Devil's Advocate, page 17
“You have a better idea?” Ash gave her that look that screamed I dare you. It was the type of look that left Caitlyn uncertain whether she wanted to prove the woman wrong or push her up against the wall and ravage her mouth with kisses.
Honestly? Probably both.
“Yes, I have a better idea,” Caitlyn said smugly, settling for the safer of the two options. “Sadie.”
“Your sister.” Ash frowned. “Want to be more specific?”
“Alex Foster’s family is arguing that he was a good kid who was bullied by an evil coach, who ultimately had him removed from school for a minor infraction out of spite—and that the administration sat back and let it happen.”
“Yeah…” It was clear Ash hadn’t put the pieces together yet, which increased Caitlyn’s smugness by about a hundred percent.
“If we can establish Alex had a pattern of poor behavior his coach overlooked out of kindness, and that the altercation that led to the expulsion was simply the last straw, it will be hard to convince a jury Alex was being bullied or that our client failed in their duty to protect him.” Caitlyn watched Ash intently to see if she was catching on, but from the look of confusion on the woman’s face, the answer continued to elude her. “We need to find out what happened at the JV barbecue.”
“And your sister is on the JV team,” Ash said, slapping a palm to her forehead as she finally figured it out. “But what I don’t get is, if it was something bad, why didn’t the Head of School say anything about it when we were here before?”
“She probably didn’t know.” Caitlyn placed her hand lightly on Ash’s back to lead her out the door and in the direction of the library where Sadie and her friends were likely to be gathered before classes started. “If you want to know the real dirt of what’s going on at an elite private school, you don’t talk to anyone connected with the administration.”
“Should we go talk to your sister now?”
“On one condition.” Caitlyn held back a smirk. “You leave the interrogations to me.”
Ash pressed a hand to her chest. “What did I do wrong?”
“You just about went for the coach’s jugular back there when I was trying to butter him up.”
“I thought we were playing good cop, bad cop.”
Caitlyn laughed. “Okay, but no bad cop with Sadie and her friends.”
“I would never,” Ash assured her. “I don’t want your sister to hate me.”
Caitlyn snuck a glance at Ash as they walked, curious why it mattered to her what Sadie thought of her. Did she truly care, or was she simply looking for an ego boost?
“Sadie!” Caitlyn called out softly, spying her sister and two other girls at a small study table near the front of the library. “Just who I was hoping to see.”
Sadie smiled, her eyes lighting up with extra shine when she spotted her sister’s companion. “Ash! What are you doing here?”
“We needed to ask one of the coaches some questions relating to the Alex Foster case,” Caitlyn explained. “But that brought up another topic I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on. What happened at the JV barbecue last year?”
The three girls exchanged worried looks.
“No one’s getting in trouble,” Ash soothed, taking on the role of good cop this time. “We just want to know what happened.”
“The whole team got wasted,” one of the girls answered.
The color leeched from Sadie’s cheeks. “It wasn’t our fault, I swear. Someone spiked the punch at the party.”
“Why didn’t I hear about this?” Caitlyn snapped before she could stop herself. A sense of panic overtook her as she thought of all the terrible things that could have happened. “Was it alcohol, or drugs? My God, someone could have been assaulted, or worse.”
“Nobody got hurt. I… I wasn’t trying to keep it secret or anything,” Sadie stammered, tears welling in her eyes. “I swear. It’s not like Dad cared, and you were in New York.”
“You’re sure no one was hurt?” Caitlyn pressed. She wished her father was home so she could give him a piece of her mind. And she wished the fact she’d chosen a life in New York just to get out from under her family legacy so she could make it on her own didn’t make her feel so shitty about her priorities.
“Everybody was okay by the next day,” one of the friends answered as Sadie nodded in agreement. “Hungover, but that’s all.”
“Did the school call your parents?” Ash asked.
The other friend bit her lip. “I don’t think so. It was just the coaches chaperoning, you know? I think they just wanted to keep it from turning into a big deal if the Head of School found out.”
