No doubt thats admirable. But we are not talking about a drunken teenager here. Were talking about a trumped-up charge, and I dont care if Bennys grandmother wanted you to teach him a lesson or whatever, you violated that young mans rights.
It isnt always that black and white, he responded tightly. Quinn truthfully had come to apologize and make things right with Lisa. He had been thinking about her ever since shed left the courthouse this afternoon, and when he had spotted her car in the parking lot of the Moonstone, it had seemed a heaven-sent opportunity to make a fresh start with her. But somehow, as before, he had wound up right back in an argument with her. And, as before, his loins tightened involuntarily at the sight of her, cheeks flushed, eyes bright with fury, her curvaceous body thrumming with tension.
What was it about this woman that made him respond at the basest level? She filled him with the hot lust to subdue her, to kiss her until she melted beneath him, her fury transforming into passion beneath his touch. He balled his hands into fists and tried to shove down the distinctly erotic images that were flooding his mind.
Will you let me explain to you? he asked, keeping his voice carefully neutral.
Please do. Lisa crossed her arms over her chest and waited, her gaze challenging.
Look. Im going to be straight with you. Bennys grandmother came to me because she was worried about him. Hes gotten into a few scrapes with the law over the years, but hes not a bad kid. But because of his father and stepfather and her own son Pablo, shes worried about him. She called me and told me that hes hanging out with a bad bunch of guys. He used to work over here at the Moonstone, busing tables, but then he quit and now he doesnt have any job. But he never asks her for money, not for clothes or gas or burgers or anything. Where is he getting his money? And hes gone a lot. She tells me that she thinks his friends are a bad influence, especially this kid named Paco.
Now, it so happens that this Paco is frequently seen at a house in town where suspicious things are going on. When she told me Benny was hanging with Paco it worried me, too. Ive been keeping a close eye on this house and you know what? Now Ive seen Benny over there, too.
Thats it? Lisa asked. Youve seen him at some other house? Where suspicious things are going on? What suspicious things? And he has a friend that his grandmother doesnt like?
I cant tell you whats going on at this house. Im not even sure yet myself. But I can pretty much guarantee you that it isnt legal. There are a lot of kids coming and going at this house, and only some of them are from Angel Eye. That outside element adds something serious to it.
This sounds extremely vague. You have no evidence of a crime.
Not yet. But I will have. And I would hate for Benny to have been sucked into it. In this part of the country, especially with those outside people involved, the odds are its large-scale auto theft, drugs or smuggling illegal aliens. Those arent minor offenses. Id like to get Benny out of if before its too late.
Oh, I see. So you hauled him down to jail and questioned him for hours without an attorney present just because you were concerned about him. It didnt have anything to do with trying to get information out of him about this house and these activities that you know so little about?
Why are you so all-fired determined to dislike me? he shot back. Im telling you things I wouldnt normally reveal to a suspects attorney. To anyone, in fact. Im giving you information about an ongoing investigation, because I want to help Benny, not put him in prison. I am trying to make you understand why its so important.
Why? Lisa asked bluntly.
What? What do you mean?
Why are you telling me this? Are you hoping that I will encourage my client to tell you what you want to know? Is that it?
Quinn clenched his teeth together, a muscle in his jaw jumping. You are the most exasperating, pigheaded woman I ever had the misfortune to meet. It did not help his irritation any that he knew he was laying out his reasons for her partly because he hated for her to continue thinking of him as a bumbling redneck going around trampling on the rights of others.
Why, thank you, Lisa told him sweetly. You have certainly succeeded in winning me over now.
She turned on her heel and started toward her car again.
Wait! He hurried after her and stepped in front of her, facing her, forcing her to stop. Think about thiswho is Enrique Garza? Hes no cousin to Benny Hernandez.
So? Hes a friend, I suppose.
Deputy Padilla says hes not from Angel Eye. I dont think hes any friend to Benny. Why dont you ask yourself why he is so eager to help some kid whos been picked up on petty charges? Whats in it for him? Im sure he didnt do it out of the goodness of his heart.
Who he is does not change my job. I am Benny Hernandezs attorney, and my duty is to protect his rights.
Well, Im sure youll get a chance to do that when hes hauled in on auto theft or marijuana-smuggling. You know, you might think about helping your client, not just representing him in court.
He whirled and took a few steps away from her, then stopped, muttering a curse beneath his breath. He turned and covered the distance between them in two quick strides. Grabbing Lisa by the arms, he pulled her up against him and buried his lips in hers.