Page 91 of Every Step She Takes

Our eyes meet, and she nods. Then she turns away to continue her fake call.

I jog through the lower level and find a door. Behind me, Karla’s voice comes clear as she imperiously informs the police that she is Tiana’s manager, and she has every right to be in this place, and they will not order her to do anything.

Thank you, Karla.

I race through the back door. It opens into a yard with a solid, six-foot wood fence. I’m about to crumple in defeat when I spot a gate.

I zoom through the gate and race along the back of the fence as Karla and the police argue, their voices wafting out to me.

Then I cut through to the next street and keep going.

It’s time to end this. I’m not making progress. Not enough, anyway. As annoyed as I am about being stashed away in the hotel, I need to speak to Thompson and negotiate my surrender.

The last time I was in his building, I never got as far as his office. Now that I do, I’m surprised. I thought it’d be just another anonymous door. Instead, the tenth floorishis office.

To be honest, it’s not what I hoped for. I guess, in my mind, I constructed a persona for Thompson, that of the scrappy, tenacious underdog. The guy who plays fast and loose ethically because he’s making a name for himself. What I see here is something very different.

This isn’t a lone defense attorney with a receptionist and an investigator. It’s a full-fledged firm.Hisfirm. Thompson’s name is on the doors with other lawyers listed in smaller print.

I push aside my misgivings. Overall, PCTracy has been good to me. Really good. Time to step up and say to Thompson, “I want to hire you.”

The problem is that I’d expected to walk into a tiny office and deal with a receptionist. There’s no way I’m stepping into a firm where I’ll instantly be recognized by a dozen people. Once I pass through those doors, I can’t change my mind, and I still need that option.

I retreat to the stairwell, take out my prepaid and text Thompson.

Me:It’s LC. I’d like to talk.

It takes a minute. Then he responds.

Thompson:I do not recognize this number. Please identify yourself more completely.

Me:Screw me over by calling the cops again, and I’ll report you to the bar association.

Thompson:L, good to hear from you. I presume you’ve had a change of heart?

Me:I’d like to talk. Meet me in the lobby in five minutes. Can you do that?

Thompson:On my way.

I hurry to the floor beneath his. The first elevator to arrive is empty. I push it again. The elevator opens… and Thompson is there. He looks up in surprise.

I get on and then press the Stop button.

Thompson smiles, completely relaxed, brilliant white teeth flashing. “I feel like you’re about to make me an offer I can’t refuse.”

“That depends. I presume you’re still interested in representing me?”

“Very interested, but I would suggest we not talk in a stopped elevator. Let’s head up to the eleventh floor. I have a private office there where we can speak undisturbed.”

“One question first. Who is PCTracy?”

His smile falters. “P. C…” he says, rolling the letters off like initials.

My finger freezes on the button for the eleventh floor.

“PCTracy,” I say slower.

“I have the feeling the answer to this question is very important to you,” he says. “That if I fail your test, I will not have you as a client after all. Which puts us in a very awkward position. I’m not at liberty to answer that question, Ms. Callahan.”