*Author’s note: This chapter is dreadfully long...sorry! You ask “Did I really need to include the court case?” And I answer: “Yes. Yes I did.” You can skim or skip it really. You won’t miss anything pertinent to the main story. I just couldn’t stop writing so...yeah.*
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“Did you hear me, Hannah?” Travis asked, placing the folder
face up on her desk.
She stared at the black file a moment trying to make sense
of what was going on. The State’s Attorney had just walked into her office and
personally handed her a case. Having just come off a win, she was already abuzz
with excitement as to where she’d go next. But this was unprecedented and she was
stumped trying to figure out the catch. “I’m sorry, sir,” she replied, suddenly
zoning back into the conversation. “You want me to what?”
“Take 1st chair on the Overton case. The details
are in his jacket.”
“I thought that’s what you said,” she smiled and
straightened herself up as she gazed into the eyes of her superior. “Sir, this
is a great opportunity and I appreciate the chance, Mr. Stark, really don’t get
me wrong…but why me? I’m new here; just learning the ropes.”
“That’s precisely the point. Hannah, I have many seasoned
attorneys here all chomping at the bit to get their hands on this case. Rick
Overton is a multi-billionaire with connections that the President would envy. It’s
high profile; it’s a game changer. The attorney who takes him down will make
headlines and that’s what everyone here wants. But what I want, what I think
this case needs are fresh eyes and a fresh mind.”
“It needs an unbiased advocate; someone who hasn’t been corrupted by the allure of a win and will fight for justice because it’s her job to. Hannah, I think you are perfect for this case. You’ve handled every other assignment with poise and dignity and are already starting to make a name for yourself within the judicial circuit.”
“Wow. Well, when you put it like that, what else can I say
but yes and thank you!”
“Good. Because you technically have no say in which cases
you get,” he smirked which made a smile form on Alexa’s face as well. More and
more it became apparent that father and son shared the same sense of humor as
well as charm. “I’ll see you downstairs in a few.”
Alexa sighed and dropped behind her desk, drearily scanning
through the documents Travis had left behind. A high profile case. That was not
something she was looking forward to. While her degrees and accommodations from
Harvard were all forged, she had a great working knowledge of the law. But high
profile meant lots of exposure. The job of insinuating herself into the lives
of her mark was hard enough without adding in the pressure of being seen by
past associates.
“Press is here,” Peyton announced, momentarily popping her
head into Alexa’s office.
“The press? Why are they here? What do they want?”
“An interview with the newest attorney for the SA’s office.”
“Me? They want to interview me?” Peyton nodded her head as
Alexa leaned over her desk, staring toward the conference room where the
reporters had gathered. “What if I don’t want to do an interview?”
“Well, you’ll need to take that up with your Boss. Mr. Stark
is waiting on you in the conference room.”
Alexa swallowed hard as Peyton quickly exited and she
dropped back behind her desk. It was one thing coming into a job and doing the
work needed. It was a whole other thing to be videoed while doing it. Alexa
couldn’t risk the exposure. Her whole trade depended on anonymity to make it
easier getting in and out. There was no way she could face down a room full of
reporters, even with her new and improved look. “You gonna keep them waiting all
day?”
Alexa looked up to find Tobias lurking in her doorway. He appeared
annoyed, most likely due to the fact that his case was not as high profile and
he was shut out of the interview by the man he looked up to. Alexa smiled at
the look he shot her as an idea began to take form. “I…I’m a little uh…”
“You know if you want, I could go in there for you.”
Pay dirt! Alexa looked
up instantly, catching the man’s gaze and smiled gratefully toward him while
inside she was dancing a victory jig. “You, you would do that for me?”
“Well, I mean, we’re on the same side, right? And I’m all about being a team player when I can. Of course, though, I’d have to, take credit for the case. I mean otherwise they may come back looking for you, you know.”
And there it was. Alexa was no fool. She knew Tobias’ kind gesture had a few strings attached. But he had a point. If he mentioned her name, the reporters could come back; hell, the fact that she was dodging them alone added mystery. Surely there would be one or two chomping at the bit to get a picture or a background exclusive. “Of course,” Alexa smiled indulgently. “I understand. Thank you, Tobias. I really appreciate this.”
“It’s really no trouble at all.” He straightened up his tie
and pulled his jacket sleeves along his arm before brushing off his shoulder
and smiling. “How do I look?”
Like a snake in the
grass, “Like you’re ready for your close up.”
