A Legal Affair

Chapter Three

“Jim is not going down without a fight.” Alicia sat across from her client and childhood friend, Elizabeth Brown, who was in the midst of a nasty divorce and custody battle. She hadn’t wanted to call this early morning meeting in her office, but she’d had no choice.

The sitting area in her office might be cozy, but there was no getting away from the fact that this was a lawyer’s office and an official meeting. Jonah Sutter sat next to his sister on the chocolate-colored sofa, looking large and protective as he gently clasped Elizabeth’s hand in his.

Alicia took a deep breath and delivered her bad news. “He’s implying that you’re mentally unstable. But more than that, he’s claiming that you’re not a fit mother for Susie.” Alicia knew that Elizabeth’s six-year-old daughter was the joy of her life and that there was nothing to Jim’s claims.

“That’s crazy,” Jonah protested, leaning forward. “The man is an abusive liar.

Everyone who knows him knows he’s got a hair-trigger temper.” Frustration and anger rolled off the man in waves.

“I know.” Alicia stayed calm, knowing that she had to for her client’s sake. Jim Brown was evil, plain and simple. Professionally, she couldn’t wait to get in court and tear the man’s arguments apart.

She turned her attention to Elizabeth, who sat silently, her eyes averted. This was not the bright-eyed, exuberant girl she’d known in grade school. Life hadn’t been easy for Elizabeth, and it was going to get worse before it got better.

“What do you suggest?” Elizabeth raised her head. She was pale but composed.

“I think we need to hire an investigator to talk to some of Susie’s teachers, your doctor, as well as friends and neighbors. We need more than hearsay to build a case against Jim.” Alicia hated to distress Elizabeth further, but there was no choice. “We talked about this. The fact that you’ve covered up his abuse over the years, lied to your doctors and never filed a complaint with the police, will make this process much harder.”

It had been several weeks since they’d discussed the possibility of having to hire a private investigator. They might not need to call people as witnesses, but Alicia didn’t want to take any chances.

Elizabeth twisted her fingers together in her lap, her voice barely a whisper. “I want to keep Susie out of this.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not possible. The court will appoint a trained counselor to question Susie. They need to know about her relationship with her father and what she saw in your household.” Alicia wished it didn’t have to be that way, but it did.

“Is it really necessary?” She could see the pleading in Elizabeth’s eyes and knew her client would do anything to keep her daughter out of this mess as much as possible.

Alicia sighed, knowing that what she was about to say would hurt her friend.

“Ordinarily, I’d say no. But this is not an ordinary situation. Jim can be an incredibly charming man when he puts his mind to it. His position on the Jamesville town council, and as a respected businessman, gives him credibility. He’s active in the community and has a lot of friends.”

“Unlike me.” Elizabeth’s chin tilted up and Alicia could see a spark of fire in her friend’s eyes.

“That’s not your fault,” Jonah muttered. “That bastard would barely allow you out of the house.”

Alicia knew that Jonah was angry with himself for not seeing his sister’s plight sooner. He’d moved away from Jamesville when he was still in his teens, only returning a few months ago when their father was killed in a car accident. He’d had no idea his sister had been living with mental and physical abuse all these years. No one had known the severity of the situation. But guilt and anger weren’t what Elizabeth needed now. Right now, she needed action.

Elizabeth nodded, picking at a thread dangling from the hem of her blouse. “I understand. Even though I grew up here, most folks don’t know me much anymore.” She dropped the fabric she was shredding with her fingers. “That needs to change.”

“Just the fact that you’re getting out more is a good thing.” That was a plus as far as Alicia was concerned, but they still had to be cautious. She didn’t want Jim Brown getting anywhere near her client.

The only thing in their favor was that Elizabeth and Susie were now living with Jonah. She had no idea what he’d been doing the past fifteen years or so, but he was one tough-looking sonofabitch. Alicia only hoped this situation was resolved without more violence. Jim’s position in the community was important to him and she was hoping that the need to protect that would win out over his need to hurt Elizabeth further. Only time would tell.

“I think it’s better to cover all our bases.” Alicia got up from her chair and perched on the ottoman in front of Elizabeth, touching her friend on the shoulder. “It probably won’t be necessary, but I’d rather be prepared in case his lawyers decide to get nasty.”

“Okay. What do I do?”

Alicia sat back on the leather ottoman. “You don’t do anything. That’s what you have me for. I have a meeting with the sheriff in an hour’s time. I figured he can point me in the direction of a good investigator.”

