Read Online Only By Moonlight by Lynn Emery - Free Book Online

mind. At first the DA
thought he was going for an added twist on the insanity defense.
But I don’t think so.” Chase pulled up to a stop light on a few
blocks from the picturesque downtown of Abbeville. “I think the
lawyer is going to say Manny didn’t kill anybody, that he may have
been present but...”
    “His granddaddy actually did the killing,”
LaShaun finished for him. An intense prickle like electricity
coursed down her arms. Orin Young had been a kind of human evil
that could make even an atheist believe in Satan. “Orin Young did
destroy his oldest son and turned Manny into a monster,” LaShaun
replied.
    “Humph, that’s exactly what his legal team
wants to convince the judge. There’s the DA. He’s not looking too
happy,” Chase said and nodded toward the lovely old courthouse.
    As they got out of the cruiser Scott Hazelton
strode toward them. He seemed on edge, unable to wait until they
crossed the pavement to reach him. At six feet four inches tall,
the DA made a big impression during trials and before media
cameras. His thick dark hair, slightly gray at the temples, helped
as well. LaShaun could sense that he had a mixture of annoyance and
relief to see her. After all, he’d come close to trying her for
murder less than a year ago.
    “Ms. Rousselle; thanks for coming on such
short notice,” Hazelton intoned and stuck out his hand.
    LaShaun took it briefly and let go. “I’m very
surprised to be here, to say the least.”
    “I can well imagine. I...” Hazelton’s voice
faded away as he glanced past them. “We’ve got company, this
way.”
    Chase followed his gaze. “Damn it. How did
Schaffer get wind of this?”
    “Tell me you’re kidding,” LaShaun
muttered.
    Hazelton jerked a thumb for them to follow to
a side door a few feet away. “At least he won’t be able to follow
us.”
    The DA’s long legged-stride made LaShaun
almost jog beside him to keep up as Chase brought up the rear.
Schaffer called out to them as he hustled from almost a block away
to get closer. His videographer stood still shooting footage for a
few seconds longer, no doubt using a zoom lens. Then he moved when
Schaffer yelled for him to follow. Both were too late. Hazelton got
them through the door and inside long before Schaffer could catch
up. The entrance wasn’t for the public, only for official use. A
chunky male Abbeville police officer checked LaShaun’s small
cross-body bag and waved them on. Then the solemn middle-aged cop
scowled at Schaffer, who stood outside tapping on the glass with
the words “Employees Only” clearly painted on it. The officer
opened the door.
    “This isn’t a public entrance sir. If you
have court business, please go to the new building across the
parking lot.”
    “I only want to speak to the DA and Ms.
Rousselle. I’m with the Fox Network and--”
    “Sir, you can’t come in,” the officer
repeated in a monotone that implied he was used to repeating those
words.
    LaShaun looked back only briefly as Hazelton
led them deeper into the historic old building. Schaffer’s attempts
at impressing the officer fell on deaf ears. LaShaun smiled as
Schaffer’s voice rose in frustration.
    “You can bet he’ll be waiting for us,” Chase
said with a grimace.
    “Who is that clown anyway?” Hazelton said. He
waved them into a small conference room. A younger man dressed in a
dark gray suit entered and shut the door.
    “The lead investigator of spooky happenings
on a show called Ghost Team USA,” LaShaun started.
    “My wife loves that show,” the younger man
said. He shrugged when Hazelton sighed. “Sorry, but it’s kind of
popular. I’m Josh Labadie by the way, assistant DA.”
    He grinned at them and nodded. His honey
blonde all-American-boy-next door good looks contrasted with
Hazelton’s dark, somber facade.
    “Nice to meet you,” LaShaun said. He seemed
less keyed up, and more accessible than his boss. Yet she also
sensed he used his charm as a weapon to disarm.