“That I am, Mr. Demille, that I am.” Alexa watched as Tobias
started into the center conference room and shook hands with the reporters
seated at the table. Travis looked up catching her gaze with bewilderment and
she simply shrugged.
Giving them a moment to get into the interview, she quietly
collected her things, along with the case files on her latest assignment, and
started for the downstairs library. It was always a nice, relaxing atmosphere.
A little escape from everyone where she could concentrate on her day-to-day and
also sneak a message to K when need be.
Pulling up her laptop, she shot him a quick message asking
for a status update before opening the little black file and getting to work.
The Overton case. Curling up on the sofa in the back corner
of the room, Alexa began going over the evidence recovered from the crime
scene. Rick Overton, CEO for Overline Industries, the leader in private
security services at home and abroad, was accused of murdering his wife in cold
blood at the residence they shared in the posh neighborhood of Trinity Falls.
The home had been ransacked to appear like a burglary but no
valuables had been taken. It was the Defense’s claim that the wife surprised a
thief and sustained a gunshot wound to the neck. But the State’s Attorney
insisted the scene was staged and that the husband, Rick Overton, was behind
the murder. He was charged and arrested the next day.
The only thing dirtier than this guy was the sewer he crawled out of. He was guilty. She could tell. Alexa had a way of
seeing through these types of people. It was a skill she’d honed
from her time as a hired gun. Overton and his wife had a tempestuous
relationship at best. He was often away on business trips and she ran a small
flower nursery from their home. They argued about the prospect of starting a
family. She was for, he was against. But the idea of children was only one of
their many concerns. Money and the fear of affairs on both sides also topped
the list.
On the night in question, Mr. Overton reported that he was
away, overseeing a security detail for a longtime client when he got the news
about his wife and rushed home. But a neighbor puts Rick Overton at his house
moments before the 911 call. “No forced entry and the alarm had been turned
off,” she read aloud, flipping through the pages in front of her.
“Interesting.”
“Knock, knock,” Travis’ voice interrupted Alexa’s train of
thought as he came up through the stacks beside her. “Mind if I barge in?”
“Of course not, Sir, it’s your building. I’m sure you can go
where you please.” He smiled as he took a seat across from her and Alexa
straightened up on the sofa she found herself sprawled across.
Travis looked at the paperwork lying on the table beside her
and grinned. “Hard at work I see.”
“Absolutely, Sir, you gave me a case to work and I take my
job very seriously.”
“That’s good to know. It’s actually what I wanted to talk to
you about, Hannah. I know what you did,” his face took on a more serious expression
and Alexa inhaled deeply as she waited for him to continue. “Letting Tobias
take the interview for you.”
“Oh that, yes. I’m sorry about that, Sir, I just…”
“Travis.”
“Excuse me?”
“You keep calling me Sir. There’s no need to be so formal.
I’m your boss, not your executioner.”
“Ok, Travis, I don’t do well in front of cameras. I’m
hopelessly timid around people I don’t know well. Tobias saw how nervous I was
and offered to step in for me.”
“Ah, well Tobias would set his own mother on fire if he
thought it would get him an inch of political gain. Stealing the spotlight on a
high-profile case isn’t beneath him.”
“It sounds like you don’t like him very much, Sir…Travis.”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean, Hannah. I’m a
politician. I like everyone,” Travis smiled but it quickly dissolved into a serious expression. “I want you to know, I’m sorry
about what happened between you and Tobias. And I promise I won’t let something
like that happen again.”
“What?” Hannah asked, sitting more erect in her seat.
“Gavin told me,” Travis replied somberly. “I’ll keep my eye on him and if he tries it again, please, come to me. My door is always open.”
“What?” Hannah asked, sitting more erect in her seat.
“Gavin told me,” Travis replied somberly. “I’ll keep my eye on him and if he tries it again, please, come to me. My door is always open.”
“Thank you, Travis. I will.”
“And just for future knowledge, when I need you in front of
the cameras, please, don’t send Tobias in your stead. Anyway, I’ll let you get
back to it,” he stood and straightened his tie with a smile. “Timid? Really?
I’d have never pegged you for a shy one!” he commented before exiting the back
door of the library.
“Shit,” she sighed to herself and pulled up her laptop. K
would have to do some serious media control if her face got on TV.
