Cross Justice Read Free Page B

bony finger at a defunct pharmacy and soda fountain called Lords. “Right there, I remember there were signs that said ‘No Coloreds Allowed.’”
    “Did Dr. King take those down?” my son asked.
    “He was responsible, ultimately,” I said. “But to my knowledge, he never actually came to—”
    Jannie cried, “Hey, there’s Scootchie!”

CHAPTER 3
     
    MY NIECE WAS on the sidewalk in front of the county courthouse arguing with an earnest-looking African American man in a well-cut gray suit. Naomi wore a navy blue skirt and blazer and clutched a brown legal-size accordion file to her chest, and she was shaking her head firmly.
    I pulled over and parked, said, “She looks busy. Why doesn’t everyone wait here? I’ll get directions to where we’re staying.”
    I climbed out into what was, by Washington, DC, standards, a banner summer day. The humidity was surprisingly low and there was a breeze blowing that carried with it the sound of my niece’s voice.
    “Matt, are you going to fight every one of my motions?” Naomi demanded.
    “Course I am,” he said. “It’s my job, remember?”
    “Your job should be to find the truth,” she shot back.
    “I think we all know the truth,” he replied, and then he looked over her shoulder at me.
    “Naomi?” I called.
    She turned and saw me, and her posture relaxed. “Alex!”
    Grinning, she trotted over, threw her arms around me, and said quietly, “Thank God you’re here. This town is enough to drive me mad.”
    “I came as soon as I could,” I said. “Where’s Stefan?”
    “Still in jail,” she said. “Judge’s refusing to set any kind of bail.”
    Matt was studying us—or, rather, me—intently.
    “Is your friend the DA?” I asked quietly.
    “Let me introduce you,” she said, “rattle his chain.”
    “Rattle away,” I said.
    Naomi walked me over to him, said, “Assistant district attorney Matthew Brady, this is my uncle and Stefan’s cousin Dr. Alex Cross, formerly of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit and currently a special investigator with the Washington, DC, Metro Police.”
    If Brady was impressed, he didn’t show it, and he shook my hand with little enthusiasm. “You’re here why, exactly?”
    “My family and I have been through a rough time lately, so we’re on a little R and R to visit my roots and provide my cousin with some moral support,” I said.
    “Well.” He sniffed and looked at Naomi. “I think you should be thinking plea bargain if you want to give Mr. Tate moral support.”
    Naomi smiled. “You can stick that idea where the sun don’t shine.”
    Brady grinned pleasantly and held up his hands, palms out. “Your call, but the way I see it, Naomi, you plead, and your client lives a life behind bars. You go to trial, and he most certainly gets the death penalty.”
    “Good-bye,” she said sweetly as she took my arm. “We’ve got to be going.”
    “Nice meeting you,” I said.
    “Likewise, Dr. Cross,” he said and walked away.
    “Kind of a cold fish,” I said when he was out of earshot and we were heading back to my car.
    “He’s gotten that way since law school,” she said.
    “So you’ve got history?”
    “Just old classmates,” Naomi said, then broke into a squeal of delight when Jannie opened the Explorer’s door and climbed out.
    In a few moments everyone was out on the sidewalk hugging Naomi, who couldn’t get over how tall and strong Jannie had become and got tears in her eyes when my grandmother kissed her.
    “You don’t age, Nana,” Naomi said in wonder. “Is there a painting in an attic somewhere that shows your real age?”
    “The Picture of Regina Cross.” Nana Mama chortled.
    “It’s just so good to see you all,” Naomi said, and then her face fell slightly. “I just wish it were under different circumstances.”
    My wife said, “We’ll figure out the real story, get Stefan released, and have a nice vacation.”
    Naomi’s face fell a little further. “That’s easier said