district attorney, a petite brunette in a severe black suit, spoke for the first time, her tone guarded. “The People strongly feel that Agent Russo represents a flight risk.”
“A flight risk?” Suzannah rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? Look at him. He’s too cocky to run.”
“That’s a novel defense,” Taylor muttered. “Care to throw in any traditional arguments, just for fun?”
Suzannah shrugged. “Obviously, Your Honor, the fact that he’s standing here right now shows that he intends to cooperate fully. I mean, he could have gotten away from these two clowns any time he wanted.” She grimaced in quick apology toward the defense attorneys, then continued. “It’s not like my client could get out of the country even if he wanted to. As an FBI agent, there has to be a file on him a mile thick. Prints, DNA, photos, and a list of all his relatives, friends—assuming he has any—and travel patterns.”
The prosecutor was shaking her head. “The fact that he’s a federal agent doesn’t lessen his flight risk, Your Honor, it contributes to it. You’ve seen his file. Working undercover—in disguise—is one of his specialties! In fact, he has made a career out of seducing and conning people.”
“He did all those things for his country,” Suzannah reminded her. “And this is the thanks he gets? Just because of one little…well, misunderstanding?”
“A second-degree misunderstanding,” the prosecutor retorted.
“Forgive the interruption, ladies, but could I get a word in here?” Judge Taylor fixed a stare in the prosecutor’s direction. “I can understand Ms. Ryder’s exuberance, because she’s obviously still giddy over her appellate triumph.” He paused as the audience laughed nervously, then he growled again. “From you, Ms. Armstrong, I expect better. In fact, I demand it. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” The brunette slunk backward until she was flush against the counsel table.
“Agent Russo?”
“Yes, sir?”
“This is your lucky day. Thanks to Ms. Ryder’s innovative arguments on your behalf, I’ve decided to place you in her custody.”
“Thanks, Your Honor.”
“Wait!” Suzannah shook her head frantically. “I never consented to that. My custody? I don’t even know what that means. I mean, I know what it means generally, but in this context—”
“It means you’re vouching for him,” the judge explained. “And I don’t need your consent. This is still my courtroom, is it not? Which means I’m in charge. And from now on you’re going to listen, not talk, while I walk you through this, step by baby step. Is that clear?”
She nodded.
“I want you to spend some time with your client today. Listen to his story. Evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. Consult with his former counsel as appropriate. Then come back here—all of you, Ms. Armstrong included—tomorrow morning. I’d like an update at that time.”
“And at that time, if it’s clear I can’t effectively represent Agent Russo—”
“My God, Ryder! Do you want me to hold you in contempt?” The judge snorted. “I’m starting to believe your claim that you’re incompetent.”
“Your Honor?” Justin interrupted. “I’m going to have to insist that you treat my attorney with respect.”
Oh, God… Suzannah stared down at her hands, silently warning him that he was only making things worse.
When Judge Taylor finally managed to respond, his voice was soft with anger. “In case you’re not clear on the rules, Agent Russo, you’re not supposed to talk unless I instruct you to. Ms. Ryder will do your talking for you from now on, and according to the Court of Appeal, she’s a legal genius. So be quiet and let her work her magic. Unless you’d prefer to represent yourself, because that can definitely be arranged.” His green eyes flashed. “What’s it going to be?”
“My client understands now, Your Honor,” Suzannah assured him, concerned that Justin was hopelessly prejudicing himself in Taylor’s eyes by his misguided hero routine. Didn’t the agent understand that this angry jurist was going to decide his fate on a murder charge? They didn’t dare alienate him more than they had already done.
So she added with a respectful smile, “Thank you for your patience, Your Honor.”
The judge exhaled slowly, eyeing each of them in turn. “We’re all clear, then? We’ll meet back here tomorrow for another round of fun and games? Fine. You’re dismissed. Bailiff? Next case, and make it snappy. We’re already running behind, thanks to Suzy the e-lawyer.”
She clenched her fists at her sides, forcing herself to give the judge one last humble smile before she turned and stalked past a wide-eyed Tony and down the aisle, bursting through the double doors to the hallway before the guard could open them for her. She knew she was being trailed by Justin and his former lawyers. She just hoped they had the good sense to keep their heads down and their mouths shut indefinitely.
But as soon as the doors had closed behind them Justin dared to address her. “Hey, Suzy! Wait up.”
She spun around and stuck her finger in his face. “Not a word. Not—one—word. Is that clear?”
“Ms. Ryder?”
She sent Justin’s former attorney her most frustrated glare. “That goes for you, too. All of you. Just be quiet and let me think.”
“But—”
“Do you have a freaking death wish?” she demanded. But it was clear the government lawyers weren’t going to back down, so she assured them soberly, “We’ve got a huge problem on our hands. That judge has it in for me, which means we can’t possibly get a fair shake from him. But we don’t dare piss him off any more either. At least not until I’m sure how to handle it. So give me a little time. And space. I’ll get in touch as soon as I figure a few things out.”
“We can help,” the attorney insisted.
“Really? Because so far you’ve been a big fat zero.” She pressed her fingers to her temples. “I’ve got to talk to my senior partner. Maybe he’ll have some ideas. And at least my secretary can start drafting up a fee agreement, because believe me, Russo, you’re gonna pay through the nose for this.”
“No problem,” Justin replied. “I’m just glad to have you on my team.”
“Cut the crap. I’m not in the mood to be conned. Or seduced. Those are your two specialties, right?”
“I have more than two,” he assured her with a playful smile.
She folded her arms across her chest to stop herself from reaching out and strangling him. Then she told the attorneys, “Give me a number where I can reach you later today. Will you be available?”
“Anytime, anyplace,” the dark-haired one assured her, handing her his card. “Good luck.”
“Yeah, good luck,” the blond man echoed. “Here’s my card, too. We’ll be waiting.”
When they had hurried away, Suzannah gave Justin a weary sigh. “Are you staying in a hotel?”
“Yeah, the Charlton. They’ve got a coffee bar in the lobby, if you want to meet there. Or if you want me to come to your office, that’s fine, too. Whatever you say.”
Suzannah hesitated, imagining the commotion if she showed up at her dignified law firm with a sexy, swaggering FBI agent when she was supposed to be on vacation. The women would be impressed. Her senior partner? Probably not so much. At least not without some well-executed preparation.
“The coffee bar sounds good. I’ll meet you there. Take a few minutes to gather up whatever you need to brief me. And to change out of your suit if you want.” She arched her eyebrow