Betrayal - Fern Michaels [66]
While waiting for Coleman to arrange a visit, Kate occupied herself with cleaning the house she’d lived in for the past few weeks.
She scrubbed the kitchen counters, cleaning out the refrigerator and freezer. Then she polished all the appliances, including the toaster. From there she stripped the sheets off the bed she’d slept in and tossed them into the washing machine. She swept and mopped the tile floors and vacuumed the rest of the house. When she attacked both bathrooms, she scoured shower tiles that didn’t need it and tubs that hadn’t even been used. After she finished, she took a long soak in the Jacuzzi tub she’d just cleaned.
She knew she needed to call Gertie before she heard the verdict on television, but she’d put it off. Saying this aloud would only make the situation more real. Thank God Alex had the good sense to arrange their finances in such a way that she needn’t worry. Gertie would take care of everything. The dogs were in the best of hands, so Kate could concentrate on helping Alex get a new trial, getting him released. She didn’t know what to expect at this point. She sure as hell wouldn’t sit idly by and allow Coleman Fitzpatrick to make any decisions without consulting her first. She would send a letter to the American Bar Association. James had duped them into believing Alex wouldn’t go to prison. Kate sure as hell wasn’t going to let another life-altering mistake slip past her.
The phone rang, and she jumped out of the tub to answer it.
“Can you be at the jail in an hour?” Coleman asked.
“Of course.”
“I’ll meet you in the main building. I’ll be wearing beige slacks and a blue polo shirt.”
Kate was glad he’d thought to tell her what he’d be wearing. She wouldn’t have been able to pick him out of a crowd of three since they’d only spoken on the phone.
“I’ll find you. Thanks, Mr. Fitzpatrick.”
“Sure thing, Mrs. Rocket.”
“Coleman?”
“Yes?”
“Call me Kate.” For the first time in weeks, Kate felt like smiling. She hung up the phone and dressed as quickly as possible in navy pants and a red and white striped blouse. She looked like a sailor. She didn’t care. All that mattered was Alex. She was going to see him. He’d meet Coleman, and they’d simply have to start from square one.
When Kate arrived at the jail, reporters were still scattered about the parking lot. Court TV’s crew had set up a temporary soundstage on the front lawn. She wished she had remembered to wear sunglasses or a hat. Her auburn hair stood out like a black eye. She swerved into the left lane, driving away from the jailhouse.
She parked the Mercedes three blocks away in a Publix parking lot. She’d walk the rest of the way.
Fifteen minutes later she slipped inside the building without being noticed. She gave herself a mental pat on the back.
True to his word, Coleman Fitzpatrick waited discreetly in the main lobby.
Kate hurried over to him. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.”
Coleman shook her hand. “All in a day’s work, Kate. Now let’s get out of this lobby before those vultures figure out you’re here. I’ve already made the necessary preparations for your visit with your husband. You’ll have to show your identification and go through a screening. This is normal and shouldn’t take more than five minutes. Follow me.”
Kate was impressed. He’d accomplished more in a few hours than James would have in a week. She followed him through a maze of institutional hallways. They rounded a corner and were stopped by a deputy. He ran a wand over them before allowing them to continue down the next hall. They walked a few feet and were greeted by another deputy seated behind a glass wall. “I’ll need to see your IDs, please.”
Kate removed her