Smash Cut (4 page)
Authors: Sandra Brown
Tags: #Legal, #Suspense, #Fiction, #General, #Georgia, #Thrillers, #Rich people, #Atlanta (Ga.), #Trials (Murder), #Legal stories, #Rich People - Georgia
His hands went straight to the fourth pearl button on her blouse, undid it and the one below it. He pushed his hands inside her blouse, and placed them on her breasts, squeezed gently, caressed the tight centers. She gasped into his mouth.
Holding the kiss, she fumbled with his belt and fly while he slid his hands down the outsides of her thighs, then pushed up her skirt until he could reach her panties. He peeled them down, past knees, past high heels.
He nudged himself between her legs, clasped her hips, and with one strong thrust buried himself inside her.
Holding the kiss, she fumbled with his belt and fly while he slid his hands down the outsides of her thighs, then pushed up her skirt until he could reach her panties. He peeled them down, past knees, past high heels.
He nudged himself between her legs, clasped her hips, and with one strong thrust buried himself inside her.
When it was over, they laughed shakily and self-consciously.
Finally she lifted her head from his shoulder. Awkwardly they separated. He noticed how flushed her face and chest were as she clumsily tried to match buttons to buttonholes.
He tucked in his shirttail, zipped up, and buckled his belt while she pulled on her jacket. She reached for her underwear, which hed flung aside in haste, but she didnt put them on. He helped her to stand and then to smooth down her skirt. There was barely room for them to stand face-to-face.
He stroked her cheek. It felt feverish. Her lips looked swollen. He thought about kissing her again. He wanted to.
But before he could, she said, You go first. I need to tidy up.
Okay.
For proprietys sake I should return to my assigned seat.
That was disappointing. Hed hoped they would finish the flight sitting together, holding hands while they made small talk, savoring this delicious, guilty secret, looking at each other and shaking their heads and laughing over the absurdity of it.
He gave her his most engaging grin. Can I change your mind about that?
No. Its best.
Are you okay?
Yes. She said it a bit too quickly, and must have realized it, because she nodded, repeating, Yes.
Do you regret it?
For the first time since theyd finished, she looked directly into his face. Not in the least.
Good, he whispered, smiling. See you on the ground.
See you on the ground.
He opened the door a crack, and when he saw that the coast was clear, he slipped out. He heard her lock the door behind him. None of the other passengers seemed to have stirred. The galley curtain was still drawn. Their glasses were still on the armrest. He collapsed into his seat, sated.
Feeling bloody fabulous, actually.
It was several minutes before she passed him on the way to her assigned seat. As she went by, she gave him a meaningful look but didnt say anything. He watched her get settled, then picked up his book, switched on his task light, and tried to read. But the words wouldnt register. He had a good vodka buzz going, and that was making him drowsy. Andwho was he kidding?he wanted to relive those few minutes in the lavatory.
What a reckless thing to do.
What fantastic fucking.
What an incredible woman.
As he drifted into sleep, he was aware of the sappy smile on his lips.
Finally she lifted her head from his shoulder. Awkwardly they separated. He noticed how flushed her face and chest were as she clumsily tried to match buttons to buttonholes.
He tucked in his shirttail, zipped up, and buckled his belt while she pulled on her jacket. She reached for her underwear, which hed flung aside in haste, but she didnt put them on. He helped her to stand and then to smooth down her skirt. There was barely room for them to stand face-to-face.
He stroked her cheek. It felt feverish. Her lips looked swollen. He thought about kissing her again. He wanted to.
But before he could, she said, You go first. I need to tidy up.
Okay.
For proprietys sake I should return to my assigned seat.
That was disappointing. Hed hoped they would finish the flight sitting together, holding hands while they made small talk, savoring this delicious, guilty secret, looking at each other and shaking their heads and laughing over the absurdity of it.
He gave her his most engaging grin. Can I change your mind about that?
No. Its best.
Are you okay?
Yes. She said it a bit too quickly, and must have realized it, because she nodded, repeating, Yes.
Do you regret it?
For the first time since theyd finished, she looked directly into his face. Not in the least.
