Dallas looks confused by her statement and I attempt to mimic his expression. “Glad I made an impression. I don’t recall having met you.”
A twinge of annoyance creases her delicate features but I just smile. Once upon a time I was intimidated by women like her. Polished. Professional. Sophisticated in ways I could and would never be. But after the Mandy Lantram Experience, I have realized that we are all just human beings and that each of us has our own kind of beauty and our own flaws.
“Yes, well, I don’t think we ever officially met. Gavin doesn’t typically do well with introductions.”
She knows what he typically does or doesn’t do well with?
“And how do you know him, exactly? Gavin, I mean.”
Ashley glances at Dallas and I dare him with my eyes to so much as give a slight shake of his head to deter her from answering. He looks away as if suddenly captivated by an immensely intriguing vending machine in the corner.
“He’s a friend. And a client when necessary,” she informs me with a smug grin. “Which seems to be quite often here lately.”
“Yes, well, as I said before, thanks for coming out so late,” Dallas repeats. “And were you able to get them to let him go tonight?”
She returns her attention to my brother and tucks a thick piece of her hair behind her left ear. “Unfortunately, due to his probation and the violent nature of the crime, he is required to stay for twenty-four hours.”
My heart sinks like a stone to the pit of my stomach at the thought of him sleeping in a cold, lonely jail cell tonight. “So they won’t let him out until tomorrow around eight or nine P.M.?” The night has been such a blur, I’m not even sure what time he was booked.
“Correct. But sometimes with shift change they let folks out a little early. If you’re coming to pick him up, I’d come around six or six thirty. Of course I’d be happy to—”
“We’ll be picking him up,” I announce. “No need for you to come all this way again.”
Likely sensing my tone, Dallas pipes up with another question. “What about his hand? Is there a way to get him any medical attention for it tonight? Did you tell them he was a musician?”
“They allowed him to have a splint and an ice pack. I’m afraid that’s about all that’s available at this facility.”
My brother nods. “That’s better than nothing, I suppose.”
She smiles warmly while handing Dallas a business card from her purse. “Here’s this if you need anything, anything at all.” Her eyes are slightly tighter when she turns to me. “You witnessed what happened, correct?”
I nod. “I did. Carl had clearly not known Liam had been coming to my place because he was out of the truck, slapping him and trying to shove him inside the cab before . . . before Gavin stopped him.”
Her mouth purses and she appears contemplative for a few seconds. “Well, that’s good—not that he was mistreating his son but that you saw the abuse. Although I wish there had been another eyewitness that would be willing to verify your statement. Clearly you have a bias in Gavin’s favor so that might prejudice your statement a bit. The ADA might not care about the defendant’s girlfriend’s interpretation of events. I know how they think. I know several of them personally.”
I feel my eyes narrow. I backed down with Mandy Lantram. Too bad for this chick I’ve grown up a lot since then. I am a reliable and credible witness, dammit. “I’m sure you do—”
“Need to get going home before it gets too late. Have a good evening, Ms. Weisman.”
Dallas nods to dismiss her but she stays put. “Please, call me Ashley.”
“Have a good evening, Ms. Weisman,” I say evenly, meeting her eyes. “Thank you for your help.”
“It’s my job. You do the same.”
“Will do,” Dallas says.
Once she’s out of earshot, I hold out my hand. “Give it.”
“What?”
“Her card. Give it to me.”
Dallas frowns. “Okay.” He hands me the sleek black card with white and silver print. “So now, what do we do about Gavin?”