Page 143 of Forgotten Prejudice

“Are you asking me as a lawyer or as a person?”

He glanced at me over his shoulder before turning back around. “Both.”

“As a lawyer, I think the evidence leaves little room for doubt,” I said, my eyes locked on the clock. The ticking sound also annoyed me. “But as a person, I have no doubt he’s innocent. He loved that boy—and still does.” While speaking, I thought about the hours I’d spent with Camilo. He might never have said much, but if you paid close attention as I did, you could see the picture loud and clear. “It’s not just love, though. They found sanctuary in each other. You don’t need me to tell you how rare it is to find a person like that, a person who completes you in every sense of the word.” By now, Daniel was fully facing me. “And when you find that, that life-changing love, you don’t just toss it away.”

Daniel’s expression, angry thus far, softened. “Who knew you were such a romantic?”

“Aw,” I tsked, pretending to be hurt. “Now you’re just being mean.”

The corner of Daniel’s mouth quirked up just as the intercom in his office beeped.

“Yes, Cole?” Daniel asked while pressing the button to take the call.

“Sir, Christian Rogers is here for you,” his secretary said.

Daniel’s eyes snapped to mine as we held each other’s suspicious gazes.

“Very well, let him in,” Daniel said, ending the call.

I stepped aside just in time for the door to open, and Christian, with all of his might and glory, walked in. One quick look my way was the only acknowledgment I received from him before he turned toward Daniel.

“Christian, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Acting like he owned the place, Christian strolled toward the bar cart in Daniel’s office and began making himself a drink.

“Remember that vacation we all took together in Monaco?” he asked, filling his glass.

“Yes, I do.”

“I’ve been thinking about those days recently. About how happy my son was, how lovely he was.” He turned to face Daniel while sipping from the scotch he invited himself to. “Now he can’t even get up from his hospital bed,” he hissed, eyes cold. “And you’re trying to help the guy responsible to get away with it.”

Daniel sat back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other. “While I’m heartbroken over what happened to Shay-Lee, I’m also a firm believer of the saying ‘innocent until proven guilty.’”

Christian snorted, taking the chair across from Daniel and mimicking his stance. “Don’t mock me, Daniel. That criminal is guilty, and he will pay for what he did to my son.”

How about you pay for what you did, asshole?

“I won’t lie about how disappointed I am with you,” Christian went on, his face cold. “To think I saw value in our longtime friendship. But I guess it all means nothing to you in the name of fame?”

Daniel leaned back in his chair. “I didn’t take this case as a publicity stunt but because I believe in Mr. Gómez’s innocence.”

Aww, Daniel. Who knew you were such a kind man?

Christian snorted, placed his half-full glass on the table, and stood up. “I couldn’t be more disappointed,” he leered. “But I didn’t come here for that. I came to warn you that if your guys keep snooping around my son, who is currently not even able to form actual words, then there will be consequences.” With that, Christian turned to leave, but not before giving me a look full of disdain.

“What do you think?” Daniel asked as soon as Christian closed the door behind him.

Smirking, I stepped closer to his desk. “That an innocent man would not bother coming here to spew empty threats.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Daniel said, crossing his arms over his broad chest and moving his fingers along his thick stubble.

“Besides, he’s lying. From what Eiv managed to gather about Shay-Lee’s condition, the kid might be in a bad state, but he’s able to talk. Christian just doesn’t want him to.”

The disgust on Daniel’s face couldn’t have been more evident, and he shook his head. “To think this man had been near my son for years.” He then turned to me. “We’ve wasted enough time. Get back to work. I want to see this case end the right way,” he said before going back to read the briefs on his desk.

Knowing better than to argue, I walked toward the door but stopped when Daniel called my name.

“Yes?” I asked, turning to face him.