“Nobody got written up for it?” Caitlyn asked.
All three of them shook their heads.
“Like I said, it wasn’t our fault,” Sadie insisted. “It was Alex who put the alcohol in the drinks. He wasn’t even supposed to be at the party, but he snuck in and did it, and then stuck around to watch what we’d do.”
“You’re sure it was him?” Ash asked.
“Absolutely,” one of the friends said. “We heard him laughing about it the next day. He flat out admitted what he’d done.”
Caitlyn frowned. “He didn’t get in trouble?”
“Coach Dryden was really mad when he found out,” Sadie said. “He yelled at him, but he never filed a report or anything.”
“Because he was the star of the varsity team,” one friend added. “I remember Alex telling me he could get away with murder and the coach wouldn’t lay a finger on him.”
“He told me that as well,” the other friend said. “Sometimes I thought he would try it. I was glad when he got expelled.”
“Yeah,” Sadie agreed. “Even if the reason for the expulsion was sus. I mean, swearing at the coach? Please. But I think Coach Dryden was waiting for any excuse once the Head of the Charles was over.”
“Why did that matter?” Ash asked.
“It’s the last big competition until spring,” one of the girls explained, beating Caitlyn to the punch. “And by then, a couple other boys were narrowing in on Alex’s times.”
“Making Alex less vital to a winning team.” A faint smile tugged at Caitlyn’s lips as she realized her earlier hunch had been right. Only now that she’d heard the details, she no longer thought the coach was trying to take revenge. If anything, he’d acted way too late.
There may not have been an official paper trail detailing Alex’s infractions, but considering how many students had witnessed his behavior, Caitlyn was pretty certain this case would never see the inside of a courtroom. No way would the Fosters be interested in having Alex’s actions come to light. Considering he’d given alcohol to multiple minors, he could be facing criminal charges.
“These other boys,” Ash began, stealing Caitlyn’s attention back from her musing, “was one of them Fergus Clark?”
“Yes.” Sadie and her friends grew melancholy. “It was him and two others on the varsity team.”
“Do or die trying,” a friend added with a loud sniff.
Sadie sucked in her breath. “Yes, that’s right. That’s what Fergus used to say to me in the counseling center. Do or die trying.”
Caitlyn and Ash exchanged glances, and it was clear her colleague was thinking the same thing. Was this a harmless mantra, or was it evidence that supported the theory Fergus had killed himself?
Before Caitlyn could ask about it, there was a hustle and bustle around them. Kids were getting up from other tables, gathering their books and backpacks.
“We have to get to class.” Sadie gave Caitlyn a one-armed hug before heading out of the library with her friends.
“And the plot thickens,” Caitlyn said in her best TV crime show announcer voice when she and Ash were alone.
“It sounds like Alex was a terror,” Ash commented. “Do you think his parents are aware of everything he did?”
“Parents never want to believe the bad stuff when it comes to their children.” Caitlyn tapped a finger against her pant leg. “Unless you’re my father. Then you just turn a blind eye.”
“If it makes you feel better, my mom was the type to believe the bad things. Behind closed doors, at least. Outside of the home, she fought like hell for us.”
Caitlyn’s heart was heavy as she studied the spot where her sister had been sitting. “Do you think the party is one of the reasons why Sadie didn’t want to be in the dorms this year?”
“Perhaps, but maybe ask her when you get a chance.”
Caitlyn laughed.
Ash’s cheeks colored. “I didn’t mean to sound condescending.”
“It’s not that. This will sound stupid, but that didn’t cross my mind. To simply ask Sadie the question.” Caitlyn rocked onto her heels. “Do you think Alex’s parents didn’t ask the right questions before filing their lawsuit?”
“I don’t know,” Ash said, “but if they didn’t, they’ve got a surprise coming. We need to get the investigator to put together a report. I have a feeling they’ll be happy to settle quietly once they hear what we have to say.”
