Bluegrass State of Mind (25 page)

“
And if he pleads no
contest?”

“
He loses his license for
thirty days, mandatory alcohol counseling, and a hundred hours of
community service.” She kept her eyes on his and knew she was
pushing it.

“
One hundred hours! Ms.
Mason that is uncalled for. You are clearly prejudiced against my
client.”

Kenna rolled her eyes, “Mr. Nichols,
your client coached when I was still in high school. You think I
give a damn about that? I am giving him community service and I
want that service to be performed with children to make up for
having his granddaughter in the car with him. I will move you to
the afternoon docket so that you can confer with your client.” Mr.
Nichols nodded and stormed out of the room fishing out his cell
phone as he left.

“
Very impressive, Miss
Mason,” a voice said from behind her.

Kenna spun around to find Judge Cooper
leaning against the door frame. “Your Honor,” Kenna placed her hand
on her heart, “you startled me. I didn’t know anyone was in here.”
She gestured around the attorney meeting room just outside of the
courtroom.

Judge Cooper shrugged his shoulders,
“I probably shouldn’t have stopped by and eavesdropped, but it was
too interesting a negotiation to ignore. You know, Mr. Nichols is
the most sought after attorney in the state and his client is one
of the most loved figures in the state.”

“
Everyone likes to remind
me that I am not from around here. But I guess that is a plus for
once,” she said as she glanced at the clock. She had fallen behind
and needed to get these attorney conferences over soon.

“
You may just be right.
I’ll see you in the courtroom in ten minutes. We have a schedule to
keep after all.”

Kenna hurried through her next three
attorney conferences and then through a long morning traffic
docket. It seemed from today’s lengthy docket that no one believed
traffic violations were really breaking the law. She glanced at her
watch and figured she had just enough time to run to the Blossom
Cafe for a quick sandwich before the afternoon docket started. She
pushed open the door and was caught by surprise when several
microphones were shoved in her face.

“
Miss Mason, Miss Mason,
what is the status of Coach Faulk’s case?”

She guessed this was big news, but she
didn’t see how. Maybe it was because politicians and pro athletes
got pulled over in New York all the time. It only got a quick blurb
on Page Six. It had to reach the levels of vehicular manslaughter
or getting pulled over with a hooker in the car to garner
television coverage.

“
I am sorry, but I do not
comment on cases.”

“
Just a quick update, Miss
Mason!”

“
You can see for yourself
this afternoon. It’s a matter of public record and I can’t stop you
from entering the courtroom. But, I will not comment about a case
now, nor in the future. Now, if you all would excuse me, I would
like to grab some lunch. Thank you.” Kenna pushed her way through
the crowd and came face to face with Mr. Nichols.

“
Ma’am, I may have
misjudged you. Can we conference over lunch?”

She took note that his nose was no
longer red and he seemed much calmer. “And what has changed your
mind?”

“
I saw you make your way
through the media. I thought you were making such a stand so that
you could get the media attention.”

“
No, I am taking such a
stand because your client did something wrong. Now please, Mr.
Nichols, I only have fifteen minutes before we have to be back in
court. We can conference over lunch if you’d like.” She pushed open
the door to the cafe and went in. She noticed that he
followed.

Miss Daisy was making her rounds when
she saw Kenna come in. “I got a table right over there for you. The
Clerk was in earlier and said court was running long. I went ahead
and made you up some lunch. I will go get it, dear.” Before turning
to leave, Miss Daisy glanced at Mr. Nichols, “Will he be joining
you as well?”

“
Yes Ma’am. If you have
time, I will just take whatever I can get quickly.” Miss Daisy
harrumphed but went to get their lunch. It was clear Miss Daisy
knew Mr. Nichols and didn't have a high opinion of him. She wasn’t
really surprised though. It seemed the Rose sisters knew everyone.
Miss Daisy brought out olive nut sandwiches with a side of mixed
fresh fruit for them as they discussed the coach's case and came to
a settlement.

They walked out the door and back to
the courthouse, surrounded by reporters asking questions about
their lunch meeting. Kenna had to work at keeping her mouth shut
when a reporter suggested the prosecutor was in bed with the
defense. She managed to not hit anyone on the short trek across the
street. Although, she did smile when the heel of her shoe came down
hard on an overly aggressive reporter’s toe. Accidentally, of
course.

Court that afternoon went by quickly.
Only a couple of cases had to have full hearings and she was
relieved when Judge Cooper granted her sentencing suggestion for
Coach Faulk. She decided to leave the media to Mr. Nichols, and
went down to the basement of the courthouse where she then snuck
out the back door. It was easy to slip out the courthouse, down an
alley about three feet in width, and behind the row of buildings
lining Main Street. She came out in a courtyard belonging to the
library and walked around the building back onto Main Street. She
was now a good block past the reporters. She looked up the street
to her office and saw it was clear to cross.

"Hey! You looked great on TV this
afternoon!" Tammy said as soon as she walked in the
door.

Kenna gave a small groan, "I was on
TV?"

"Sure was. They only ran a clip of you
saying, ‘No comment’ though."

"You don't think this will get much
coverage, do you?" Kenna was starting to worry that Coach Faulk may
be a more popular figurehead than she thought.

"Well, it will get plenty of coverage
in the state, but probably not nationwide. Why?"

"No reason. Just don't like being on
TV. I always think I sound strange." Kenna tried to wave it off,
but took note that Tammy was looking at her a little too closely
now. "Well, work to do. I will be in my office."

"Knock, Knock." Kenna looked up from
her computer to find Mo leaning against the door frame. He looked
spectacular in a European cut black suit that she was sure had
Tammy drooling at her desk.

"Hey. What are you doing here?" She
cringed when she realized how that sounded, but was relieved when
Mo just laughed at her.

