Devil's Advocate Read online

“Looks like you’re still part of the family after all,” Breanna said. Just then, Breanna’s phone buzzed, and she jumped off the chair. “Jose’s here. I gotta run.”

  “What do you mean, run?” Ash demanded. “What about family time?”

  “She has a date with her new beau,” their mother replied. “Breanna, you bring him out here to meet your sister before you go.”

  “Mom…” Bree whined.

  “My house, my rules, young lady.” Ash’s mom spoke in a stern tone. “You don’t like it, you can always find an apartment of your own.”

  Breanna let out a growl. “Fine! But everyone be on your best behavior.”

  “No way, Jose,” Mike taunted.

  “I swear to God, Mike. I’ll kill you.” Breanna wagged a threatening finger at him.

  “Do I have to remind you I’m a cop?” he replied. “I’ll arrest you for murder.”

  “You’ll be dead, ya moron!” Breanna called over her shoulder as she retreated inside the house.

  “She has a point,” Ash informed Mike. “I’m not sure I’ve ever encountered a murder victim collaring their own perp. So, who’s this Jose she’s willing to commit a felony over?”

  “New boyfriend.” He slammed his beer down on the arm of the chair, lunging in the general direction of a loud splash accompanied by a shriek. “Oy! Dylan, Grant, don’t make me come over and knock some sense into you.”

  Ash couldn’t help but chuckle. It sounded exactly the way their dad had scolded them, back in the days before his addiction had taken hold. Mike and Bree had been so young. Ash wondered how much they remembered of the good old days.

  “Your sister really likes this one,” Ash’s mom said in her serious mom tone. “You two better behave, you got me?”

  Breanna reappeared on the patio a few minutes later with a young man trailing behind her. He was clean shaven with no visible tattoos despite wearing a short-sleeve shirt. He also wore the expression of a man being led to a firing squad. All three facts earned him points as far as Ash was concerned.

  “Jose, this is my sister.” Bree pointed to Ash. “Ash, this is Jose. Okay. We’re outta here.”

  “Hold on,” Ash called out before Bree could get more than halfway through the sliding door. “Jose, it’s nice to meet you. Before you go, I have a few questions.”

  “Okay, uh…” Jose swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat.

  “What do you do for a living?” Ash asked in her best courtroom voice.

  “I… I work at a biotech company in Cambridge,” he stuttered.

  “A division of Parker Pharmaceuticals,” Bree added, glowing with pride as she looped an arm through her boyfriend’s. “He’s the youngest lead researcher in his department.”

  “Pharmaceuticals, huh?” Ash’s mood soured. “The evil empire.”

  No matter how many years passed, Ash would never forget her father would still be alive if it hadn’t been for greedy pharmaceutical companies pushing addictive pills over patient safety. There’d been a time when she’d been certain she would spend her career going after bastards like that. Life had taken her in a different direction, often working on behalf of corporations instead of the little guys, but she still hadn’t entirely given up on the dream.

  “They make cancer drugs. They’re the good guys.” There was a hint of warning underlying Bree’s words, reminding Ash she’d promised to be polite.

  Technically, she hadn’t promised. She’d been ordered to behave. Even so, Ash supposed now was not the time to indulge in a long diatribe on her feelings about the drug industry and how it had killed her father. There were so many other topics to discuss. Ones even more likely to make Bree squirm.

  “Tell me, what are your intentions toward my baby sister?” Ash held back a grin as all the color drained from Jose’s face.

  “Mom!” Bree screeched.

  “Ashley Rachel Tanner!” Ash’s mom scolded, and Ash knew she’d stepped in it. She hadn’t gotten the full name treatment since high school.

  “What?” Ash schooled her features to come across as innocent as she could manage under the circumstances. “It’s a valid question. Mike? Back me up here, buddy.”

  Mike shook his head, holding his hands up. “No way. You come around a few times a year. I have to deal with her every week.”

  Ash exhaled loudly. “Fine. Go. Have a good time.”

  As soon as Bree and Jose were gone, Ash started to laugh. Mike joined in. Their mother, on the other hand, looked like she wished her two offspring were still little enough for a spanking.

