Defense

  “Yes.” I firmly nodded my head.

  He let out a light chuckle.

  “That’s a good theory, but you don’t have proof.”

  “Could you please just do me a favor and see what you can find out about Wilson Garrett?” I asked.

  “Have a drink with me and I’ll consider it.” He smirked.

  I narrowed my eyes at him and his sad attempt to take me out.

  “I’m sorry, detective, but I don’t have time to have a drink with you. I’m in the middle of trying to prove my client’s innocence.”

  “And I’m in the middle of trying to solve many criminal cases,” he spoke.

  “Fine.” I got up from my chair. “Have a good day.”

  “Call me if you change your mind,” he shouted as I walked out the door.

  I took a cab home, and when I arrived, Luca wasn’t there. Taking off my shoes, I lay down on the couch and shut my eyes. I couldn’t think anymore. I needed to give my mind a break. We made progress, but not enough. It was going to be brutal trying to get the jury to see that Luca didn’t kill Gina and that someone framed him.

  I was in a deep sleep, but I still could feel the warmth of lips pressed against mine and a hand gently running through my hair. Opening my eyes, I saw Luca sitting next to me, on the edge of the couch with a tender smile on his face.

  “How long have you been home?” I asked.

  “About an hour.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me as soon as you got in?”

  “Because you obviously need to rest. What did Detective Jacks say?”

  I let out a yawn as I sat up.

  “We have no proof,” I replied.

  “I figured he would say that. Are you up to going out to dinner?”

  “Yeah. Let me change first.”

  Luca and I went to Bellasario, a new Italian place that just opened a week ago a couple of blocks away from my apartment. As the hostess led us to our booth, I noticed Sam and his wife sitting a few tables away.

  “Look, it’s Sam and his wife,” I spoke.

  “Shit. Let’s go somewhere else.”

  “No. I think we should at least say hi. After all, he is your friend and partner at the firm.” I smirked.

  “What are you up to?” he asked with furrowed brows.

  “Nothing.” I smiled as I walked over to Sam’s table and Luca followed behind.

  “Ariana, Luca,” Sam spoke with surprise.

  “Hi, Sam.” I smiled.

  “Ariana, this is my wife, Jessica. Jessica, this is Ariana Williams, Luca’s attorney.”

  “It’s so nice to meet you.” I held out my hand.

  “And you as well. Luca, how are you holding up?” she asked.

  “I’m fine, Jessica. Thank you for asking.”

  I wanted to bring up something about Gina, to see if I could get a reaction out of Sam, but I was too distracted by the earrings Jessica wore.

  “Those are beautiful earrings. I love the knot and the diamond in the middle. About how many carats each are they?”

  “Thank you. Two carats each side.” She smiled. “They were a gift from my husband.”

  “How nice. For your anniversary?” I smiled.

  “No. They were a ‘just because’ gift.”

  “You have excellent taste, Sam.”

  He didn’t say a word. He just pursed his lips together to form a light smile.

  “Well, I’m starving and Luca and I have his case to discuss. It was nice to meet you, Jessica.”

  “Same here.”

  “Sam. Jessica.” Luca nodded.

  We sat down at our table and Luca ordered us a bottle of wine.

  “Why the hell were you commenting on her earrings?” he asked.

  “I was wondering if you noticed.” I smirked.

  “Ariana, you’re confusing me.”

  “Those were the exact earrings Gina was wearing when she walked into the hotel.”

  “How do you even know that?”

  “I noticed them on the security tape. We women notice other women’s jewelry.”

  “Okay. So maybe he bought Gina and his wife the same pair.”

  “You’re going to hate me, Luca, but we have to go.”

  “What? Why?”

  “We need to go to the Peninsula Hotel and view that tape one last time.”

  “Oh my God, Ariana. You can’t be serious.” He leaned over the table.

  “I am.” I grabbed my purse. “If you don’t want to come, then don’t. But I have to see that tape again.”

