“Jake, wait!”
He froze without turning to her. She held onto his arm. “I had to talk to Micky about Logan! Nick didn't bail him out!”
“When does it end Kristen? I thought we were free of him. I don't give a shit if he gets life. He deserves it for murdering Ray in cold blood. What about us and our life?” Disgusted, he ripped away from her.
“We are free of him, but I just have to do this one little thing. What if he changes his story and blames me, then what? Can't you give it a little more time?” She grabbed his arm again; he stiffened, glancing down at her hand.
“Why did you have to call that asshole? Aren't there millions of criminal lawyers right here in Miami?” I swear I won’t break down, or let her win. Even for Alex. Not this time.
“I left a message with the attorney Logan gave me, Nick's attorney. No one called.”
Her phone vibrated in her pocket.
“It's Nick!” Her face lit up. Still holding onto Jake, she answered, forgetting all about her disdain for Nick.
“Hey, did you take care of Logan?” she blurted out, regretting the choice of words as soon as she said them. Without realizing it, she dropped her hand from Jake and held onto the garden table for support.
Jake let out a long, loud sigh, and slumped onto a lounge chair.
“Yeah I got your message, but it’s time for Logan to take care of himself. He shoulda thought about it before he shot her!”
Her jaw dropped in astonishment at the coldness in his voice and bitterness of his words, her hate for him flooding back. “I can't believe you! It was an accident! You're gonna let him rot in jail?”
“Kristen, he's an idiot. Let him call Schwartz. If it was self-defense he'll get him off. As for me and him, I’m done! I'm sick of playing his daddy.”
So Schwartz is the attorney! So why didn't he call me back? “What about bail?”
“Call a bail bonds place or let him do it after the hearing. Unless, you wanna meet me for a drink, so we can discuss it more intimately...”
Taking in the disgusted grimace on her face, Jake raised his eyebrows anxious to see where the conversation was going.
“Fuck you Nick!” She wanted to really let him have it, to tell him exactly how much she wished he were dead, but didn't want Jake to hear. Her hands were shaking from pent up anger and frustration when she hung up. Blinking to push the tears away, she turned to Jake, laid out on the chair, his eyes closed.
* * *
Jake was desperate to get away. To run on the beach. To clear his head and think, without any distraction or outside influences affecting him. He needed it, and didn’t care that his leg wound still hurt. Instead, he found himself staring down at Alex's peaceful, innocent face as he slept. Somewhere, deep in his subconscious, he heard his mother’s voice. Stop running, face your problems. They're not going anywhere. You cannot outrun them.
He bent down and kissed the baby’s soft skin, hoping it wouldn't disturb his sleep. “Enjoy it while you can little man.”
He closed his eyes, fighting the tears, when he felt Kristen behind him.
“He's gorgeous, isn't he?” Her eyes were glued on Jake.
Without a word, he turned to her. Holding her face in his hands, he gazed into her eyes. For the first time in a few days he saw love and regret in them. He brought his lips gently to her face, kissing each eye, then sought her mouth.
“Like his mommy,” he whispered between kisses.
“Jake, I love you.” Her eyes glistened with tears. “Please don't leave.”
A loud chuckle escaped his mouth. Not wanting to wake Alex, he stifled it, and effortlessly scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to their bed. She clung to his neck, even as he dropped her on the bed, refusing to release him.
“Nothing's gonna tear us apart ever again baby.” He made the firm decision as he brought his mouth urgently to hers. How he would ensure that was another matter altogether.
LOGAN
Attorney Richard Schwartz was a tall, burly man with years of experience in criminal defense and a head full of gray hair to prove it. Originally from New York City, he still had the sarcastic, hard hitting attitude. He wasn't happy when he listened to messages from Kristen and Micky Sedakis, his old law school buddy. The last time he dealt with one of Nick Lombardi's friends he almost got disbarred. Representing another of his crony's, even if it was just for the preliminary hearing, wasn't something he looked forward to. It's not like he needed the money anymore. This one was a long overdue favor for Micky, who by sheer coincidence knew them, and also seemed very fond of Kristen.
As soon as he looked at Logan's pale, sleep-deprived baby face, he knew he wouldn't last long in prison. He didn't look like the type that would commit a violent crime. But then again, how many did? If his story was true, he felt confident he could work out a self-defense plea bargain with the district attorney. Assuming the victim pulled through. So far, there was a fifty/fifty chance. Unless he got really ambitious, which he doubted at that point, he’d probably leave all the dirty work to Micky. With getting in and out his main concern, he wasn't about to hold back, and got straight to the point.
“So Logan, I'm Richard Schwartz. I think you know I've represented your partner and some of his friends in the past.” He paused, waiting until he received some indication from Logan that he wasn't comatose. “Perfect, and you also know Micky Sedakis, your wife, Kristen's former employer?”
This time he noticed the surprise in Logan's eyes. Sure he had his attention, he rushed on before he lost him again.
“He's flying down to represent you but he asked me to cover until he gets here. First off, I need you to be totally honest with me. The cops said Kristen's prints were all over the gun. So, I know what you told the detective, but I want to hear it directly from you. And I need to you be honest and truthful. Does Kristen have anything to do with Gina Maldonado's shooting. Are you covering for her?” He moved in closer, his eyes not blinking as he stared at him.
Millions of jumbled thoughts collided in Logan's disoriented mind. This was the moment of truth. I can probably walk out free and clear if I tell the truth or a twisted version of it. Maybe I’ll be charged as an accessory or something. But if she ends up in jail, if I go back on my promise, she’ll never forgive me! That's if she even makes it out in one piece. And I have Ray's murder to worry about. That Jake asshole is dying to put me away for that. So, if I let Kristen take the blame, we’ll both be screwed.
He met the attorney's stare, trying to get some insight into his mind, when he couldn't even figure out his own.
“You said you know that lawyer my wife used to work with in New York also?” Not sleeping was really getting to him. He roughly rubbed his knuckles into his eyes, hoping for relief.
Schwartz continued sizing him up. He didn't look stupid but it was apparent he was very troubled. “Yes. We go way back. He's going to be your attorney. So level with me, Logan. You have a hearing soon and the judge will set bail.”
“It's her gun but she had nothing to do with it, just like I said. It was an accident; she broke into the house planning to kill us. Don't they have her gun?” On the verge of nodding out, he longed for more coffee.