Free Death Vetoes The Chairman (Lizzie Crenshaw Mysteries Book 7) by Teresa Watson

isn’t that big, and to have three tall men sitting at my small table was rather comical looking. So we used the table as a buffet, laying out the chips, salsa, queso, sopapillas, and sandwich fixings, then we set up the TV trays around the seats in the living room. I thought this kind of food wouldn’t be up to Mr. Henderson’s usual standards, but he dug right in, like he was in his man cave, getting ready to watch football. I made sure everyone had food and drinks before we got down to business.
    “First of all, call me Steve; none of this Mr. Henderson stuff. Second, do you have the recording still?”
    “It’s in my bag.”
    Jake, who was sitting in the recliner, reached over, grabbed my bag and handed it to me. I dug out the phone, and gave it to T.J., who pushed a few buttons. We listened to the whole recording. I winced when I heard the audible thud of me being pushed into the wall. The office door slammed open, and the grunting of Winthrop as T.J. punched him twice echoed around the room.
    “So, he knew he was being recorded and kept talking anyway. That’s a plus for our side. His lawyer is going to rip him for failing to shut up after you told him you were recording the conversation.”
    “Ethan was never one who knew when to shut up,” Jake retorted.
    “I understand there were some injuries,” Steve continued, ignoring Jake.
    “Upper arms and right wrist,” I told him.
    “Do you have a doctor’s report and pictures?”
    “I believe Dr. Adams was going to send it to Owen.”
    “Ah yes, Sheriff Greene. I’ll be checking with him first thing in the morning. I’ll have that TRO before 10 a.m., Ms. Crenshaw.”
    “Lizzie, please. Thank you very much for doing this on short notice.”
    “Are things always this exciting in your small town?”
    “Depends on what day of the week it is,” I joked.
    After the laughter stopped, Steve said, “Can you send me that recording? I’m going to need that as well, and I don’t think you want me to take your phone.”
    “I’m going in around seven tomorrow morning,” T.J. said, “so I’ll make sure everything is waiting for you when you come in.”
    “Excellent,” Steve replied, putting his legal pad back in his briefcase and standing up. “Oh yes, one more thing. Keep a low profile in the morning while I’m doing all this, Lizzie. Another thing to remember: everything that goes on in court usually becomes public record. People are going to know about this. You need to brace yourself and think about how you are going to handle the looks and questions you’re probably going to get.”
    “I hadn’t thought about that,” I admitted. T.J. put his hand on my leg as a show of support.
    “It’s something you need to think about. Do you have some family that you can stay with?”
    “My mother just got remarried, and they are on an extended honeymoon. Frankly, I don’t think she’s ever coming home. She’s been gone three months already.”
    “Well, it’s up to you how you deal with this, although as your lawyer, my advice is not to talk about it. We don’t want to do anything that will damage the case, for the prosecution as well as our chances with a civil lawsuit.”
    “I didn’t say anything about suing him.”
    Steve looked around my living room. “You should consider it. You could buy a new house with the money we’re going to get from him.”
    “This is my grandmother’s house,” I said tersely, “and I don’t need the money. I have more than enough.”
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”
    “Apology accepted.”
    “Well, I better go. I’ve got briefs to prepare before morning. I will see you in the morning, Deputy Roosevelt. Jake, let’s get together soon. Preferably some time when you don’t require my professional services. Always a pleasure to see you, Lizzie. I’ll be in touch.”
    After he left, I asked Jake, “Is he always that arrogant?”
    “Steve? Actually, that was pretty understated for him. You