“A client?” Although Rob had graduated from the competitive and not inexpensive University of Virginia School of Law and subsequently passed the bar exam with a bare minimum of study, he hadn’t ever actually practiced law. “No offense intended, Rob, but—”

“Yeah, I know,” he said. “My legal prowess isn’t exactly legendary. But the chief has arrested a couple of teenagers for pulling the pranks—”

“Ronnie Butler and Caleb Shiffley?” I asked.

“Wow, word really gets around fast,” he said. “Yeah, and Caleb is Randall’s second cousin once removed, and Randall’s having trouble getting hold of any of the local defense attorneys, so he’s hired me to go down and hold the kid’s hand till the big guns get there.”

“Rob, I don’t want to cast aspersions—” I began.

“I know I’m not qualified to represent the kid in something that could turn into a murder rap,” he said. “But I can make sure he keeps his trap shut until a real defense attorney arrives. I know my limitations. And so does Randall. He’s still making calls.”

“If the Butlers are having the same problem finding a lawyer, keep an eye out for Ronnie, too,” I said.

“I will if I can get there,” he said. “I wish someone would tell me why half the time Judge Shiffley insists on holding court in her barn when there are several perfectly good courtrooms over there in the town hall.”

“Because she can,” I said. “And she likes barns better than courtrooms.”

“Whatever,” he said. “Can you take me?”

“Let me check with Michael,” I said, pulling out my phone.

“He and the boys went to pick up his mother at the airport,” Rob said. “They’re going to keep her out of your hair until this evening.”

“Did he actually say that?”

“No,” Rob said. “But that’s what he meant.”

I called Michael anyway.

“We’re just waiting for Mom’s luggage,” he said. “And once we get her settled at the house, she wants to take the boys down to the pond, so we can start teaching them to ice-skate. Want to join us?”

“I do, but my shoulder doesn’t,” I said. “I’ll see you back at home later.”

I hung up and turned to Rob, who was glancing at his watch and dancing from foot to foot.

“I assume if you’re out there representing Caleb and Ronnie that the chief is out there, too.”

“Far as I know,” he said.

“Good,” I said. “I need to talk to him, so I’ll take you out there. Assuming the roads are clear that far.”

“Awesome,” he said. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 26