“Mr. Harris, Knox didn’t mean for you to take it so literally. He’s just—” Winter tried to placate the older man.
Shade wanted to tell Winter she was wasting her time. The courthouse was busy that day, and the lawyer had lost his cool enough to not care who could be watching. One person who had stopped to listen had caught his eye. Tilting his head to Viper, he nodded toward Diamond Richards, the lawyer who had managed to get Winter’s teaching license restored, enabling her to become the principal at the alternative school.
“I don’t care. You can find another lawyer, one who can deal with that asshole.”
“But—”
Harris stormed across the lot to his car. All of them except Shade were still staring when he pulled out with a screech of tires. Shade’s eyes were on the lawyer who had been observing them since she had come out of the courthouse.
“Ms. Richards could handle the case until we find the evidence to clear Knox,” Shade stated.
“Ask her to talk to us.”
Viper had spoken to Winter, but Shade could tell from Ms. Richard’s horrified expression that she had already figured out their next move.
Swiveling on her high heels, Diamond took off down the street at a brisk walk, and Shade didn’t waste time going after her. Winter called out to her, which resulted in the woman speeding up, practically running down the sidewalk as she tried to avoid them.
Shade cut across the courthouse parking lot, managing to reach her before she turned the corner. He stepped out in front of her, bringing her to a sudden stop.
“Ms. Richards, we need your help,” Winter began when she had managed to catch up with Viper, Rider, and Train trailing behind.
They hadn’t seen the need to rush; Shade wouldn’t let her leave until they had their say.
“I’m not taking on any new cases.” The lawyer refused before Winter could even ask if she would represent Knox.
“That isn’t what your sister said. She said you’re having a hard time finding clients, and that was why you moved to Treepoint from Jamestown. Please, can we just go somewhere to talk for a few minutes?” Winter pleaded.
The stuck-up lawyer didn’t like being reminded of her relationship with Sex Piston. Shade wouldn’t claim her, either, if she was his sister.
Diamond grudgingly gave in, though. “My office is just around the corner.
The Last Riders entered her office behind her. A young woman was filing papers in the cabinet when she turned to see who had come in. Her mouth fell open when she saw the bikers.
“Holly, I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
Her secretary nodded while clearly begging silently not to be left alone.
Rider and Train took seats in the lobby as Shade, Viper, and Winter went inside her private office, leaving the door open. It made Shade wonder if she was afraid to be left alone with them or if she wanted to keep an eye on her secretary.
Ms. Richards went behind her desk, placing her briefcase on the neat surface before taking a seat.
“What’s going on, Winter?”
“One of our members has been arrested in the murder of Samantha Bedford,” Viper answered her question.
“I am going to save us both some time. I don’t have the experience to defend a murder case.” She started to rise to her feet.
“The best criminal defense lawyer in the state of Kentucky just walked out on us. That asshole will defend anyone for the right amount of money. Knox pisses everyone off. There’s not a lawyer who won’t become angry and quit with his attitude. I don’t want to be looking for a new lawyer every day. We need someone who isn’t going to run away the first time Knox gets angry and scares the shit out of them.”
“I’m sorry.”
The stuck-up bitch doesn’t look sorry, Shade thought.
“I’ll pay whatever fee you want,” Viper stated, looking around her inexpensive office.
“If money is no object, then you can afford any lawyer you want,” Diamond protested.
“Money didn’t prevent Harris from walking out on us,” Viper said in disgust.
“How much money are we talking about?” Diamond asked, a gleam she couldn’t hide appearing in her eyes.
They had her. Money always made The Last Riders more palatable.
“Let’s cut to the chase. You prove Knox is innocent, I’ll give you five hundred thousand dollars.”
Shade cocked a brow at Viper offering such an exorbitant price yet then reminded himself it was Knox she would be defending. The woman would be demanding more before it was over.
“I take it you believe Knox is innocent?” Diamond queried.
“I know he is,” Viper stated without pausing.
“You can’t be so sure. Everyone has a breaking point, and from what you’re telling me, Knox isn’t the sweetest man in the county. Perhaps they got in an argument—”
“If he had killed her, Ms. Richards, no one would have found the body.”