Legal Heat

Chapter Nine


“I don’t want to go to Dad’s place.” Justin pushed his chair away from the table and Katy sighed.

“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice, darling. Ted asked me to take his place at the legal awards dinner tonight. He’s the one who put me up for partnership. I can’t refuse. It’s work and it’s important. Plus, this is your Dad’s weekend with you. I’m sure you’ll have a good time.”

But I won’t. No club. No Mark. She had messed everything up on the phone. She shouldn’t have agreed to the call. In the back of her mind, she had known it wasn’t really about work. Maybe she had unwittingly formed some kind of emotional attachment to him. Or maybe she was just confused. Either way, it had to end.

“We won’t have a good time,” Melissa groaned. “Sally dumped him so we’ll have to eat sandwiches all weekend and he’ll be in a bad mood.”

“Don’t be silly, Mel. Justin packed the Wii. Once that’s hooked up, you’ll forget you even need to eat.”

The front door creaked open. Steven’s running shoes squeaked across the floor. Of course he wouldn’t think to use the doorbell.

“Hey, kids, ready to go?” He walked into the kitchen and his smile faded. “What the hell are you wearing this time?”

Katy looked down at her new dress and smiled, perversely pleased at Steven’s reaction. For the first time in years she had wanted to dress in something other than the conservative black wool sheath she usually wore to formal dinners. Something sexy. A few discreet inquiries around the office had sent her to the exclusive boutiques in West Vancouver, and the minute she saw the elegant, mock corset dress she knew she had to have it.

“Don’t you like it?” She ran her fingers down the strapless black silk dress, tracing the Asian-inspired brocade of red flowers, white birds and branches with her fingertip. She checked the back laces and tightened the red silk drawstring, letting the loops fall onto the tight pencil skirt that hugged her hips and ended just above her knees. The dress fit so snugly she could barely move, and it pushed her breasts up just enough to be noticed but not so much as to be unprofessional.

“It’s indecent,” Steven spluttered. “And when you wear it with those f*cking bondage boots…Geez, Kate, what’s gotten into you? You look like a sl—”

“Watch your language in front of the children,” she snapped.

Melissa and Justin shared a glance. “Dad said the f-word,” Melissa breathed in awe.

Steven grimaced. “Those boots were a mistake. I should never have let you buy them.”

“You would have had a long way to fly.” With a few hours to kill between witness interviews in London one winter, she’d wandered around Covent Garden, getting lost in the narrow, twisted little alleyways until she had seen the boots in the window of a fetish store. The soft, knee-hugging black leather and the shiny, silver stiletto heels had called to her, but not as much as the laces. They started at the toe and worked their way to the top, then around and down the back. Just like a corset. Steven hated them. With a passion.

“I can’t believe you’re going to a legal awards dinner wearing lingerie and bondage boots. Do you not care about your career? I’m sure the judge at the custody review will be interested to know how you conduct yourself in your spare time.”

“I think Mom looks beautiful,” Melissa said softly.

“Sluts don’t dress like that,” Justin added, revealing a maturity beyond his years.

Katy and Steven looked at him in horror.

“How do you know how sluts dress?” Melissa voiced the question on everyone’s mind.

Justin shrugged. “I’m nine. I know a lot of things.”

“This is your fault.” Steven pointed his finger at Katy. “He used to be an innocent boy.”

Katy fisted her hands by her sides. Say nothing in front of the children. “Mummy has to go, darlings. Go get your things. I’ll see you on Sunday.”

She kissed them and waited until she heard them on the stairs before turning to Steven. “I’m decently covered, just not in the uptight, conservative clothes you encouraged me to wear. And if you ever speak like that in front of the children again or threaten me in any way—”

He cut her off with a bark of laughter. “What? What are you going to do? Sue me? Kill me? The father of your children?”

Her nostrils flared. “Death would be too good for you.”





Mark tapped his fork on the white linen tablecloth. An endless parade of penguins marched up to the podium to accept their statues and waddled back again. His firm, Richards & Moretti, hadn’t won anything, but then he hadn’t expected they would. Litigation work had dried up with the recession, making the Saunders v. Hi-Tech case one of the few pieces of high-profile litigation the firm had secured during the last year.

He sighed when the announcer moved on to another category. Such a bloody waste of time. He should have pulled rank on Tony and backed out of the dinner. As senior partner, he could veto the managing partner’s decisions. But Tony could be very persuasive, and one look at the firm’s accounts had him lacing up his own penguin suit. The firm needed work and the partners needed to see and be seen. All of them.

