Let Darkness Come by Angela Hunt Page A

Briley’s errors as justification for a new trial. Those errors, if they’re flagrant, might be enough to earn her walking papers. By the end of this case, she might be defeated and unemployed. And unpopular.
    She reaches for the telephone and punches in Timothy’s number. He answers on the second ring. “Hello?”
    â€œRemember the Tomassi murder?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œGuess who’s defending the widow.”
    She hears his quick intake of breath. “No kidding. You got the case?”
    â€œI shouldn’t have. No managing partner in his right mind would hand the case to a neophyte, but Franklin gave it to me. That can only mean one thing.”
    â€œYou’re the best woman for the job?”
    â€œErin Tomassi is guilty and the state’s attorney has an airtight case. I haven’t seen the police report, but I’m betting Franklin is right.”
    â€œYou don’t know that, Bri. Unless the woman confessed—”
    â€œShe says she’s innocent. But so does everyone else at the jail.”
    â€œCome on, now.” A smile slips into his voice. “Don’t assume the worst before you even start to work. Give the woman the benefit of the doubt, and give yourself a break. Maybe she’s telling the truth.”
    Briley remains silent, wishing she could believe him. Trouble is, Timothy isn’t an attorney. He’s a sneakers-wearing Boy Scout with an irresistible grin and an undying belief that some trace of goodness lies in everyone, including his clients. And she’d give up chocolate for a year if he’d forget about his addicts and take a job selling shoes.
    â€œYou still there?” he asks.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThen find out what happened to Jeffrey Tomassi and do your best to defend his wife. Because the alternative is unthinkable.”
    â€œI’ll do everything I can…but it’d take a miracle to get Erin Tomassi acquitted.”
    Briley closes her eyes as a memory floats up, a vision of a couple waltzing, swirling through a ballroom in perfect unison. They were smiling at each other, and Jeffrey’s arm gripped Erin so tightly…Did something go wrong in their marriage? Something horrible enough to drive one of them to a desperate act?
    â€œThis case is going to be huge,” she says. “I’ll need to hire an investigator and rope in some help around here. Capital cases require a defense team.”
    â€œI’m sure the firm will give you whatever you need. They’re supportive, aren’t they?”
    â€œSo far.” She swallows hard, reluctant to admit what she needs to say next. “I’ll be working a lot. I’ll try not to let this case take over my life, but I might have to work a few nights and weekends.”
    Timothy laughs. “Babe, don’t feel like you have to explain yourself to me. Take all the time you need to do your job.”
    â€œBut I might not be available when you have time off. Unless Dax is able to stand on his own—”
    â€œHe’s not,” Timothy interrupts. “He’s doing better, but the boy still gets jumpy when he’s around others who are using.”
    â€œI thought you were keeping him away from those people.”
    â€œI try, but he’s in show business, you know? I’d keep him away from booze altogether if I could, but when he goes to parties, every girl who comes up has a drink in her hand.”
    â€œOh.” Briley stares at the ceiling, her mind filling with images of parties where dozens of beautiful girls drape themselves over any man in Dax Lightner’s reflected glow.
    â€œHey.” Timothy’s voice softens. “Don’t you worry about a thing.”
    â€œI’m not worried.”
    â€œYou are. I can hear it in your voice.”
    â€œOkay.” She smiles into the phone. “Maybe I’m a little worried. About you, and about this trial.”
    â€œYou