Kate stared into the darkness of her garden. “It’s hard to say.”

“Did you warn Matt about the knife?”

“I told him what happened.”

“Did he seem concerned?”

“No.”

“Kate, the case law basically lays out three conditions for breaching client confidentiality: there must be a clear and identifiable risk to a person, there must be risk of serious bodily harm or death, and the danger must be imminent. In the case where these conditions were described, the accused had told a psychiatrist about his wish to harm his girlfriend.”

“I think the answer to all three conditions is ‘maybe’.”

“I think have your answer. You aren’t obstructing justice if you don’t know the whereabouts of Aiden or Matt. And there aren’t grounds for breaching your duty of confidentiality if the risk isn’t imminent and clear. Aiden Boyne has never threatened to harm Matt, has he?”

“No. Matt says that Aiden needs his help.” Kate pushed a strand of increasingly lank hair from her forehead.

“Welcome to the murky world of criminal defense, Kate.”

“I now understand why coffee is swilled at midnight.”

“Well, this case happens to have more twists to it than the usual break-and-enters. You’ll find the daily grind a breeze after this.”

“Baptism-by-fire seems to be my modus operandi.” Kate glanced at the clock on the wall. “Listen, I need to run to the hospital and give Leah the heads up that Matt has the laptop. Maybe she knows why Aiden would want to meet with him.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“It’s not necessary, Eddie. Just keep your phone by you in case I have another ethical dilemma.”

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

10:08 p.m.

The ICU was hushed, low voices, light foot treads, and the muted beeping of machines greeting Kate as she tapped on the door to Leah’s room. She was alone.

Leah was so pale that her veins backlit her skin. But she seemed to possess more vitality. Sometime during the afternoon her body had crossed a threshold and left death on the other side. “Did Matt figure out Aiden’s identity?”

“Not yet. But he said he’d help you.”

“I knew he would.” Her client’s eyes glimmered, hope in her gaze.

It made it all the more difficult for Kate to tell Leah why she was really here. Could her client physically handle the news? “Matt has your laptop.”

“Oh, thank God!” Leah gave a faint smile. “How did he get it?”

Kate lowered her voice. “He asked Joey to take it from your apartment.”

Leah flinched. “No.” The word came out as a moan. “Why would he do that?” Her gaze searched Kate’s.

“He was trying to protect you. I think your brother was, too.”

“What will happen to Joey?” Leah shot a panicked glance at the door. “The police are already looking for him. They want to question him.”

“That’s their job.”

“Can you help him?”