“Mark should get an award for the fiercest scowl.” Curtis leaned over and grabbed Mark’s fork away. The most reserved of Mark’s partners, Curtis was well known for his short fuse.

Tony laughed. “The firm should get an award for surviving the recession. I’ve heard three more city firms have gone under.”

“That award would have to go to Mark too.” Curtis patted Mark’s shoulder. “His client is keeping us afloat.”

Mark smiled. He had been lucky to find a small group of friends he admired and respected. Together, they had weathered the rigors of law school and articling, and then started their own law firm. They were brothers in all but name.

The conversation turned to shared acquaintances and the usual salacious gossip. Mark let his mind wander. What was Katy doing now? Probably at work, drafting another motion to drag his “sorry ass” into court and rake him over the coals for his callous behavior. He coughed and choked on his wine.

“You okay?” Tony thumped him on the back.

Mark nodded. “Where did they get this stuff?”

“Who knows? Everyone has been affected by the recession so they probably tried to cut costs by going local. I’m not wasting my time with it. Our new wine shipment arrived at the club this afternoon. Curtis and I are heading over there later to sample the 2006 Cornas Domaine Clape. Probably one of the best Syrahs in the world. You want to join us? Maybe your pretty little lawyer will stop by again.”

“She’s not mine,” Mark mumbled. He hadn’t told Tony about Katy and he wasn’t ready to explain the situation to everyone just yet.

The lights came on signaling the end of the awards and the beginning of the evening entertainment. Mark pushed back his chair. Time to go.

“Not so fast.” Tony grabbed the wine bottle and refilled Mark’s glass. “What happened? I thought sparks were flying when she showed up last time at the club.”

Mark took another sip of the sharp, bitter wine. “I’m not looking for anything serious.”

“I don’t believe it. You two had a connection. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Mark looked away to avoid Tony’s all too intuitive question. The dance floor was already full—mostly young associates, court staff and…Katy. His heart skidded to a stop.

Vivacious. Breathtaking. Beautiful. He couldn’t decide whether it was the boots or the dress, but within seconds his cock stiffened. Rock hard.

Tony followed his gaze and snorted a sarcastic laugh. “Oh yeah. Nothing serious.”

Mark barely heard him. He couldn’t tear his eyes away. The dress fit her like a glove, highlighting her narrow waist and accentuating her soft, full breasts. God, those breasts. They swelled enticingly over the top of the corset, hidden only by a filmy strip of red lace. She swayed on the dance floor, perfectly in time to the music, never faltering despite the thin, metal heels of the damned sexiest boots he had ever seen. Up and up they climbed, ending only inches below her tight skirt, binding her legs in a sensual feast of lacing.

“Nothing is going on,” Mark growled. “She’s on the other side of the Hi-Tech dismissal case.”

“There had better be nothing going on,” Tony muttered, shaking a finger. “Talk about one big, fat conflict.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Are you kidding? I saw you with her in the club. I only have to look at you now to know you need to distance yourself totally, either from her or the case, or this is going to end badly for everyone, especially you.”

Mark sighed. “I’ll be fine, Tony.”

Tony drained his glass. “I’m not worried about you. I’m worried about Steele. I’m worried about the firm and I’m worried about the Law Society. I’m also worried about her. I like her. I don’t want to see her career destroyed, and I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

“I have it under control.” Mark emphasized each word. Why wouldn’t Tony leave it alone? When had he ever given his friend cause to doubt him?

“I’ll believe it when you can look at her without drooling.” Tony gave him a warning clap on the back.

The band launched into an eighties rock song and the old timers headed for the bar. Katy remained on the dance floor and Tim, the red-haired court reporter, joined her. They exchanged a few words and then Tim closed the distance between them, his eyes fixed on Katy’s breasts. He grabbed her hand and spun her around. Katy twirled, laughing as she neared Mark’s table. And then she stopped.

“Oh. My. God.”





Katy froze. Why hadn’t she even considered he might be here? And Tony. Was he a lawyer too?

She flushed as she caught Mark’s gaze and her heart seized. Damn he filled out a tux like no one else.

“Why did you stop, Katy? Do you need a breather?” Tim put his arms around her waist, hugging her from behind, totally oblivious to Mark and Tony watching them with fascination and the faintest glimmer of disapproval.

“Tim, stop. You’re drunk.” She pulled his hands away and tried, unsuccessfully, to step out of his embrace. For someone thin and gangly, he had surprisingly strong arms.

