Heart Wounds (A Miranda and Parker Mystery) (35 page)

He was good, one of the best criminal defense lawyers in the city. But in Maggie’s book, Bryce Brooks was a bottom feeder. He’d take any case for the cash.

“You are related to my client, aren’t you?” he persisted.

“Is he your client? I didn’t think you defended cops.” She put a hand on her hip. “As I recall, you’re usually the one raking the cops over the coals in the courtroom.” She’d seen him badger officers on the witness stand, had experienced his methods a time or two herself. He wasn’t unethical, but he came damn close to it.

He smiled with one side of his face, looking far too smug, far too sexy, testosterone-fueled arrogance oozing from every pour. “Everyone has a right to a defense attorney. Even a Chicago police officer.”

Maggie snorted. “I’m not sure the union will pay your fees.”

His dark, masculine gaze fixed her like a black hole from some surreal galaxy. “Lieutenant Delaney,” he said in a low, clipped tone. “Since you can’t be here in an official capacity due to your relationship with Officer Lombardi, are you here to give my client moral support?”

“I just want to ask a few questions.”

“The gentlemen from Internal Affairs have already done that.”

“So I saw. I want to hear what Tony has to say.” She pulled out a chair without waiting for his invitation and sat down. She leaned toward Tony.

“Lieutenant,” Brooks warned.

Maggie ignored him. “What happened tonight?”

Tony put his head down again, began pulling at his hair. “I didn’t do it, Aunt Mag. I didn’t shoot Perez. He’s my friend. He’s like an older brother to me. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. I’m dating his sister, for God’s sake.”

“His sister?” Good Lord.

“Lieutenant,” Brooks said again.

She shot up a hand. “Are you sure it wasn’t an accident?”

“No, it wasn’t an accident,” he said as softly as a prayer.

She leaned closer. “Tony, Perez was shot from behind. The other shooters were on the hill in front of you.”

“I know it doesn’t make sense, but I didn’t pull the trigger on my weapon until I was past Perez. I know it.”

“It was your first gunfight. It’s easy for your mind to play tricks on you. It’s hard to remember things accurately.”

Brooks put out a hand. “That’s enough, Lieutenant. Don’t answer her, Tony.”

Tony slammed his fist on the table. “My mind is not playing tricks on me. I know what I did.”

Brooks came around the table. “Lieutenant, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“One more minute,” Maggie snapped. “Tony, just let yourself think. Try to remember.”

Tony ran his hands over his face. “Remember? I can’t get it out of my mind. All I can hear is the blast of gunfire.” His eyes filled with tears and his voice broke with emotion. “Is Perez all right? The ambulance took him away. Is he going to live?”

Maggie swallowed. “I don’t know. He’s in surgery.”

The poor young man laid his head on his arms and began to sob. “Oh God, please let him live. Let him live.”

Brooks inhaled loudly and stared down at his manicured nails, as if suppressing a violent storm he could unleash any moment. “I would hate to press harassment charges against the head of the mayor’s dream team.”

She glared up at him. “You don’t have to. I’m leaving.”

His gaze locked with hers. Almost imperceptibly, his lip turned up at the corner. What did that look mean? Triumph? Gloating? Or had he just enjoyed sparring with her? What an egomaniac.

She reached across the table and patted the grieving officer on the hand. “Hang in there, Tony,” she said softly. “I’ll do what I can for you.” At the moment, she didn’t think that would be much.

Chicago Cop (A cop family thriller)

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Copyright © 201
4 Linsey Lanier

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