N. Walters: A Legal Affair

“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.”