The Advocate's Ex Parte (The Advocate Series Book 5) (37 page)

“Are you jealous?”

Sabre wrinkled her brow and tipped her head. “Why would I be jealous?”

“Oh, come on. JP just spent the last couple of weeks with his gorgeous ex-wife and now she’s pregnant.”

A wave of confusion mixed with anger swept through Sabre’s entire body. She felt weak. “She’s what?”

“It’s not JP’s baby, you ninny. I had you worried for a second, though, didn’t I?”

“No.”

“I did too. You were upset because you like him,” Bob said in a mocking tone. “It can’t be his because he never slept with her.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I asked him.” Sabre took a deep breath. “Look, Sabre, you and JP are both dancing the two-step, or whatever dance it is that cowboys do, but you’re both dancing alone. You need to go talk to him. Ask him to dance.”

“You’re weird.”

“I know, but you two are starting to annoy me. You’re both lovesick and neither of you will make the first move. You have your stupid trust issues and he thinks he’s not good enough for you.”

“What are you talking about? He’s a way better person than I am.”

“Yeah, but he’s a cowboy, and you’re a top-notch attorney and he has his pride.” Bob took another swallow of his beer. Sabre said nothing. “Go talk to him, Sobs. He’s at Cahoots.”

“The country western bar?”

“Yes, in Mission Valley.”

“Is that the reason for your corny dance analogy?”

“Just go. Talk to him.” Bob finished his beer, walked into the kitchen, and tossed the bottle in Sabre’s recycle basket. He walked toward the front door, opened it, and said, “I’m leaving. Go, or you’ll never know. And when you get there, ask him to dance.”

***

Once inside Cahoots, Sabre waited for her eyes to adjust to the light. It was almost eight o’clock and some of the dance lesson crowd was leaving; the rest of the people were starting to mingle. Nearly all the tables were full, but plenty of standing room remained. In another hour or so, the place would be packed. Alan Jackson’s
Remember When
blared out over the speakers. She walked toward the dance floor and looked around at the tables that surrounded it. She didn’t see JP. She wondered if he was on the second level. She looked up, but didn’t see him there. If he was on the balcony he wasn’t standing or sitting near the edge. He could have been at a table in the back of the room. She decided to make one trip around downstairs and then up, and if she didn’t find him, she would leave. She had started to think this wasn’t the best idea Bob ever had.

She walked toward the back of the bar behind the dance floor. JP was generally easy to spot in a crowd because his hat always stood out. But this was a room full of cowboy hats. She was nearly three-quarters of the way around when she saw him sitting at a tall table. She took another step forward and realized he wasn’t alone. A voluptuous, fluffy-haired blonde with a bright pink flower pinning one side of her hair back from her face sat on a stool next to him. Sabre quickly turned around, hoping she hadn’t been spotted.

“Sabre,” JP called.

She thought about running, but decided against it. She had already been seen. She took a deep breath and turned back. JP stood up and started toward her. He walked her back to the table.

“Sabre, this is…I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

The woman stood up, looked Sabre over from head to toe, turned back to JP and said, “Honey, if this is what you like, I guess I’m not your type. Come find me when you want a real woman.”

JP blushed and Sabre laughed as the woman walked off. “I don’t mean to interrupt anything here,” Sabre said half-jokingly.

“Thanks. She just wouldn’t give up.” They sat down and JP hailed a waitress as she walked by. “Would you like a margarita? Midori, or something, is what you drink, right?”

Sabre was surprised. He paid more attention to her than she had thought. “No, I think I’ll have a decaf coffee with Bailey’s and a little milk. Non-fat if you have it. Oh, and whipped cream, please.”

JP smiled.

“What?” Sabre said.

“I’m always fascinated by the way you order food or drinks.”

Sabre shifted in her seat. “Bob said you were here. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Hmm…he told me you were going to be here. That’s why I came.” Sabre shook her head. JP’s brow furrowed. “Sometimes our friend, Bob, can be slicker than a greased hog. Anyway, I’m glad you’re here,” he said.

“Me, too.” Sabre didn’t know what to say next. For a few seconds, they sat in uncomfortable silence. Then Sabre spoke. “Bob said Robin is pregnant. How’s she handling it?”

“She’s struggling with it. She always wanted a child but not by that dirt-bag. She won’t abort because she doesn’t believe in it. I questioned her about adoption, but I don’t think she’ll do that either. Cooper would fight it anyway. Once he finds out she’s having his baby she’s afraid he’ll become even more controlling, if that’s possible. And he has plenty of money to hassle her no matter where he is. If it weren’t for her mother, I think she would just disappear. Who knows? Maybe she’ll do that anyway.”

“I feel for her. She seems like a very special lady. She doesn’t deserve any of this.”

“She’s a good woman,” JP said.

The waitress brought Sabre’s drink. JP paid for it, along with a generous tip. Sabre didn’t even try to fight him on it.

JP said, “I spoke with Klakken earlier today. He said you told him about our theory about Mae Chu.”

“I had to report it. Letting it go just didn’t feel right. Even though Scary Larry was a little bizarre, he didn’t deserve to be murdered.”

“You’re right. Though I’m more sympathetic to what Mae Chu did than you are, I’d be more so if she had just killed David Leland. After all, he killed both of her parents, raped who-knows-how-many young girls, and pimped dozens or maybe even hundreds others out to prostitution. Not to mention the little ones he sold to perverts. But her plan all along was to make Leland suffer. I don’t think she expected she’d have to kill anybody to get that.”

“Do you think she’ll ever have to pay for her crime?”

“Klakken said they have nothing substantial to connect her, but he won’t stop looking. If it’s there, he’ll find it.”

“So, you think he’ll find something?”

“The truth?”

“Yes. Always.”

“I bet that she’s covered her tracks pretty well. Her car’s not damaged. There’s no forensic evidence to tie her to the murder. My guess is she’ll skate.”

They continued to chat for a few minutes about work. Sabre thought how good it felt to be in JP’s company. It was comfortable just sitting there with him. But it was time to make a move. Like Bob had said, she had to quit dancing alone. If she was rejected, she would deal with it. Her stomach felt queasy, and she could feel her hands tremble slightly. Her anxiety was getting the best of her. Faith Hill’s voice suddenly resonated through the bar telling her to
“Breathe.”

JP took her hand. “Would you like to dance?”

She looked at him curiously. “Did Bob happen to give you his ‘quit dancing alone’ speech?”

JP laughed. “He sure did.”

Sabre could feel her heart flutter. She squeezed his hand and stood up. “In that case, I’d love to dance with you.”

Dear Reader,

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Thank you,

Teresa

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Teresa Burrell has dedicated her life to helping children and their families. Her first career was spent teaching elementary school in the San Bernardino City School District. As an attorney, Ms. Burrell has spent countless hours working pro bono in the family court system. For twelve years she practiced law in San Diego Superior Court, Juvenile Division. She continues to advocate children’s issues and write novels, many of which are inspired by actual legal cases.

Teresa Burrell is available at www.teresaburrell.com

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