  We made our way to the hotel and when I got to the security room, Bruce was just locking up.

  “Ariana.” He glared at me.

  “Bruce.” I smiled as I held out my hand with a donut wrapped in a napkin.

  “How long are you going to be?” He sighed.

  “Five minutes, tops.”

  He unlocked the door and we stepped inside.

  “Bruce, this is Luca Russo. Luca, this is Bruce.”

  “You must be the accused,” Bruce spoke.

  “I am.”

  “What time do you want to see?” he asked.

  “Three o’clock,” I spoke.

  “Again?” He sighed.

  He pulled up the footage and forwarded to three p.m.

  “Freeze it right there, Bruce,” I said as I saw Gina walk into the hotel. “Look at her earrings, Luca.”

  “Okay. We already established she was wearing them,” he spoke with a hint of irritation.

  “Now fast forward to eight o’clock,” I told Bruce. “Stop! She’s still wearing the earrings. Now fast forward to nine forty and stop. Look, she went back up to her room with the earrings on.”

  “Ariana, I am trying so hard to understand what the fuck you’re talking about.”

  “There were no earrings found on her or in the room. The only possessions of hers the police have are a cellphone, a diamond bracelet, her laptop, and a pendant she was wearing of a diamond cross.”

  “So where are the earrings?”

  “On Mrs. Butler’s ears.”

  “I’m worried about you, Ariana.”

  “Luca, listen to me. What if she knew about Gina and Sam?”

  “So now you think she killed Gina, took her earrings, and framed me?”

  “Possibly.”

  “You’re grasping at straws, sweetheart, and I’m worried about you.”

  “Are we done here?” Bruce asked.

  “Yes. Thank you again.”

  “No problem, Ariana.” He smiled.

  We headed back to my apartment and the ride was silent. Luca wasn’t saying much and I knew he thought I was crazy, but she could have done it. That was something I wasn’t ruling out.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Luca

  I opened my eyes and looked over at Ariana, who was sleeping on her stomach with the sheet partially covering her naked body. I smiled as I sat up on my elbow and softly pressed my lips against her back. She stirred and I kissed her again. She let out a soft moan as she rolled over and looked at me with a smile.

  “Happy birthday, baby.” I kissed her lips.

  “You remembered.”

  “Of course I did. How could I ever forget that day I found out you lied to me about who you were.” I grinned. “I have something for you.”

  “You do?” She sat up as I reached over the side of the bed and handed her a long box wrapped in birthday paper.

  “I hope you like it.”

  “I know I will.”

  She unwrapped the box with a smile on her face and took off the lid.

  “Oh my god, Luca. It’s beautiful! It’s a fleur de lis.”

  “Look on the back.”

  She turned the necklace over and studied it, running her finger over the North Star and the quote.

  “It’s beautiful, Luca. Thank you so much.” She kissed my lips.

  “You’re welcome. I wanted to take you to Montauk for the day, but with the trial starting tomorrow, I didn’t think
that would be a good idea.” I cupped her chin with my hand. “As soon as this trial is over and if I’m found not guilty, I’m going to whisk you away for a beautiful and relaxing vacation. I promise.”

  “You will be found not guilty.”

  I gave her a small smile as I kissed her one more time.

  “Happy birthday, Ariana.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Now I’m going to make you a special birthday breakfast,” I spoke as I got out of bed. “And then we’re going to go back to bed so I can give you the rest of your birthday present before you start your day.” I smirked.

  Just as I was leaving the bedroom, I stopped in the doorway when I heard Ariana speak.

  “Luca?”

  “Yeah.” I turned around.

  “I love you too.” She smiled.

  Fuck, she knew Latin. Why was I not surprised? I walked back over to her and sat down on the edge of the bed.

  “You knew what that meant?”

  “Yeah.” She scrunched up her nose. “I studied Latin at Harvard.”

  “Of course you did.” I ran my hand through her hair. “I love you forever.”