  “You two are terrible. No wonder your sister didn’t want to introduce you. How would you feel if the rest of us acted like that when you introduced someone you were dating?”

  “To be fair, they pretty much did that when I first brought Felicia over,” Mike said. “Boys! Stop eating the sand!”

  Ash pressed her hand to her mouth as her brother rushed off to stop his children from poisoning themselves, or whatever would happen if they ate the contents of their sandbox.

  “Ash, you should be nicer to your sister,” her mom insisted. “Someday, you’ll bring a girlfriend over—”

  “Mom, since when have I ever brought a girlfriend over?” Even Ash wasn’t sure of the answer. When was the last time she’d had a relationship that qualified for that title? She’d had some crushes, a few flings, but the truth was she’d never gone to the effort to pursue anyone seriously. If she ever did, common sense dictated keeping the woman as far away from this motley crew as possible.

  “Listen to me, my darling daughter. You have to make time for the things that are important.”

  “I came over today, didn’t I?” Ash folded her arms across her chest, knowing it was a weak argument. She’d literally had to be told not to come into the office today, or she would be working just as she did every weekend. Even so, she couldn’t help feeling a sense of betrayal. Her mom was usually so cool and understanding when it came to her career. What was up with the sudden lecture? “I’ll be better about it. After the partnership offers are made in January.”

  That was always Ash’s promise, only this time it served as a reminder that the competition for the promotion she’d been working towards all these years had shifted significantly in the past week. For her faults—and there were too many to count—Caitlyn Brewster was a machine when it came to working long hours. Which would have been fine. Ash was used to other associates in the office burning the midnight oil sometimes. It was just that none of them had ever been so goddamn distracting while doing it.

  That blonde hair that defied all natural laws of gravity and humidity, staying bouncy and shiny even after an eighteen-hour workday. Those legs that had no business looking so good on someone so short. The way the top button on her blouse would—

  “You look troubled.” Ash’s mom was never slow to pick up shifts in her children’s moods. It was one of her most annoying talents. “Is there a problem at work?”

  “Not a problem, exactly. Just… a new woman I have to deal with.” Ash’s body slumped against the loveseat cushion. “I’m being forced to team up with her on the new Moorehead Academy account.”

  “That’s good, though.” Her mom smiled warmly. “You must have impressed your bosses if they want you to mentor someone new.”

  “Trust me, Mom. The last thing Caitlyn Brewster needs is me mentoring her.”

  Her mom sat bolt upright. “Did you say Caitlyn Brewster?”

  “What?” Ash squeaked, her heart pounding hard enough she could hear it in her ears. “Why are you acting like you’ve heard of her before?”

  “Because I have. Remember? You talked about her nonstop for at least six months after the mock trial competition a few years back.”

  “I did not!” If this had been a courtroom, Ash would’ve yelled I object at the top of her lungs. Her body tensed as if waiting for the judge’s gavel to come cracking down, with a solid sustained accompanying it, naturally.

  “Oh, you m
ost certainly did,” her mom insisted. “Caitlyn did this and Caitlyn did that. You always got this faraway look about you.”

  “Now that’s just—”

  What was it, hearsay? Leading the witness? No, Ash knew neither of those were right, but her brain had suddenly shut down like a computer rebooting. Maybe she’d spent so much time at the office she’d actually merged with the computers there and this sudden brain malfunction was a symbiotic response to the office system being shut down. That could happen, right?

  “Was there ever anything between the two of you?” Her mother’s expression was innocent, her tone neutral, but Ash nearly jumped from the loveseat like she’d been accused of a crime.

  “That’s ridiculous!” When Ash blinked, she could almost see Caitlyn’s face in the moonlight, her lips getting closer and closer… “If I talked about her at all, it was only because she was so irritating.”

  “Yes, I picked up on that too,” her mom agreed, chuckling. “That’s part of why I thought you might’ve had a crush on her.”

  “That makes no sense,” Ash spluttered. “Clearly, I can’t stand the woman. She’s smug. And sarcastic. And so damned competitive.”

