1 Death on Eat Street by J.J. Cook Read Free Book Online Page A

If anyone could understand and make all of this go away, it was him.
    “I’ll give you all a few minutes to sort yourselves out.” Detective Latoure got to her feet, taking her file with her.
    Before she could leave, my father stepped forward and shook her hand. “I’m Ted Chase, president of Bank of Mobile. I’m sure there’s been some terrible mistake, ma’am.”
    Detective Latoure shook his hand and smiled. “I hope for your daughter’s sake that’s true, Mr. Chase.”
    I thought I heard Detective Latoure mutter, “And my sake, too,” as she walked by me and out of the room. I could’ve been mistaken about that.
    Once the door was closed behind her, my father turned to Miguel. “Ted Chase. You are?”
    “Miguel Alexander.” They shook hands. “Your daughter’s attorney.”
    “So I heard.” My father stared at Miguel. “I think we should consider someone else, Zoe. Your mother has a good friend who is an excellent criminal lawyer.”
    I glanced apologetically at Miguel. Maybe by this time he was hoping I’d find another lawyer, too. I still had confidence in him. I hoped he still felt the same about me.
    “Daddy, I like Miguel. I want him to represent me.”
    “I know you do, angel. I think we should consider your mother’s experience in all this. She wasn’t very happy with your choice.”
    “I wasn’t happy with hers, either. He wanted me to pretend that I was having a meltdown or something. He wanted to blame the murder on me because I quit my job and bought the diner. The police detective sounds just like him. I don’t need that kind of negativity.”
    Daddy glanced away. “Honey, I want to support you through this terrible time. I’m here for you, whatever you need. We’ll fight this together. If they find you guilty, we’ll make sure you never see the inside of a prison. There are several good hospitals in the state.”
    I stared at my handsome father, thinking about all the time we’d spent together while I was growing up. We’d done everything from playing tennis to sailing. He was right. He’d always been there for me.
Until now.
    What was wrong with everyone?
    “Daddy, there was a dead man in my food truck. I can’t sell my biscuit bowls because my vehicle has been impounded. People think I killed this man. Do you have any idea how I feel right now?”
    He smiled. “No, pumpkin. How do you feel?”
    “Angry!” I yelled. “I’m
really
angry. I want Miguel to be my lawyer—I don’t care what Mom says. I don’t care what
you
say. Can you handle that?”
    “Of course.” He smiled at Miguel. “I know you’ll do a good job for my daughter.”
    “Thank you for your confidence. But I can’t do anything if your daughter won’t listen to me. I told her to keep her comments to herself about what we’d said. She keeps trying to incriminate herself.”
    “Sorry.” I felt really foolish. He was trying to help me. It made me so angry for people to think that I killed Terry, especially since that made me stupid enough to hide his body in my own food truck.
    “I can’t represent you if you won’t listen to me.” Miguel’s very sincere dark eyes fixed on me. “You have to let me do the talking unless I tell you to speak. If you can’t do that, Zoe, I’m leaving.”
    “Don’t leave. I won’t say anything else. I promise.”
    “Okay. Let’s bring Detective Latoure back in. This time, stay quiet.”
    “I will.” I pulled the imaginary zipper across my lips.
    My father decided to stay in the interview room with us. Detective Latoure came back, this time with no folder in hand.
    “We’re ready,” Miguel told her.
    “I’m very happy to tell you that we’ve made an arrest in this case, Miguel. Your client is free to go. She’s no longer on our person of interest list. I’m sorry if we’ve caused you any distress, Zoe. Have a nice day.”
    “Was it his partner?” I asked the detective.
    “I’m afraid we’re not at liberty to discuss that matter.”
    “You