Justice Incarnate by Regan Black Page A

No point. Doubt and confusion were etched on his whole being.
    "What happened in there?" he persisted.
    She shrugged. "Justice was served."
    "I meant in chambers."
    "More of the same, Thomas. You wouldn't believe me anyway."
    "Call me Brian," he said softly. "Try me."
    She studied him then, assessing the risk of driving him away at what might be a crucial point in their lives. In one deep breath, she spilled it all.
    He stared.
    "He asked you to kill him?"
    "Yes."
    "Must be the cancer."
    "Cancer?" She huffed. "Most cancers are eradicated." And just what would happen to her if Albertson died of natural causes? Would it mean an easy end for her too? "He wouldn't have told you."
    "Contrary to your low opinion of me, we go way back. He's a good friend. And he trusts me."
    "Your loss." She started back toward the waiting transport officer.
    "Isn't it yours?" he said, catching up. "You challenge my department's integrity and now you don't care about the answers."
    She jerked her thumb back to the courthouse behind them. "Clearly I don't need the judge's buddy on my team."
    "Don't you? Don't you need to replace Larry?"
    "Hardly. I don't want a spy. Or double agent as it'd apply to you. I need an ally." She bit hard on her cheek. Where had that come from? Sure Cleveland suggested it, but as a single opinion she hadn't given the idea real credit. After all, she'd handled her fate on her own every other time. "For all the good it's done," she muttered.
    "Say again?"
    "Why the interest? Last night you weren't buying my story about the Judge making evidence evaporate."
    "I'm still not convinced." He stopped her as she tried to spin away. "But I know you believe it. Looking into some old cases proved something's wrong. I can help you. With my resources and your witnesses, we'll be able to clear the air."
    She jerked out of his grip and the odd effect his touch had on her. "I don't want to clear the air, I want to save lives."
    "So do I, but for some reason, I want to protect yours in the process."
    She knew the reason; she could pinpoint exactly where his instinct to protect took root in his soul. Yet, she couldn't tell him, it was too impossible for him to comprehend. Yet...
    "Last night, your touch gave me strength."
    He blinked. "I guess that's one way to put it."
    "And you feel well now?"
    "Yeah. Sure."
    Her car pulled up and the transport officer called to them. "There's my ride. Come see me when you've resigned."
    "What?"
    "You can't help if your loyalties are divided."
    "I can't help if I'm out of the loop," he shot back.
    She sighed. He'd never trust. Not her, not her guidance and never her mission. He was too close to the Judge. He'd always been too close to the devil, making him blind to his tactics.
    "Who says I need anything from you at all?"
    "You did last night."
    There was that. "An error in judgment. Forget we met. I've got things to do," she said, as the officer dragged her away.
    Topping the list was seeing Brenda would be safe.
    "I'll put a detail on your girl," he called after her.
    She had no way to acknowledge the comment, but that didn't matter. Cleveland was wrong. Fulfilling a destiny was an individual sport.
    So was escape. As an art form, it had been easier when handcuffs weren't electronic and vehicles had simple locks rather than the timed devices of this era. Or so the police wanted to believe.
    Jaden had learned one lesson above all others through the course of her lives: adapt. Two blocks and she had the combination cuffs unlocked. Another block and she'd worked her briefcase into a better position to access her code key. When the van stopped at the front of her building, she was ready.
    The driver pressed buttons on the panel, paused, and then exited the car, coming around to her door.
    She heard the whir of the timed locks releasing and when the officer swung the door open, she seized his wrist. With a twist and sharp yank he was in the backseat, sprawled over her. A quick blow to his neck put him out long