Full On by Caitlyn Willows Page B

that?” Though kept low, there was a
definite shout in the demand. Sweat trickled down from beneath his ball cap.
Anger reddened his face. “Well, that makes sense now, doesn’t it? I always
thought she was a looker but she must be one damn fine piece of ass for you to
throw a case for her.”
    Russell shoved between him and Valerie. “With all due
respect, Your Honor , that was uncalled for. She fought the good fight.
She presented her case well. She defended her client with facts and evidence. I
had shit to work with and we all know that. Give defense counsel her due.”
    Baker’s lip curled in a sneer. “Looks like you’re already
doing that.” He butted Russell’s shoulder as he walked up. It took every ounce
of willpower Russell possessed to not call the man out.
    Valerie shifted her box to one hip and pressed her hand to
Russell’s back. “I don’t think we need to worry about any job offer for me.
Come Monday we’ll both be looking for work.”
    He snickered. “Fuck them all. We’ll start our own practice.”
    “I don’t know whether to be scared or excited.”
    “Me either. One problem at a time.” He lifted his box. “Lead
the way.”
    Considering all the press they’d gotten over the last six
months, introductions weren’t necessary. Neither of them addressed the odd
looks that flashed their way. People had eyes. They would have caught the kiss
just like Alden Baker did. Just like Dave had the night before. For all they
knew their kiss last night could have made the morning news. So be it.
    Casey’s arrival helped diffuse the gawkers, who merely
scattered to gossip amongst themselves. Russell hated that behind-the-back
crap. Valerie had worked hard for this museum. She didn’t deserve to be treated
with anything less than respect. If it wouldn’t have made things worse, he
would have told them that too.
    “All set?” Casey placed her baked goods contribution on the
nearest table.
    “Ready whenever you are,” Valerie replied.
    It took a bit more chatting among the volunteers before they
aimed toward the parking lot.
    “What burr does Baker have up his ass this time?” Casey
asked when they were out of earshot of the group.
    “Us.” Valerie’s stride lengthened. “You talk to Estavarez?”
    “Shortly after you did. He’s on the fence. I have a room
reserved at the Suites in my name just in case. But it’s going to take some
convincing.”
    Valerie shook her head. “He doesn’t want to leave his
family, specifically his mother. Jail was very hard on him.”
    “Bringing her along isn’t going to work.” Considering this
information, Russell wasn’t sure how hiding Estavarez was going to work either.
How long before he called his mother or some other family member for company?
“We’re going to have to appeal to her to keep him safe.”
    “Good. Very good.” Valerie gave a nod with each word. “She’s
a strong woman dedicated to her family. They do what she says.”
    In the end that’s exactly what happened. The whole setup
went more smoothly than Russell anticipated. In less than three hours he had
Valerie’s rental pointed toward the desert with a sniveling Ricardo Estavarez
in the passenger seat. It was going to be a long trip.
    * * * * *
    “They’ve cleared San Bernardino with no sign of anyone
following.”
    Valerie tucked her phone into her purse, standing as she did
so. At this stage of the game there wasn’t much sense in her staying in the
hotel room with Casey. They’d passed the intervening two hours in near silence
as it was with Casey locked into the depths of whatever enthralled her on the
computer—work, most likely—while Valerie occupied her time with solitaire and
daydreaming. Now that Russell and his charge were clear, she had other
priorities…like cornering Bev for information.
    “You staying?”
    Casey pulled her head up at the question, yet the vacant
look in her eyes indicated she hadn’t processed any of what Valerie had