For the Defense (6 page)

Margaret’s grin widened. “Being in love is so wonderful I’m filled with an overwhelming desire to spread that feeling around. Can’t think of anyone I’d rather spread it to than you.”

“S
O DID YOU
and Mel find an apartment yet?” Jack asked the moment he walked into Diana’s office Tuesday morning.

His simple, conversational question was met with a noticeable pause from Diana. Most women he’d met were more than willing to share news about everyday events. Their biggest complaint was that men were too focused on
themselves to ask about a woman’s concerns or listen to what she had to say.

But Diana seemed determined not to share much about herself.

Still, she’d let down her guard at lunch the day before. He’d heard the anger and sadness in her voice when she’d spoken of her client’s suicide. For a strong woman, she had a soft heart.

A head shake was all he got in answer to his question.

She handed him a folder. “That’s the copy of the sheriff’s report on Bruce’s death and the other stuff you asked for. Is your brother going to investigate Amy’s hit-and-run?”

There she was, right back to business. Definitely not the response he was used to getting from women. Did she not find him attractive, or was she too much of a professional to let on?

He told himself the answer wasn’t important. She was keeping their relationship businesslike and for that he was glad.

“I contacted Jared as we discussed,” Jack said in response to her question. “He’ll let us know if and when he finds anything. I also began the search into Bruce Weaton’s background. Now that I know where he went to school and who his friends were, I should be able to—”

“How did you find out those things so quickly?”

There was far more challenge than curiosity in her tone.

Jack repositioned himself on her exceptionally uncomfortable guest chair as he set the folder she’d given him on his lap.

“I have no problem indulging your curiosity, Diana. But your question comes across more like a cross-examination of my investigation techniques.”

“It was.”

Her candor came as a complete shock, which must have been apparent, because a small smile lifted her lips.

She had enjoyed surprising him. Maybe as much as he’d enjoyed surprising her.

“So, you want me to
assume
that you know how to do your job?” she asked.

She was testing him. “As I’m
assuming
you know how to do your job.”

That made her smirk. “But you won’t take exception to my asking questions purely out of curiosity?”

“I’m always happy to satisfy the curious.”

She inched forward on her chair. “Then strictly out of curiosity, how did you find out about Bruce’s schooling and friends so fast?”

“His obituary mentioned the schools he’d attended,” Jack volunteered easily because he was satisfied that she’d been honest about her motives. “A glimpse at the guest registry at the mortuary where his services were held last year told me who cared enough to show up.”

“Doesn’t that guest registry go to the family?”

“Smart mortuary personnel keep a copy, knowing that a family in mourning may misplace theirs.”

She rested against the back of her chair. “Seems so simple now that you’ve explained.”

“Everything seems simple once you have the answer. Knowing where and how to get the answer is what separates the professional from the amateur.”

An amused eyebrow lifted. “Was that another reminder that you are a professional and deserve to be treated as one?”

Jack smiled. “A very gentle reminder. I’m always careful not to inflict any unnecessary bruises.”

“As opposed to the necessary ones?” Her brief smile was good-natured.

So, she had a nice sense of humor lurking behind her
formal façade. Getting past this woman’s defenses might not be easy. But Jack was becoming more certain by the minute that the effort would be worthwhile.

“Anything else you feel curious about this morning, Diana?”

Damn, he was flirting with her. He hadn’t meant to, but those last words had come out full of invitation. Unable to take them back, he carefully wiped the come-hither smile off his lips.

She studied him intently for a minute, then pushed a thick binder in his direction. “Before you get too involved in investigating Bruce’s background, I need some quick input on these.”

Not only had she not flirted back, she’d completely ignored
his
flirting. Relief vied with an odd disappointment.

Jack picked up the thick binder. “What are these?”

“The preliminary jury questionnaires. They list names, addresses, driver’s license numbers and other pertinent information as well as the answers to the basic questions of whether they’ve heard about the case or know any of the principals who are involved.”

Jack flipped through one of the questionnaires. One page listed the names of Bruce, his family members, Connie, witnesses to the alleged crime, as well as Staker and Diana. The next page cautioned each prospective juror not to discuss the case with anyone or allow themselves to be exposed to any news reports.

“What kind of input are you looking for?” he asked.

“I meet with Staker first thing tomorrow to try to agree upon an expanded questionnaire.”

“You have the jurors fill that out before you talk to them in the courtroom, right?”

She nodded. “
Voir dire
is the legal term for selecting a jury from the prospective panel. It begins the first day of the trial. Last week, I argued that a more detailed ques
tionnaire filled out in advance would save time. Judge Gimbrere not only agreed to one, he’s planning to include a cover letter asking the prospective jurors to be honest and assuring them that their responses will be kept confidential.”

“So Staker didn’t fight you on this.”

She shook her head. “He wants time to digest the information as much as I do.”

“How can I help?”

“If there are questions you want me to ask that will assist with your investigation, I need to know by the end of today.”

As attractive and exciting as Diana was proving to be, Jack was thankful that he wasn’t planning on pursuing a personal relationship with her. She wasn’t even giving him time to complete their business one.

He closed the binder on his lap. “What kinds of questions can we ask a prospective juror?”

“Personal background stuff and whatever else could have a bearing on the specific case for which they are being considered.”

“So, if you have a case of spousal abuse, you could legitimately ask prospective jurors if they’ve been the victim or perpetrator of spousal abuse.”

“Both questions would be considered germane,” she confirmed. “A prospective juror who has been a victim or an abuser would most certainly be excused from serving on such a case.”

“Their experiences having clouded their objectivity.”

Diana nodded. “Except that even if a prospective juror has abused his spouse, he’s not going to admit it.”

No, Jack didn’t suppose he would. “The danger is that prospective jurors lie.”

