“What makes him so great?”

Rainey’s eyes light up at the mention of Christian Life’s principal minister.

“I’ve actually met him only once,” she says, giving me a rueful smile that is becoming familiar, “but as a preacher the man radiates peace.

Even the Sunday after Leigh was charged, you couldn’t tell the turmoil he must have been feeling.”

I lean back in my chair so exasperated with her I can’t eat anymore. I would be glowing a bit myself if five thousand people were showing up every week to hear me beat my gums.

“Maybe he was at peace because his church raised half a million dollars for her bail by the next day.”

Rainey gives me an indulgent smile.

“Think how you would feel if Sarah were charged with murdering her husband. You’d be bananas.”

I am capable of murder, but Sarah is not. She feels guilty if she accidentally steps on an ant. I start to make some asinine crack, but catch myself. Rainey will clam up if I’m not careful.

“You’re right,” I say.

“So have you heard any stories about Leigh’s marriage while you’ve been there?”

“Don’t ask her to snoop on her own church!” Sarah yelps at me.

“It’s not right!” She glares at me as if I had demanded that Rainey stake out the women’s bathroom at Christian Life.

“It’s okay, Sarah,” Rainey says.

“He’s just trying to find out the truth about what happened.”

I nod, ridiculously pleased that Rainey is defending me.

“All I’m trying to do,” I tell my daughter, “is get some information.” At seventeen, Sarah is an idealist. I don’t begrudge her this unrealistic phase in her life. I must have gone through one myself to run off and join the Peace Corps after college. Still, people like my daughter can be a pain in the butt, especially if they are charged with a crime. In my last big case I defended one who almost drove me crazy.

Sarah shakes her head.