7:55 p.m. –
Me again. –
7:57 p.m. –
What’s up? –
8:01 p.m. – I may have a problem. Being the young, new attorney on the block, the SA requires that I put in some face time. –
8:01 p.m. – I may have a problem. Being the young, new attorney on the block, the SA requires that I put in some face time. –
8:02 p.m. –
So, I should look forward to corralling news stations and social media? –
8:07 p.m. –
Exactly. –
8:10 p.m. –
I’ll get ready to work. –
8:12 p.m. –
Thanks K, I knew I could count on you! –
Court was in session early the next morning. It was game
time and Alexa needed to be ready for anything. She looked over the faces of
the 12 men and women sitting across from where she stood. They all appeared
interested, always a good sign; especially since it was important she get a
conviction. The Overton case was her first solo time up and Travis Stark was
seated in the gallery…watching.
“There was no sign of forced entry. There was blood, from
the victim, on the wall beside the front door here, and on the doorknob here,” Detective
Brand pointed toward the photos on the screen. “And the victim was discovered
in the living room of her home.”
“Why did you arrest Mr. Overton?” Alexa asked, as he paused
the images on the deceased Nancy Overton lying in a pool of her own blood.
“Forensic technicians found DNA under the victim’s
fingernails which matched Mr. Rick Overton. Neighbors had also reported
overhearing an argument between Mr. Overton and his wife on the night in
question.”
“And did you search the defendant’s home?”
“Yes, Ma’am, we did.”
“And what did you find?” The detective clicked the remote
once more, bringing up a photo of a receipt. “And this receipt shows the
defendant, Mr. Overton,” Alexa turned and pointed at the man seated at the
defense table, “had purchased gas a few miles from his home twenty minutes
before his wife was killed, correct?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“And Mr. Overton claimed that he was away on business at the
time?”
“Yes. Mr. Overton stated that he was two cities away at the
time of his wife’s murder working a private detail for Benson Coolidge.”
“Benson Coolidge the drug kingpin.”
“That’s correct.”
“Thank you, Detective Brand. No further questions, Your
Honor.”
“You said there were signs of a struggle, Detective Brand?” Katrina
Reynolds asked, as she paced slowly in front of the stand.
“That’s right I did.”
“And you’d been in the neighborhood just a week earlier and
found a similar scene, hadn’t you?”
“Objection! Irrelevant and immaterial.”
“Overruled. You may answer.”
“Your Honor, may we approach the bench?” Alexa asked,
tapping her pen against her hand anxiously. He motioned them forward and Alexa
took a breath.
“Your Honor, the defense is trying to draw a connection
between this murder and three unsolved burglaries in the neighborhood. We would
ask for a proffer before they continue with this line of questioning. There was
no sign of forced entry,” Alexa reasoned.
“There was no sign of forced entry in the other burglaries,
either,” Katrina argued. “Doors were chosen without peepholes so the victim
would come to the door.”
“The police cross-referenced the victim’s belongings with an
inventory filed with his insurance carrier. Nothing was missing. This was not a
burglary,” Alexa continued, ensuring her point was made.
“Then let the prosecution argue that and let the jury
decide, Your Honor. There’s no reason to reject the theory when there are clear
similarities in each case.”
“Yes, exactly, a theory
is all the defense has, Your Honor. We are here for the truth, not some game of
speculation and conjecture! I object to his line of questioning.”
Judge Alvin Watford thought over his decision a moment
before shaking his head in quiet contemplation. “I’m siding with the
prosecution on this. Unless you can present evidence to support a theory of
robbery, I’ll sustain the objection.”
The attorneys returned to their tables and the defense
looked over her notes, turned toward the gallery and back to the judge. “Your
Honor, we ask for a brief recess. Our next witness has not arrived and we need
a moment to locate them.”
“Fine. It’s 1:30 now, we’ll take a twenty-minute recess and
get back here before the top of the hour. And when we return, let’s hope the
defense is ready to continue with this trial,” Judge Watford eyed Katrina Reynolds
pointedly before pounding his gavel and the courtroom began to disperse.
Alexa stepped into the hallway behind a few spectators.
Grabbing her phone, she checked for any email alerts or messages from K.
“You’re doing well in there,” Travis’ voice startled her and she turned and
peered into the deep pools of blue that smiled at her in return. “I knew you’d
be perfect for this case.”
“Thank you, Sir…Travis. But I’m afraid you’re giving me more
credit than I deserve. The evidence was all fairly strong against the
defendant. I’m simply its interpreter for the jury.”
