Page 50 of The Right to Remain

It was suddenly crystal clear why Elliott had told Jack it was “painful” to talk about the criminal conviction. “That’s very sad.”

“Sadly predictable,” said Patricia. “If you’re told over and over that you’re a self-destructive freak, you start to believe it. If you believe it, you become it. Once you become it, it’s hard to shake.”

“Are you telling me that I should stick with Elliott because he’s self-destructive?”

“No. I’m saying Elliott needs a damn good lawyer, and he needs one more than anyone you’ve ever met. To put a finer point on it: If Elle Carpenter thought high school was tough, wait till Elliott Stafford sees the inside of a maximum-security prison.”

The thought had occurred to Jack, but Patricia’s words made him visualize it in ways he hadn’t previously.

“I gotta go,” said Patricia. “Thanks for chatting.”

“No problem.”

Jack ended the call. Theo served the eggs and bacon onto a plate. Then he turned and faced Jack, holding his spatula in a menacing fashion, the short-order cook’s version of wagging one’s finger.

“What?” asked Jack.

“You can’t let her yank your chain like that.”

“You’re just jealous because she said Elliott needs me more than you did,” he said with a little smile.

Theo put the spatula aside. “Yeah, jealous. That’s exactly it. So, what’s your decision?”

“I’m not going to keep this case because Elliott is trans.”

“You’re dumping him?”

“No, I’m in.”

Theo shook his head. “He kept his mouth shut about his name change and felony conviction. He flat out hid the truth about the baby. He ignored the most important legal advice you could give him. Sounds like three strikes to me. Why stick around?”

“Because there’s enough—just enough—to tell me that maybe Elliott didn’t do it. You of all people should get that.”

Theo seemed to take his point.

The toast popped up. Theo placed two slices on the plate and handed Cy’s breakfast to Jack.

“Take this to the old man,” he said as he removed his apron. Then he started for the door.

“Where are you going?” asked Jack.

“To find your client,” Theo said on his way out.

Chapter 17

January finally felt like January. Beach weather for the tourists on South Beach. Colder than a tin toilet seat in the Arctic for two Miami natives who had no idea how to survive a cold front.

“Damn it, Theo. Stop breathing like a Yellowstone buffalo and fogging my windows.”

“Not my fault you don’t know the hazard lights from a defrost button.”

Jack pulled up to the yellow curb outside the Richard E. Gersten Building and, seeing that he was in a no-parking zone, let the hazard lights keep on blinking. He quickly recapped the plan before handing over the wheel to Theo.

“Wait outside the intake entrance and watch every squad car that pulls up. The minute you see MDPD haul Elliott into the station, call me.”

“You got it,” said Theo.

Jack climbed out and left the door open. Theo walked around to the driver’s side, hopped in, and drove away. It was about the only thing that had gone smoothly since Jack had promised Julianna Weller that his client would surrender voluntarily by 9 a.m. Theo had wasted too many hours trying to find Elliott. Jack was forced to call the prosecutor and confess that he didn’t know where his client was. Weller was more than happy to get an arrest warrant.