A single metal table and four chairs sat in the middle of the lifeless walls. Lindsey impatiently tapped her pencil on the table, which in turn made a loud thud every time it hit the metal.

Mark reached out and grabbed the pencil. “Why don’t you sit down? It might calm your nerves a bit.”

Lindsey shot him a glowering look. “My nerves are fine. I just hate wasted time. I wish they would hurry the heck up. It’s not like we have all day.”

Mark eyed her, opening his mouth to comment, but lost the words when the wide, steel door opened. A burly, toothless guard held Roger Williams by the arm. The guard grunted and pointed at a chair, watching with stone-cold eyes as Roger sat down. Then the guard stepped to the hallway, never saying a word, leaving Lindsey and Mark alone with their client. Roger Williams was a slight man, not taller than five feet seven inches, with sunken cheekbones and weary green eyes. Lindsey studied him, seeking an answer.

Guilty or innocent?

She had seen the eyes of many criminals, in fact, looked into some of the deadliest eyes known to man. Roger Williams had gentleness in his. And fear. Not guilt. Of course, she had said the same thing about Hudson. Frustrated at her own thought, she shoved away her self-doubt. If she was going to defend this man, she had to stay focused on this case and this case alone.

“Who are you two?” Roger asked, his fingers entwined on the table. His nervousness was like a live charge in the room. It laced his words and made him fidget.

“I’m Mark Reeves, and this is Lindsey Paxton,” Mark offered. “We will be representing you.”

“Yes,” Lindsey added. “We’re your new attorneys.”

Roger’s face clouded with confusion. “Where is Mr. Paxton?”

“Mr. Paxton, my father, has taken ill,” Lindsey explained. “Mr. Reeves and I will be taking over.”

“Excuse me for being blunt, but I trust Mr. Paxton. How do I know I can do the same with the two of you?

Lindsey was a bit surprised by the question, considering the meekness of his exterior. “I understand your concerns.”

Mark reached inside his portfolio and slid a piece of paper onto the table. “I brought a copy of a resume for you, Mr. Williams. It includes credentials for both Ms. Paxton and me.”

Roger picked up the paper and started reading. Mark continued, “There are a lot of questions we need answered. If you accept our representation, then we hope to get started today.”

Lindsey was irritated that she didn’t know what it included, and made a mental note to have a little talk with Mark. “You both appear more than qualified,” Roger said, looking up from the paper. “I don’t mean to be difficult. This has been a horrible experience, being accused of such horrible acts.”

“Murder,” Mark said. “You’ve been accused of murder. I think it’s important we speak frankly about what we are up against.”

Lindsey gave Mark a warning look. She was quite sure Roger knew what he was accused of, and didn’t need to have it crammed down his throat. “Mind if we sit down?” she asked, indicating the table with a wave of her hand. Roger nodded, and Lindsey and Mark sat down, side by side, directly in front of Roger, each pulling out a legal pad and pen.

“The first thing we need to do is get the facts straight and get your side of the story. Forgive me, but I really have to ask this question. Did you kill those girls?”

His eyes widened. “No,” he said vehemently, hands slamming the table. “I did not kill anyone, Ms. Paxton.”

“Then why do they think you did?” Mark asked, leaning forward, a challenge in his voice.

Roger sank back into his chair, his fight seeming to evaporate. “I guess they need someone to blame.” He exhaled loudly and then rested his forearms on the table as he leaned closer to them. “Look, I would like to think my own attorneys have confidence in my innocence. Mr. Paxton believed me. What do I need to do to prove to you that I’m innocent?” There was no mistaking the desperation in his voice.

Mark sat the pencil he held on the table. “I assure you, we are aware of Mr. Paxton’s feeling on the matter.” Mark paused and ran a hand over his jaw. “Look, I’m going to be honest with you because you are facing some tough times and you need to be ready. A jury will want to believe you’re guilty.” When Roger started to speak, Mark held up a staying hand. “Just hear me out.” Roger sat back in his chair and reluctantly nodded. “The jury will want vindication for those girls. Crying parents and friends in the courtroom will only make matters worse. We,” he waved a finger between him and Lindsey, “are human, just like the jury. The only difference is that we have a job to do. And that job is to provide you with the best defense available. In the end, guilty or innocent, we are protecting the system that protects the people of our nation by offering you our best. We are good at our jobs and neither of us like to lose.”

Roger started shaking his head, distress in the depths of his eyes. “You think I’m guilty.”

Lindsey leaned forward, giving Roger a direct look. “We don’t have any opinions at this point. None. But in reality, our opinions don’t matter. It’s what the jury thinks that counts. Our job is to make sure they vote not guilty.”

“But if you believe in me, it will affect how you represent me. Do you deny that as fact?” he challenged.

Lindsey swallowed. He was right, but an attorney never admitted that out loud. Mark saved her the discomfort of answering by jumping in with a quick reply. “Actually, I do. You will get the best defense possible, regardless of our opinions.”

“That’s right,” Lindsey said in quiet agreement. It was really true. Lindsey and Mark were both good at their jobs, a lot better than a lot of attorneys ever hoped to be. Years off the job made her no less confident in her ability to deliver results.

When Roger didn’t reply, Mark flipped open his notebook and pulled out a piece of paper, then slid it in front of him. “This is a list of questions. I need you to take the time and answer them in detail. Today if possible.”

Roger picked up the paper and scanned it. Lindsey discreetly eyed it herself. She didn’t know Mark had prepared the questionnaire, but she couldn’t help but be impressed. Still, she would have liked to have known in advance.

“There’s a lot of questions here,” Roger commented.

Mark nodded. “Yes, there are. Everything I could think of, up to this point, that opposing counsel will target or ask in any way, shape, or form. There are some key questions we need to go ahead and discuss. Once we review the completed questionnaire, we will be likely to have a lot more to discuss as well.”

Lindsey cleared her throat. “That said, let’s get those key questions answered. She looked at her notes. “Did you know any or all of the victims?” She knew the answer already but it was good to hear it from him, the way he would tell the prosecutor.

“They were students in my classes,” Roger responded.. A flash of pain dashed through his eyes.

“Two of them died on nights that you tutored them,” Mark commented.

“I know, but I didn’t kill them. Someone must have been watching. I tutored all of them at least two times, but not during the same semester.” He looked from Lindsey to Mark. “I swear, I feel like someone is framing me.”

His response did little to help his defense, and Mark dismissed it with his next question. “Is there anyone you suspect? A student who knew them all, another teacher?”

“My classes are huge,” he said in a defeated tone. “We are talking a major university here. I don’t even know all of the students’ names. The ones who take advantage of tutoring are really the only ones I know well.”

Mark’s expression remained indiscernible. “Where can we get a list of everyone you tutored?”

“I’m required to key tutoring information into a database at the university, but I keep records at my house as well. My sister is watching over my place, so if you need the list, she can help you.”