Good, he whispered, smiling. See you on the ground.
See you on the ground.
He opened the door a crack, and when he saw that the coast was clear, he slipped out. He heard her lock the door behind him. None of the other passengers seemed to have stirred. The galley curtain was still drawn. Their glasses were still on the armrest. He collapsed into his seat, sated.
Feeling bloody fabulous, actually.
It was several minutes before she passed him on the way to her assigned seat. As she went by, she gave him a meaningful look but didnt say anything. He watched her get settled, then picked up his book, switched on his task light, and tried to read. But the words wouldnt register. He had a good vodka buzz going, and that was making him drowsy. Andwho was he kidding?he wanted to relive those few minutes in the lavatory.
What a reckless thing to do.
What fantastic fucking.
What an incredible woman.
As he drifted into sleep, he was aware of the sappy smile on his lips.
He woke up to the rattle of the drinks trolley being pushed up the aisle by the flight attendant, who looked as fresh as when they had boarded. He wondered how they managed that. His clothes were wrinkled and his eyes were gritty. His head was muzzy from the vodka, and he badly wanted to brush his teeth.
He yawned, stretched his limbs, and craned his neck to look behind him. Seat 5C was empty. He glanced toward the lavatories and saw that both were occupied.
Coffee, Mr. Mitchell?
Bless you, my child.
The flight attendant smiled and reached across him to raise his window shade. He looked out and saw terra firma several miles below. He never failed to get a maudlin lump in his throat when he caught his first glimpse of the USA after returning from overseas.
He was ravenous and scarfed down the ham and cheese croissant. He drank a cup of black coffee. Were about forty-five minutes out, the attendant told him as she poured him a refill. Dont forget to fill out your customs form.
Sure thing.
When one of the lavatories became available, he got up and took the provided toiletry kit with him. He used the toilet, washed his face and hands, brushed his teeth, and swished with mouthwash. Before he left, he gave the enclosure a glance and shook his head, chuckling to himself, still disbelieving that hed had incredible sex in such an unaesthetic place.
He noted as he returned to his seat that 5C was still empty. He imagined
Christ!
What was her name?
His mind did a rapid rewind, then replayed everything theyd said. No, he was certain shed never told him her name. No wonder shed been reluctant to continue the flight sitting beside him. She must think him a prize jerk.
He stared out the window for several minutes, castigating himself for behaving like a heel over the name issue. When he looked forward again, he noticed both lavatories were unoccupied. He whipped his head around. She was in her seat.
He had missed her passing down the aisle! How had he done that? Hed had his head turned away. He hoped she didnt think that had been intentional and he was trying to avoid her. He tried to get her attention, but she had her head on the headrest, her eyes closed.
He was considering getting up and going to talk to her, but the announcement was made that they were on their final approach into Atlanta, that all passengers were to remain in their seats with their seat belts fastened for the remainder of the flight.
He looked back at her, ignoring the people in the seats behind his, who had to be wondering what in hell he was looking at. He willed her to open her eyes, but she didnt.
The pilots executed a textbook landing. Impatiently Derek endured the long taxi to the terminal. As soon as they were allowed to stand, he shot from his seat and moved into the aisle. But those passengers between him and 5C had crowded into the aisle, too. They were retrieving their possessions from the overhead compartments and heading toward the exit doors between cabins. In the crush, he lost sight of her.
Outside the Jetway, the flow of passengers had become a stampede toward the reentry gates. He couldnt see her ahead of him and guessed that shed had to be swept along or get trampled.
He was pointed into a passport check line by a government official who didnt want an argument. He continued to scan the throng of passengers from his flight, as well as those from several other overseas flights that had arrived at virtually the same time.
Finally he spotted her three lines over and well ahead of him. He waved, but she didnt see him. He decided it would be more convenient to rendezvous in baggage claim than to try to make his way to her now.
It seemed to take forever, but he finally got through the passport check. In the baggage claim area, he rushed to the designated carousel and saw her on the far side of it, wrangling a suitcase off the conveyor.
