Capitol Offense by William Bernhardt Page B

some kind of conspiracy going on.”
    Ben sighed. As if he didn’t get enough conspiracy theories from Loving. “If this is supposed to convince me that you’re paranoid and delusional, forget it.”
    “I mean it! There’s something strange about the whole situation.”
    Ben turned back around. “Okay, I know I shouldn’t do this, but I’ll give you five more minutes. What are you babbling about?”
    “Sentz. His refusal to open a file. Why? I mean, I know they have their rules and regulations, but so what? He could see I was desperate, and he could equally see that my wife wasn’t the type to run off without saying anything. There was a moment where I was almost certain Sentz was going to give in and at least issue an APB. And then he looked at someone else in the station house—and that was it. He refused to do anything.”
    “You’re saying someone else forced him to enforce the rules. I don’t think we can castigate them much for that.”
    “You’re not listening to me.” Dennis stood up, his jaw set. “I’m saying that someone, for some reason, did not want my wife to be found alive.”
    “What reason could anyone possibly—”
    “I don’t know! That’s what I need you for!”
    “You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
    “I’d investigate if I could. But I’m trapped behind bars.”
    “And unlikely to get bail, on a cop-killing charge.”
    “Exactly. I need you.”
    “So you keep saying.” He paused, peering at Dennis intently. “Did you think if you got a senator on your side that might get you the publicity you want? Stir up some sympathy and public unrest? Put pressure on the judge, the jury? That’s why you keep trying to get me to represent you, isn’t it?”
    “I’m doing it because I thought you would understand!” Dennis shouted.
    His words reverberated through the metal cell long after his mouth had closed, a jarring clamor in Ben’s ears.
    “I’ve read about you, Mr. Kincaid.”
    “Google is a wonderful thing.”
    “And about your wife.”
    Ben’s chin rose.
    “I know she was wrongly accused of murder once. Framed. And probably would’ve been executed, except that one very determined individual fought for her, fought the system, the courts, the cops, and everyone else who stood in his way.” Dennis smiled slightly. “And then he married her.”
    Ben shuffled his feet. “Well … a lot happened in between …”
    “I want that man to fight for me, Mr. Kincaid. I want him to believe in me enough to stick his neck out and go the extra mile. Or even if he doesn’t, I want him to do it for my Joslyn, because she was a good person, an extraordinary person, who did not deserve the gruesome, hideous death she received.” He took a small step in Ben’s direction. “I—I just want to know that someone still cares about justice. Not winning or losing. Not money. Not reputations. Justice.”
    He stretched out his hand, his eyes pleading. “Will you be that person, Mr. Kincaid? Will you do it for me? And Joslyn?”
     
     
     

5
     
     
    “You cannot do this, Ben. Do you hear me? You cannot!”
    Ben looked down at the floor and fidgeted with his fingers. “I’m sorry to hear that, Christina. Because I’ve already done it.”
    “Without even consulting me? I’m your partner.”
    “I never consult you before I accept a client. And neither do you.”
    “This is different.”
    “How so?”
    “There’s an unspoken commandment. Thou shalt consult thy partner and helpmeet before representing cop killers.”
    Ben pressed his fingers against the top of his desk. He could see this was going to be more difficult than he had anticipated. “We have never shied away from taking controversial clients.”
    “This is way beyond controversial. The whole city is ready to have him drawn and quartered.”
    “And I’ve also never shied away from clients everyone believed guilty. Starting with you.”
    Christina did not back down. “Don’t go throwing that in my face. I was