Yes, I had been jealous of Brandon a couple of times, but I’d never thought about murdering him. And, if I had, I sure as shit wouldn’t have been so stupid as to leave my weapon behind.
One thing was for sure. I needed to get the hell out of there. I would never find out who wanted me behind bars otherwise. And I would never be able to clear my name.
Because, even if Addison alibied me, my gun was a very strong reason to convict me.
I looked Whitlock in the eyes. “I think I’d like my lawyer now.”
“Suit yourself. Don’t come crying to me when you’re looking at twenty-five to life.”
I didn’t say a word.
Whitlock pushed back his chair and stood. “You’re making a big mistake.”
I continued to stare.
The sheriff went to the door and opened it. “Get this asshole his lawyer. Get Addison Graham down here now.”
Forty-One
Addison
When I heard the news about Brandon, I rushed over to the motel. Being that Brook Creek is a small town, news traveled like wildfire. I made it there just as they were loading Brandon into the ambulance.
I tried to talk to him, but he was unconscious. He was bleeding from his head, and the paramedics said he’d been shot. I started crying because the nearest hospital was about twenty to thirty minutes away. And, even then, the town was only about sixteen thousand people. It wasn’t a big hospital, and he’d probably have to be stabilized and moved to Des Moines.
I went back to my office, feeling sad and hopeless. My friend could die, and there wasn’t anything I could do about it, except call his parents. That was the worst phone call I’d ever had to make, and I never wanted to have to do that again.
In a daze, I was sitting and staring at my computer. I should be working on stuff, but I felt like my brain was mush.
I hadn’t even noticed that Serena hadn’t come into work until she ran through the door, dread written all over her face.
I sprang from my chair. “What’s wrong?”
I immediately thought that Brandon had died, and I was in such a panic that I didn’t even consider the fact that, if that had happened, I would probably know before Serena.
“Sheriff…” She took a couple of deep breaths. “Sheriff Whitlock arrested Uncle Maddox.”
“Why?” I had just seen the man less than two hours ago.
“For attempted murder. The sheriff says he’s responsible for Brandon.”
“That’s crazy!”
“I know, but apparently, he has evidence.”
I snatched my purse from the table in my office. I needed to get down to the sheriff’s station.
At the same time, my phone rang.
“Addison Graham.” Please be quick.
“This is Deputy McAllister. Your client is requesting your presence.”
“Who is the client?”
“Maddox Wolfe.”
Good man. He knew to call me.
“I’ll be there in five. Wait.”
“Yes?”
“Did the sheriff have you call me right away?”
Deputy McAllister hesitated. “No, ma’am.”
Ma’am?
He was only three years younger than me.
“Thank you. And, Deputy?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Call me ma’am again, and I’ll sue you for so many things that you’ll be tied up in court for years.”
I pushed the button to hang up the phone and released it. Once I heard the dial tone, I called in a favor from a classmate from college, and then I rushed to the sheriff’s station.
Of course, good ole Sheriff Whitlock was there to greet me.
“His bail hearing is set at nine fifteen.”
I looked at the clock. “That’s in fifteen minutes.” I wouldn’t have any time to prepare.
The sheriff shrugged like it was out of his control when he was probably doing this on purpose. He scratched his head. “You can wait, but I think the next one is at six.”
“P.M.?”
He smirked. “A.M.”
Motherfucker.
“Fine. Nine fifteen it is.”
I had to use all of my professionalism when I saw Maddox walk into the courtroom. He held his shoulders high, but I could see the defeat in his eyes.
Oh, baby, I promise I’m not going to let them take you away from me again.
When he saw me, the relief and happiness that crossed his face made my heart race. Despite the circumstances, that look told me so many things, including how he felt about me.
He came to stand next to me.
“How are you?” I asked. “I’m sorry I couldn’t see you until now.” I looked over at the sheriff and narrowed my eyes. “I wasn’t given much warning about your bail hearing.”
“It’s okay, Addy. I’m just glad to see you.”
The judge banged on the gavel, and we proceeded with the hearing.
Using my mother’s jewelry I’d inherited as collateral for his bond, and an hour later, Maddox was free.
I waited for him to be released from the jail.
He walked out, rubbing his wrists where the handcuffs had been. He looked up at me, and I gave him a sad smile.
My handsome Maddox. He deserved so much better than this.
“I’ll pay you back,” he said when he reached me.
“Just show up for court, and we’ll be fine,” I joked. “I know you’ve been put through the wringer, but I was hoping we could go back to my office and get started on your case.”
“Yeah. I don’t think I could relax now if I tried.”
We took off and walked toward my car. It was weird how awkward things were with us at the moment. I’d pretty much used him as a pillow last night, and now, we were walking a respectable distance apart like we barely knew each other.
“Brandon was attacked last night,” he said when we almost reached my vehicle.
“I know. I told the sheriff you were with me, but your gun is pretty damning evidence. I’m guessing you were right about someone being in your apartment.” I stopped walking and turned around because Maddox was no longer next to me. “What’s wrong? Why’d you stop?”
He swallowed. “You told Whitlock you were with me?”
“Of course.” I rolled my eyes. “He didn’t believe me, obviously. But don’t worry; we’re going to get you out of this.”
Maddox stepped forward and rubbed his thumb over my cheek. I didn’t understand why he was being so tender, but it made my heart ache because he was being punished for something he hadn’t done.
I put my hand on his. “We’re going to fight this. I called in one badass criminal defense attorney to handle your case.”
He frowned. “How come you know all these guys?”
“What do you mean?”
“First, Brandon, and now, this defense attorney…”
I laughed. “Who said the attorney was a guy?”
Forty-Two
Maddox
One of the best attorneys in the state of Iowa, according to Addison, was a small Asian woman. Olivia Mayer had to be about five-two and the size of a toothpick. She looked like she was about twelve years old, and I could see that people probably underestimated her by her appearance.