I listened as DA Miller extensively questioned a butcher from Hyde Park who apparently didn’t know the meaning of brevity when he answered. If fact, he ran full-bore away from brevity right into the long-winded kingdom.
Even Judge Moreno’s eyes had glazed over by the time DA Miller ended our torment. I hadn’t heard anything from the butcher which might render him prejudiced toward Indro. Yet, I felt compelled to look at his social media accounts just to be safe.
A grin spread over my face. The butcher listed his favorite film as Goodfellas. That was a mark in our favor as far as I was concerned. A lot of people romanticize the mafia, even if they are cold-blooded killers.
“Counsel, would you like to examine this juror?” Moreno asked.
I stood up and shook my head. “No, Your Honor. I see no reason to disqualify him.”
“Good,” Judge Moreno said. “This process has stretched on entirely too long as it is.”
Moreno glared at me when she spoke. Okay, so I’d pulled some shenanigans to stall for time. I was hardly the first defense lawyer to do so, and would be far from the last. She didn’t have to take it so personal.
I could only imagine DA Miller laughing his ass off at getting Moreno for this trial. Short skirts and crotch flashes weren’t going to throw her off of her game. If anything, she seemed to resent women younger and prettier than herself—which meant pretty much everybody, as far as I was concerned.
She banged her gavel and adjourned the court for the day. Moreno set a start date for the trial, and I cringed at how little time I had to prepare. I was gambling just about everything on exposing Glen Gilberti as a fraud. I felt strongly about the gambit, but it was still just that: a gambit.
When I got back to my office, Katie jutted her chin toward the door to my private chamber. Someone was waiting for me, probably Indro.
“Hey, sweetness,” he said, sitting at my desk with his feet propped up on it. I felt my heart skip a beat. He did look fine in a suit. Looked fine all over. The memory of the previous night leaped into my mind and I felt a flush come over my cheeks. “How was court? Good?”
“Tedious. How was your day?”
“I’ve been setting some things up on my end.” I sat down in the seat normally reserved for my clients and folded my hands in my lap so I wouldn’t fidget. “It turns out that Don Maloik is pretty sure it’s time to hit the mattresses with regards to the Loggias.”
“Hit the mattresses?” I arched a brow.
“War, babe. Pure and simple. Survival of the fittest. We don’t want to make the first overt move, though. Not until we’re sure.”
I sighed. “And let me guess, you have a plan for how to force their hand? Does it involve me?”
Indro grinned, but it seemed strained. “Nope. I’m doing this as a solo act. Too dangerous for a skirt.”
What century is this? I thought bitterly to myself. I then admonished myself for even being upset. Hadn’t I been worried about the danger of taking this case in the first place? Getting angry at Indro because he was actively trying to keep me safe seemed kind of stupid.
“What are you going to do?” I asked in exasperation. “Might I remind you, if you get caught doing something illegal you’ll revoke your bail and wind up in the slammer.”
“Don’t you worry about that none,” he said. “I’m not going to do a damn thing but stroll around Loggia territory and see what happens.”
I cocked an eyebrow at him. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, aren’t they kind of pissed at you right now?”
“Exactly.” Indro pointed a finger at me and unfolded from my chair. “If the Loggia family really is looking to shut me up permanent-like, the opportunity I present will be irresistible. Just me showing up on their turf is going to be like a gigantic middle finger to them.”
“So your plan is to use yourself as bait and see if they try to kill you?” I shook my head. “That sounds really stupid.”
“It was Don Maloik’s idea,” he replied with a casual shrug which belied his inner anxiety.
“Was Don Maloik hoping you’d be killed?”
Indro shook his head. “I don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong, he’d probably welcome the chance to go to war with the Loggias. Their operation is tidy and profitable. Maloik would love to get his hands on it. But would he sacrifice me for that opportunity? I don’t think so. He’s got more honor than that.”
“Are you sure?” I was surprised by my growing concern for his well-being. This man had blackmailed me, humiliated me, and moved into my life pretty as you please. Yet, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the ways his plan could go wrong. “I mean, we’re talking about a man responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people.”
“Oh, babe,” Indro snickered. “Don Maloik’s responsible for thousands of deaths, I’m sure. That’s not even counting what happened before he crossed the pond from Sicily, if you catch my drift.”
I shuddered. “But you trust him not to betray you?”
Indro shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “I don’t trust anybody, Sophie. It’s why I’m still alive despite the concerted efforts of so many people.”
“So you’re just going to put yourself out there like a Judas goat?”
“Sure, why not? It’s a solid plan. Besides, I’m not going to be unarmed.”
“But you are going alone?”
“I work best alone.” He moved toward the door and snatched his coat off the hook. “My last partnership didn’t end so well. See you real soon, babe. When I get back, we’re going to celebrate… if you
