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intent.”
    “Not murder?”
    “I’m going to try for conspiracy to commit murder, but you know how unlikely we are to get it. Yeoman has an excellent alibi for the time frame.”
    “I know,” she said, shaking her head. “I know. What are the chances this Kirkle will give Yeoman up?”
    “I think once the trial date is set and he’s looking at his third strike on top of parole violation, he’ll flip.”
    She looked thoughtful. “And when he testifies against Yeoman, then Yeoman goes down too?”
    “That’s the plan,” Harte agreed, “ if Kirkle makes a credible witness and the jury believes that Yeoman sent him and the others to threaten your grandfather.”
    “Can you prove it’s Yeoman who’s trying to run me down?”
    “I think so. I think it will be fairly easy to show him as a thug who hires thugs,” Harte continued. “It matches his style.”
    She ducked her head and took a sip of coffee. “Beating an old man to death,” she muttered.
    When she looked up, Harte was surprised to see a shimmer of dampness in her eyes. The two times he’d talked to her over the past three months since he’d been appointed to the case, she’d been determined and angry about her grandfather’s murder. Not once had he seen even the hint of a tear.
    “Okay,” she said, straightening. “I’ll do whatever I have to.”
    He was absolutely sure that was true. The spark in her golden brown eyes spoke of the kind of person she was. If she wanted something, she went after it. She didn’t sit back and wait. It wasn’t in her nature.
    “Look at the bright side. It’s possible the trial could even be over in a few days.”
    She eyed him narrowly. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”
    He shrugged, being truthful. “No one knows anything for sure until it starts. But I can promise you this. Until the trial is over and Yeoman is in prison, you are in danger and it’s my responsibility to keep you safe.”
    “Thank you,” Dani said grudgingly.
    “Have you heard who defense counsel is? Felix Drury.”
    “Jury Drury? I’ve heard he’s been known to list dozens of potential witnesses on his intent-to-call list.” Drury was one of the best-known defense attorneys in Orleans Parish. He was known for his ruthlessness, cleverness and charm. He’d defended some very famous and very infamous people.
    Harte nodded. “He’s a shark.”
    “Can you limit the number of witnesses he can call?”
    “There’s not much case law on limiting the number of witnesses,” Harte said. “All I can do is discredit them or object if he tries to parade too many character witnesses in front of the jury. Of course, even if he doesn’t bombard us with witnesses, even if he rests early, the jury could take forever to deliberate.”
    “I thought you were confident,” she said, frowning.
    “I am fairly confident, but there are problems. You didn’t actually see the men, and you’re the only witness to what they said. As you know, that can be construed as hearsay. Chester Kirkle is wavering. I think he’ll roll on Yeoman. Until he signs on the dotted line, he’s a wild card. So it very well may come down to your veracity versus Yeoman’s reputation.”
    “Why is that even a question? He’s a drug dealer and I’m a public defender.”
    “He owns twenty-three Hasty Mart convenience stores in the New Orleans area. On paper, he’s a fine, upstanding businessman who made a couple of mistakes in his youth. He’s known for his substantial political contributions as well as community support. And he’s never been arrested as an adult,” Harte said.
    “Oh my gosh, the way you’re talking, he sounds a lot more like a model citizen than a thug. We’ve probably already lost.”
    “Not if I can help it. I’ve got some feelers out about his connection with Stamps and Paul Guillame.”
    Dani groaned as she rose to put her mug in the sink. “So the trial could last from one day to forever. Please don’t make me stay locked