“Come on, Katy. We were having such a good time.” He pulled her closer and palmed her breast with a clammy hand.

“Get off.” She tried to wriggle free, but after four shots of tequila, her strength and coordination were not up to par and she couldn’t escape without making a scene.

Tim pawed at her breast again. Two chairs slid away from the table in front of them.

“I believe Ms. Sinclair wishes to be left alone.” Mark stalked over to them, eyes flashing, Tony on his heels.

“What’s it to you?” Tim snapped.

Katy shot a glance over her shoulder at Tim. Why was he still here? Any sane man would’ve been out the door by now. Could he not see the anger simmering beneath Mark’s taut face?

Tony saw it. He edged closer to Mark, his hand outstretched as if ready to grab him and pull him away.

“Take your hands off her now,” Mark growled. What a voice. Hard, low, powerful and dripping with menace. Did he use that voice in the courtroom to intimidate witnesses, or was it just for overly friendly court reporters?

A thrill of fear shot through her veins. Although she liked Tim, a part of her almost hoped he would be stupid enough to stand his ground. What would Mark do then?

Disappointment coursed through her when Tim stiffened and loosened his grip. “I’ll go and get us a cab,” he mumbled.

“She’s not going anywhere with you.” Mark took Katy’s hand and pulled her behind him. “I’ll see her home.”

“Katy.”

She clenched her teeth at Tim’s unappealing whine. “It’s fine, Tim. I’ll see you on Monday.”

Tim scowled and trudged away. Katy suffered a moment of regret. She had never seen him anything but cheerful. She made a mental note to call him and take him out for coffee. She enjoyed his company and didn’t want to lose a friend.

“Let’s go.” Mark pulled her in the direction of the exit.

“Wait a minute. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for work. I’m supposed to be mingling.” She pulled her hand out of his grasp and instantly felt the loss.

“You’ve done enough mingling for tonight. What were you thinking coming here dressed like that?”

The edge in his voice surprised her and she took a full step back. “Are you kidding me? I cannot believe you would say that considering you spend your weekends in a club where women wear leather and chains. And if you are even suggesting the way I’m dressed makes me in some way responsible for someone else’s behavior…”

Mark shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her, pulling her close. “The women at the club aren’t mine,” he whispered, so low only she could hear.

Mine. Katy shivered. How deliciously primitive to be thought of as a possession. Too bad she happened to be a legal professional in the middle of a networking event. She flung off the jacket and handed it back. “I’m not yours. You said so yourself. We just had a bit of fun.”

He wrapped the jacket around her again. “Perhaps you misunderstood.”

Tony took a step toward them and held out his hand, breaking the tension. “Perhaps Katy would like to meet the other partners. I think it would count as networking. We’ve never been professionally introduced. I’m Tony Moretti, managing partner of Richards and Moretti.”

He pressed a cool, callused palm against her hand and slid his thumb around her wrist in a surreptitious caress. Her smile faded and it took all her effort not to jerk her hand away.

“Tony.” Mark thundered a warning. Tony let her go and gave her a wink.

By the time she had been introduced to all the partners, her tequila buzz had started to wear off and her dress had become unbearably restricting. She panted against the lacings and excused herself to get a breath of fresh air.

“You’re hyperventilating, sugar.” Mark caught up to her as she skirted the dance floor. “We need to get you out of that dress.”

Mmmm. Yes.

No.

“I’ll be fine. I just need a few minutes outside.”

His face softened for the first time since she’d seen him that evening. “Good idea. We need to talk. I’ll walk you to your car.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “Come.”

Katy almost sobbed with the desire to go with him, but she couldn’t. Not tonight. Ted had given her this chance to prove herself. She took the deepest breath the corset would allow. “The partners of my firm are here and we have a photo shoot for the awards in an hour. I can’t leave until they do.”

She chanced a glance at his face but couldn’t read anything in his neutral expression.

“We’ll step outside and I’ll loosen the corset for you,” he said. “Then I’ll leave you to your mingling.”

Without waiting for her agreement, he led her across the ballroom and out through a set of glass doors to a small terrace overlooking Coal Harbor. Potted trees dotted the flagstone patio, and a wrought iron table and two chairs huddled against the wall.

Mark steered her to a dark corner between two fragrant potted cedars and turned her to face the railing. The lights of Vancouver’s North Shore twinkled in the distance, and she could see the SeaBus, ferrying people across Burrard Inlet.

