Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I move my heavy silver paperweight to the side. “Do you think somebody paid off the judge?”
Cage shrugs. “Dunno. I believe the investigators are still combing through the many charges against the judge, but so far, nothing about Alexei’s case has come up. At least we have cause to overturn the verdict just based on the allegations of impropriety.”
I need to make another motion to be kept in the loop on that one. “I made the motion to the court earlier, and the clerk said they’re expediting those matters. We could even hear tomorrow, without a hearing.” My brief had been thorough and above attack. “Do you think Alexei’s stepmother or stepbrother would’ve bribed the judge?”
“Maybe. I know Hendrix and I sure as hell wouldn’t mess with him.”
I see Hendrix Sokolov at various events during my time as a lawyer, and he seems both handsome and freezing cold to me. If people are snakes, he’s a Golden Lancehead Viper with its beautiful golden-yellow skin. I studied reptiles and animals in school but figured spending my time with exotic animals as an adult wouldn’t lead to financial security, so I turned to law. Clearing my throat, I force myself to focus. “Alexei said something about Miles Molasses and his death not being an accident.”
Cage’s eyebrows rise. “Seriously?”
I shrug. “He could have been blowing smoke, but I think it’s something we should investigate. Instinct tells me that Alexei doesn’t randomly make statements.”
“I’ll look into it,” Cage says. “For now, we’ve acquired the trial transcripts, the courtroom videos, and all of the evidence used to convict Alexei seven years ago.” He nods his head toward a stack of what looks like compact discs on the corner of my desk.
“Thanks.” I now know exactly what my night will include. “Do you remember the case very well?”
Cage shakes his head. “No. I was involved with a pretty serious RICO case at that time, and Miles Molasses was our best litigator. It was a shock when we lost the case, to be honest, although the Sokolovs had stopped paying us.”
“They had?” I look up. The Sokolovs own one of the most powerful social media companies in the world and have more money than I can imagine. “What’s the story there?”
Cage shoves his hands in his pockets. “If I recall, Alexei’s mother died when he was young, and his father remarried Lillian Sokolov. She then had two sons, Hendrix. . . and what was the other one’s name?”
“Cal,” I say softly. “His name was Cal.”
“Oh, yeah. The guy who was murdered last month.” Cage nods. “I forgot about that crime. Did they find who butchered him?”
I keep my placid smile in place. “I don’t know.” I have a sneaky suspicion that Thorn Beathach killed Cal Sokolov, but I can’t prove it, and I would never ask Alana, his fian-cée, who also happens to be one of my best friends.
“I’m sure the family has investigators on it,” Cage notes, admiring himself in my ornate mirror. “But it’s my understanding they’ll be of no help in this case. They disowned Alexei even before he was convicted of murder.”
“I see,” I murmur.
Cage straightens. “Although now that Cal is dead, maybe Hendrix will want another brother to help at the helm.”
Not based on the way Alexei had objected to his last name. “I’ll need to speak with the family.”
“I agree, and I’ll go with you if you like.”
“Thank you, but I can handle this case.”
His gaze warms. “Of course. Also, look on the bright side. If you do get a new trial and we get him off, you’ll probably score an office on the 11th floor.”
I meet his gaze evenly. “I’m aiming for the 12th.”
He chuckles. “I know. We all know.” With that, he turns and disappears from my doorway.
My ambition has never been a secret, but I’m sure they don’t understand the reasons behind it. It’s not only money I crave. It’s security. A stack of unpaid bills sits over to the right of my computer to remind me. My student loans are due, as is payment for the mortgage I took out on my home after inheriting it outright. But there had been no other alternative. Not really. I look at the pearl and silver letter opener that had been a present from Alana when I graduated law school, now sitting innocuously on the bills, ready to shred them open and stress me out.
My attention is drawn to the evidence from Alexei’s trial.
Idly, I grasp the top disc, noting it was filmed the night of the murder, and shove it in the disc bank attached to my computer. I had secured the attachment from the basement earlier in the week. These days, a USB would be used. A lot has changed in seven years. I’ll go through all of the discs later, but I’m just curious for a hint of what they might show.