The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Logan (reading eggs books .TXT) 📗

not legally bound to follow the common law rules of procedure. They’ll rely on the laws of war instead. They could deny every motion we make. In fact, we should expect it.”

“Then we’ll feed the press,” Charlotte said. “Perhaps the only way Jack will escape this nightmare is by vanishing into thin air.”

“Let’s give the process a chance first,” Braham said.

“Do ye see a morality issue here, Braham? Are we cheating?” Cullen asked.

“We have an innocent client, and unless ye find a law we’re breaking, I intend to use every document we have. Nothing we do will impact the four who will hang or the four who will be sentenced to prison terms. In answer to yer question, Cul…” Braham sighed heavily. “I don’t know.”

“Well, if ye find evidence leading ye to believe we are, don’t tell me.”

83

Washington City, 1865

The next morning Charlotte rose early and dressed in the Union captain’s uniform she’d brought with her. She expected a full-blown battle with Braham the moment he saw her, and she was prepared to fight dirty if necessary. How dirty? Would she go so far as to lock the door between their rooms? No, but she’d threaten.

She tiptoed down the stairs, avoiding the creaky boards, and stood at attention next to the front door. Braham and Cullen were arguing a point of law. It took a moment for her to figure out why their voices were raised and then she realized they were debating. Braham was arguing his case and Cullen was rebutting, pointing out flawed and irrelevant arguments.

Finally, Cullen said. “Ye’re ready.”

“Thanks for yer help. There’s no other lawyer I’d try this case with.”

Two handsomely dressed men, one in uniform and the other in civilian clothes, strode out of the room, both carrying leather briefcases. Their somber demeanor was one of confidence. There was no doubt in her mind Braham and Cullen would win Jack’s case in the press. Convincing the commissioners of his innocence would take more than a tailored suit and a well-prepared case. The generals would require indisputable evidence, and Jack’s attorneys didn’t have it yet.

“Good morning, Captain. I didn’t know ye were waiting. How can I help ye? I’m in a bit of a hurry,” Braham said.

Charlotte smiled inwardly. Braham had left her bed only a couple of hours earlier, and he didn’t recognize her. Confident she could pull this off, she stood a little bit taller. “I came to escort you to the Old Arsenal Penitentiary, sir. Secretary Steward thought you’d need an escort today.”

Braham crossed his arms, cocked his head, and glared. “Even if ye changed yer eye color, lass, I’d recognize ye. Ye’re not going.”

Her eyebrows shot up, and she took a step forward. “You must have me confused with someone else, sir. We’re providing escorts for all known counsel as a courtesy today.”

Braham snatched his slouch hat from the coat tree, frowning. “The third member of Mr. Mallory’s defense team will be down shortly. Ye can escort him. Good day, Captain.”

Charlotte backed up to the door and spread her hands, guarding the entrance. “Okay, I surrender. But please, let me go today for the arraignment. Jack will ask me later to describe the first day. You have to let me. I promise I won’t ask again.”

Braham glanced at Cullen, who had his fist pressed over his mouth, but failed to hide the smile peeking out on either side of his fist. Braham paused for a moment, and his frown deepened. “I’m not trying to be mean, lass, but—”

Cullen walked to Charlotte’s side in front of the door as if to join her in her plea. “It won’t be a full day of court, Braham. Let her go see her brother.”

“Never expected ye to abandon me, Cul.” Then Braham’s expression lightened a little. “Seeing Jack so disheveled might make ye worry more.”

She wrapped her hand around the porcelain doorknob, smelling victory. “But it might make me worry less.”

“Here’re the terms, then. Ye cannot signal Jack with a cough, sneeze, whistle, or whatever childhood signals ye have in yer repertoire. There’s too much at stake. I won’t introduce ye. Ye’ll sit in a corner and remain silent. Do ye agree with these conditions? And will ye give me yer word?” He narrowed his eyes, obviously watching for any tells signaling she was lying.

If she gave him her word, she’d have to honor it. Could she? Jack could recognize her sneeze in a group of five hundred people. Could she keep from sneezing or sighing or clearing her throat? If she couldn’t, she’d better stay home, which was unacceptable. Without trust, she and Braham had nothing but great sex. “Yes,” she said, taking a resolute breath, and then she experienced a shudder of annoyance over having to submit to his conditions in order to go to court.

He shoved his briefcase into her hands and stomped out the door. “Be useful, then. Don’t make me regret my decision.”

The carriage pulled up as they exited the house. As a senior officer, he climbed in first. She sat on the bench opposite him, studying his mood. His feathery brows were knitted in concentration. Over the last several months she had seen him dying, angry, depressed, forlorn, defeated, abused, aroused, tensed, and playful, but never this singularly focused. He was brilliant and formidable, and the most passionate man she had ever met. Without a doubt, he and Cullen would possess the best legal minds in the courtroom. Having the trial transcript gave them an advantage, but it was their ability to comprehend complex legal issues and apply them to the present situation that revealed their true genius. Her faith in both men was absolute.

They rode in silence down Pennsylvania Avenue, circled the Capitol to Delaware Street, and turned down the hard-packed dirt road toward the penitentiary. The closer they came to the prison, the more fear knotted every limb and squeezed her chest, making it hurt to breathe. She was no stranger to fear.