“How did you make bail?”
“The legal representative assigned to me got me released on my own recognizance since I had no prior OWI’s. I don’t even have a speeding ticket. It went in my favor, but I knew I needed someone more experienced to try my case. I’ve...I’ve heard your name before.” She leaned forward. “Ms. Thomas, you have to believe me. I did not hit anyone on purpose or because I was drunk. The lady...” her voice quaked, but she continued on. “She wasn’t even using the crosswalk. I didn’t see her but it wasn’t because I was drunk.”
Michelle sat back. Her inner voice screamed at her to kick Ms. Bledsoe out of her office. She couldn’t defend a person who had killed another, intentional or not. The young man who had killed her parents didn’t mean to either and got off scot free. She couldn’t help this woman get the same fate if she killed another. Especially since she admitted to being drunk.
But the lawyer in her wanted all the details. Wanted to know how every single second passed by in this woman’s drunken stupor. “Did the police issue you a ticket? Were you arrested at the scene?”
“I was taken to detox. Later, I received a ticket for OWI. It was the D.A.’s office that charged me with vehicular manslaughter.”
Michelle’s nails tapped against the table as she fired question after question. “Do you remember the day of the incident? Was it day time or night time? How much did you drink? What was your blood alcohol level?” The questions slipped out fast and fierce, despite the fact that she wanted to escort Ms. Bledsoe off her property.
“It was night time and I remember it. I wish I didn’t. I had four pomegranate martinis before I decided to drive home. According to the officer, my blood alcohol was 0.15.”
Michelle’s mouth dropped open. “You were that drunk and thought it was okay to get behind the wheel of a vehicle?” The censure in her voice echoed loudly in the office. All she could think of was that night...that terrible night Officer Simpson had turned her world upside down.
“Ma’am, I know what I did was reckless, but you have to understand, I was already upset and not thinking rationally. Yes, I drank and got in the car afterward, but I passed at least two cops which shows I wasn’t driving erratically. The only reason I got ticketed was because I hit a woman and she died.” Tanya’s voice broke off and she started crying.
Michelle’s jaw threatened to crack under the strength of her clenched teeth. Calming down was no longer an option. The haze clouding her eyes propelled her out of her chair as she placed her hands on the desk.
“I think you need to go. I can’t help you. I would suggest you retain the legal representative assigned to you or find some attorney who defends drunk drivers regularly. I’m not the right attorney for you.”
“Is it because I’m white?” Tanya asked, tears rolling down her face.
“What? No. That’s absurd. It’s because you’re a drunk driver and I prosecute drunk drivers, not defend them.”
The young woman wiped her nose with the sleeve of her shirt and Michelle struggled not to shudder.
“I’m not a murderer.”
“That’s for the judge to decide. And since I’m not going to be your attorney, that does not concern me.”
“Please, you have to help me. I don’t want to go to jail. I don’t deserve that for one time of drunk driving.”
Michelle stared at the wall, willing herself not to peer into the pleading gaze of Ms. Bledsoe. She would not be persuaded. For the first time, Michelle wanted no part of an OWI case. Her anger swirled around her, tightening its hold. It held her by the throat until she was forced to spew the venom churning in her gut.
“What makes you think I would represent a person who would be reckless enough to get behind the wheel and drive drunk? Are you out of your mind? No one has an excuse to get behind the wheel after indulging in alcohol. And I do mean no one. My parents were killed by a drunk driver so forgive me if I have no sympathy for your supposed plight.”
“I had just had an abortion!”
Her heart stopped.
Time stood still.
Michelle was sure the earth probably stopped spinning as well.
The weight of the words pushed against her, weighting her body down. Michelle dropped into her chair like a sack of flour, stunned by Ms. Bledsoe’s revelation. Nothing could have prepared her for those words nor the depth of emotion that laced each one.
Nothing.
Tanya continued speaking, her words edging on hysteria and incoherency. “I couldn’t have the baby. There was no way. I had to have an abortion. The minute it started, I regretted my decision, but I couldn’t take it back. It was done in a matter of minutes and all I could do was stare. I have no clue what the doctor said after ‘that’s all.’ No clue.” Tears coursed down her face. “I couldn’t take it back.”
Michelle closed her eyes, steeling herself against the onslaught of memories. She took deep breaths trying to control her emotions, but they would not conform to her desires. One tear slipped over her eyelid, then another, and another until soon her face matched that of Tanya Bledsoe’s.
“SHERIFF, I WAS WONDERING if you’d like to schedule a play date for our girls?”
Guy looked at his secretary. The look of hesitation on her face seemed to emphasize the freckles. He sat back in his chair. “Uh, what did you have in mind?”
With a smile, Holly stepped into his office. “I was thinking a park date. The weather has been beautiful, and Sam loves to play in the park, but hates to do it alone. So I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to get the girls together.” She laced her hands in front of