“Good.” Elizabeth stood and held out her hand. “I’m not sure how I’ll repay you for this, but I will.”

Alicia ignored the outstretched hand as she came to her feet, hugging her friend instead. “I hated to have to call you in to my office today, but time is getting short. The court date isn’t too far off.”

Jonah held out his hand. “Thanks for everything. Just send your bill to me and I’ll make sure you get paid.”

Alicia shook his hand. “I appreciate the offer, but I intend to make Jim pay for the court costs. There’s also a little thing called child support and alimony. When I’m through with him, he’ll wish he’d meekly signed the divorce and custody papers we offered him at the beginning of this process.” It might not be professional, but she couldn’t wait to hit Jim where it would hurt him the most—his reputation and his wallet.

There wasn’t enough evidence to get a criminal conviction. She’d settle for the next best thing.

Elizabeth gathered her purse and coat. “If that’s everything, we’ll be on our way. I don’t like leaving Susie with a sitter, even Miss Saunders.”

Personally, Alicia thought it was a good move to have the elderly woman baby-sit Susie. As a pillar of the community, and the sheriff’s secretary, everyone in town knew and respected Miss Saunders. Jim would have to be completely insane to try and snatch Susie, but Alicia didn’t want to take any chances. For now, Elizabeth had custody of their daughter, and if Alicia had her way, that’s exactly how it was going to stay.

“We’re done. If anything changes, I’ll call.” Alicia ushered Elizabeth and Jonah from her office. Bypassing the cozy seating area, she strode back to the desk and plopped down in her comfortable chair. With that nasty piece of business behind her, she rubbed her eyes and rolled her shoulders, trying to shake off the lethargy that threatened to swamp her. Glancing at her watch, she groaned. There wasn’t enough time for her to get into any work before she had to leave and meet the sheriff.

She hadn’t slept well again last night and had overslept this morning. As a result, she’d missed breakfast. Her stomach chose that moment to growl a reminder. She’d spent hours tossing and turning and remembering every touch, every moan, every moment of her night of sexual pleasure. Her fingers tingled at the memory of his thick muscles, bunching and rippling as he plunged into her over and over, bringing her to release.

She shivered and rubbed her hands over her arms. If she hurried, she could stop at Jessie’s Diner for coffee and some breakfast before she had to meet the sheriff.

Determined to put her mystery lover out of her mind, she grabbed her coat and purse and strode out of her office. “Millie, I’m off to Jessie’s before I meet with Sheriff O’Rourke. You can reach me on my cell phone if you need me.”

Her receptionist just smiled and nodded, not even pausing her typing. “No problem.

You don’t have another client scheduled until after lunch.”

Alicia hurried down the steps and out the door of the building. The cold March air stole her breath at first as she strode down the sidewalk. She buried her hands in her pocket and flipped up her collar, wishing she’d brought a hat. But it wasn’t that far. That was the thing about having an office in the downtown section of Jamesville—everything was close. Jessie’s Diner was only a five-minute walk and the sheriff’s office was practically across the street from there. She not only saved on gas, but she got some exercise too.

In spite of the cold, people were out and about, and several of them said hello as they passed. She’d grown up in Jamesville and knew most folks by name. The place was growing, but it was still a small town at heart.

The bell over the door tinkled merrily as she pushed her way into Jessie’s. It was crowded, but not full. The murmur of voices and the clink of glassware and silverware filled the place. Bypassing the counter and the smattering of tables, Alicia unbuttoned her wool coat, making her way toward a booth in the corner. The smell of coffee tickled her nose and made her stomach growl. She tossed her coat onto the booth seat and slid in beside it.

Shannon O’Rourke bustled up to the table with a pot of coffee in hand, her order pad sticking out the pocket of her apron emblazoned with the restaurant’s logo. “Coffee?”

She didn’t wait, but picked up one of the clean mugs on the table and started to pour.

“Bless you,” Alicia replied as she plucked out the laminated menu from behind the metal napkin dispenser. Not that she needed a menu. She’d eaten at Jessie’s for so many years she knew the menu by heart.

Shannon laughed. “That kind of a morning, is it?”

“It certainly feels like a Monday.” Alicia had a headache brewing and was feeling totally out of sorts, and she knew it all had to do with the man she’d met the other night.

That just wasn’t acceptable. She’d never allowed anything or anyone to interfere with her plans or her work and she wasn’t about to start now.

“I hear you.” Shannon pulled out her order pad. “The pancakes are especially good this morning. Aunt Jessie was in the mood for blueberry pancakes, so that’s the special with a side of bacon.”

