Silence hung in the room. Izzy knew her admissions could make her look like a suspect.
“You need a top-notch defense attorney,” Viv said.
“I can’t really pay top-notch rates.” She had a little savings put away, but given lawyer rates, she wasn’t sure that would do the trick.
Viv’s eyes lit up. “I have someone in mind who might take on your case pro bono. Of course I’d defend you in a heartbeat with everything I had, but that would be doing a huge disservice to you, since I don’t practice criminal law. We have to do much better than what I could provide in terms of representation, but one thing I can do is find you an attorney.”
Izzy felt her eyes fill yet again with tears. “I didn’t do it, Viv.”
Viv squeezed her hand. “I know that, Izzy. I know you and your heart. No matter what was done to you, you believe in the justice system to right wrongs, not in vigilantism.”
Izzy shook her head. “But that’s the thing you don’t understand.”
“Tell me. Help me understand.”
She needed Viv to see where she was coming from. “I have wanted to kill him. To make him pay for what he did to me. For the torment and pain he put me through every day of my life since the attack. I’ve felt unsafe around men ever since this happened to me. I’ve lived through so many sleepless nights, ongoing nightmares, fears, and insecurities. All because he attacked me. So when I sent those texts, there were moments when I felt like I could’ve acted on them. If he had tried to hurt me again.”
Viv’s eyes met hers. “It’s completely natural for you to feel that way, and if he had tried to hurt you, then you would have been acting in self-defense. But you didn’t do it. Yes, you may have wanted to act on those feelings, but you exercised self-control. That’s the truth, and once everything is investigated, the police will see that.”
Izzy wasn’t so sure it would be that easy. “Someone did kill him, though, and I have no idea who.”
“How long was he on the force?”
“A few decades.”
Viv leaned in. “Hmm. Cops make a lot of enemies. I’m sure they’ll be focusing on a variety of options.”
“They must have found those text messages, though.” A chill shot down Izzy’s back at the thought of reliving this entire nightmare.
“I’m going to call my friend. Maybe we’ll get lucky with her availability. Give me a few minutes.”
Viv left Izzy alone in the living room because she probably wanted the privacy to talk to the lawyer first before Izzy got involved. She closed her eyes. Lord, I’m not strong enough on my own to handle this. Please help me.
It was a prayer she’d found herself praying ever since she reconnected with her faith months ago. She’d tried fighting her battles alone and had failed miserably. With God, she still felt weak, but there was a sense that she could face her struggles, knowing she wasn’t alone anymore.
There were days when she was still angry at God for what had happened to her. For her father’s death. For so many things. But she’d also felt His mighty hand guiding her through the dark nights. His gentle voice coaxing her to open her heart to Him and to others. He’d brought amazing people into her life just when she needed them most. Seeing Him work in her life in real time had a tremendous impact on her.
So yes, she still had her doubts, but God’s love was more powerful than anything. It had pulled her out of a dark abyss when she hadn’t even wanted to live anymore.
Viv rushed back into the room, her face flushed. “I got her. She’s coming over.”
Izzy blew out a breath in relief. “Thank you. Words aren’t even enough.”
Viv insisted that Izzy eat something while they waited, because she hadn’t had anything but coffee and water all day. When the doorbell rang, Izzy prepared herself to meet the attorney.
The door opened, revealing an auburn-haired woman with brown eyes.
“Piper Alexander, meet Isabella Cole.”
Izzy offered her hand to Piper. “Please call me Izzy.”
“Nice to meet you.” Piper then gave Viv a big hug.
“Okay, Izzy. Now that you have an experienced criminal defense lawyer, I’m going to turn over the representation to her and let you two talk alone in here.” Viv led them into the kitchen. “I’ll be upstairs in my bedroom if you need anything.”
“Thank you again for everything.” Izzy squeezed Viv’s hand before Viv left her alone with Piper.
As she sat across the table from this woman she’d just met, Izzy realized she was putting her trust in Viv. If Viv vouched for Piper, then that would have to be enough for her.
Piper pulled a legal pad from her bag and set it on the table. “Izzy, you should know that I am a criminal defense attorney, but that I also have experience doing pro bono work representing victims of domestic violence.”
“I’m not a lawyer, but isn’t it odd to work both sides?”
“It is a bit unorthodox, yes, but I’m never adverse to any of my clients on the criminal side, and lawyers are encouraged to do pro bono work. Criminal defense is my specialty, but I wanted to bring up my other experience because, from the little Viv told me, I thought it would be helpful for you to know.”
Izzy nodded, not sure what to say.
“We’ll take this nice and easy. Instead of starting with the difficult experiences of your past, why don’t you tell me exactly what you know about the case.” Piper’s pen was at the ready.
“Not much. The person who was killed is Sergeant Henry Tybee.” Saying his name made her want to vomit.
“All right. How would you like us to refer to him?”
“You can tell that