Dodging passengers made short-tempered by weariness, he made his way toward her. She stopped when she saw him threading his way through the crowd.
He didnt stop until only inches separated them. He smiled down at her. Im an idiot, and a first-class jerk. I dont even know how to say hello, because I failed to get your name.
But I have yours.
He was taken aback, not so much by what she said as by the way she said it. He was trying to get a handle on that cool tone of voice when he realized that her entire demeanor had changed. She didnt appear as vulnerable, as engaging, and certainly not as available. All her buttons were done up. In fact, the signal she was sending him now was
Dont even think about it.
Her voice was cold. Her eyes, as languid and inviting as a tidal pool last night, were brittle and unfriendly. When she smiled, she did so with the self-satisfaction of a cardsharp playing his ace.
Youve been had, Mr. Mitchell.
He yawned, stretched his limbs, and craned his neck to look behind him. Seat 5C was empty. He glanced toward the lavatories and saw that both were occupied.
Coffee, Mr. Mitchell?
Bless you, my child.
The flight attendant smiled and reached across him to raise his window shade. He looked out and saw terra firma several miles below. He never failed to get a maudlin lump in his throat when he caught his first glimpse of the USA after returning from overseas.
He was ravenous and scarfed down the ham and cheese croissant. He drank a cup of black coffee. Were about forty-five minutes out, the attendant told him as she poured him a refill. Dont forget to fill out your customs form.
Sure thing.
When one of the lavatories became available, he got up and took the provided toiletry kit with him. He used the toilet, washed his face and hands, brushed his teeth, and swished with mouthwash. Before he left, he gave the enclosure a glance and shook his head, chuckling to himself, still disbelieving that hed had incredible sex in such an unaesthetic place.
He noted as he returned to his seat that 5C was still empty. He imagined
Christ!
What was her name?
His mind did a rapid rewind, then replayed everything theyd said. No, he was certain shed never told him her name. No wonder shed been reluctant to continue the flight sitting beside him. She must think him a prize jerk.
He stared out the window for several minutes, castigating himself for behaving like a heel over the name issue. When he looked forward again, he noticed both lavatories were unoccupied. He whipped his head around. She was in her seat.
He had missed her passing down the aisle! How had he done that? Hed had his head turned away. He hoped she didnt think that had been intentional and he was trying to avoid her. He tried to get her attention, but she had her head on the headrest, her eyes closed.
He was considering getting up and going to talk to her, but the announcement was made that they were on their final approach into Atlanta, that all passengers were to remain in their seats with their seat belts fastened for the remainder of the flight.
He looked back at her, ignoring the people in the seats behind his, who had to be wondering what in hell he was looking at. He willed her to open her eyes, but she didnt.
The pilots executed a textbook landing. Impatiently Derek endured the long taxi to the terminal. As soon as they were allowed to stand, he shot from his seat and moved into the aisle. But those passengers between him and 5C had crowded into the aisle, too. They were retrieving their possessions from the overhead compartments and heading toward the exit doors between cabins. In the crush, he lost sight of her.
Outside the Jetway, the flow of passengers had become a stampede toward the reentry gates. He couldnt see her ahead of him and guessed that shed had to be swept along or get trampled.
He was pointed into a passport check line by a government official who didnt want an argument. He continued to scan the throng of passengers from his flight, as well as those from several other overseas flights that had arrived at virtually the same time.
Finally he spotted her three lines over and well ahead of him. He waved, but she didnt see him. He decided it would be more convenient to rendezvous in baggage claim than to try to make his way to her now.
It seemed to take forever, but he finally got through the passport check. In the baggage claim area, he rushed to the designated carousel and saw her on the far side of it, wrangling a suitcase off the conveyor.
Dodging passengers made short-tempered by weariness, he made his way toward her. She stopped when she saw him threading his way through the crowd.
He didnt stop until only inches separated them. He smiled down at her. Im an idiot, and a first-class jerk. I dont even know how to say hello, because I failed to get your name.
But I have yours.