“Sold.” Alicia ignored the sensible voice in her head that warned her she’d have to add an extra fifteen minutes to her workout tonight to pay for the calorie-laden breakfast.

But she didn’t care. Pancakes were exactly what she wanted. “With maple syrup.”

Shannon laughed. “Of course.”

The bell over the door tinkled again and Shannon glanced toward it. Her entire face lit up. Alicia looked over, not surprised to see Shannon’s husband Patrick walking through the door. But it was the man behind Patrick who made her heart skip a beat. It couldn’t be. She blinked, but he was still there. Her mystery lover.

Her palms began to sweat as he headed in her direction, the sheriff leading the way.

Her heart was pounding. She realized he was staring intently at her, but she couldn’t tell from his expression what he was thinking. Alicia picked up her mug and took a fortifying sip. The coffee was hot and stung her mouth.

“Hey, honey.” Shannon leaned up and kissed her husband. “Hey, Gill.”

The name filled Alicia’s brain. Gill. His name was Gill. She realized she was sitting there like an idiot while the sheriff said her name again. “I’m sorry.” She offered a small smile. “I was lost in my thoughts. It’s been that kind of a morning.”

Patrick smiled. “No problem.” He turned to the man beside him. “This is Gill Baron, a friend of ours. Gill, this is Alicia Flint, one of the town’s best lawyers.”

Gill stared down at her, his expression inscrutable. “We met at the wedding, although I didn’t catch your name there.”

She liked the sound of his name. It was strong and solid. Just like the man. Alicia swallowed hard, wishing she’d foregone her impulse for breakfast. She was just grateful her hand wasn’t shaking as she held it out to him. “I remember.” His eyes narrowed and she could see the barely banked heat simmering there. Oh lord, did she remember.

His fingers closed around hers and squeezed gently. The heat from his hand seemed to slide up her arm and down through her body, pooling in her breasts and between her thighs.

Patrick cleared his voice. “I know we’re supposed to have a meeting in a bit, but is it something we could take care of now? I’m double-booked this morning and am supposed to be meeting the mayor and city council at the same time.”

Somehow Alicia found her voice. “That’s not a problem, Sheriff. Please, join me for breakfast. Both of you.” She didn’t know why she’d extended the invitation to include Gill, but it was too late to withdraw it now.

He slid into the booth across from her and Alicia enjoyed herself just watching him as Shannon poured more coffee and took both men’s orders for breakfast. Gill was just as compelling as she remembered. His broad shoulders filled out the leather jacket he was wearing over a crisp white shirt. There was a faint five-o’clock shadow on his jaw, indicating that he hadn’t bothered to shave this morning. It made him appear even more ruggedly handsome.

He cocked an eyebrow and she could feel her cheeks heating when she realized she was blatantly staring. What was wrong with her? This man made the confident thirty-seven-year old woman disappear. Instead, she felt uncertain and awkward—more like a teenage girl with a crush.

The only thing to do was brazen it out. Raising her own eyebrow in question, she picked up her mug and took a sip, being careful not to burn herself this time. The corners of Gill’s mouth turned up in a smile so devastating, she almost forgot to breathe. She turned to the sheriff, who was patiently waiting.

“I needed to ask you about hiring an investigator to do some work for me.” She lowered her voice so no one around them could hear them. “It’s about the Brown case.”

Domestic violence was never pretty, but it was a hot button with the sheriff because of his wife’s past. Elizabeth Brown might not have filed an official complaint with the sheriff’s office, but Alicia had already filled Patrick in on the details of the case. She believed in being prepared in case any unpleasantness arose down the road.

Patrick’s eyes narrowed as he took a swallow of coffee, cradling his mug in his hands. “Ordinarily, I’d suggest one of my deputies. A lot of them don’t mind extra work.

But we’re low on manpower as it is. A lot of my men are out with the flu. Can it wait a while?”

She frowned and shook her head. “No. This is something that needs to be taken care of quickly. I’d hoped to hire someone local, but I can go outside if I have to.”

Gill cleared his throat. “I can do it.”

“What?” Alicia blurted. Oh this wouldn’t do. How could she work with this man when all she wanted to do was jump his bones?

“That’s a great idea.” Patrick leaned back as Shannon deposited their plates in front of them. “Thanks, honey.” He dropped a quick kiss on her cheek before she headed off to serve other customers.