  “And I love you,” she spoke with tears in her eyes.

  “Fuck breakfast. I’m giving you the rest of your present now.” I climbed under the sheet and hovered over her.

  ****

  Ariana

  He loved me and I was on cloud nine. I’d always known he had feelings for me, but I wasn’t sure if it was as deep as love. There were so many times I wanted to tell him how much I loved him to soothe him during this mess, but I was afraid if he wasn’t at the love stage yet, or too scared to admit it, it would freak him out. But he said it first. Well, not so much verbally, but with that pendant he gave me. When I read the words, I love you forever, it made me happy, but hearing him speak them after I told him that I loved him too caused my eyes to swell with tears. I’d never felt this way about anyone before and now, to find someone to love who loved me back in the midst of all this chaos was overwhelming. The fate of his life began tomorrow and I was the one who held it in my hands. I had to be on top of my game and fully prepared for whatever District Attorney Wendy Graham threw at me. But she was the one who was going to be surprised after I got a confession on the stand. I could do it. I had to do it. Even if I broke the rules of the courtroom or the judicial system, I would. Luca was way too important to me and I wasn’t going to fail him. Failure wasn’t an option. I’d go to jail to make sure the jury saw that he was innocent.

  Trying to find out how Sam Butler and Wilson Garrett were connected was going to be a challenge. I had no clue where to start and Sheila wasn’t coming up with anything. Maybe talking to Jessica Butler would help shed some light, so I kissed Luca goodbye and headed to her house when I knew Sam was at the office.

  “Ariana, what a nice surprise.” She smiled as she opened the door.

  “Hello, Jessica. I was hoping you’d be home. I was wondering if I could talk to you about the night of Sam’s birthday party.”

  “Of course. Come on in. I don’t know how much help I can be.”

  She motioned for me to come inside and led me to the living area.

  “Have a seat. May I get you something to drink? Tea, coffee?” She looked at her watch. “I suppose it’s a little too early for wine.” She smirked.

  “I’m fine. Thank you.”

  I took a seat on the cream-colored Victorian-style couch with the cherry wood trim and she took a seat in the matching chair across from me.

  “So what did you want to ask me?” She crossed her legs and folded her hands.

  “Did you know the victim by any chance?”

  She looked at me with a hint of confusion.

  “No. How would I know her?”

  “I didn’t think you would. I just had to ask. Did you notice anything strange that night?”

  “Like what?”

  “Anyone lurking around? Maybe something that caught your attention?”

  “No. I can’t say I did.”

  “Did you see Luca and the victim sitting up at the bar at any time during the night?”

  “I did. I saw them talking. I just can’t believe it. I know Luca would never kill someone.”

  I gave her a small smile. “Do you know a man named Wilson Garrett?”

  “No. I can’t say I do. Who is he?”

  “Just someone who was at the hotel that night. I’m trying to find someone who knew him.”

  “I wish I could be of more help. I love Luca. He’s done so much for Sam and me.”

  “He is a good man and I don’t want to see him go to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Would you mind giving me a tour of your house? I just love how beautifully it’s decorated.”

  “Of course.” She smiled.

  I followed her up the stairs as she gave me a tour, the last stop being her bedroom. As I stepped inside, I looked around and smiled when I saw a large silver and crystal jewelry box sitting on the dresser.

  “Wow, Jessica. Did you decorate yourself?” I asked.

  “I wish I could take all the credit, but I had a decorator come in. His name is Xavier and he is wonderful.”

  “I’m in the process of buying a new apartment over on East 72nd Street and it needs some major redecorating. I would love to get Xavier’s number and give him a call to see what he can do for me.”

  “Oh my gosh, you’ll love him! I have his business card downstairs.”

  This was my opportunity.

  “Would it be okay if I used your bathroom? I had one too many cups of coffee this morning.”

  “Of course. Just use the master bath. I’ll run downstairs and write Xavier’s number down for you.” She smiled.