“Some lie or omit information to protect themselves or their images. Most will try to be honest.”

“The important word here being,
try?
”

“Yes. My biggest concern is that people simply don’t recognize their own biases. If they possess a bias that is going to interfere with their ability to see the truth during Connie’s trial, I have to know. The judge will ask the prospective jurors if they will decide the case based solely on the evidence presented. If the jurors answer yes, the judge takes them at their word.”

“But we can’t afford to,” Jack said, as he got to his feet.

“Are you going somewhere?” she asked.

“
We’re
going to my office.”

She remained seated, looking up at him. “Why are
we
doing that?”

“Because my computer is already programmed with what we’re going to need to do a quick review of these prospective jurors.”

“You could call me later and let me know what you’ve found.”

Yes, Jack supposed he could. But he’d already decided he wanted her sitting beside him while he discovered those answers and developed the jury questionnaire. This was his case as much as hers. He needed her help if they were both to be successful.

“If you want a set of questions by tomorrow, we have to work together,” Jack said. “Unless you’re looking for an excuse to skip apartment hunting tonight?”

“I can’t skip apartment hunting.”

“Then let’s get going. My schedule’s free. I’m prepared to stay with the task until it’s done.”

“I won’t be able to stay past five today,” she said, not looking especially happy about the fact.

“When do you and Mel have to move out of your mother’s place?”

“Soon.”

And that was obviously all she was going to say about that. “If you only have until five,” he said, “we’d better get started.”

She glanced at her watch. “I have to pick up Mel from school in about thirty minutes.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask. What’s a genius like Mel doing in summer school?”

“She’s in a special curriculum for gifted youngsters. A former NASA scientist is here this week showing some incredible shots taken by the Hubble telescope, which is why I’ve been driving her to attend his lectures.”

As Jack had suspected, her daughter was the one subject Diana didn’t hesitate to discuss. That proud parent syndrome at work. He filed the mental note away for possible future use.

“How does she normally attend class?” he asked.

“Online. The Internet is far more efficient because taking classes by e-mail allows her to progress at her own pace. She’ll be back to accessing all of her course work online next week, thus ending my chauffeuring duties.”

“So this is the only week she has a chance to interact with her peers.”

“The term peer is difficult to define with Mel. The student closest in chronological age to her in this astronomy class is fourteen.”

“Does she ever mix with other nine-year-olds?”

“I’ve put her in several classes with children her own age. She warned me if I ever tried to do it again, she’d report me for child abuse.”

Jack smiled.

“There are five other gifted children in the area,” Diana said. “Mel seems to feel most comfortable around them, despite their different talents, ages and academic advancement. The leader of the gifted children’s program has them
performing in a play together in a few weeks so they can interact with one another as children for a change.”

“What kind of play?” Jack asked.

“A murder mystery Mel wrote.”

“Is Mel the heroine or villain?”

“They drew names out of a hat to decide which role they’d play. Mel got the name of the victim.”

“I doubt that’s going over well.”

Diana’s smile told Jack his comment was on target. She had a really good smile. His reaction to it must have shown on his face because he saw the resulting withdrawal on hers.

“I have to drop some books by the jail for Connie to read before driving Mel home,” she said, deftly changing the subject.

Jack glanced at his watch, doing the math. That would give him time to talk to Richard. “Then I’ll expect you in my office in ninety minutes.”

Before she could think up an excuse why she couldn’t, he was out the door.

“D
IANA
?” Gail’s voice called from behind her.

Diana halted on her way to the back door and turned to see her friend exiting her office. “How did your case go yesterday?” Diana asked.

“Acquitted, all counts,” Gail said, smiling.

“Great going. That’s five wins in a row. Not that I’m surprised. Your defendants had the superior counsel.”

“The prosecutor’s case was flimsy and poorly presented,” Gail said. “If I know Staker, he’ll can that incompetent soon. The dunce actually looked shocked to lose.”

Diana wasn’t fooled. Gail was being modest.

Her friend moved closer as she lowered her voice.
“Speaking of surprises, I thought you were going to fill me in on the Pearce case?”

“I came by yesterday afternoon but you were in court,” Diana said. “What about over lunch in my office tomorrow? No, wait. Scratch that. I’ll be in a meeting with Staker. I might not get back in time.”

“How about now?” Gail suggested.

Diana shook her head. “I’ve got to run, and I’m tied up the rest of the day. Thursday I have to interview a witness on the Pearce case. Friday?”

“Friday?” Gail repeated, frowning. “No, I have something personal to attend to on Friday. How about we grab dinner after work today?”

“Mel and I will be out apartment hunting.”

“Oh, right. I forgot.”

“How’s lunch on Monday?”

“Guess Monday will have to do, but if you’re deliberately postponing this to increase the suspense, I think you should know it’s working.”

Diana smiled as she waved goodbye and headed for the door.

As she darted to her car through a light drizzle, she wished she did have time to talk to Gail about the questions she should be asking the prospective jurors. She consoled herself with the fact that she’d have Jack to exchange ideas with. So far everything he’d suggested they do had been both logical and intelligent.

Developing the questions for the prospective jurors together was a more efficient use of their time, which was why she hadn’t fought the suggestion. She had to have her evening free for the dreaded apartment hunting. The night before had been a bust because she and Mel had started too late. Landlords did not like being torn away from their suppers and TV programs to show their properties.

But Diana also knew that aside from the fact that work
ing together was a good idea, she was looking forward to being with Jack. Not because he’d flirted with her. But because he’d immediately stopped.

For a natural charmer like Jack, flirting was probably as ingrained and effortless as breathing. That he had caught himself and was making a conscious effort not to come on to her meant a lot to Diana.

He was treating her like a professional. As far as Diana was concerned, that was the highest compliment a man could pay her.