Before She Dies (Alexandria Novels 3)

Charlotte glanced at the bailiff and then to the judge. What was the judge’s name? Rosen. Judge Silvia Rosen. The graying pale woman didn’t raise her gaze from the papers on the bench. “Will the defendant rise?”

The girl with the long dark hair rose and for a moment turned her head in profile. Charlotte’s breath caught. The girl was the image of Mariah, and for a few seconds it felt as if Mariah had returned from the dead. Tears choked Charlotte’s throat.

Charlotte swallowed, shifted her gaze to the judge, rose, and moved with purpose and direction down the center courtroom aisle. Clearing her throat, she moved beside the girl, who now stood in front of the judge.

“Judge Rosen,” Charlotte said. “Charlotte Wellington. I am counsel for the defense.” She didn’t offer a glance in Sooner’s direction but sensed the girl’s confusion and relief.

The judge lifted a somewhat surprised gaze to Charlotte. “Ms. Wellington, this isn’t your normal beat.”

“No, it is not, Your Honor. But I’ve been retained to represent Ms. Tate.”

“Very well, Ms. Wellington. How does your client plead?”

“Not guilty. And I move that the charges be dropped.”

Silver bracelets jangled from Sooner’s wrist as she dug long fingers through her hair. She shifted her stance as if she wanted to speak.

The judge made a note. “Why is that?”

“This is my client’s first offense. She just turned eighteen a week ago.”

“And the creep tried to assault me,” Sooner said. Her voice had the same rusty quality as Mariah’s. “He planted those crystals in my purse. I didn’t even know they were there. He’s just mad because I wouldn’t sleep with him and I called him fat.”

A rumble of chuckles passed through the courtroom, prompting the judge to raise her gaze and silence everyone with a look. “The police report mentions your complaint that he attempted sexual assault, but there is no evidence to support the claim.”

“It’s the truth,” Sooner said.

Charlotte held up a manicured hand, silencing the girl. “I know the court’s dockets are full and there are more important cases to consider.”

The judge stared at the attorney with a cynical eye. They both knew that this case, a first offense, did not warrant a great deal of her time. “All right, counselor, I’ll bite. What do you suggest?”

“Charges be dismissed.”

The suggestion seemed to amuse the judge. “Just like that?”

“She has no priors. And she is young. But if the court wishes, I can prepare an extensive case on her behalf.”

The judge studied Charlotte. “Why her? Why now?”

Because I never should have left her with Grady. “My practice is dedicating more time to pro bono work.”

“Yes, I heard your summation was something to see yesterday. However, this case won’t get you much publicity.”

“Nevertheless, I am fully committed to the defense.”

The judge drummed her fingers on the bench. “All right, I’ll concede. But your reputation is bailing this kid out, counselor.” The judge didn’t hesitate and rapped her gavel. “Charges are dismissed, but if Ms. Sooner Tate gets into trouble again, it’s your hide, counselor.”

“Agreed.”

The judge hit her gavel on the bench. “Case dismissed.”

Sooner looked at Charlotte, her dark eyes searching and angry. “Did I just admit that I did it?”

As the bailiff read the next set of charges, Charlotte took the girl tightly by the arm and led her out of the courtroom.

Outside in the busy hallway, Sooner pulled free and glared at Charlotte. “I didn’t do it.”

“The charges were dismissed.”

This close, standing face to face, Charlotte got her first real look at the girl. She had long dark hair and olive skin like Mariah’s, but her eyes were as green as Charlotte’s. She was slender, as tall as Charlotte, and held herself with surprising poise. Her billowy loose dress was sleeveless, revealing not only a slender figure underneath but also a tiger tattoo on the inside of her right forearm.

“Yeah, but it sounds like I’m on some kind of watch list for the next year.”

“We both are.” Charlotte had a thousand questions for the girl about her life. “If you keep your nose clean, then we won’t have a problem.”

“Hey, I was just shopping.” Sooner’s raised voice caught the attention of several passersby. “The creep expected more because I work at the carnival.”

“Lower your voice.”

Sooner folded her arms over her chest and looked almost as if she were pouting like a kid. “He was gross.”