His fingers slid down her back and tugged at the ribbons holding her corset closed. “Are you and Tim…?” His voice tightened. “I never thought to ask.”

“We’re just friends.”

Katy held onto the cool metal and looked down into the water. Fish streaked past like bolts of silver lightening, daring her to catch them. The last time she had gone fishing, she had been with her father, and blissfully unaware he was saying goodbye. The next week he had driven away and never looked back.

“How did you tie this knot?” Mark pulled the ribbons free. Air filled her lungs as the corset loosened around her.

“It’s a trick I taught to—” She cut herself off, not wanting to let him know about the kids. “Never mind.”

He turned her around and cupped her face in his warm hands. “Finish what you were saying.”

“No.”

He leaned down and feathered kisses over her eyelids. “Tell me.”

She shook her head.

The look he gave her was speculative, thoughtful. Determined. He brushed his lips along the sensitive curve of her ear, trailing them down her neck to the dip in her collarbone.

“Last chance to bare your secrets, Ms. Sinclair, or I will tease them out of you.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She ached with a need only he could fill, but what if the truth sent him running? Should she take the risk? Maybe she should. The truth might be an easy way out for both of them.

“Um…” She couldn’t get the words out. She didn’t want to know the most precious part of her life had driven him away.

He blazed a trail of fiery kisses along her jaw and then pulled back. “I already know, and I’m still here.”

“You couldn’t possibly know.” She leaned toward him, desperate for his touch, and hating herself for her desire. He had made his position clear after the phone call. Fun. Nothing more.

“Trust me,” he whispered.

Katy’s stomach clenched. She wasn’t good at trust. Not after Steven. But she wasn’t good at deception either. Or uncertainty. She wanted the measure of the man who made her melt inside.

She swallowed hard. “Melissa. My daughter. She’s seven. I taught her some tricks when she was learning to tie a bow.” Her stomach knotted but she forged ahead. “I have a son too. Justin. He’s nine.”

She reached around her back and secured the laces of her dress. “No husband, though. Not anymore. I was married for ten years to Steven and we divorced last year. He’s a heart surgeon at Vancouver General Hospital. We married when I was young—only eighteen. He was older, worldly, and sophisticated. He swept me off my feet. My dad left when I was young and I think I saw Steven as some kind replacement and a way to ensure I didn’t wind up alone and depressed like my mom.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. She hated talking about Steven. She didn’t want to think of the ten years she had wasted in a loveless marriage—the pain, the heartache, or the loneliness—especially the loneliness.

“Is that all, sugar?”

Is that all? Hadn’t he been listening? Married too young. Divorced too late. Kids. Baggage of the worst emotional kind.

“I know it’s a lot to deal with.” She stumbled over her words as she tried to slip around him and out of his life. “Thanks for helping me with this. I’d better go.”

“Not so fast.” He pulled her close, and his warm hands circled her waist. “You don’t get to run away until after cross-examination.”

Katy gave him a tentative smile. “Do your worst, counsel. You won’t break me.”

Mark nuzzled her ear and then licked his way down her neck. “Do you still see him?”

“The kids live with me but we have joint custody so he comes to the house a few times a week. It’s…difficult.”

Mark pulled away. “Not a friendly divorce, I take it?”

Katy shook her head. “Pretty bad. He had so many affairs I lost count and then he left me for an intern, but when I served the divorce papers he went crazy. He thought he would have his fun and come back like every other time. But I’d finally had enough and I was making enough money by then I thought I would be able to manage on my own if he made things difficult.”

He cupped her cheek in his hand and tilted her head up. “I’m sorry, sugar.”

Katy leaned in to the warmth of his touch. “The kids make it worth the heartache.”

“I thought you might have children,” he said softly. “Your body tells its own stories.” His arms tightened around her and he brushed his lips over her forehead.

Katy pulled away. “That doesn’t actually make me feel any better.” She didn’t like to think about how her body had changed after having the kids.

“It should.” He gently tugged the ribbons at the top of her corset, loosening them inch by inch until she could feel a rush of cool air over her breasts.

“What are you doing?” She froze, her moment of relief at not being rejected shattered by the fear of discovery.

“Well, first, I’m not running away. Second, I’m showing you just how much I like your body.” He trailed a warm finger over the crescents of her breasts, sending shivers of lightening straight to her core.

“Third, I’m reliving our phone conversation. Except this time, I don’t have to use my imagination.”