“That’s one problem solved, anyway.” As they exited the library, Caitlyn caught sight of a police car rolling slowly away from one of the ivy-covered red brick dormitories and a lump formed in her throat. “Do or die trying.”
Ash let out a heavy sigh, clearly on the same page. “Moorehead Academy may be in the clear with the Fosters, but they’re not out of the woods.”
“Not by a long shot,” Caitlyn agreed.
With a star athlete dead and media sniffing all around, the school’s troubles were far from over. They were in for a hellish few months, to say the least.
She cast a glance at Ash, looking away before getting caught, but not before her heart was made a little lighter. Somehow, knowing she and Ash were on the same team made the difficult tasks ahead seem a lot less impossible than if she’d been facing them on her own.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ash glanced in the rearview mirror, checking for cars, but the highway traffic was sparse. Outside the windows, the scenery was a blur of rust and brown, the past-peak remnants of a fall foliage season on its way to a close. Rain droplets splattered the windshield at intervals, offering another reason most people had stayed inside on this dreary Saturday morning instead of hitting the roads.
Sadie popped her head between the front seats. “We’re getting a puppy!”
Excitement rolled off the girl in waves. Clearly she had not gotten the memo that this was a day meant for staying in bed. Not that Ash minded. If she hadn’t been in the car with Caitlyn and Sadie she would be at her desk by now. She knew which one she preferred.
“Is your seatbelt buckled?” Ash demanded, earning an immediate withdrawal from Sadie, followed by the reassuring click of the belt.
“We’re going to look at a puppy,” Caitlyn corrected. Her eyes skipped across to Ash, imploring her to corroborate. “We don’t know what will happen.”
But Ash shook her head as she pictured the Portuguese Water Dog and Labrador Retriever mix they were on their way to meet. “Sorry, but have you seen the photo of that little doll? I’m not convinced it’s humanly possible not to take her home.”
Caitlyn’s shoulders slumped dramatically, making Ash chuckle to herself. The action didn’t go unnoticed. Caitlyn shot daggers from the corners of her eyes, making Ash laugh even more.
“If you weren’t the one driving, I’d murder you,” Caitlyn declared with a huff. After a moment of sulking, she gave Ash a sheepish look. “Thanks for driving, by the way. I can’t believe that hunk of junk called it quits yet again.”
“Jags are built to be pretty, not practical. Lucky for you, I’d already decided to rent a car for the weekend so I could meet up with my family for trick-or-treating tomorrow.” Even if that hadn’t been the case, Ash had a sneaking suspicion she would have done whatever she could to make sure the kid in the backseat—who was sitting on her hands right now, presumably to stop from hurling herself between the seats in excitement once again—got a shot at the puppy she so desperately wanted.
“It’s a long drive, though.” There was a hint of contrition in Caitlyn’s tone. “I’m sure you had better things to do with your Saturday than take a day trip to Maine.”
“It beats working.” This was only part of the story. The full truth was Ash had never felt a stronger sense of completion and belonging than in the short amount of time she’d spent with Caitlyn and Sadie. Not even with her own family, perhaps because her sense of duty and obligation sometimes got in the way of simple enjoyment where they were concerned. But with the Brewster sisters, Ash felt a peace she’d never dreamed was possible.
“I don’t think I ever expected to hear you say that.” Caitlyn shot her a sideways glance with a hint of understanding that made Ash wonder how much the woman suspected about Ash’s true motivations.
“Don’t let anyone at the office know,” Ash said with a laugh, even as her stomach tightened at the possibility Caitlyn would guess what was going on inside her and put a stop to this time together. It would be the smart thing to do. Ash simply lacked the strength to do it. “It’s true, though. It’s not like I wake up every morning thinking I can’t wait to dig into legal briefs.”
“Then why do you work so hard? Other than to make partner,” Caitlyn added before Ash could offer her standard reply. “I mean, you’ve got a family nearby, right? From the sound of it, they’d like to see more of you.”
