The low murmur of nearby hushed conversations was a soothing backdrop for Claire as she updated her notes of the case she was working on at the Georgetown Law Library in Washington, DC. A row of identical tables to the one she was seated at stretched down an aisle between walls of built-in bookcases filled with thick law books.

“Hey, Claire!”

She looked up from her laptop as her friend and classmate Leah plopped into the seat across from her, right on time for their meeting to discuss progress on their joint capstone project—defending a client in a criminal case. Although their professor acted as supervising attorney to oversee their work, in the end, their client’s defense was Claire and Leah’s responsibility. A failing grade on their project report would make it difficult for either Claire or Leah to graduate from law school this year . . . not to mention what it would mean for their client.

“I just got an email from Professor Moore,” Claire said as Leah pulled out her own laptop. “She thinks the prosecutor might offer a deal.”

“In exchange for what?”

“A higher-level dealer’s name.”

“It would be a lucky deal for him.” Leah frowned. “But Chris isn’t gonna give anyone up.”

“He’s got no choice.” Claire sat up straighter in her seat. “If he doesn’t, he’ll be convicted.”

Their client, Christopher Jones, had grown up in the foster system. After graduating from high school and aging out of foster care, he’d moved in with a friend and landed a job as a waiter. At some point, he’d taken a wrong turn—a textbook case of hanging out with the wrong people—and ended up dealing drugs to make ends meet.

The fact that she and Leah were responsible for Chris’s court case was keeping Claire up at night. Getting the nineteen-year-old boy out of jail wouldn’t be easy. There was indisputable evidence against him, including video footage of him exchanging drugs for money behind the restaurant where he worked. Too bad the boy didn’t realize his boss had installed a security camera outside the delivery door.

“Just don’t be surprised when he says no to the deal.”

Claire bit down on her lip. What if Leah was right? What if Chris rejected the deal?

She frowned, trying to picture Chris inside the prison system. Although an adult in the eyes of the law, he was just a scrawny teen, and at about five foot six, he wasn’t even as tall as Claire, who had a couple of inches on him and maybe ten to twenty pounds. Soft-spoken and ginger-haired, the boy had an honest face and a stubborn streak a mile wide. He wouldn’t stand a chance among the hardened prison population he’d be transferred to if convicted.

Leah drew a stack of papers from her tote. “I printed out the forms we’ll need when we visit the jail tomorrow.” She handed over the papers and Claire turned her attention to them, paging through the stack. “Are we done here?”

Claire glanced at the last page before setting the packet down. “Sure.”

“Great.” Leah stood, lifting the strap of her canvas messenger bag over her shoulder. “You’ll lead tomorrow’s meeting with the AUSA?”

In the District of Columbia, the justice system was set up a bit differently than other municipalities. Rather than a district attorney with a staff of assistant district attorneys working for him or her to prosecute cases, DC had a United States attorney who prosecuted both federal and local cases, and a staff of assistant US attorneys, or AUSAs.

Claire nodded as she rose to pack up her own belongings. She still needed to make a list of questions they’d ask the assistant US attorney who was prosecuting the case, but it was something she could do at home. Then she’d have time to pack for her weekend trip to Florida to help her boyfriend, Gabe, entertain potential clients for his investment firm.

As they headed out of the library, Claire hefted the leather strap of her tote over her shoulder and looked up at the sky as they walked. The setting sun had etched streaks of pink onto the horizon, giving the campus buildings a rosy glow as they entered the parking garage.

“I didn’t realize it was so late,” she said.

“What time’s your flight tomorrow?”

“Eleven a.m.”

Leah gave her a sidelong glance. “Cutting it kind of close, aren’t you? Our meeting’s at eight, and it’s probably gonna go until after nine.”

Claire’s cheeks warmed, a tingle that spread to her ears. “Gabe needs me there before his clients arrive.”

“Good thing it’s you and not me. You got that whole future-trophy-wife thing going on, with your Cover Girl look and Neiman Marcus wardrobe. If it were me, I’d just scare the investors away.”

Claire glanced at Leah’s short, asymmetrical haircut, dyed a bright green these days. With her tattoos and piercings, her friend was as unconventional as Claire was conservative—which was exactly what drew Claire to her in the first place.

“What are you saying?” Claire gave her the side eye. “That you don’t look the part of a business-function host?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Leah said with a smirk.

“Be happy you don’t. Most of these events are really boring,” Claire said, then changed the subject. “What are your plans this weekend?”

“I’m thinking about getting another piercing.”

Stunned speechless, Claire stopped short and stared at her friend, taking in her multiple ear studs, eyebrow piercing, and nose ring.

What’s left to pierce?

Leah barked out a laugh as she too came to a halt. “Just kidding, hon, but dang, you should see your face.”

“You really had me there,” Claire said with a laugh. “Honestly, I think you’re perfect just as you are.”

She said good-bye as they reached their cars, tossing her tote into her BMW before she slid into the driver’s seat.

Would Leah be hired by a traditional law firm? Probably not, but it didn’t look as if it bothered her. She did her own thing and seemed happy about it. Leah’s no-bullshit approach to life was fascinating, and Claire envied her ability to live her life as she pleased.

* * *

Half an hour later, Claire unlocked the door of her Georgetown condo, laughing as her golden retriever, Charlie, woofed out a greeting. He jumped up and ran over as she walked inside, wriggling with excitement as he danced around her feet.

“How are you, bud?” Claire set her things down and crouched to give the big dog a hug. “Did you enjoy your walks with Verna? Or did Sheryl come walk you today?”

Claire dropped a kiss on the dog’s furry head and then stood. “Verna’s going to be back tomorrow. She’ll be taking care of you this weekend. I’ll probably miss you more than you’ll miss me.”

Charlie studied her with his expressive brown eyes as if he understood what she was saying.

Thank goodness for her dog sitters. On long days at school like today, they were a godsend, popping in twice a day to take Charlie for walks, and took him home with them whenever Claire traveled.

“Let’s have dinner.” She walked into the kitchen with Charlie trotting alongside.

After filling the dog’s food and water bowls, Claire took a seat at her dining table, ignoring the darkening view of the Potomac from the large picture windows that lined her condo’s living area. Instead, she opened the salad she’d picked up on her way home and turned her attention to the last-minute details that needed to be taken care of before her trip.

Reminding herself she needed to take Charlie out for a walk, she glanced wistfully at her running shoes lined up neatly beneath the hook that held his leash. No time for a run tonight.

Between the packing she had to do and the preparations she needed to make for tomorrow’s meeting, it was shaping up to be a late night.