Her heart drummed against her ribcage in time to the waves crashing below them. But the salty ocean spray did nothing to cool her heated skin.

She wrapped her arms around her chest, hiding herself from his heated gaze. “Are you crazy? We were on the line with that phone call. We are definitely crossing it now.”

“I’ll deal with it.” He eased her hands away and placed them around his waist. Katy’s breasts brushed against the soft cotton of his shirt and she shivered at the erotic sensation.

“How?”

“I’ll ask another partner to handle the file. I’ll tell Steele I have a conflict of interest, which I do.”

Katy swallowed hard. “You would do that? Drop the case?”

“You are tempting beyond belief,” he growled. “I can’t think clearly when I’m with you.” He trailed soft butterfly kisses along her jaw, down her throat and over the curve of her shoulder.

Every nerve in her body thrummed but she was part of this too. His assurance that he would deal with it wasn’t good enough. “Mark? Are you really going to drop the case?”

“Mmmm.”

“Answer me.” Her voice wavered. Was this just a game to him?

“Trust me, Katy. I would never let anything happen to you. I won’t endanger your career. I’ve thought it through and handing over the file is the best solution. He’ll have the best litigator in the firm and my promise I’ll be available to handle his other work.” His hands roamed her body as his lips dusted their way down to the hollow between her breasts.

Her legs trembled. Hundreds of lawyers danced and drank just behind the door. His assurances could not take away all the risk. But she could not pull herself away from the deliciously dangerous man who saw something appealing in her—something she didn’t see.

Craving took hold of her, deep and dark. She stretched up and hesitantly brushed her lips over his.

The violence and speed of his reaction shocked her. One minute she was pressed against him. The next, he had her against the wall, her wrists pinned over her head, his thigh between her legs, forcing them apart.

Moisture flooded her sex. She tilted her head back, seeking the warmth of his lips as she rocked her hips against his leg, her courage fueled by the potent mix of alcohol, need and the scent of the untamed sea. “Kiss me,” she whispered.

“You didn’t have to ask, sugar.” He leaned down and captured her mouth in the kiss she had dreamed about since the first day they met.





Stop. Stop. Stop.

But it was already too late. The decision had been made when he had seen her on the dance floor. He kissed her lightly at first, teasing and tasting, savoring the rich tang of wine on her soft, plump lips. Then he gave into passion, diving in deep, claiming her mouth, hot and wet. A sensual feast long denied.

Katy moaned and arched her back, pressing her breasts against his chest. For the briefest moment he considered releasing her to attend to the enticing mounds, now freed of their constraint, but he couldn’t pull himself away.

He sucked her bottom lip between his teeth, nipping gently, until a low, rich groan tore from her throat and her head dropped back against the wall. She tugged against his hands, trying to free her arms. But he couldn’t let her touch him. Already they had gone too far. One caress and he would lose that single strand of control keeping him sane. Tightening his grip, he deepened the kiss, taking more of her mouth, feeding his hunger. Feeding hers.

Finally he pulled away and captured both her wrists with one hand, freeing the other to shove her corset down further. He cupped her breast, squeezing lightly as he teased the dusky tip with his thumb.

“Oh God. Don’t stop.”

“I have no intention of stopping, sugar.” He turned his attention to her other breast, laving her nipple until she moaned. His cock stiffened and throbbed under the constricting barrier of his clothes.

Waves crashed against the concrete walls below, enveloping them in a cool, fine mist. He brushed water droplets off the velvet softness of her exposed breasts and then trailed his fingers down over the smooth satin of her dress to the concave dip of her belly. When he reached her mound, he tugged at the skirt bunched around his thigh.

Stop. Not here.

But he couldn’t stop. He wanted her with a fierce ache, so shocking in its intensity, it almost took his breath away. And yet, he wanted something more.

The glass door rattled and flew open. Mark froze then dropped Katy’s hands and forced himself back. A couple joined them on the balcony, so intent on their conversation they did not realize they were not alone.

Heart pounding, Mark pushed Katy behind him. He hid her from view while she straightened her clothing and laced herself up. When the couple turned toward the water, Katy slipped past him and out the door.

He caught up to her in the hallway, his pulse still hammering in his ears. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen from his kisses, her hair in disarray. Sexy as hell. He wanted her even more. “Come to the club, sugar. We’re heading over there now.”

The look she gave him made his heart stammer in his chest. Regret? Uncertainty? Fear? He couldn’t tell. They needed time alone. Time to talk. Time to finish what they started.