Ash swallowed down the guilt that always accompanied this topic. It was hard enough to accept the mixed emotions that sometimes accompanied the prospect of seeing her family, the overwhelming dread that they would need something Ash couldn’t provide. Ash wasn’t sure that was something she could share with anyone else. Not even Caitlyn. “They’re the reason I work as hard as I do. I’ve been doing it ever since Dad died.”
“That has to have been over twenty years ago. Your siblings must be old enough to have jobs, right?”
“My sister’s a teacher and my brother’s a cop.” A faint smile crossed Ash’s face as she considered how well her siblings had done.
“Those are respectable careers with solid incomes.”
Right on schedule, the worry started to seep in. “But Mike’s got two little boys and a daughter on the way. And if my mother’s intuition is right, Breanna will be getting engaged any minute. Weddings, college funds, retirement—”
“Retirement? Your niece isn’t even born yet,” Caitlyn teased. “She won’t be retiring any time soon.”
“I was talking about my mom. She’s sixty-three, and as much as she enjoys working in the office at the school where Bree teaches, she’s no spring chicken. She’s worked hard and deserves to enjoy her life.” Ash tightened her stomach muscles to keep the aching under control.
“And what about you?” Caitlyn asked. “When do you get to start enjoying your life?”
Instead of answering, Ash checked the side mirror before merging into the right lane. “This is the exit. The foster family’s house should be another mile.”
“Are we there?” Sadie called from the backseat, popping one of her earbuds out so she could hear the answer.
“Almost,” Caitlyn told her. “But I don’t want you to get your hopes up too high, or to start begging the minute we arrive, got it?”
The house they were looking for was at the end of a long dirt driveway. Ash had barely put the car into park when Sadie bounced out and ran ahead to ring the doorbell. Ash and Caitlyn followed a few steps behind.
The front door opened and a woman stepped onto the wraparound porch. A golden curly-haired puppy wriggled in her arms. Sadie let out a shriek of pure delight as the woman offered the puppy to her. “Isn’t she the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?”
“I’m bringing home a puppy today, aren’t I?” Caitlyn whispered to Ash.
“Yep,” Ash said with a grin, not ashamed to be enjoying Caitlyn’s dismay, which she suspected wasn’t nearly as deep as the woman liked to pretend. “One with button eyes and an adorable pink tongue.”
“Fuck,” Caitlyn muttered, but her softening expression hinted the puppy was working its magic on her too.
“Hi, I’m Roberta.” The puppy’s foster mom held out a hand to shake. “Which one of you is Caitlyn?”
“That’s me.” Caitlyn shook the woman’s hand.
“There’s a fenced in patch of grass right over there where you can play with the puppy, see how you take to each other,” Roberta directed.
“I’ll leave that to my sister,” Caitlyn said. Sadie was already at the enclosure. She set the puppy down and laughed as the little animal chased her, letting out a string of happy barks. “Is all the paperwork in order?”
The woman nodded and took a seat on the porch, letting the puppy situation take care of itself.
“You already filled in the adoption paperwork?” Ash raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Caitlyn Brewster, you’re a softie deep down, aren’t you?”
“Don’t you dare tell a soul,” Caitlyn warned.
They looked on from a distance as Sadie scooped the golden puff ball into her arms, the puppy twisting into contortions, licking Sadie’s face.
“Did you leave anyone behind in New York?” Ash asked, surprising even herself as the words tumbled out. She’d been wondering, but hadn’t intended to ask.
Caitlyn cocked her head to one side. “How do you mean?”
“I don’t know. A girlfriend, or—”
Caitlyn’s eyes grew stormy. “If there’d been anyone in New York, what happened between us wouldn’t have happened. If you think I’d—”
“I didn’t mean to imply anything, honest.” Ash put both her hands up as if to shield herself from Caitlyn’s sudden ire. Ash regretted how her question had come out and had no desire for a repeat of what she’d experienced on Caitlyn’s back deck. “It’s just hard to believe a woman like you isn’t already taken is all I meant. And don’t say it’s because you work so hard.”
