“I don’t take on a client unless I know in my gut they’re innocent,” she explained. “My clients are good people in need of a solid defense.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Donald smiled. “But, you can also put that same passion for justice toward—”
“The people I defend need me, Donald.”
“The people of Pierce County need you, Eloise.” His expression softened as he added an almost pleading, “Ineed you.”
Ellie’s heart warmed with affection toward the older man, but her mind was made up the day she’d handed him her resignation. Seeing no end in sight to the back-and-forth circle they’d begun to spin, she leaned in and gave her dear friend a chaste kiss on the cheek.
“It was good seeing you again, Donald.
Disappointment blanketed him even as the well-dressed man pulled her in for a friendly hug. “Fine. We’ll table this discussion for now. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” Ellie hugged him back with a soft laugh. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
“Thanks, kiddo. You, too, yeah?”
“Always. And give my best to Vickie.”
“I will.”
With that, her former mentor and friend continued walking to wherever he’d parked while she stepped off the curve and headed for the driver’s door. She’d just pulled it open when someone hollered her name from behind.
“Miss Fisher!”
Ellie looked back over her shoulder to find a uniformed officer and a blonde woman she recognized instantly sped-walked down the sidewalk in Ellie’s direction. Sounding slightly out of breath, the two came to a stop beside her.
“I was really hoping to catch you before you left.” Michelle Knowles smiled up at her.
“Mrs. Knowles,” Ellie greeted the prosecution’s star witness. With a quick glance in the officer’s direction, she asked, “Is something wrong?”
Because she should have been on her way to a safe house.
“Oh, no. It’s nothing like that.” The thirty-eight-year-old shook her head. “Actually, for the first time in a very long time, I have hope that things might be okay.” Her big brown eyes glistened in the morning sunlight. “And I have you to thank for that.”
Her chest grew warm from the sentiment. “As much as I appreciate that, Mrs. Knowles—”
“Michelle,” the other woman blurted. With a quick lick of her lips, she crossed her arms at her chest. “Please. Call me Michelle. I don’t…I don’t ever want to be called Mrs. Knowles again.”
The woman’s request was perfectly understandable given thatMr.Knowles was an abusive asshole meth dealer who cared more about his rock and cash than his own wife. Still…
“As much as I appreciate the kind words, Michelle, I simply relayed the facts and evidence to the jury. Your bravery is the reason he’s going to prison.”
“I didn’t feel brave at all.” A soft admission. “The truth is, I was a nervous wreck the entire time I was up on that stand. I could feel his cold eyes on me. And the one time Ididlook at him…” Michelle shook her head again. “It was like he was imagining himself killing me. Just like he threatened to do so many times.”
A small breeze blew past, freeing a few strands from the low bun that had been perfectly knotted at the base of Ellie’s neck. “I can spin a good story, sure.” She reached up and tucked the wayward locks behind her ear. “But without solid evidence and trustworthy testimony to help fill in the blanks, that’s all I’d be doing. Telling a story. What you shared on the stand…the audio evidence and photos you provided are what cinched it.”
The typically meek and submissive woman appeared to grow a smidge as Michelle straightened her spine with a nod. “I just can’t believe it’s really over, you know?”
“Believe it.” Ellie let her smile grow even wider. “You heard the verdict. The jury found him guilty on all charges. Your husband is going away for a very, very long time. He can’t hurt you or your son ever again.”
In an unexpected move, the other woman pulled Ellie in for a tight hug. “Thank you so much. You’re seriously my hero.”
“Oh!” She belatedly hugged Michelle back with her free arm. “Well…like I said, I was just doing my job. You’re the impressive one.” She pulled back. “Getting up on that stand and facing that jerk…” Ellie softened her expression, hoping the other womancould see the sincerity behind her next words. “I know rehashing everything that bastard put you through wasn’t easy, but you did it.” Her chest filled with emotion. “You beat him at his own game.”
“I did, didn’t I?” Pride beamed behind a set of Michelle’s pretty hazel eyes.
“Hell yes, you did.