"I came to sweep you off your feet and
take you to my house to wine and dine you." Kenna couldn't stop the
giggle from escaping when she noticed Tammy stop dead in the
hallway behind Mo, using a file in her hand to fan
herself.

"Sorry Mo, but I have dinner plans
with Will tonight. We are going to go to this new restaurant in
Versailles tonight."

"I know, that's actually why I am
here. Will called me and asked me to look in on you. Last night
someone attacked one of the night guards on patrol. Knocked him
unconscious with a shovel. Will is staying with Naked Boot Leg
tonight to make sure nothing happens to him before the
Derby."

"That's horrible. When are they going
to find out who is behind this and arrest them?"

"We have a lead that we turned over to
the Sheriff and to Will. My men caught a license plate number off a
car that was speeding away last night. All we were able to find out
was that the car was reported stolen in Washington D.C. three weeks
ago."

Kenna felt the blood drain from her
face. She looked down and saw the file she was holding shaking.
"But these attacks have been going on for longer than
that."

"Yes, but the car was stolen from the
long term parking lot of the Washington Dulles International
Airport. The owner told the police he'd been overseas working for
the past six months. His roommate was supposed to pick up the car
in the long term lot when he got back from vacation a week later.
But the car wasn't there, so the friend figured the owner had his
mom pick it up and didn't bother to mention it to the owner. It
could be the person responsible for these attacks. Unfortunately,
the Sheriff's department here doesn't have a lot of pull in D.C.
and the airport isn't willing to review six months of archived
video surveillance."

"Well, I am glad there is some kind of
lead to follow, at least." She looked down at her computer and at
the motion in her hand. It was already five thirty and there was no
way to file it so late. She finished the Notice and printed it out.
She sat it on her chair to remind herself to file it in the morning
when the courts were open. "Okay, I am ready to be wined and
dined."

Dinner was amazing, as always. Mo's
French cook had outdone himself with the pheasant for dinner and
they finished it off with chocolate mousse.

"Don't you think it's about time you
tell me some about New York?" Mo asked as he scraped his spoon one
more time along the side of his empty glass.

Kenna blanched, "Um, like
what?"

"You know, you can trust me. You and I
both know you have been avoiding telling us all something that
happened up there. I can help if you need me to." He must have
noticed she was close to panic because he changed the subject, "For
now though, why don't you tell me about what you would do for fun.
I have been to New York many times to talk at the United Nations or
to see a play on Broadway. My family has donated to the museums as
well. It is a city full of activity and life."

Kenna managed a wobbly smile,
"Danielle and I would regularly go to the museums. If you
contributed to the Middle Eastern exhibit about a year ago at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, then we saw it!"

"My family did. Since I was already
over in the States, I attended the opening. My family, along with
several others in the area, loaned out some of our most precious
historical artwork. It is definitely an area of art that does not
get much attention and we were pleased to help teach so many about
our art history." Mo stood, "Why don't we go into the sitting room
and relax?"

Kenna stood and followed him from the
informal dinning room, down the hall, and into his private sitting
room. The room was not as large as the formal sitting room at the
front of the house, but the room housed the biggest flat screen
Kenna had ever seen. It was outfitted with the most comfortable
furniture too. She kicked off her heels as she curled up on one end
of a couch and sunk into the cushions. Mo took a seat at the other
end of the couch and turned toward her. She noticed he didn't take
off his shoes.

"You mentioned that you and Danielle
attended the exhibit. Was Danielle a friend of yours?"

"Yes. She was… is, my best friend. She
was my paralegal and took her day job almost as seriously as she
took her job outside of work. After we worked together for about
three months, Danielle came to me and told me she needed a raise. I
asked her what for and she responded by telling me she was taking a
second job on my behalf. Confused, I asked her what she was talking
about. She told me that I needed someone to show me how to have a
good time."

Mo laughed, "Did she show you how to
have a good time?"

"Yes," Kenna smiled, "She did. She
talked me into using my connections to get past the waiting lines
at the hottest clubs. We would spend the night dancing away. It was
the first time I did anything like that. During school, I was too
busy studying. We would have a blast. My sides would hurt the next
day from laughing as much as we did. We'd also go to museum
exhibits, plays, yoga, defense classes, movies, art showings, and
so much more together. She has a way of making any occasion fun.
She's beautiful, smart, and fun. She's just a good person
too."

"She sounds great. I would love to
meet her someday." His voice has a sad tone. "Being in my position,
it is hard to meet someone like that. I would love to have someone
make me go out and try new things. I have a tendency to stick to
what I know."

"Well then, let's start now. I see you
have a basketball goal over there." Kenna pointed to the mini goal
hanging on the closet door. A small basketball lay on a desk
nearby. "I challenge you to a game of basketball."

"Okay. What does the winner get?" Mo
looked over at the goal, "I know. Winner gets one favor from the
loser to be named at a future time."

Kenna narrowed her eyes, "That's kinda
broad, isn't it? What kind of favor?"

"I may need some legal assistance or
someone to attend a political gala with, as friends of course. If
you win, you may want to borrow my jet, or you may want my cook to
make a special dessert for you. Something along those
lines."

"Okay, deal." Kenna held her hand out
and Mo shook it. They stood up, took off their suit coats, and
placed them on the couch. As Mo tossed the basketball to her, she
got serious, "Each basket is one point. First to ten
wins."

Kenna was up nine to eight after a
tough battle. Her silk shirt was sticking to her and her hair was a
mess. Mo didn't look any better. His shirt was untucked and he'd
ditched his slick shoes to play in his socks. His normally gelled
back longer hair was shoved behind his ear and a trickle of sweat
ran down his angular face.