  As soon as she left the room, I waited for a moment to make sure I heard her footsteps as she walked downstairs. Lifting the lid to the insanely beautiful and I’m sure very expensive jewelry box, I glanced inside for the earrings. Found them. Looking around the room, I pulled a tissue from the box that sat on one of the nightstands, grabbed an earring with it, and slipped it into my purse. Letting out a deep breath, I carefully closed the lid and went downstairs.

  “Feel better?” Jessica smiled as I walked into the kitchen.

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  “Here’s Xavier’s number. Make sure to tell him that I sent you.”

  I took the small square piece of paper from her hand.

  “Thank you, Jessica. I will. I better head out. The trial starts tomorrow and I still have a lot of work to do.”

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t have been more help.”

  “It’s okay. I’m just trying to speak to everyone I can that was at the party that night. If someone remembered even one small thing, it could help Luca’s case.”

  As she walked me to the door and opened it, I turned and looked at her before stepping outside.

  “By the way, I just have to tell you that I think you and Sam make an amazing couple.”

  “Why thank you.” She grinned.

  “I hope someday if I ever meet the love of my life, people will think that about us. You must have done something really special for his birthday.”

  “I wanted to.” She pouted. “But he was tied up in court all day long. He didn’t get home until it was almost time to leave for the party.”

  “The life of a lawyer can sometimes suck,” I spoke.

  “Well, next year, his birthday is on a Saturday, so there will be no excuses for him not to be home.”

  “Nope. No excuse at all.” I grinned. Except he’ll be in prison.

  ****

  I took the earring to the crime lab, which was in the investigative division on the fourth floor. I had to be careful because the risk of running into Detective Jacks was far too great. Upon entering the lab, I was greeted by a man who stood about six foot four with a lean build, jet-black hair, and wore black rimmed glasses.

  “Excuse me.” I cleared my throat. Are you Charlie Henderson?”

  “Yes.
I am. Can I help you?”

  “My name is Ariana Williams and I’m the defense attorney for Mr. Luca Russo.”

  “Nice to meet you.” He smiled. “I’d shake your hand, but I don’t want to take the gloves off. I’m in the middle of something.”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt you, but I was hoping you could help me out.”

  “With?” he asked as he looked into his microscope.

  “I have an earring and I need to see if you can lift some prints off it.”

  “Is this to help Luca’s case?” he asked.

  “Yes, and I’m sorry, but it’s kind of a rush request.”

  “How soon do you need it?”

  “We go to trial tomorrow.”

  He peeled off the gloves he was wearing and tossed them in the garbage.

  “You know, I’ve known Luca for a few years. He’s a good lawyer and he’s brought some things to me in the past to have analyzed. When I examined the knife that killed that woman, I was shocked to find his fingerprints all over it.”

  “He was set up.”

  “I hope to God you’re right. What do you need analyzed?” he asked as he put on a new pair of gloves.

  I carefully took the tissue-wrapped earring from my purse and handed it to him.

  “There’s probably going to be at least three sets of prints on that earring. Actually, I’m not even sure if you’ll be able to lift the prints.”

  “I won’t be able to if the earring has been cleaned. But I’ll see what I can do. Have a seat. I’ll work on it now. It shouldn’t take very long. The longest part is running the print in the system to try and find a match. Whose earring is this anyway?”

  “Gina Burroughs.”

  He glanced over at me for a moment.

  “And whose prints are you hoping are on it?”

  “A man named Sam Butler.”

  “As in Luca’s partner at the firm?” His brow raised.

  “Yes.” I sighed.

  Chapter Forty

  Ariana

  As I was sitting there and watched Charlie try to lift some prints from the earring, my phone rang and Luca was calling.

  “Hello,” I answered.

  “I miss you. Where are you?”

  “At the crime lab talking to Charlie.”

  “Why?” he slowly asked.

  “I’m having Gina’s earring tested for fingerprints.”