“Regardless, you’re telling a compelling story. It’ll be a
big win for us.”
“Well, you know what they say about counting your chickens
before they hatch,” Alexa replied, staring over his shoulder toward the
defense attorney. Katrina was speaking quietly to a man Alexa recognized as
Overton’s next-door neighbor.
“Who is that?” Travis asked, directing his attention to the
two.
“Jason Parker, Rick and Nancy’s neighbor.”
“He’s the defense’s next witness? Seems a bit odd
considering he’s the one that dialed 911 and places the defendant at the house
with his wife.”
“Yeah. It’s a surprise. And I hate surprises.”
“Sir, could you please state your name for the record,”
Katrina started the questioning.
“Jason Parker.”
“And what was your relationship to the victim?”
“We were neighbors.” Katrina smiled faintly but it was
enough for Alexa to notice before she turned back to face the witness.
“Thank you, Mr. Parker.” The defense returned to her table
and took a seat and Alexa exchanged a look with her boss sitting behind her.
“Would the prosecution like to question the witness?” Judge
Watford asked, motioning toward the stand.
“Yes, thank you, Your Honor,” Alexa stood slowly, still
eyeing Travis before starting over to the witness stand. “Mr. Parker, on the
night in question, could you please explain to the jury what you were doing
around 10 p.m., the time the murder was committed?”
“I was in my backyard, walking my dog, and that’s when I saw
the defendant and his wife arguing.”
“And did you hear what they were arguing about?” Alexa
asked, stepping closer to the stand.
“Yes. I’m not a snoop but things seemed really heated. And
after seeing the police at their home earlier that week I thought I should be
prepared to maybe phone them again; so I stepped closer to the gate. Mrs.
Overton was yelling at Rick about an affair. She believed he was being
unfaithful and she wanted it to end. She threatened to leave him if he didn’t
end things with his mistress.”
“And what was Mr. Overton’s response to this?”
“Objection, Your Honor, hearsay.”
“Sustained.”
“Would you say the defendant was in a bit of a mood hearing
this ultimatum?”
“Objection, cause for speculation. Mr. Parker was standing
behind a gate, there’s no way he could determine my client’s state of mind.”
“Sustained.”
“Mr. Parker, were the voices you heard, the ones of your
neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Overton, angry?”
“Did they scare you?”
“Yes.”
“So much so, you thought it was your civic duty to dial 911
before things escalated?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Mr. Parker. No further questions.”
“Mr. Parker, just a few more questions,” Katrina stood and
started toward the stand. “You’ve been the Overton’s neighbor for how long?”
“Wow uh, I’d say it’s been at least 8 years. Rick wasn’t
home as often but Nancy and I were friendly. We’d talk about a lot of things.”
“And how many disputes would you say you’ve heard between the
couple?”
“A handful.”
“A handful. Well wouldn’t ‘a handful’ of disagreements over
the course of 8 years lead you to believe their marriage was a happy one?”
“Objection, cause for speculation. The witness is not a
marriage counselor.”
“Let me rephrase. Why would ‘a handful’ of arguments lead
you to call the police in this particular case?”
“Because it was unusual for them to argue so loudly and it
was starting to happen more often.”
“I see. And, Mr. Parker, you’ve recently put new locks on
your home, didn’t you?”
“Objection! Relevance?”
“Your Honor, it’s relevant concerning the recent burglaries
in the neighborhood.”
“Counselor, I’ve already ruled on that. Move on.”
“Mr. Parker, you mentioned that you’d talked to the victim
about many things. What were they?”
“Oh, I don’t know. What do neighbors normally talk about with
each other?”
“I don’t know; the weather or the type of lawn treatment to
use in the spring…maybe about having an affair.”
“Objection, Your Honor.”
“I’m just trying to establish Mr. Parker’s familiarity with
the victim.”
“I’ll allow it.”
“Did you and Mrs. Overton ever share evenings together?”
“We would have the occasional meal, yes.”
“And during one of these ‘occasional meals’ was the subject
of sex ever brought up?”
“Objection!”
“Overruled.”
“No, never. She was a married woman and I respected that.”
“Surely you were tempted. Her husband was out of town
frequently on business. She was a very attractive woman. It stands to reason
you would be interested. A single man, living alone; when was the last time you
went out on a date?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Isn’t it true you haven’t been out since November of last
year?”
“As I said, I don’t remember.”