He was taken aback, not so much by what she said as by the way she said it. He was trying to get a handle on that cool tone of voice when he realized that her entire demeanor had changed. She didnt appear as vulnerable, as engaging, and certainly not as available. All her buttons were done up. In fact, the signal she was sending him now was
Dont even think about it.
Her voice was cold. Her eyes, as languid and inviting as a tidal pool last night, were brittle and unfriendly. When she smiled, she did so with the self-satisfaction of a cardsharp playing his ace.
Youve been had, Mr. Mitchell.
CHAPTER
4
Y
OU LOOK LIKE HELL.
Derek stashed his luggage in a corner of the reception area of his law office, then turned and frowned at his assistant. After being away for twelve days, hed have appreciated a more cordial, less candid welcome.
Why thank you, Marlene, Im glad to be back. My trip was wonderful, thank you for asking. The weather couldnt have been better. All my flights were on time. Mom liked her gift. Dad was
Okay, okay. I was just saying.
Ive been on an airplane for ten hours, he grumbled. What did you expect?
I expected you to shower and shave before coming to the office.
If Id gone home to clean up, I probably would have stayed. The temptation to crawl into bed would have been too great. I knew things would be backed up here, so here I am, unshaven and unwashed and unhappy about it all.
You havent seen Maggie yet?
Ive been away this long, a few more hours wont matter.
Marlene gave him a dont-say-I-didnt-warn-you look. Then, Coffee?
Thats the first nice thing youve said.
Subordinates called out greetings as he walked past their open office doors, but he acknowledged them with waves and kept going, not stopping for small talk. Making it to his own office without being waylaid, he closed the door behind him to discourage anyone hoping to butter up the boss by welcoming him back.
The roomy corner office was on the twentieth floor of one of Atlantas modern glass skyscrapers, so he had an unrestricted view through the walls. Today the sunlight was a little too cheery and bright to suit his mood, so he used the remote control to partially close the blinds sandwiched between the panes of glass.
The decorator hed hired to do the place had fed him ideas, but hed made all the final decisionsthe handwoven Turkish rug, the wood stain on the bookcases, the fabrics for the upholstered pieces, the leather for his desk chair.
Hed also insisted on incorporating personal belongings that held special meaning for him, even if they didnt particularly fit the decor. Sharing the bookshelves with volumes on law were the biplane model that he and his dad had made together the summer he turned nine, the baseball glove with which hed helped his high school team win the state championship, and a beer stein with his fraternity letters engraved into the pewter.
The office was furnished with every modern convenience, but sprinkled with these dashes of nostalgia, it fit him like a comfortable pair of expensive sneakers.
He shrugged off his wrinkled jacket and hung it in the concealed closet, sat down in his desk chair, and dug into his burning eye sockets with his fingertips, saying under his breath, Youve been had, Mr. Mitchell.
What did that mean?
Hell if he knew. Hell if hed ever know, because having said that, shed turned and marched into the ladies restroom, pulling her wheeled suitcase behind her. Hed have looked like a pervert if he staked out the restroom until she reappeared. Besides, the ladywhatever her name washad made it abundantly clear that she wanted nothing more from him than a couple of Bloody Marys and a hot and nasty quickie in the airplane lavatory.
So hed split, thinking
To hell with you
but wishing that the memorable interlude had ended on a sweeter note. Hed also nursed a nagging uneasiness over her parting words.
Whatever her game, hed fallen for it. The come-hither eyes. That business with the top button of her blouse. The legs. Oh yeah, the legs. Jergens had never looked so good, felt so good on a pair of thighs. All that timid lip biting. Letting down her hair, for godsake. Just about every woman on the planet knew these drills.
But she had perfected them.
Shed taken him by his dick and led him into the restroom of an airplane full of people, where they could have been caught, exposed, made a laughingstock. He didnt know if sexual congress on a commercial aircraft was illegalhed have one of his clerks look it upbut it sure as hell wasnt
smart
.
What if theyd been bagged by a little old lady? Or a child? Imagine the hue and cry that would have been raised had little Suzie walked in on them. No one would have slept for the rest of the flight. All two hundred plus passengers would have wanted to take a gander at the pair who couldnt control their libidos, to catch a glimpse of the fornicators.
