Betrayals (Cainsville 4)

As I rose to leave, she said, "Before you go, I'd like to thank you for letting Gabriel take my case."

I took a moment to assimilate that. Then I said calmly, "You were doing so well. I really thought we were making progress. But when it comes to Gabriel, you cannot resist."

"He didn't tell you?"

"You know he didn't or you wouldn't have brought it up."

"So I should have kept that from you? Let you go on thinking you can trust him?"

"I can trust him. Yes, in the past he's done things that hurt me because they benefited him financially. But that isn't the reason here, is it?"

"Of course it is. He'll be well compensated--"

"There is not enough money in the world to make him represent you again. This is about exonerating Todd. I want my father out. To give me that, Gabriel's willing to represent the woman who tried to put him in jail for life."

"And he made that decision without consulting you."

"He had to. Even if it means hurting Todd's chances, I could never have let Gabriel do it. So he's taken that choice out of my hands, and maybe it makes me a coward and a hypocrite, but I appreciate what he's done."

"You appreciate him betraying your trust."

"Yep. And I appreciate you telling me, because it gives me the perfect excuse to say screw off, Mom."

I got to my feet. The guard started forward, but Pamela's hand shot up to stop her.

"All right, Eden. You win that one. You're right. I cannot overlook an opportunity to drive a wedge between you and Gabriel. You're going to need to allow me that one weakness. However, you have my word that I won't hurt him to do it."

"You're in jail. You can't physically hurt him yourself. Nice loophole. Try again, Pamela."

I walked back to the table. Sat. Folded my hands on it. Waited. It took at least two full minutes before she said, "I will do nothing that could lead to him being physically harmed. I will do nothing that could lead to him being incarcerated or otherwise forcibly removed from your life. If I ever do, you have the right to never see me again."

"Still a loophole, should you decide that getting rid of him is worth it."

Her jaw tensed, just a little, but she said, "Fine. You have my unequivocal word. I will do nothing to see him physically harmed or forcibly removed from your life."

"Good." I rose again. "I'm still going to penalize you for that foul, though. If you have more information on Ricky, I will come see you. However, you need to contact me through Gabriel."

"And trust he'll actually tell you?"

"He will."

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Gabriel was waiting in the hall. Not standing there impatiently. Not checking his e-mail. Not jotting notes on a scrap of paper. Just standing, his attention fixed on the visiting room door. When I walked out, his gaze shot to my face. I kept my expression impassive as I said, "Is there something you wanted to tell me?"

It was, I will admit, a cruel jab, given that I'd just told Pamela I was fine with what Gabriel had done. But if I walked out of that room and said, "It's okay. I understand," that would give him an excuse the next time.

His only reaction was a cheek tic and the slightest shift of his gaze. For Gabriel, though, that was as sure a sign of shame and guilt as if he'd dropped to his knees.

"I should have told you."

"When should you have told me? At what point, exactly?"

A glimpse of something almost like panic, as his mind whirred to come up with the right answer. He knew the one I wanted, and while Gabriel Walsh had no problem telling people what they wanted to hear--truth be damned--I was different.

"It's not a test, Gabriel," I said. "Put it this way--when do you think I'd want you to tell me?"

"Before I first spoke to her."