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professional associates and see what we find there. Maybe we’re looking for an attorney who’d had enough of Rutledge’s style of justice. Or a clerk he treated badly one time too many.”
    “His wife has been dead for two years,” Lori offered, “we may be looking for a scorned lover. There’s Viagra in his medicine cabinet.”
     “Detective Cook,” Jess turned to the youngest member of their team, “start with the housekeeper and let’s find out if she failed to mention a girlfriend or a companion.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Jess made her way to her desk and rounded up her sweater and bag.
    “I have the list of professional associates.” Lori flipped through the file she’d retrieved from her desk. “This lineup is interesting.”
    Tugging on the pink sweater that had quickly become her third trimester favorite, Jess mentally ran through the names she’d read on the list. “No doubt. On the rare occasions when the judge socialized, he was certainly among the powerful and elite of the Magic City.”
    Birmingham’s hierarchy hadn’t changed much for as far back as Jess could remember. Most of the current upper crust had connections going back to those who changed Birmingham from a fledgling community off the map to the Pittsburg of the south. Dan’s family was among those old money clans.
    “Our former mayor and our victim go way back.” Lori closed the file. “Isn’t his trial coming up soon?”
    Jess slung the strap of her bag over her shoulder. “It’s set for May. Dan thinks he’ll take a plea deal. His attorney turned down the one the DA offered last month.” Former Mayor Joseph Pratt was charged with a number of crimes, not the least of which were misuse of funds and the abuse of power. Dan’s career had almost been destroyed because of Pratt’s devious conduct.
    “We could start with him.” Lori grabbed her bag and jacket and headed for the door. “He’s on house arrest. I doubt he has anything better to do.”
    Jess couldn’t deny the little burst of glee she felt at the idea. “Let’s go make his day then.”
    As they reached the elevator, Jess settled her hand on her belly. “We have to stop for lunch on the way. This baby does not like to wait.”
    Lori pressed the call button for the elevator. “I cannot wait to start looking and feeling pregnant!”
    Jess laughed. “You do remember that less than a year ago we were both totally focused on our careers. Babies and husbands weren’t in our five-year plans.”
    The doors glided open and they stepped into the elevator car. Jess braced against the back wall and waited for the elevator to bump into motion. She’d learned quickly that sudden movements could be problematic to her balance these days.
    “You started it,” Lori reminded her. “The next thing I knew I had the fever, too.”
    “Guilty as charged.” To this day Jess wondered if subconsciously she’d missed those birth control pills on purpose. Whatever the case, in just over two weeks she and Dan were going to be parents. “So, have you and Harper started discussing baby names?”
    “We’re making our lists. Once we’ve picked out our individual favorites, we’ll negotiate.”
    Jess laughed so hard the baby jumped. “I’d like to be a fly on the wall during your negotiations.”
    Lori grinned. “Boy names will be easier. Since Chester is already named after him, we’re thinking of my father or his for boy names. I think I’ll win that negotiation.”
    Chet’s son would be four by the time the baby was born. Jess imagined there would be a few awkward moments when Chet’s ex heard the news. On the other hand, she had taken the announcement that Chet and Lori were getting married fairly well. Maybe this one would be as easy.
    “Our boy name is a given,” Jess said, “we’ll name him after Dan. Selecting a name for a little girl hasn’t been so easy. Dan wants to name her after me or at least to use my middle name.”
    “Are you okay with