Page 8 of The Gift of the Maltipoo

“A dry gin martini would be perfect.”

“Right up my alley.” He got out the pitcher and began mixing them before chilling the glasses with ice and finding a couple of olives. Then he handed Anthony his drink and sat next to him on the sofa.

“I love these,” Anthony said, humming softly as he sipped. “This is good.” He sipped again and then set the glass on the coffee table. Tyler did the same. He turned to Anthony to ask a question and locked gazes with him. Anthony leaned closer, and Tyler held his breath. Then Anthony stopped, his eyes filling with doubt. Tyler gently slid his hand over Anthony’s cheek and drew him closer until their lips touched.

Daisy yipped from the chair. Anthony deepened the kiss, and Daisy yipped once more. “I think she’s jealous,” Tyler said.

“I’d say she had a right to be,” Anthony whispered before the intensity of the connection blocked out everything else.

Chapter 4

ANTHONY WASon solid ground for probably the first time that day as he strode into the conference room for an initial meeting with the prosecutor’s office regarding the Jacobs case. He had read the arrest report as well as everything else Jasper had been able to help him dig up, so he felt prepared, but he also knew that these things could be unpredictable.

Jasper and Brenda joined him, and they walked into the room and made introductions around the table. Casey Brannigan was the assistant district attorney in charge. Anthony had worked with him in the past. He was a good prosecutor and could be a bit of a bulldog,

“Look, I’m going to start by saying that we have a solid case against your client,” Casey began. “We can place your client at the scene of the robbery, and he was part of the conversations regarding what they intended. We have a witness statement from one of the others in the car.”

“I see. And did you make some sort of deal with this person? Because if you did, then I suggest you terminate it, because they’re lying to you.” Anthony opened the folder in front of him. “As you know, I’m not required to provide you anything during discovery, but I’m going to do you a huge favor. See, the police in South Middleton missed something.” He pulled out a still photograph and passed it across the table. “Check out the time.”

Casey took the image and looked at it. “That’s the same time as the robbery.”

“Yes, it is. According to my client, he heard their talk and got out of the car because he wanted nothing to do with what they were planning. And he walked home. I’m sure you read thatin his statement.” Anthony tapped the image. “That proves that what he says is true. That is from the ATM camera on Carlisle Pike, at least a mile away from the robbery, at the exact same time. Now, I can’t provide you with a copy of the entire video, but I’m sure you can get your own with a warrant. But if I were you, I’d abandon this prosecution now and save yourself embarrassment and time.” He pushed the image across the table.

“And how did you get this recording?” Casey asked as he leaned over the table.

Anthony turned to Jasper, who answered. “It’s my bank. I simply went in, told them what happened, and asked for a look at the camera feed. The manager was kind enough to let me look, and when I told him that it could prove someone’s innocence, he contacted his supervisor and they let me have a copy with the stipulation that I not distribute it. However, I do have permission to use it in court. But you can get your own copy. Just ask nicely.”

Casey swallowed hard. “Can I view the entire video?”

“Of course. Jasper…?” Anthony motioned to him, and Jasper turned his computer and played the one-minute-long clip.

“This is the raw clip, and you can see our client in the background. If we zoom in a little, he becomes even more discernable.” Jasper zoomed in on what was clearly Hansen Jacobs, who even turned toward the camera at one point, expression miserable.

Casey sat back in his chair with a sigh. “How did you find this?”

Anthony shrugged. “We listened to our client and believed him. The police didn’t check everything that they should have. The police report clearly documents that Hansen said he left the car, but they only chose to believe the statement of the peoplewho actually robbed the store. All we had to do was trace his route home and we found a camera that could prove where he was.” Now was the time to press his advantage. “I have a press conference scheduled for first thing in the morning, so you have until tonight to drop all of the charges against my client, or we will go public with everything.” He handed Casey the photograph. “Look, I’m doing you a favor. You need to concentrate on the people who actually performed the robbery. Hansen is more than willing to cooperate regarding what was said in the car and why he got out, but not until all charges are dropped. Then he will give a statement and cooperate with your case. Once all charges are dismissed, then and only then will he help you, and you are to treat him as a witness—period.” Anthony stood, and Casey did as well. He held out his hand, and Casey shook it with a sigh.

“You shouldn’t have had to do the police’s work for them, but I agree. The video is solid proof that he wasn’t in the area at all.” Casey slipped the photo into his briefcase. “Would your client have called the police if they hadn’t picked him up?”

Anthony rolled his eyes. “Would you have called the police on your friends when you were nineteen? He’s a kid, but hopefully one who will be much smarter and more careful about choosing who his friends are.” That was all he was going to give Casey. If he needed more, he was going to have to do his own legwork. “I’ll wait to hear from you in the next few hours.” He left the repercussions hanging in the air and gestured toward the door.

Casey clearly wasn’t happy. “You really enjoyed this, didn’t you?”

“I’m a defense attorney. This is what I do, though I have to admit that the police usually don’t give me an opening like this. If you want my opinion, I’d have a real come-to-Jesus talk with the department in South Middleton. They really screwed thepooch. I know it’s not your fault. But I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”

Casey smirked. “Look forward to it.” He left the conference room, and Anthony smiled as soon as the door closed.

“It was Brenda’s idea to check the camera,” Jasper said. “I got the video, but she noticed the ATM.”

“That was good work, both of you,” he said, grinning. “You saved a client from a lengthy process, and you saved our client a great deal of money, which I intend to remind him of.” He gathered his papers. “Now, the two of you take off for the night. The office party is in a few hours.”

Jasper gathered his things and held the door for Brenda. Then Anthony sighed and sat back down, taking a moment to savor his victory before he had to go on to the other cases that were waiting for him.

ANTHONY CHANGEDin his office bathroom, his phone on the sink in case he got a call. Then he put on his overcoat and pulled it tightly around him before walking through the half-empty office. Most people were packing up in preparation for the party. Originally Anthony had planned to pick Tyler up at his house, but Tyler had said that he would meet him at the restaurant, so Anthony left the building and walked a block to the square and then down to Café Belgie, which Richard had bought out for the evening. The venue had been a bit of a surprise, and a welcome one. At least they wouldn’t be eating rubber chicken for dinner.

Tyler approached him with Daisy on a red leash and collar with a plaid Christmas bow. She did her little dance, and Anthony knelt to greet her. Then he stood back up and kissed Tyler lightly. “Are you sure it’s okay to bring Daisy?”

“Yes.” He opened the door, and Tyler lifted Daisy into his arms and went inside. Anthony looked around the restaurant, which had been turned into a Christmas wonderland.