“I have work to do. Pictures. Mingling.” She blushed and bit her lip. “We shouldn’t have…”

Mark smiled. “Maybe not, but I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything. Don’t tell me you have regrets.”

She looked up at him and her bottom lip quivered, still plump and swollen from his kiss. “I do,” she whispered. “And I don’t.”





Katy shifted her weight from one foot to the other. After two long hours of shaking hands and posing for pictures at the banquet, her stiletto boots had finally lost their appeal. She desperately wanted to go home and get the damn boots off. But first she needed a cab. And for some reason, there were none to be found.

The last few partygoers exited the hotel and she watched with longing when they walked down the street to a waiting car. Next time she would forgo the tequila in favor of driving herself home.

She walked to the corner and turned down a side street beside the hotel, hoping to catch a cab before it hit the main road. She had only taken a few steps when a hand grabbed her shoulder and pushed her against the wall with a violent shove.

“Katherine.” Jimmy’s eyes gleamed fever bright, sending a surge of adrenaline through her veins.

“Jimmy. You’re out of jail.” She kept her tone low and even, calm, despite her thundering heart. He looked more gaunt than usual, and his dark eyes had sunk farther into their sockets. Still there was no mistaking the menace in his voice or the grim set to his mouth. She slid her hand into her purse and fumbled around for something to use as a weapon.

He nodded. “Thanks to you, the judge reduced bail. I had a friend spring me this morning.”

“Great.”

Katy’s fingers closed over the cold steel of her nail file and she slid it into the sleeve of her coat before drawing her hand out of her purse.

Suddenly, Jimmy’s hand shot out and circled her neck. “Not great,” he snarled. “I hadn’t even gotten a block from the jail when some psycho cop dragged me into his vehicle and drove me down to the police station for questioning. Apparently the cops found a plastic bag at Val’s place with my prints on it, and they wanted to know what might have been inside.”

“You should have called me.” Katy choked on her words as his fingers closed around her neck. “You had the right to have a lawyer present when they questioned you.”

“I should have called you and asked you for my f*cking pills,” Jimmy shouted. “But I thought it would be better if I came in person. Your secretary told me where you were. I’ve been waiting all night out here.”

“I don’t have your pills.” Her heart pounded against her ribcage, and she slid the nail file into her palm.

“Don’t lie to me!” Jimmy yelled. Drops of his saliva flecked her face, and her head jerked back, hitting the wall. He increased the pressure on her throat, cutting off her air. She made a feeble attempt to stab him with the nail file but her arms were suddenly too heavy to lift.

“Val took one of the pills, so they had to be in the apartment. You were the one who found her. I told you about them. The police didn’t have them. I’m not stupid. I can do the math. I want them back.”

Jimmy faded into a gray haze and Katy sagged against the wall.

“F*ck. Wake the f*ck up.” He released her and the sharp sting of his slap on her cheek cleared the fog from her brain.

She gasped and drew a breath of sweet, cool air into her lungs as she considered her options. She wouldn’t get far running in her damn boots, and he was twice her size, so attacking him didn’t have a high likelihood of success. She could scream, but at this late hour and on a side street, she doubted anyone would come to her rescue. She would have to talk her way out. It was, after all, what lawyers did best.

“I told you, I couldn’t take anything from a crime scene. I didn’t take the pills. And if you touch me again, I’m going to scream. Since you’re on probation, one strike will land you back in jail.” Her words came out in a rush but with a conviction that surprised her.

“You don’t understand,” he growled “You don’t know who you’re dealing with. They are serious players. They know I had the pills and they want them. Just hand them over to me and I won’t tell them you’re involved.”

Katy began a slow backward walk toward the main street. “For the last time. I didn’t take them. Someone else must have been in the apartment after Val died.” She stopped. Mark. He had been in the apartment too. They had split up to make their phone calls.

Her face must have revealed her thoughts because Jimmy narrowed his eyes. “Tell me,” he growled. “Who else was there?”

Katy shook her head. “No one.” She reached the safety of the main road and looked for help. In the distance she could see headlights, and a couple walking toward her.

“Get the f*ck back here,” Jimmy spat. “We’re not done. You’re my f*cking lawyer. You’re supposed to help me.” He took two steps toward her and then spotted the couple, now only half a block away.

“F*ck.” He retreated into the alley and Katy raced down the road toward her unwitting rescuers.

“I don’t believe you,” Jimmy called after her. “When they come for me, I’m going to give them your name.”