Free Every Reasonable Doubt by Pamela Samuels-Young

change—dramatically. You two are about to become members of the legal elite.”
    I tossed the newspaper on the desk. I agreed with Neddy regarding O’Reilly’s big mouth, but just the same, I felt a tinkle of excitement about the attention. “I hope we don’t get too famous,” I joked. “I can’t have any paparazzi stalking me to the grocery store.”
    “Well, I can’t promise you that.” O’Reilly grabbed the newspaper. “I have to go talk to the folks in marketing to see how much mileage we can get from this.” Few firms our size had three full-time people dedicated solely to marketing and publicity.
    “Do you know how many clients are going to be coming through the door because of this article?” O’Reilly winked as he left the room. “Just get ready.”
    Neither Neddy nor I said a word for the first few seconds after O’Reilly’s departure.
    “So where were we?” she said finally. “Can you stop by my place tonight?”
    O’Reilly’s interruption had allowed my anger to dissipate some, but seeing Neddy standing there looking like an irate schoolmarm recharged my engines.
    “Yeah, I can make it, but we have some things we need to get straight first.”
    Her hands flew defensively to her hips. “You don’t need to keep harping on this. Let’s just focus on representing our client.”
    I couldn’t believe her gall. She was trying to screw me and expected me to act like I enjoyed it. “I’d be perfectly willing to do that if you’d remember that Tina is
our
client, not just yours,” I said.
    “How long do we have to keep rehashing this?” Her voice was louder and sharper than before. “I already apologized for not calling you.”
    “Excuse me? I don’t remember you apologizing.”
    She threw up her hands. “You’re really blowing this thing all out of proportion.”
    I took a step closer to her. Our faces were only inches apart and I saw a troubling weariness in her eyes. “I’m not blowing anything out of proportion,” I said. “First you run off to the police station without telling me. And then you tell me you’ve hired a private investigator? When were you planning to let me in on that little detail?”
    Neddy’s face tensed for a second, then her entire body seemed to wilt. She plopped down in one of the chairs in front of my desk and stared down at her hands. “I—just—I have a lot going on right now, okay? I’m not myself. You’re right, I’m really going through some things. I’m sorry you’ve been taking the brunt of it. I promise it won’t happen again.”
    She finally looked up at me. “Anyway, I need to debrief you about Tina’s interview with the police,” she continued. “I really would appreciate it if you could meet me at my place around seven.” This time her words seemed sincere.
    I couldn’t believe I was actually seeing her in a moment of weakness.
    “Fine,” I said. Her show of vulnerability had softened my rage.
    “And you might as well prepare yourself for a long, taxing trial.” She stood up. “Based on the grilling Tina took from the police last night, she’s definitely their prime suspect.”

CHAPTER 12
     
    J ust after five o’clock, I rushed home to change clothes before heading over to Neddy’s condo in Redondo Beach.
    I stuck my key in the front door and was about to turn the knob when Jefferson snatched the door open. I could see veins the size of pencils protruding from his neck. His bottom lip was tucked between his teeth.
    “Why’d I have to read the newspaper to find out you’re handling some big-shot murder case?” he asked. The level of his voice was half a decibel shy of shouting.
    Because if I’d told you about it, you’d go off just like you’re doing right now.
I could’ve kicked myself for not using the drive home to come up with an acceptable explanation to appease Jefferson until I could figure out if there would even be a case.
    “Uh…I…uh, I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t talk about it,” I