Page 91 of Passionate Defense

Changing her tactic, she inched closer to him and took on a more sympathetic air.

“I imagine this case was very tempting to a new attorney, a David versus Goliath type of matchup. It’s one of those rare opportunities that can launch an attorney’s career. But this is a make-or-break situation, Joel. Scoring a conviction in a high-profile corporate case would certainly get your name out there and be a nice stepping-off point in your young career.” Lanie paused briefly for effect. “But have you considered the flip side? What happens when it gets out that the D.A.’s office made an innocent woman, a loyal employee for sixteen years without so much as a traffic ticket on her record, stand trial based on flimsy evidence, embarrassingly unreliable witnesses, and the testimony of her disreputable employer, a man with a rapidly growing reputation for being a misogynistic bully. It’s nothing short of career suicide.” Her eyes cut to Trudy, the accused, and Joel’s followed. “Poor woman, she’s a wreck. When I put her on the stand, she’s going to crumble. Probably cry buckets and we’ll have to take several breaks for her to compose herself. The jury’s going to love her, Joel. She’s very sympathetic.”

Lanie watched as opposing counsel took out a linen handkerchief and mopped his sweaty brow. Her sign that it was time for thecoup de grâce. “Her husband passed away a few months ago. From cancer. She is the sole support of her three kids. At least she was...”

She saw the defeated look in his eyes, and Lanie knew the idiot hadn’t done his research, let alone gone through all the discovery documents. If he had, he wouldn’t have banked solely on Trudy’s family situation as a motive. Lanie stopped toying with him, deciding to end it right then and there.

She turned to the judge and said, as if in passing, “Good thing he had a hefty life insurance policy.”

The judge, a shrewd old litigator himself, smiled at her, perceptively catching on to her ploy. And wouldn’t you know, the sly old fox couldn’t resist joining in on her game?

“Five million dollars wasn’t it?” he asked, tongue in cheek. “I think I saw that in the brief. It will set her and her kids up for life. Don’t you think, Simpson?”

If a human could deflate, Joel Simpson did that in front of her eyes. Lanie half expected him to collapse at her feet.

“When it comes to making or breaking careers, this falls under the ‘breaking’ category, Joel. Have you wondered how this case fell into your lap? You’re new in the DA’s office. If it was a slam dunk, don’t you think one of the senior attorneys would have scooped it up?”

His raised brows told her he hadn’t considered it. Naïve putz.

“No one is going to believe Trudy Blakely embezzled that money after recently coming into five times that amount. Plus, I’ve given you incontrovertible proof of who the real guilty party is. You can still walk away and save face. Think about it. Do you really want to put your good name on the line for the likes of Walt Simons?”

Lanie and the judge stared at him, silently willing him to do the right thing. Uncertain, his eyes darted between them.

“She knows what she’s talking about, Counselor. Consider this a difficult, but much needed, lesson in reality from the Ice Queen.”

“Your honor!”

“I consider that a compliment!” The older man’s eyes twinkled then he motioned them back. “Mr. Simpson, call your next witness.”

With a swathe of red staining his cheeks, Simpson rose and addressed the court. “In light of the evidence presented by the defense, the state would like to drop all charges.”

A whoop of excitement erupted behind Lanie. She turned to look at her client, whose face was already damp with tears of relief. Trudy jumped out of her seat and hugged Lanie’s neck. As the judge banged his gavel and stood to leave, their eyes met one more time. He inclined his head at her, a true compliment, before he swept out of the courtroom.

* * *

THE SMELL OF COFFEEtickled her nose and dragged her from a twilight sleep. Lanie stretched and rolled over, reaching for Ethan. Her hand fell on his empty side of the bed. Lifting her head, she blinked the last remainders of sleep from her eyes and squinted at the clock. 10:03 a.m. She’d slept in.

Throwing back the covers, she rushed to the bathroom. She had the shower running and was ready to step in when it came to her. It was Saturday. Sheesh! Did she need a vacation or what? She shut off the water and pulled on her robe then went in search of Ethan.

Her destination was the kitchen and the heavenly scent of coffee and cinnamon. Ethan stood at the stove in lounge pants and nothing else, his hair still tousled from sleep.

He looked up as she entered. “Morning, sleepyhead.”

“Morning.” She walked up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist as she eyed the skillet. “Mmm, French toast. What’s the occasion?”

He twisted and kissed her. “Breakfast is ready. Have a seat. We’ll eat while we discuss it.” He flipped the toast onto two waiting plates and sprinkled each with powdered sugar. “Grab the juice, will you, Lanie?”

He had strawberries washed and capped, and bacon as well. She moved in slow motion still groggy from sleep. Noting his grin, her lips curved up, too. She couldn’t help it; his smiles were infectious.

When she took her seat next to him, and it hadn’t faded, she arched a brow in question. “You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. What’s up?”

Ethan passed her the morning paper, which she took without so much as a glance. Scouring the paper over coffee each morning was his thing, not hers. He folded his arms and watched her. When she stared at him blankly, he laughed. “Look at the headline.”

She almost fell off her chair as she read it aloud, “Simons Swindles Partners! Oh my god, Ethan!” She gaped at him in shock. “How did this break so fast? The trial only ended yesterday.”

“Do you want to read the article, or should I tell you?”

“Tell me. I can’t wait.”

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