  “Qualities you tend to admire,” her mom pointed out, most unhelpfully. “Not to mention traits you’re pretty full of yourself.”

  “I’m nothing like Caitlyn Brewster.” Ash slapped her palm against her thigh, wincing at the sting. “She’s a total floozy. I think she only got the job because she’s sleeping with one of the equity partners. You should have seen her in the office on her first day, swanning around in a red satin cocktail dress like the Devil herself.”

  Only, even as Ash said it, she knew she was being unfair. For one thing, red dress aside, Caitlyn hadn’t acted inappropriately even once since her arrival. If anything, she’d been obnoxiously professional and competent. Ash should know. She’d been keeping an eagle eye on the woman, eager to spot any infraction.

  As for showing up in the dress, Ash had heard from a contact in the DA’s office that Caitlyn had loaned her suit to one of their attorneys after an unfortunate coffee mishap in the lobby of McGill and Harding. It was almost too crazy a story not to be true. And if that was what had happened, it meant the newcomer might actually be… nice.

  Ash shuddered. She didn’t need to tell her mom any of this.

  Ash’s mom sighed, the disappointment hard to miss. “In that case, I guess I was wrong about you having feelings for the woman. Forget I said anything.”

  Forget?

  Ash prayed it would be that easy, but anxiety from her mother’s words burned a trail straight to her heart, causing it to stutter and quake. Why had her mom put the thought in her head that she might have a crush on Caitlyn Brewster?

  It was impossible!

  And yet, Ash had a terrible suspicion that, rather like a spilled jar of syrup with an army of ants marching toward it, there would be no forgetting about it. Not without seriously unpleasant consequences. Now that the possibility had been raised, Ash wasn’t going to be able to rest until it was good and exterminated.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The eight o’clock bells had just finished tolling from a tall white steeple as Caitlyn settled into a heavy wrought iron chair outside a local coffee shop on the main road of the quintessential New England town that was home to Moorehead Academy. She set two tall disposable cups on the small bistro table, their contents still too hot to drink.

  Most days she would be in a rush to reach the highway after dropping Sadie off in time for class, but today she had a reprieve. She wasn’t expected to meet Ashley on the front steps of the administrative building until a few minutes before their eight-thirty appointment with the Head of School.

  That gave her at least fifteen minutes with nothing pressing to do. It was almost enough to make her believe in miracles. Caitlyn’s eyes closed as she enjoyed the gentle autumn breeze on her cheeks.

  “Are you having a stroke?”

  Caitlyn cracked one eye open, already knowing whom she would see. Was this interruption a manifestation of Ash’s pathological need to arrive everywhere early or had the woman done it on purpose just to rob Caitlyn of her few minutes of solitude?

  “If I were having a stroke, would you call an ambulance or stand there and watch me die?”

  “Are you kidding? Of course I’d call for help. My one goal in life is never to get sued,” Ash added dryly. “So much paperwork.”

  “Spoken like a true lawyer.” Despite still being irked by the woman’s premature arrival, Caitlyn couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Should I be concerned about an addiction?” Ash gestured to the two cups emblazoned with the coffee shop’s logo.

  “Against my better judgment, I got one for you.” Although, come to think of it, maybe addiction was the right word. What else would explain Caitlyn’s bizarre compulsion to do nice things for a woman who was incapable of showing the slightest hint of appreciation?

  Ash wrinkled her nose, regarding the hot drink. “I prefer tea.”

  Case in point, Caitlyn thought as she handed off the one closest to her left hand. “Black tea. No sugar.”

  “That was… thoughtful of you.” Confusion appeared in Ash’s eyes, as if trying to decipher a darker hidden meaning in Caitlyn’s friendly gesture.

  “It’s not poisoned, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  Ash frowned at the cup. “I wasn’t until you mentioned it.”

  Not wanting their exchange of social pleasantries to become any more awkward than it already was, Caitlyn rose, grasping her own coffee with cream and two sugars. “Might as well head to the campus. Have you been there before?”

  “To Moorehead Academy?” Ash snorted. “Pretty sure they charge a toll just to look at their sign when you drive by.”

