In Plain Sight

In Plain Sight
Tara Taylor Quinn

On the outside, Arizona chief prosecutor Janet McNeil is the epitome of a driven, daring attorney who lives life by her own rules. But inside, her world is in chaos.Terrifying nightmares keep her in a constant state of anxiety. Yet saving face is imperative now that she's prosecuting a member of a white supremacy organization, a killer who wouldn't think twice about using his twisted followers to silence Janet for good.Neighbor Simon Green is the only person who isn't begging her to quit the case. Simon, an ex-police officer with dark secrets of his own, understands how vital it is to obliterate violence and hate. But when one word from the most unlikely source threatens to change their lives forever, Janet must decide what risks she's willing to take.

In Plain Sight

Tara Taylor Quinn

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)

For Sherry Stephens, who is as pure on deeper levels as she is on the surface. Thank you for your joy, your example and for a unique and treasured friendship.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens, her staff and Sheriff’s Deputy David Parra for generously sharing their inside look at a world I’d never seen. You have remarkable strength and endurance, and the citizens of Maricopa County are blessed to have you there helping to keep them safe.

Contents

Chapter 1 (#uaa57fc47-d0f8-5aa7-a46a-3fc521962b86)

Chapter 2 (#uc4ab1de3-9a7d-57a4-9cf7-110f8bc1d0f9)

Chapter 3 (#ued1e07fa-822f-5e86-a67a-c7091df6ade4)

Chapter 4 (#uecea16a9-cf4c-51dd-8509-296a9ab1651d)

Chapter 5 (#u16c1a40e-8768-5ef4-aa7d-136042284be1)

Chapter 6 (#uf21fc1c6-be3e-5614-8a15-410038610306)

Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 21 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 22 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 23 (#litres_trial_promo)

1

“Any questions?” chief prosecutor Janet McNeil asked the insolent young man slouched across from her. His cuffed hands shifted behind him at the scarred table in the private conference room.

“You said you were going to offer us a plea.”

Jan shook her head at Gordon Michaels, a well-known Flagstaff defense attorney, and returned her attention to the defendant, Jacob Hall. He’d been arraigned the week before, with a trial date set for the middle of December—the maximum amount of time allowed by the law that ensured Hall the right to a speedy trial.

“No plea. I changed my mind.” Staring down the defendant, she answered his attorney. I’ve got you, buddy, for at least ninety days. That gives me time to find sufficient proof in the new evidence to lock you away forever.

The green snake etched into Hall’s arm flicked its black tongue in the direction of his neck. The ink elsewhere on his body was so thick that she couldn’t make out specific designs.

“Come on, Jan. What’s the maximum he can get on one count of identity theft?”

“By itself, four years.”

“So give us a plea for three. Save the state the cost of a trial.”

She didn’t take her eyes off the twenty-three-year-old white supremacist. She’d been trying to convict him since he turned eighteen. How many lives had been lost in those five years? And all because, even though the cops did their job and made the arrests, she couldn’t get enough on Hall to make anything stick.

“I’m adding charges for credit card and financial institution fraud, as well,” she told them.

Jacob Hall didn’t blink, didn’t flinch—and didn’t look away. The man was completely without conscience. And in possession of more physical agility, strength and intelligence than this world could withstand.

“Both federal offenses,” she continued, “and with priors, they could carry up to thirty years.”

Hall gave her a condescending smile. He showed no fear. Jan didn’t think it was an act. The man was completely confident she’d never get a conviction.

For a second, he had her. Tendrils of fear crawled from her belly into her chest.

“You didn’t make this jail call just as a courtesy to inform us of further charges, Ms. McNeil. That’s not like you—you’re a busy woman,” Michaels said, his voice coming from her right. “And since there’s no plea, I’m assuming you’ve got a deal to offer us.”

Pulling her gaze away from the defendant, Jan focused on Michaels. She’d known him since law school and had argued against him several times. The colorless man was basically a good guy—a top-rate defense attorney, sure, but he won his cases without playing dirty.

“Yes, I do,” she said, determined not to let weakness win. She turned back to Hall. “I want a list of names, places, dates. I want descriptions—in vivid detail. Give me Bobby Donahue and the people who help him run the Ivory Nation, and I’ll give you consideration on a sentencing recommendation.”