I’m just shutting down my computer when Ben comes into my office.
“Hey. Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” he says, but he doesn’t sit. He stands behind the chair on the other side of my desk, hands resting on the top of it. “I’ve just been reading over the Grayson Knight case.”
“Okay,” I say, waiting to hear what he’s going to tell me. My heart starts to beat a little faster. I don’t know why. “What do you think?”
“I think your proposal of charging him with possession of a Schedule II drug is too light. I was reading over the police report, and the amount of drugs he was carrying…I think we should push for possession with intent to supply.”
“You do?”
“You don’t?” he says, his brows pulling together.
“It’s just…he’s Grayson Knight. Superstar football player. Squeaky-clean record. Incredibly wealthy. Arguing for possession with the intent to supply will be a hard sell. It’s not like he needs to deal drugs to make money. I think a judge would more likely accept a charge of possession of a Schedule II drug. That way, we still have a good chance of winning the case in front of the public.”
“I disagree,” Ben says, and his words are biting. I’m surprised, because Ben rarely disagrees with me, and when he does, he does it respectfully. “He won’t get enough jail time with a Schedule II felony. With a good lawyer, he’ll only get probation and a fine. Maybe community service. I told you that I want to make an example of Grayson Knight. That charge won’t make an example of him.”
“Okay,” I say, unsure which tack to take right now. “So…you’re saying you want me to…?” I let my words drift so he can fill them in.
“Up the charges to possession of a Schedule II drug with intent to supply. Let’s make him look at a felony in the second degree.”
I nod once in assent.
“Okay, then,” Ben says. He pushes off the chair and takes a step away. “You’re leaving for the night?”
“I was heading out, but I can stay. Do you want me to draw up the charges tonight?”
“No, go home. Do it in the morning.”
“Okay.”
“Good night, Mel.”
“Night, Ben.”
I watch him leave my office, my door closing behind him.
His words rattle around in my head.
Why is he so insistent on putting him in prison? I know that putting a high-profile celebrity like Grayson away would look good for him. But there are no elections till next year. And Ben is highly respected in Miami. It’s not like he needs to pull tricks to get reelected.
Ben’s words, mixed in with Tori’s from last night, swirl around in my head.
What Tori said was right. If I prosecute Grayson without knowing the whole truth and he ends up going to jail as an innocent man, it’ll eat away at me. Especially now, since Ben wants me to up the charge so that Grayson will be looking at some serious jail time.
I got into this job to do good. I want to be the best assistant state attorney, and to me, that means being honest. I don’t want to put people in jail to better my numbers—I want to do it because those people deserve to be in jail. I want to do it to make my city a safer place—not just to get good publicity. And that’s why I find myself dialing Grayson Knight’s number.
He takes a while to answer the phone, and when he does, he sounds out of breath. “Mel,” he huffs.
I love the way he calls me Mel. But my stomach sinks as thoughts flash through my mind as to what’s causing Grayson to be out of breath. Is he…with a woman?
God, I hope not.
“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”
“No. I’m just in my gym, working out.”
“Oh.” Sweet relief.
I shake away my thoughts. I want to get to the truth, not bone the guy.
“Is everything okay?” he asks.
“Yes…I was just wondering if you have time for a chat.”
“Sure.” He doesn’t ask why. And honestly, I feel a flutter of content that he’s so quick to answer yes. “Do you want me to come to your office?”
I don’t think it’s a good idea to meet Grayson here—Ben could find out about it. But there’s a coffee shop I really like that’s on the other side of town, not far from my apartment. And I never see anyone from work there. Grayson and I will be able to talk in peace.
“Can you meet me at the Hideout instead? It’s a coffee shop on—”
“I know where it is,” he interjects. “I love that place. What time did you want to meet?”
I glance at the clock. “How long will it take you to get there?”
“I just need to grab a quick shower. I’m all sweaty from the gym.”
A nice image pops into my head. Grayson is all sweaty, naked, and hovering over me as he…
Stop it, Mel!
“It’ll probably only take me ten to shower and change, and another ten to drive over.”
I clear my throat, but when I speak, my words still come out ragged. “I’ll see you in twenty, then.”
“See you soon,” he says, and hangs up.
I leave my office and head for the elevator. Downstairs, I flag a cab on the street.
The entire time, I desperately try not to think about the fact that Grayson is probably naked right now. Naked and wet, in the shower.
Holy God.
I need to wipe these images and thoughts from my mind so that I have a clear head when I see him. I’m meeting him to discuss his criminal charges, and all I want to do is take off his sweaty clothes.