Alicia’s stomach churned and she knew she’d never be able to eat the pancakes and bacon she’d been so looking forward to. Her stomach was tied up in too many knots due to the man watching her with those incredibly stormy blue eyes. She was also tired and distracted as a result of her sleepless night, which was something else she could blame on Gill Baron.

“Patrick can vouch for me.” Gill picked up his fork and took a bite of his pancakes.

He chewed and swallowed before continuing. “I just retired after twenty years on the police force in Birmingham, and I’m on an extended vacation. I’m more than capable of handling any kind of investigation you need.”

Alicia didn’t know what to say. Personally, she wanted to say no. This man was a threat to her peace of mind. Professionally, she knew she had to say yes. She needed this work done and her client deserved the best she could give her. “Okay.”

She tried her best to ignore the little jump her heart gave and the happiness flowing through her veins at the thought of spending more time with Gill. Her emotions were all over the place.

To give herself time to compose her wits, she made herself sample the pancakes in front of her. They were delicious and she took her time, chewing carefully as she went over the logistics in her mind. They really wouldn’t have to spend too much time in each other’s company. All she needed were his reports. She had to be professional about this.

Even if it killed her.

“What do you need?” Gill asked.

Now that was a loaded question. She needed more than one night with him. She needed to spend hours in bed with him, running her hands over his incredible body.

Touching him, tasting him, while he did the same with her. But she couldn’t. He wasn’t here to stay and she couldn’t risk a public affair, not if she wanted to maintain her position in this town. Jamesville was small and very conservative. A one-night fling she could get away with, but an ongoing affair was something she couldn’t risk.

Alicia tugged at the cuffs on her blouse and steadied herself, desperately trying to ignore the tightening of her breasts and the ache low in her body. She leaned forward slightly so she wouldn’t be overheard. Not that anyone seemed to be paying them any attention, but she wanted to be careful all the same. “I need you to interview some people in town, and maybe locate a few who’ve moved away. This is a very sensitive case.”

Now that she thought about it, having an outsider who didn’t know Jim Brown at all was probably a plus.

Gill nodded. “No problem. I can go back to your office with you and get all the particulars. I’m sure the Jamesville Sheriff’s Department will let me use their facilities.”

He looked at Patrick who nodded. “Whatever you need”

As quick as that it was settled. Whether she liked it or not, Gill Baron was now working for her. She ignored the voice at the back of her brain that whispered this was an opportunity to spend more time with him.

She was a professional woman in a conservative town. It had been hard enough establishing a legal practice as a woman, and she wasn’t about to jeopardize it for anyone. No matter how attracted she was to him. As it was, if he let slip about what had happened the other night her reputation would take a serious hit.

The town had just had its faith shaken in the legal system with the allegations against the prominent lawyer, Elijah Harris. She’d had her share of new clients due to the fallout, as had the other two practices in town. She could lose them just as easily if her reputation came into question.

It wasn’t fair, but life seldom was. She’d have to put aside her personal feelings and be professional. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d sacrificed something for her career.

But never had it been so difficult.

They finished breakfast in record time, filling the silence with social chatter. When they were done, Patrick reached into his pocket for money, but Alicia stopped him. “My treat. Think of it as a breakfast meeting.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Thanks. Just don’t let my wife know that a pretty woman bought me breakfast.”

Shannon came up beside him and poked him in the ribs. “I heard that.” She smiled at Alicia. “Can I get you anything else?”

Alicia laughed at their byplay. “No, I’m good. Gill?” She was proud at how level and normal her voice sounded.

He just shook his head. “I’m fine. I’d rather get to work.”

“Certainly.” Grabbing her purse, she fished out enough money to cover their tab and handed it to Shannon. “Breakfast was wonderful, as always. Give my best to Jessie.”

“I will.” Shannon hurried off to the counter to serve another customer.

Patrick stood, zipping his jacket. “If you need anything, just give me a shout.”

“I will.” Alicia slipped her wallet back into her bag. “Thanks.”

He turned toward Gill. “I’ll catch you later.” The sheriff headed for the door, his mind obviously already on other matters.

Alicia pulled on her coat and buttoned it, all the while aware of the large male waiting patiently beside her. Her body remembered him all too well and she could feel her panties getting damp. Hooking her bag over her shoulder, she took a deep breath.

“Ready?”

“I’m more than ready.” His voice was low and intimate and had goose bumps skittering down her arms. She whirled to face him, but his expression was bland. She must have imagined the sensual undertones in his voice.

Striding to the door, she didn’t have to look behind to know that he was following her. She could sense him matching her step for step. He held the door and the two of them stepped out into the cold together.