“The well must have been drying up.”
“Objection, Your Honor, defense is badgering the witness!”
“I withdraw my last statement,” Katrina grinned over her
shoulder toward Alexa. “You have keys to Mrs. Overton’s home, don’t you Mr.
Parker?”
“Yes. She gave them to me the night after she’d locked
herself out. Her husband was away and she needed to call a locksmith to be let
back in. I told her I could hold a copy for her in cases of emergency. She has
one to my home as well. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Yes, except you are the only person to claim to have heard
the couple arguing moments before her death. For all we know you could have
used those keys and murdered Mrs. Overton yourself after she rejected your
advances.”
“Objection!”
“Sustained! That’s enough Counselor.”
“No further questions, Your Honor.”
After closing arguments, Alexa resumed her spot in the hall,
anxiously pacing as she and defense attorney Katrina Reynolds awaited the
verdict. The bailiff stepped outside and announced the jury was in and Alexa
took in a deep breath as she glanced at the clock on the wall.
“Twenty minutes to reach a verdict? Should be interesting,”
Travis replied, holding the door for Alexa to enter.
“Members of the jury, have you reached a verdict?”
“We have Your Honor.”
“On the charge of first-degree murder, how do you find?”
“We find the defendant, guilty.”
A cacophony of voices erupted in the courtroom with a mix of
emotions. Alexa smiled inwardly as Judge Watford regained order and handed down
his ruling. Travis congratulated his newest attorney and she noticed the look
of disdain on Tobias’ face before he exited the courtroom. “The press is
outside. Come on, let’s not keep them waiting.”
“Justice was served today,” Travis started as a dizzying
blur of camera lights flashed in Alexa’s eyes.
10:05 p.m. – Saw you on TV. –
10:07 p.m. – Yeah? And can I hope that no one else did? –
10:12 p.m. – I rerouted the broadcast signals so anyone outside of a 20-mile radius wouldn’t be able to see it. And I hid any and all references of you from their website and a few blogs. Adding tracker tags on your name and anything related to the Starks, I’ll be able to keep my eye on the traffic. Hannah Taylor is still very much invisible. –
10:13 p.m. – Nice! Sounds like a lot of trouble though. –
10:15 p.m. – Meh. All in a day’s work I suppose. Also, I uncovered something else. Check this out… –
Alexa clicked on the attachment link and opened up the file. It was filled with gift receipts for various items including jewelry, spa treatments, vacation trips and even a Porsche. A deed to a high-rise apartment in Valencia Bay and tailor measurements for a woman who was 3 sizes smaller than Joan Stark.
10:17 p.m. – K, am I looking at what I think I’m looking at? –
10:19 p.m. – Yep. Your boss is dirty, but not the kind that should warrant his murder…unless it’s by the wife. You asked me to look into the reason someone wanted him dead. The only things I found were a few mistresses. –
10:20 p.m. – A few? So, either Joan found out about his lifestyle and is hoping to repay him tenfold or one of the many criminals he’s put behind bars is looking for a little revenge?
10:25 p.m. – That sounds about right. Every criminal and white collared worker would love to get their hands on him. Not to mention his public face. I think the list of suspects is long. –
10:27 p.m. – Well great. That just makes my job harder. –
10:29 p.m. – Are you kidding? This means less work! If we’re lucky, someone will beat us to the punch and we’ll still get paid! –
10:31 p.m. – No. You know my rules, K. –
10:32 p.m. – A, please tell me you’re not saying what I think you’re saying. –
10:34 p.m. – Probably. I gotta jet. Someone’s at my door. Keep checking for whom else would profit from Travis’ death. –
10:35 p.m. – Will do. –
Gavin stood anxiously twiddling his thumbs while he waited
for Alexa to answer her door. He hadn’t seen her since the previous morning.
And even then, she’d slipped out so quickly he didn’t have time to
“accidentally” bump into her as he’d planned. “Hannah, hey,” he smiled when she
finally came to the door.
“Hey, you really are a night owl, aren’t you?”
“Uh, yeah, um, sorry I guess it’s a little late…again. I
don’t mean to disturb you since I know you’re probably working. I just um…I
wanted to tell you that I talked to my dad and I told him about Tobias.” Alexa
stepped away from the door and Gavin entered inside her apartment.
He paced the living room as she came around him to take a
seat and slowly dropped to the couch beside her. “And?” she asked, curling her
legs into herself.
