Chapter 27

She didn't take the paper. "I understand why you're upset, but I need you to stay on."

"Just until the real killer is caught. As my lawyer you'll have access to all the evidence, right?"

"Yes, and so will your new lawyer."

"Savannah will try to catch the murderer on her own, Hez. I tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn't listen. She could be putting herself in a lot of danger. I need a lawyer I can trust to help her." She grimaced. "I need you."

He leaned forward. "Why didn't you tell me about that London trip? You humiliated me in court."

Her face hardened, but she nodded. "I'm sorry that happened."

"It can't happen again."

"It won't. I was caught by surprise, and I couldn't make alternate arrangements at the last minute."

He sat back. "Alternate arrangements for what? You still haven't told me."

She stared at him in silence. "I had a good reason for what I did. You'll have to trust me."

He arched his eyebrows and said nothing.

She rolled her eyes. "Trust Savannah then. Ask her if I had a good reason."

He hated to admit it, but she had a point. "Well, your chances of winning are much higher if you don't keep important information on a need-to-know basis. You're not a lawyer, so you have no idea what an attorney needs to know. As you saw at the bail hearing."

In any event, he had no choice. Not really. He couldn't withdraw if that meant Savannah going after a murderer on her own.

***

And there it was, right where Jess told Savannah to look on the shelf in the walk-in closet. The Chanel leather vanity case was vaguely familiar. Maybe it had been their mother's, but Savannah couldn't be sure. She carried it to the bed and unzipped the top. A picture lay on top. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows on each side of the king-size poster bed and illuminated the contented grin on the boy's face.

Simon. His name was Simon. And he wasn't just any ten-year-old boy—he was Savannah's flesh and blood. Her own nephew.

Why, Jess? How could you?

Did he even know he had an aunt? How would he feel when she showed up to get him when he was expecting his mother?

She would soon find out.

She stuffed the items in her oversize bag and headed for the front door. Through the window she spotted Hez getting out of his vehicle. Had Jess told him the truth? Savannah hated the thought of keeping such a huge secret from him, and he wouldn't say anything to anyone about this.

She wasn't sure she could hide her agitation from him, but she opened the door. "Did Jess need something?"

He shook his head. "I went by your place, and when I didn't see your car, I came by here on a hunch."

She searched his face for clues as to how things had gone. "Did you find her another attorney?"

This time he fell silent for several long beats. "She persuaded me to stay on to represent her."

"I'm shocked."

"As her attorney, I'll have access to everything the prosecution knows. There's no need for you to investigate on your own."

"But I'm going to, so you might as well clue me in on everything."

He heaved a sigh. "You can be the worst bulldog in the world. Does Jess's London trip affect the case?"

This time Hez's silence stretched out so long Savannah thought he wouldn't answer at all. He pressed his lips together and speared her with a hard stare. "Be careful, babe. While you're sure it's not related, the killer could follow you since you'll be alone. I could go with you."

The concern in his eyes only deepened. "I wish you'd tell me what this is all about."

If only she could. This was a heavy secret to bear on her own, but Jess was depending on her.