“Maybe it’s time to find yourself another job.”

“Working the Madame Divine tent is a good gig. And it sure beats slinging fast food or straightening the bottles at the baseball toss.”

Anger, grief, and sadness swirled around her and she raced to keep ahead of them. “I don’t know what to tell you, Sooner. The tent is not the best place for a kid. Neither is the carnival.”

Sooner shrugged. “Beats the streets.”

“That sounds like something Grady would say.” Bitterness added bite to the words.

Her eyes narrowed. “Grady said I had an aunt who was a fancy attorney but I didn’t believe him.”

“He said that?”

“Yeah. But if you know Grady, he says a lot of stuff. So why would a fancy attorney/aunt like you do something Grady asked?”

“I did it for you.”

She’d often wondered what she’d say to Sooner if she ever saw her again. She’d assumed she’d feel love or tenderness, not irritation. “How about you just thank me for keeping you out of jail?”

“They wouldn’t have sent me to jail.”

“You don’t think so?”

“Grady said not to worry when he came to visit me in jail.”

Charlotte snorted. “And we both know Grady never lies.”

“He has to have something. Aunt or no, a fancy woman like you doesn’t mix with people like me.”

I was a girl like you. “Just do us both a favor and keep your nose clean.”

“You look upset.”

“I’m not.” Heat rose in her body and tears burned the back of her throat. It was too much seeing Sooner ... seeing Mariah. There was so much to say and no adequate words.

Overwhelmed, she hurried down the stairs, telling herself that it was okay to run. She’d done her good deed for the day. She and Sooner might have connected a very long time ago, but clearly Sooner was all grown up, no doubt wise beyond her years. She didn’t need Charlotte.

And still when she reached the front door of the courthouse, she glanced back. Sooner’s head was turned and she was talking to a man. He was grinning and clearly his interests in her were not very pure. Sooner’s stance suggested that she understood exactly what kind of effect she had on him.

Mariah had been like that. Even at sixteen Mariah could make any man, no matter how straightlaced, old or young, want her.

Charlotte turned from Sooner, and for a moment wondered how different their lives would have been if she’d stayed with the carnival or taken the child with her.

“Focus on what you can fix,” Charlotte muttered as she pushed through the front door of the courthouse and headed down the steps.

As she glanced d

own the steps toward the street, she spotted a very familiar set of broad shoulders. Detective Daniel Rokov. His tall build set him head and shoulders above most in a crowd, as did the finely tailored suit that tapered so perfectly from his broad shoulders to his lean waist. He’d worn that suit yesterday. He’d answered that page and realized he’d not have time to go home and change.

Early this morning just as she’d reached for her purse at the motel room, he’d grabbed her by the hand, tugged her toward him, and kissed her. She’d leaned into his warmth as if she’d never been touched. Encouraged, he’d cupped her face and kissed her a second time. She’d wanted him so much.

“Have dinner with me,” he whispered by her ear. “And no dodging the question this time.”

Her perfume still clung to his skin. “You didn’t seem to mind my artful dodging.”

“I want to know more about you.”

“Getting to know each other isn’t part of the deal.”

“What is the deal?”

I don’t know anymore. “Sex.”

He traced her jaw with his thumb. “Maybe it’s time to start thinking outside the box.”

The easy freedom they’d promised in the beginning had vanished. And that was not good. Sleeping with a cop was one thing but dating one—especially one like Rokov—was another. He wouldn’t be content with pieces of her. He’d want everything: present, future, and past.

“We shouldn’t see each other anymore.”

His pager went off again, and when he’d glanced at the number, his face had darkened. “This isn’t over, counselor.”

He was the last person she needed to see right now. Her nerves were raw, her defenses down, and Rokov would detect the weakness and use it.

Charlotte pulled her dark sunglasses from her purse and put them on as she moved toward him. Of course, there’d be no avoiding him. But then why should they dance around each other? They were adults. His partner, Jennifer Sinclair, said something, and it prompted a smile that softened the warrior’s visage.

However, when he glanced up and shifted his gaze to her, the smile faded. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes and tossed back her reflection. A slight ripple of tension moved through his body as he took a step toward her.