perfectl y— nothing more, nothing less. I want this to stick. I want justice for Jerry . ”
    “ You have my word . ”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
    “ Law office, Ruby speaking . ”
    The sleeves of an oversized orange sweatshirt swallowed the calle r’ s hands and covered her mouth. Brown hair curtained her face. In a muffled voice, she said ,“ I need to speak to a lawyer . ”
    “I’ m Ruby Miller. Criminal defense is all I do, and I do it well. Le t’ s start with your name . ”
    She lowered her hands, pushed back her hair, and wiped her eyes with a sleeve .“ Susan Combes . ”
    “ How can I help you, Susan ? ”
    “I’ ve been arrested for mu h — ” A sob broke free, and interrupted her answer. Her face disappeared behind orange.
    “ Money laundering ? ”
    Susan shook her head.
    “ Manslaughter ? ”
    Again, she shook her head.
    “ Murder ? ”
    Susan looked up .“ Yes ,” she whispered .“ My husband. I did n’ t do it . ”
    “ Where was he found ? ”
    “ The lake cabin .” She put her head down and burst into tears.
    “ Wha t’ s the address ? ”
    “ Two-one-four-two Grays Bay Boulevard, Minnetonka. The y’ re sayin g —”
    “ Susan, I’ m not yet interested in what the cops are saying happened. I’ m going to go there and see for myself. Meanwhile, have a good cry. Do whatever you need to do to pull yourself together. Say nothing to the police. If they ask you anything about this case, yo u’ re going to tell them you want your lawyer. Once you get off the phone with me, the y’ ll process your prints, collect demographics from you, and put you in holding. I’ ll be in to visit you once my team conducts an investigation at the cabin . ”
    “ Do you believe me ? ”
    “ My mind is open. I’ ll figure out who did it, Susan. Fair enough ? ”
    “ Yes . ”
    “ Where were you arrested ? ”
    “ My home . ”
    “ One second .” Ruby pulled up a directory on the stationary supercomputer on her desk .“ I have your home address. I t’ s nine now. I’ ll be there by one. Hang in there, Susan . ”
    Ruby disconnected, packed her briefcase, and left her office .“ PSC, call Justin Kottke . ”
    “ Kottke . ”
    “ We have a hot one. We need to move on i t— now. Meet me at two-one-four-two Grays Bay in Minnetonka. Lake cabin. Usual rates, big case. Murder. Wife accused of killing her husband. How long until you arrive ? ”
    “ What if I had a hot date ? ”
    “ Since the woman yo u’ re swooning after is oblivious, I’ d say yo u’ d be willing to cancel on any poor excuse for a substitute . ”
    “ Harsh, and accurate. Damn it. Heading out now . ”
    “ See you soon. PSC, disengage and call Jasmine Sinclair . ”
    “