Second Time's the Charm

“Right,” she said, pulling a pen out of her purse and holding it with both hands. “I’m here to represent you.”

“I haven’t been charged with anything.”

“I know. And they can’t keep you here. Which is what I’m going to tell the sheriff as soon as he gets back.”

“I can’t afford an attorney.” The spare cash, if he still had it, was for Abe. Jon had a scholarship to pay back.

And he hoped to God he wasn’t going to need representation. Because that would mean that they’d charged him.

“I wouldn’t take a fee if you tried to pay me,” Addy said. “And before you say anything else, let me just tell you that I don’t intend to take no for an answer.”

Jon opened his mouth, ready to cut her off. He wasn’t a charity case.

“That boy of your needs his father.”

He shut his mouth.

“And Mark and I know you didn’t do this, Jon.” She leaned in. “Please, don’t cut off your nose to spite your face here. Let me help you. If not for your sake, then for Abe’s.”

“You and Richards are friends.”

“We know each other,” Addy said. “And have mutual friends. I wouldn’t say we’re friends ourselves. And even if we were, I believe he’s wrong. My job is to show him that.”

Jon, taking his first easy breath since he’d left Lillie’s office, said, “Do you think Richards is fair?”

“I’m certain of it.”

“He’s on a witch hunt.”

“He’s very protective of this town, and he’s determined to find out who did this. He’d be the first to tell you, if it’s not you, he wants to know it. Because if it’s not you, then it’s someone else who is still out there. He just wants the guy off the streets so the people of Shelter Valley feel safe again.”

“I didn’t do it.”

“I know that.”

He wasn’t sure whether to believe her or not. Thinking of Addy with Abe in her arms, the way she greeted them at the door each time Jon dropped his son off at Mark’s house, he wanted to believe her.

But...

“How do you know?” It didn’t make sense to him. He could have done it. Easily. And left no concrete evidence. No way for Richards to pin the thefts on him. He didn’t doubt his ability for a moment.

And neither did Richards. He’d seen Jon’s record.

“I can’t answer that,” Addy said with a tilt of her head. “I just get a feeling. But I can tell you I’ve built my reputation on taking only those cases in which I believed the accused was innocent.”

“What’s your win ratio?”

“Ninety-eight percent.”

Jon gave her a tired grin. “Not bad.”

But she didn’t know the whole truth. And so Jon gave it to her. Because he had to get to Abe.

“How many times have you committed a crime since you’ve been on your own?” was Addy’s only response.

“None.”

“So, are we a team?”