The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Logan (best novels to read to improve english .txt) 📕

“When ye make an appearance, ye’ll get crosswise with Stanton. Remember, he’s yer boss,” Cullen said.

Braham sighed, making a brief gesture of frustration. “Former boss. I’ll not stand idly by while he abuses the constitution. I’ll resign prior to becoming attorney of record.”

Charlotte cleared her throat delicately. “How should we handle Gordon?”

Braham wheeled on her with a ferocious glare. “How the hell is Henly involved in this?”

She cringed as Cullen handed Braham a page from the record. “A man we believe is Henly’s personal driver is on the witness list. Here’s a copy of his testimony. Charlotte says it’s fabricated.”

Braham’s hand shook as he read the statement. “Booth was here? In my house?” His glare intensified. “Why didn’t ye tell me?”

A hot flush burned up her neck to her cheeks. She shot him a quick glance, not sure whether to apologize or duck and run. “Jack and I decided…not to. It was a mistake, I admit. But at the time you were bent on killing him.”

“It does explain why Jack and Henly showed up together at the bar at the Willard not long after Henly took ye home,” Braham said.

“It might be in Jack’s best interest if ye’re not the attorney of record. We might need ye to testify,” Cullen said.

Braham scratched his chin. “We have two days to consider the ramifications. First we need to draft the writ.”

“Already written,” Cullen said.

“When’d ye find time?” Braham asked.

“I didn’t. Elliott’s research team drafted complaints, motions, and briefs based on mid-nineteenth-century law. When we start filing documents, the commission will feel blindsided, and Stanton will believe there’s a security leak.”

Charlotte’s empty stomach reminded her she hadn’t eaten. “Let’s go to the Willard for dinner and show Washington Jack has a formidable force behind him.”

“No,” Braham, Cullen, and David said loudly, and in unison.

Charlotte jerked back away from the blast of testosterone. “I thought—”

“We’ve got to be inconspicuous,” Cullen said. “We don’t want to show our hand, especially to Henly. If he knows ye’re in town, he might conveniently manufacture an incriminating statement to get ye locked up in the Old Arsenal, too.”

“Do you mean I can’t leave the house without this disguise?”

“It’s exactly what we mean,” Braham said. “But wear whatever ye want inside. Yer identity is safe with the staff. David, however, can come and go as he pleases. The city is so crowded no one will be suspicious of a newcomer hanging around the hotels and clubs,” Braham said.

“Do ye think we should decamp to Georgetown where we’ll have guaranteed privacy to prepare for trial?” Cullen asked.

“Once you take on Jack’s representation,” Charlotte said, “you’ll be ostracized. It’s what happens to Captain Frederick Aiken, Mary Surratt’s attorney. I don’t think people will throw bricks through your windows, but you never know. Today you’re a hero. No one will understand how you could agree to represent one of the conspirators.”

“I’ll be yer ears on the ground,” David said. “I’ll follow up with the witnesses as well. And since Henly is a drug addict, I’ll push him a bit. Make him nervous.”

“Whatever you do, please be careful,” she said.

“Ye know I will, Charley, and while I’m gone, ye need to rest. Ye haven’t slept much the last three days. Ye won’t help Jack if ye’re too tired to think clearly.” David emptied his whisky glass and set it on the table. “If ye’ll excuse me, I’d like a bath. Then I’ll start at the Willard. I want to find Henly tonight and start surveillance, but I’ll need a description.”

Braham returned the carriage driver’s statement to Cullen. “I’ll be at the hotel later. I’ll give ye a signal when I spot him or anyone else of interest.”

Cullen gathered his papers and his half-emptied glass. “I’ll be in the office.”

Charlotte yawned as she crossed the room and set her empty glass on a silver tray next to the decanter. “I’m going to take a nap. If anything develops, wake me up.” She spoke quickly to Edward about bringing a tray to her room. As tired as she was, though, she didn’t think she’d be able to stay awake long enough to eat. But when he brought up a tray a little while later, the plate of chicken salad and piece of pound cake revived her.

She was standing at the window, gazing out toward the White House, when someone knocked on her door. “Come in.” Charlotte turned, half expecting Jack to walk into the room. She smiled at Braham.

“We’ll get him out. I don’t know how. But we will, and we’ll get yer life back the way it should be.”

“It’s too late. This situation has already changed my life irrevocably. No one can undo what’s happened to me, but I don’t matter. Jack does.”

“You matter to me, lass. To Jack, too.”

“Whatever you tell him, please don’t tell him my future changed. We’ll get it sorted out later.”

“I promise.”

David walked past her door then quickly returned. Leaning against the doorjamb, he said to Braham, “I’ll meet ye in the billiard room at the Willard in a couple of hours.”

“David, wait.” Charlotte rushed to the door and grasped his arm. “About Gordon—”

“I’ve met plenty of men like Henly. I can handle him.”

“He’s an abusive man and can be vicious. Don’t turn your back on him. Be careful.”

David tugged on her earlobe. “Get some rest, Charley. Ye’re barely able to stay on yer feet. Do not wait up for me. I’ll give ye a report at breakfast.”

She smiled and waved. “Okay.” When she turned and caught the wounded expression on Braham’s face, her breath hitched. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. I’ve got to go. Get some rest.” He brushed past her, but she caught his arm, tugged on it, and pulled him back into her room.

“You can’t just leave without explaining. What’s the matter?”

“I noticed the way ye look at him. That’s all.”

“And how do I look at him?” she asked.

“Like I want ye to look at me.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and held his eyes. “I love