Due Diligence E-Book

Cecile Tellier

• Herausgeber: Cecile Tellier
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Grace Barlowe is a veterinarian with secrets. Noah Madden is a successful young lawyer who is determined to find out what they are. Will her secrets ultimately be their downfall?

*Due Diligence, Due Justice Duet book 2, is a MF romance that follows secondary characters from book 1, and also ends with a HEA. These titles are meant to be read in order. 

Leseprobe

DUE DILIGENCE

DUE JUSTICE DUET BOOK 2

CECILE TELLIER

As always I dedicate this book to my mother, my husband, and my family. This year specifically I dedicate my book to my Father who passed away unexpectedly in January. While we may not have had a typical relationship he was always one of my biggest cheerleaders. Don’t worry Dad, I got it from here.

I also would like to dedicate this book to Janine Infante-Bosco who has just consistently given opportunities for authors to grow and succeed over the years. TNT is always home to me.

Last, but definitely not least a huge tackle hug of appreciation and love for Lynn Burke. She is the Shirley to my Laverne and always up for adventure! Besties for life!

CONTENTS

1. -Noah-

2. -Grace-

3. -Noah-

4. -Grace-

5. -Noah-

6. -Grace-

7. -Noah-

8. -Grace-

9. -Noah-

10. -Grace-

11. -Noah-

12. About the Author

Due Diligence - Due Justice Duet Book 2

Copywrite Cecile Tellier @ 2022.

All characters, events, and environments in this book are a work of fiction and any resemblance to nonfictional settings or people are coincidental.

Trigger Warnings:

Discussion of domestic violence.

Violence

BDSM

There are adult themes and some content that may be sensitive to readers.

-NOAH-

-Noah-

The shrill ringtone of his work cell woke Noah from his light sleep instantly. “Fucking hell…”

Picking up the cell, he punched the speaker button. “Noah speaking.”

“Oh, thank fuck, Noah. They just arrested Silas. They said they had fresh evidence and had arrest and search warrants.” Troy, Noah’s junior associate attorney’s voice came across the phone.

“Okay, calm down, Troy. First, how did you find out and second, what charge did they read him when they arrested him?” Noah walked across the bedroom into his home office and began jotting notes on a notepad while talking.

“Well, I mean, I was at his place when they came. He had met with me at the bar, and we had come back here…they’re charging him with murder in the second degree…” Troy’s suddenly unsteady voice raised alarms for him.

“What steps do we take when clients become detained, Troy?” He purposefully kept his voice level and tone calm.

“We get the information of when they are scheduled to be arraigned, and we attend to find out bail status…”

“That is right, and that is all we can do. It is highly unlikely we can do that after midnight, however. Silas is a tough son of a bitch; he will be okay until Monday morning when I can arrive in person and find out what this new nonsense is about. With those charges and his money, it is unlikely the bail magistrate is going to post him bail before he can go to court. I don’t think it was an accident that they waited this late to arrest him, either.” He doubted it was something minor that was a grasp at straws or an attempt to grandstand on the prosecution’s side.

“You’re right, Noah. I’m sorry, it was unexpected, and I don’t have too many criminal cases in my experience. Thank you.” Troy’s voice sounded slightly calmer but also had a sense of self-depreciation that he hadn’t noticed before.

“You did the right thing Troy, you called me. You can’t control what happens with clients, with law enforcement, or with other lawyers. What you can do is react appropriately, which you did. I want you to get some rest because on Monday we will go in there and raise hell. I need you ready for that.”

“Yes…of course! I will be ready, Noah. Thank you again for taking me on. I will not let you down.” Troy’s voice sounded choked with emotion that Noah had never heard from him before.

“Take some breaths, get some rest. We will handle this Monday morning. You did just what I’d ask. Go to sleep, Troy.” Noah reiterated, concerned that someone he’d sensed had no weaknesses suddenly sounded so unsure. He wasn’t sure what to make of Silas having Troy at his place that late but decided that was something he could parse together tomorrow. He left a message for his clerk on the office line and then wandered back to his bed. Setting his alarm, he once again let sleep claim him.

Walking into the Boston Municipal Court first thing Monday morning was not exactly Noah’s idea of a great start to the week. He had spent the entirety of his weekend researching everything he could about Silas’ case and arrest.

After getting through security, he walked up to the court clerk and offered his card. “I believe my client is about to go in for arraignment. I represent Silas Barlowe.” They led him into the courtroom where Silas was standing at the bar in front of the judge, wearing a gray jail uniform. 

The court clerk exclaimed Silas’ name and stated, “Silas Barlowe, you are being charged today with second degree murder. The prosecution alleges that a week ago on Thursday morning, you knowingly inflicted a fatal injury to Brian Parsons by stabbing him repeatedly, including stabbing him in the neck. I will enter a plea of not guilty on your behalf to protect your rights.”

The Judge reviewed Silas’s previous criminal history, which, though not squeaky clean, had nothing outside of a few fights over the years. He had paid fines and done restitution when necessary and had no felonies or outstanding probation. The Judge asked the Probation representative if Silas qualified for assigned council to which they responded in the negative.

“Very well, young man. It will be your responsibility to hire a lawyer.” The Judge looked over the dais at Silas.

“My lawyer is present, your honor. Noah Madden.” Silas remarked, which was the only sign to Noah that Silas had noted his arrival.

“Excellent, come up to the bar please, Mr. Madden.” The Judge waved him up to the front. He approached the dais.

“We would like to request bail, your honor.” Noah remarked while standing in the front.

“Present your argument then.” The Judge remarked, looking unimpressed at this request.

“Your honor, Silas has lived in Boston his entire life. He has a sister here and has an extremely successful company. He was involved in a house invasion where he felt forced to defend himself against a gunman, and unfortunately this resulted in that gunman dying. The state must prove that Mr. Barlowe did not act in proper self-defense. I intend to prove that not only was this justified homicide by self-defense, that the method in which they investigated it did not follow proper procedures. My client has no reason to leave the area and stayed in the area for the week after the initial questioning and has shown no intent to resist or flee.”

The Assistant District Attorney Greg Harlan stood then, and Noah knew that the shaky ADA was remembering his track record against him in court. “Just so, he has the means to abscond should he choose to. He stabbed a man to death and did not react as though he had any regrets about doing so.”

“Your honor, where in the self-defense instructions does it mention that the defendant must feel regret or remorse for defending themselves?” Noah spoke sharply, while looking directly at Greg.

 The Judge shook his head at the two of them. “Enough, you’ve both made your points. I will set the bail at $250,000. We will set the pretrial date for four weeks from now. If you do not appear at any of your court dates, not only will you lose your money, but I will also issue a warrant for your arrest. If you violate any of the terms of your release, or commit another crime, your recognizance will be revoked, and you will be held without bail for up to 90 days.”

“We understand, your honor, thank you.” Noah finished before the Judge set the pretrial date and banged his gavel, showing court was out of session.

Noah followed the officer and Silas to the clerk’s office, where Noah opened his briefcase, where he had prepared the bail money ahead of time. They filled out the paperwork and made the deposit for bail. Once Silas could change back into his clothing and they retrieved what belongings he’d had on him, including his wallet, they made their way out of the courthouse.

Noah stepped out to where Troy was waiting with his car. One look at Troy’s face when Silas emerged behind him had him cursing and pointing straight ahead of him. “Get in the car, both of you. Don’t look, don’t blink, don’t talk, get in the car.”

Sliding into the front seat, he cursed again and turned to investigate the backseat.