He imagined having his picture plastered on the front page of the
Journal
, being escorted out of the Jetway by an air marshal wearing a disapproving, even disgusted frown. The DAs office would probably have made a poster of it and circulated copies throughout the Fulton County Justice Center. Hed have never lived it down.
He didnt like losing, and would do whatever it took to win. But he could lose with dignity if he knew hed done his absolute best, if there had been virtually no chance of winning to start with but hed given his all to try to beat the odds. He could lose like that. He didnt like to, but he could.
But to be mocked, hoodwinked, made a complete and utter fool of, as this chick had done, that was untenable.
And
why?
Besides screwing her blind, what had he ever done to her?
Ah well. It would remain one of lifes little mysteries.
He lowered his hands, stretching his stubbled cheeks before let ting his hands drop onto the stack of mail, messages, and paperwork that had collected during his twelve-day absence.
Marlene came in carrying her notepad and a steaming cup of coffee.
Thanks. He scalded his tongue on the first sip, but it was his preferred blend and tasted good.
She took her customary place in the chair on the other side of his desk. So. How was Paris?
French.
That bad?
He smiled. Its a beautiful city. Flowers in bloom. The food was outstanding. Good wine.
You dont like wine.
I managed to quaff a few glasses just to be sociable.
The Seine?
We had Moms party on a dinner boat.
Notre-Dame?
Still there, but I didnt see the hunchback.
Pretty women?
Everywhere.
Marlene sniffed with disdain. They all smoke. Thats how they stay thin.
Derek gave her a look, and her eyes narrowed on him. Dont you dare say it. But it is the one diet I havent tried.
He laughed. Theyd been together so long, they could tease each other without offending. Marlene Sullivan had followed him when hed boldly stormed out the door of a large and respected firm after a heated quarrel with the senior partner.
Shed helped him hang out his own shingle, and since then had been his right hand, guardian at the gate, social secretary, errand runner, and sounding board. She had a keen legal mind, frequently opening up another avenue of thought when a case proved tough and the direction in which he was taking it would lead nowhere except to conviction. He couldnt run his practice or his life without her, a fact of which she reminded him often.
He trusted her implicitly. She would carry to the grave anything he told her in confidence. Now, as he regarded her affable, matronly face, he considered telling her about his experience on the plane.
Brace yourself, Marlene. Youre not going to believe what your boss did on his transatlantic flight.
But no. He couldnt divulge that, not even to his loyal assistant, whod seen him at his best but also at his absolute worst. Last nights sexual escapade would remain his secret.
He sincerely hoped.
Anything new from the DAs office on Jason Connor? he asked. The sixteen-year-old stood accused of killing in cold blood his mother and stepfather. Because of the brutality of the crime, he was being tried as an adult.
I called over there, asked again for the discovery file. Got the usual runaround.
Theyre stonewalling. Call and tell them Im back, and I want the damn file. The trial date was fast approaching, and his young client faced execution if found guilty. Has anyone talked to Jason recently?
Yesterday. She told him that one of his assistants on the case had gone to the jail. He
saw
him. They didnt
talk
. The boy remained mute.
Was he told that I cant help him if he doesnt help himself?
He was.
Derek made a mental note to go see the boy as soon as his schedule permitted, and to impress upon him that he was in dire straits. He picked up the stack of pink memos representing calls he needed to return. On the first one Marlene had printed in bold, red letters:
Ask me
.
He picked it up and waved it at her. Im asking.
While you were gone, you missed some excitement. Paul Wheeler
Whos that?
Wheeler Enterprises.
He cocked an eyebrow. That Wheeler?
That Wheeler. Money out the wazoo. He was shot and killed in the Hotel Moultrie. Lots of media. Large funeral. Unidentified culprit is still at large.
He whistled and referred to the memo. So whos Doug?
Brother and business partner of the deceased.
The plot thickens.
Hes called three times over the last two days. Says its urgent he meet with you immediately upon your return.
How come?
Wouldnt say.
