1 Motor City Shakedown (23 page)

“I still can’t believe it,” Issabella said. “It looks better than I could have imagined.”

“I’m pretty fond of it, too,” he said.

“How much did you have to spend to do all of this?”

He squeezed her tighter to him and kissed the top of her head.

“Uh-uh. We agreed that was not an issue. I have money. I spent money on us because we’re worth it. It’s that simple.”

“Darren?”

“Hmm?”

“Where did you really get all your money?”

Darren shrugged, and was quiet. Around them, the downtown streets were alive with motion and activity.

“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“I’m a man of mystery, Izzy.”

She opened her mouth, ready to press the topic, but decided against it. They had plenty of time to tell their stories to one another. Inwardly, she rejoiced at the idea, and leaned her head on his
good shoulder.

“Do you think we’ll ever have a stranger case than Vernon Pullins?”

“I hope so,” he said. “Personally, I can’t stand going to court. Lawyering is deadly dull business, you know.”

“Oh, good,” she said, and clucked her tongue. “Exactly what you want to hear from your new business partner.
Good to know. And here I thought you were reformed.”

“Semi-reformed.
I had the contractors build me a mini-bar in my office.”

“You should stop talking.”

Darren hefted the gift-wrapped rectangle up in front of them and put it in Issabella’s hands.

“Let’s do this, counselor” he said.

Issabella tore the wrapping paper away and held the rectangle out in front of them. She laughed and nodded her head in approval. She was holding a framed and matted front page of the
Detroit Free Press
.

The headline read “POLICE CORRUPTION” in huge type-face and, under it, a smaller headline, “
Local Attorneys Expose Police Drug, Murder Conspiracy
”.

Darren started to walk toward the entrance of the building, and Issabella followed after him.

“I thought we’d hang it right above the reception area,” he said. “Let the clients know we mean business.”

“An excellent idea,” she agreed.

He held the door for her and they walked inside.

Book Two:
Daddy Issues