Man with the Muscle by Julie Miller Page B

they’ll look at little ol’ me—too skinny and too pale—standing up against a bully like Smith and his high-priced lawyer, and they’ll vote for the underdog.”
    â€œThat strategy won’t do me any good if my underdog gets hurt and can’t finish the trial.”
    â€œYou’re going to make my point for me, sir.” Time to reel him in. “Any delays or a switch in counsel after today’s opening statements makes our office look weak. A shark like Cade Shipley would jump all over that and sway the jury. If we’re not ready to prove our case, if a rookie like me can’t prove it—”
    â€œYou’re too sharp to ever think like a rookie. Why do you think I hired you?”
    â€œThanks. But if you’re going to believe in me, believe in me. Let me do this.” Audrey was beat-up and tired, but she wouldn’t reduce herself to begging. Yet she could tell he wasn’t quite convinced that she could win—or maybe even survive—this case. “I have a ton of circumstantial evidence to present.”
    â€œThat will convict him on lesser charges where he’ll pay a fine and walk in a couple of years. I want that murder charge to stick.”
    â€œThe lab can prove the bullet that killed Calvin Chambers came from the gun registered to Smith.”
    â€œSmith claims he couldn’t find his gun that day, that it was stolen or one of his boys must have been using it. He had no GPR on him or his clothes. You need a witness to put that gun in his hand.”
    â€œThen I’ll find one. I convinced Trace to turn on Smith for a reduced sentence. I’ll find someone else to do the same.”
    â€œYou know what you’re saying, Audrey? You’re talking about going into no-man’s-land to meet with gang members on their turf—or sitting down in a room with them one-on-one. You’re putting pressure on young thugs who’d rather chew you up and spit you out than cooperate.” He swiped his palm across the top of his silver and blond hair and cursed. “And if you’re not scared of Demetrius’s threats, they will be.”
    â€œIf this job was easy, I wouldn’t have been interested in it.” She could hear other attorneys and staff members outside Dwight’s door closing down their offices and cubicles for the day. But she wasn’t ready to quit on this. “I need to be in that courtroom tomorrow morning, Dwight. Please. Maybe if I show a little courage, I’ll inspire a witness to show a little courage and come forth, too.”
    The D.A. scratched his head, frowned, cursed. But he knew she was right. “All right. You’re still on the case.”
    â€œThank you.” The urge to run around the desk and hug him sparked through her muscles. But that would negate the image of strength she’d just sold him, so she settled for a grateful smile and headed for the door.
    â€œBut…”
    Oh, the power of a single word. Relief curdled into frustration and made her wary. She slowly turned to find out what the catch was. Co-counsel? Direct supervision from the boss himself? “But?”
    â€œI want you to have round-the-clock protection.”
    â€œWe have a state-of-the-art Gallagher Security system installed at home. And there are guards all over the courthouse and this building.”
    â€œI’m talking about a bodyguard. Someone who’s with you 24/7. From what I understand, that bomb went off when you were nowhere near a security team.” He picked up the phone. “I’m calling KCPD.”
    A bodyguard? Now she’d really look like the spoiled rich girl who bought her own protection while the rest of the city—like those people in the park this afternoon, or Mrs. Chambers—had to face the dangers of this world on their own. She hurried to the desk and pushed the disconnect button. “The city can’t afford