He was bone tired, he suspected he smelled none too fresh, and he was in a sour mood. But he liked the sound of this. Already his juices were bubbling. Can he be here in an hour?
OU LOOK LIKE HELL.
Derek stashed his luggage in a corner of the reception area of his law office, then turned and frowned at his assistant. After being away for twelve days, hed have appreciated a more cordial, less candid welcome.
Why thank you, Marlene, Im glad to be back. My trip was wonderful, thank you for asking. The weather couldnt have been better. All my flights were on time. Mom liked her gift. Dad was
Okay, okay. I was just saying.
Ive been on an airplane for ten hours, he grumbled. What did you expect?
I expected you to shower and shave before coming to the office.
If Id gone home to clean up, I probably would have stayed. The temptation to crawl into bed would have been too great. I knew things would be backed up here, so here I am, unshaven and unwashed and unhappy about it all.
You havent seen Maggie yet?
Ive been away this long, a few more hours wont matter.
Marlene gave him a dont-say-I-didnt-warn-you look. Then, Coffee?
Thats the first nice thing youve said.
Subordinates called out greetings as he walked past their open office doors, but he acknowledged them with waves and kept going, not stopping for small talk. Making it to his own office without being waylaid, he closed the door behind him to discourage anyone hoping to butter up the boss by welcoming him back.
The roomy corner office was on the twentieth floor of one of Atlantas modern glass skyscrapers, so he had an unrestricted view through the walls. Today the sunlight was a little too cheery and bright to suit his mood, so he used the remote control to partially close the blinds sandwiched between the panes of glass.
The decorator hed hired to do the place had fed him ideas, but hed made all the final decisionsthe handwoven Turkish rug, the wood stain on the bookcases, the fabrics for the upholstered pieces, the leather for his desk chair.
Hed also insisted on incorporating personal belongings that held special meaning for him, even if they didnt particularly fit the decor. Sharing the bookshelves with volumes on law were the biplane model that he and his dad had made together the summer he turned nine, the baseball glove with which hed helped his high school team win the state championship, and a beer stein with his fraternity letters engraved into the pewter.
The office was furnished with every modern convenience, but sprinkled with these dashes of nostalgia, it fit him like a comfortable pair of expensive sneakers.
He shrugged off his wrinkled jacket and hung it in the concealed closet, sat down in his desk chair, and dug into his burning eye sockets with his fingertips, saying under his breath, Youve been had, Mr. Mitchell.
What did that mean?
Hell if he knew. Hell if hed ever know, because having said that, shed turned and marched into the ladies restroom, pulling her wheeled suitcase behind her. Hed have looked like a pervert if he staked out the restroom until she reappeared. Besides, the ladywhatever her name washad made it abundantly clear that she wanted nothing more from him than a couple of Bloody Marys and a hot and nasty quickie in the airplane lavatory.
So hed split, thinking
To hell with you
but wishing that the memorable interlude had ended on a sweeter note. Hed also nursed a nagging uneasiness over her parting words.
Whatever her game, hed fallen for it. The come-hither eyes. That business with the top button of her blouse. The legs. Oh yeah, the legs. Jergens had never looked so good, felt so good on a pair of thighs. All that timid lip biting. Letting down her hair, for godsake. Just about every woman on the planet knew these drills.
But she had perfected them.
Shed taken him by his dick and led him into the restroom of an airplane full of people, where they could have been caught, exposed, made a laughingstock. He didnt know if sexual congress on a commercial aircraft was illegalhed have one of his clerks look it upbut it sure as hell wasnt
smart
.
What if theyd been bagged by a little old lady? Or a child? Imagine the hue and cry that would have been raised had little Suzie walked in on them. No one would have slept for the rest of the flight. All two hundred plus passengers would have wanted to take a gander at the pair who couldnt control their libidos, to catch a glimpse of the fornicators.
He imagined having his picture plastered on the front page of the
Journal
, being escorted out of the Jetway by an air marshal wearing a disapproving, even disgusted frown. The DAs office would probably have made a poster of it and circulated copies throughout the Fulton County Justice Center. Hed have never lived it down.
