“Hopefully.” Logan nodded again. “I may be put on reserve to take the stand again later, but hopefully my part in the trial will be done after tomorrow.”
“What about you guys?” Archer returned his focus to Chase and Lucky.
“I finished up that security install over on Fifth this afternoon.” Lucky settled back in his chair. “So I’m free and clear.”
“Same.” Chase met Archer’s gaze.
He sent the team’s lead sniper a frown. “I thought you were working a stalker case.”
“I was.” The other man lifted one corner of his mouth. “But once I handed the cops the video footage I’d taken showing the woman slashing her ex-boyfriend’s tires outside the pool hall the guy frequents, she was picked up and charged. Got the word about an hour ago that she’d already cut a deal with the prosecutor. Two years, a possibility of parole in eighteen months with good behavior.”
“Nice.” Logan seemed pleased.
“What about Braddock?” Archer mentioned the only team member not present. “You think he’ll be good to go after today, too?”
“Sounds like it. I called him right before coming in here, and he said he thought he found the problem. Something to do with the client’s Wi-Fi not connecting to the system correctly. So other than that, he should be good to go.”
That was exactly what Archer was hoping to hear.
“So it’s settled then?” Chase looked to Logan for the final say. “We’re taking this woman’s case?”
“Do we have a choice?” Lucky arched a brow. When Archer shot him a look, he defended himself with, “I’m just saying. You already told her we would. Probably not good for business if he goes back on his word.”
A fact he’d been selfishly counting on.
But rather than answer straight away, Logan turned his attention solely on Archer. The man’s deep blue eyes searched him as he asked, “You really think there’s a chance this woman is innocent?”
He really, really wanted to say yes. Instead he avoided giving a direct answer “I met her two hours ago.” He ran a hand through his thick waves. “I’ve got no intel other than what I’ve seen on the news and what she’s told me.”
“Yet you agreed to help her before talking to us first.” His closest friend arched a knowing brow. “Come on, man. That gut of yours has saved our asses more than once. What’s it saying now?”
Archer met each of the men’s stares. A hard swallow was followed by a quick lick of his lips. The blind faith he was desperate to give the beautiful stranger was inexplicable. But right or wrong, it was there all the same.
“I think that poison was meant for Cassie.” There, he’d said it. “I think whoever put those pits in that bottle is still out there, and I think they’re going to either try to kill her again or lay low until she’s given a life sentence.”
Dread poured over him from justimaginingeither scenario.
“That’s good enough for me.” Chase gave him a nod.
With a quick, “Me, too,” Logan also threw in his vote. But when Archer turned to Lucky, he was met with an unreadable gaze.
“Never doubted your instincts before, brother.” A quick shake of his head. “Not gonna start now.”
“Then it’s settled.” Logan pushed himself to his feet. “Nash will handle primary protection detail, and we’ll give him support however we can.”
“So…Lucky.” Archer shot his teammate a Cheshire grin. “About that date…”
“Already cancelled it.”
“You did?” He frowned. “When did you?—”
“I shot her a text halfway through your whole introductory spiel about this woman you seem intent on helping.”
This was news to him. “Why? Not that I’m not grateful.” He rushed to add that last part. “You just seemed pretty skeptical when I was sharing Cassie’s side of things.”
“Don’t have to trust her, brother.” Lucky’s blue eyes turned serious. “I trust you.”
Coming from a smartass like him, the guy’s comment meant one hell of a lot. “Thanks, man. Really appreciate it.”