“And he said he spoke to him about his behavior and, of
course, Tobias denied it all. He claims you drunkenly came on to him and he
rejected your advances.”
“That’s a lie!”
“I know it is. But with it being your word against his…”
“There’s nothing your dad can do about it and now I look
like a bitch for saying anything.”
“I’m sorry. But if it makes you feel better, Dad believes
you. He just can’t pursue the claim without evidence.”
“You don’t have to explain the law to me, Gavin. I am a
lawyer,” Alexa grumbled and fell back against her sofa hopelessly. “Thanks for
trying.”
“Any time.” Gavin stood and started toward the door and
Alexa followed behind him. “Uh…so…”
“Was there something else?”
“Yeah, um, I wanted to tell you that I had a nice time at
lunch the other day and I was wondering if you’d like to do it again sometime.”
“Yeah, I, uh, what?”
“Lunch; would you like to have lunch with me?”
“Wait a second, you didn’t knock on my door at almost 11 at
night to tell me about what your dad said did you? It was so you could ask me
out to lunch?”
“Uh…yes?” he grinned clumsily which was followed by a small
laugh. “I failed to learn the concept of time. As a child, I was always hungry
when my parents were their sleepiest. Were you sleeping?” he asked slowly
eyeing her clothing with an admiring smirk.
“On the way there,” she sighed and closed her arms over her
chest, regaining his attention toward her face.
“Ah, well as you will recall, I actually WAS sleeping yesterday
when you knocked on my door around midnight. I just thought we were trading
visits.”
“Touché,” Alexa grinned at the charming smile he flashed her and searched her mind for a witty remark but came up short. “As for lunch, Gavin, um…I don’t really know what my schedule’s gonna look like in the next few weeks so I don’t know if I can really make plans.” Alexa was already having second thoughts about whether or not she would continue the mission. Hearing what Kasper learned was grounds to abort. It was smart; cleaner that way. Cut bait and run before she got in too deep with Gavin.
“Right, yeah, I saw you on TV with my dad. You got a conviction;
congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“So, work’s getting busy then?”
“Just a little crazy. I want to keep myself available for
when your dad…”
“No, you don’t have to explain, I understand.”
“I’m sorry. I just, I don’t want to say yes and then have to
cancel on you, you know?”
“Absolutely. I get it. Uh, well…I guess I’ll let you get
back to what you were doing then. And I’ll just be across the hall,” he
replied, slowly stepping back. “You know where to find me if your schedule
clears.” Gavin nodded then turned away. His eyes squeezed tightly shut for a
moment to lessen the sting of the rejection as he hurriedly tried to unlock his
door.
“Tomorrow?”
“A girl’s gotta eat,” she shrugged with a smile.
“Tomorrow it is. I’ll swing by your office at noon?”
“No good. I’ll be in court all morning and it could run
late. Can we make it one instead?”
“In that case, I’ll see you at 1:00.”
“And Gavin? You think we could find a place with a decent
sweet tea?”
“Totally!”
“Cool. I look forward to it,” she grinned and shut her door.
She needed to get to the bottom of this. And find out the identity of her
client.
“Hey, Peter, sorry I’m late. Kate’s car is in the shop and I had to drop my sister off at a friend’s.”
—Southbridge, McMullen’s Sports Bar—
“Hey, Peter, sorry I’m late. Kate’s car is in the shop and I had to drop my sister off at a friend’s.”
“That’s ok, there’s still time to catch up,” Peter replied,
nodding toward the bartender. “Two more please. So, Nolan, how is Kate doing
these days? Still missing me on those cold, lonely nights?”
“Doubtful. I remind her every day how lucky she is to have
dumped your sorry ass,” he laughed and took a pull from his bottle. Glancing up
at the television, his attention was robbed by the display outside the
courthouse. Hopping up from his stool, he quickly moved toward the television
and turned up the volume on the news report.
“State’s Attorney
Travis Stark and his newest attorney, Hannah Taylor, have assured the public
that they are dedicated to putting criminals where they belong.
‘It
doesn’t matter what tax bracket they fall into. You break the law
in my state, you’re
going to do time for your crime!’
“This win comes on the
heels of Stark’s re-election campaign that declared harsher punishments for
criminals.
“Nolan? You ok man?”
“I know that girl. I used to date her.”
“Hannah Taylor?”
“Her name is Eva; Eva Austin. Five years ago, I asked her to
marry me, and I never saw her again.”
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