He didnt like losing, and would do whatever it took to win. But he could lose with dignity if he knew hed done his absolute best, if there had been virtually no chance of winning to start with but hed given his all to try to beat the odds. He could lose like that. He didnt like to, but he could.
But to be mocked, hoodwinked, made a complete and utter fool of, as this chick had done, that was untenable.
And
why?
Besides screwing her blind, what had he ever done to her?
Ah well. It would remain one of lifes little mysteries.
He lowered his hands, stretching his stubbled cheeks before let ting his hands drop onto the stack of mail, messages, and paperwork that had collected during his twelve-day absence.
Marlene came in carrying her notepad and a steaming cup of coffee.
Thanks. He scalded his tongue on the first sip, but it was his preferred blend and tasted good.
She took her customary place in the chair on the other side of his desk. So. How was Paris?
French.
That bad?
He smiled. Its a beautiful city. Flowers in bloom. The food was outstanding. Good wine.
You dont like wine.
I managed to quaff a few glasses just to be sociable.
The Seine?
We had Moms party on a dinner boat.
Notre-Dame?
Still there, but I didnt see the hunchback.
Pretty women?
Everywhere.
Marlene sniffed with disdain. They all smoke. Thats how they stay thin.
Derek gave her a look, and her eyes narrowed on him. Dont you dare say it. But it is the one diet I havent tried.
He laughed. Theyd been together so long, they could tease each other without offending. Marlene Sullivan had followed him when hed boldly stormed out the door of a large and respected firm after a heated quarrel with the senior partner.
Shed helped him hang out his own shingle, and since then had been his right hand, guardian at the gate, social secretary, errand runner, and sounding board. She had a keen legal mind, frequently opening up another avenue of thought when a case proved tough and the direction in which he was taking it would lead nowhere except to conviction. He couldnt run his practice or his life without her, a fact of which she reminded him often.
He trusted her implicitly. She would carry to the grave anything he told her in confidence. Now, as he regarded her affable, matronly face, he considered telling her about his experience on the plane.
Brace yourself, Marlene. Youre not going to believe what your boss did on his transatlantic flight.
But no. He couldnt divulge that, not even to his loyal assistant, whod seen him at his best but also at his absolute worst. Last nights sexual escapade would remain his secret.
He sincerely hoped.
Anything new from the DAs office on Jason Connor? he asked. The sixteen-year-old stood accused of killing in cold blood his mother and stepfather. Because of the brutality of the crime, he was being tried as an adult.
I called over there, asked again for the discovery file. Got the usual runaround.
Theyre stonewalling. Call and tell them Im back, and I want the damn file. The trial date was fast approaching, and his young client faced execution if found guilty. Has anyone talked to Jason recently?
Yesterday. She told him that one of his assistants on the case had gone to the jail. He
saw
him. They didnt
talk
. The boy remained mute.
Was he told that I cant help him if he doesnt help himself?
He was.
Derek made a mental note to go see the boy as soon as his schedule permitted, and to impress upon him that he was in dire straits. He picked up the stack of pink memos representing calls he needed to return. On the first one Marlene had printed in bold, red letters:
Ask me
.
He picked it up and waved it at her. Im asking.
While you were gone, you missed some excitement. Paul Wheeler
Whos that?
Wheeler Enterprises.
He cocked an eyebrow. That Wheeler?
That Wheeler. Money out the wazoo. He was shot and killed in the Hotel Moultrie. Lots of media. Large funeral. Unidentified culprit is still at large.
He whistled and referred to the memo. So whos Doug?
Brother and business partner of the deceased.
The plot thickens.
Hes called three times over the last two days. Says its urgent he meet with you immediately upon your return.
How come?
Wouldnt say.
He was bone tired, he suspected he smelled none too fresh, and he was in a sour mood. But he liked the sound of this. Already his juices were bubbling. Can he be here in an hour?
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Middle of Nowhere by Caroline Adderson
WhiteSpace: Season One (Episodes 1-6 of the sci-fi horror serial) by Platt, Sean, Wright, David
Betrayed by Arnette Lamb