  “Yes, the gawker fee,” Caitlyn replied with mock seriousness. “Don’t worry. They waive it as long as you’re accompanied by an alum.”

  “How lucky for me.” Ash’s snooty tone rivaled that of any prep schooler. Much to her dismay, Caitlyn again found herself amused by Ash’s antics. Had she learned nothing?

  “Follow me.” Instead of heading left toward the main entrance, Caitlyn started off to the right, which would lead them to the path along the river. It was a longer walk but worth it for the view and they had the spare minutes.

  “Why are we going this way?” Ash demanded. “I thought the school was over there.”

  “If you must know, it’s easier to dump a body in the river this time of morning without witnesses. I’ve put a sedative in your tea. If I’ve timed it correctly, you’ll fall asleep the moment we’re halfway across the stone bridge. You’ll topple right into the water and I’ll be rid of you once and for all.”

  “You’ve put a lot of thought into this.” Ash sounded more impressed than dismayed at the news of her impending demise.

  “Not really. I came up with all of that on the spot. Too bad it isn’t true.”

  “It’s a solid plan.”

  “Imagine if I put real effort into it. I could totally plot the perfect murder.” Caitlyn cast a sidelong glance at her companion, who instead of looking horrified was nodding thoughtfully.

  “I like to do that when I can’t sleep at night,” Ash confessed. Was it bad that Caitlyn found this endearing?

  “You probably have a hit list, like all the fifth-year associates vying for partnership.”

  “If only it weren’t so obvious,” Ash said with a sigh. “I’d be the prime suspect.”

  A breeze whipped up around them as they reached the river path, rustling the red and yellow speckled leaves on the fading grass. Caitlyn may have imagined it, but Ash seemed to relax somewhat as she slowed her gait and inhaled the fresh fall scent.

  “This is my favorite time of year,” Ash said, perhaps wishing to steer the conversation to safer ground.

  “Anything that stamps out the humidity is a blessing.” If she hadn’t been concentrating so hard on keeping pace with Ash’s freakishly
long limbs, Caitlyn would have loved to stop a moment to enjoy the playful gurgle of the water as it danced over the rocks along the river bank.

  Ash pressed a hand to her chest. “Do we actually agree on something?”

  “It’s possible,” Caitlyn said with a laugh. Spying one lone tree ablaze with red leaves in a sea of mostly green, she extended a finger in its direction. “Every year, that tree right there is the first to change color, weeks before any of the others.”

  “A free thinker,” Ash said with approval. “Dangerous.”

  “I’m glad to see it hasn’t bowed to peer pressure.” Before Caitlyn could add to her thought, a barrage of shouting, peppered with occasional obscenities, floated their way from the direction of the boathouse.

  “What the hell is that?” Ash stiffened, her once-relaxed expression shifting to distress.

  “One of the rowing coaches.” Caitlyn sipped her coffee, not giving the matter much thought. In the six years she’d served as a coxswain on the Moorehead rowing team, she’d heard it all and then some.

  “Did he just say what I think he said?” If Ash had been wearing pearls, Caitlyn was certain she would’ve been clutching them.

  Caitlyn raised an eyebrow. “I take it you didn’t participate in varsity sports.”

  “No.” The disdain in the woman’s voice was enough to make Caitlyn’s toes curl. “I assume you did?”

  “Rowing, actually. I was the coxswain.”

  “The cock—” Ash nearly choked before dissolving into laughter. “I’m not sure that’s something you should go bragging about in public.”

  Caitlyn’s jaw tightened. “The coxswain is the person in charge of steering and telling the rowers what to do.”

  “A know-it-all who bosses everyone around?” An uncharitable glint in Ash’s eyes accompanied this statement, a quick reminder that despite the slight thaw in their relations, Ash was not Caitlyn’s friend. “I’ll give you credit for choosing the perfect sport for your personality. And the perfect school. I’ve heard the locals call this place the More Brats Academy.”

  Caitlyn folded her arms across her chest, regarding Ash with a tilt of her head. “You might as well get all of this out of your system before we meet with our clients, whom you clearly detest almost as much as you do me.”