Common Enemy (12 page)

“Yeah, I think he’s pretty wonderful,” Jordan blushed.

“You’ve obviously never sat across a poker table from him after an all night game, especially if he’s losing.” The gray haired man held out his hand. “I’m John. I’ve been dredging up Butler’s past. He has quite a history. I’m sorry you had to be part of it.”

“We’d better be going in there now.” Connor looked at his friends with a stern expression. “You two, make notes of anything you hear that I need to cover. Jordan, you do the same. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Jordan walked into the courtroom with Connor ahead of her, John to the right and Ted on the left. Several observers were present, no one familiar. Connor looked straight ahead until they reached the front of the room. She was seated at a short table beside Connor facing the judge’s bench.

“Who are all these people behind us?” Jordan asked.

“Some may be people working on his side, like John and Ted are for us. But, I doubt he has many resources. Then, you have law students who are gathering information for a paper of some kind. There are always courtroom groupies that don’t have a life of their own. And, there may be a few minor news reporters, but this isn’t a high profile case. Just don’t look back there. It may throw you off.”

Movement beyond him caught Jordan’s eye. It was Bobby Ray and his lawyer, taking their seats at the table across the room.

Bobby Ray was wearing an ill-fitting dark blue suit. His smile looked evil. How had she ever been attracted to him? There was no doubt that he was handsome. He could still fool a naïve, young girl like she’d been seven years ago. As she watched, she could still feel the long faded bruises and the knife he’d held to her throat. He winked at her. It made her skin crawl.

Bobby Ray’s lawyer looked more out of place than he did. He was a short, skinny man with thinning hair and large glasses. His suit fit like a little boy who had inherited his big brother’s clothes. His face reminded her of a weasel. Suddenly she realized that she had seen him before. He’d been at the diner, the grocery store, even the gas station. The only difference in him now was the way he was dressed. He’d been spying on her. Anger washed over her. Connor was right. He’d been the stranger on the phone. Remembering Connor’s warning Jordan turned to look straight ahead.

The bailiff called them all to stand as he introduced Judge Roy Bender.

The judge was a tall, elderly, black man with a daunting frown. The observers whispered and mumbled as he sat. The judge banged a gavel. “I don’t have time for nonsense. If anyone causes a disturbance, they’ll be removed from my courtroom,” his low voice boomed. He glared back and forth between the two tables. “I’ve read the reports by both the attorneys in this case. I didn’t recognize either of your names, and so I looked into your backgrounds. It seems that you’ve both been out of circulation for a while.” He leaned forward toward Bobby Ray’s table.

“Mr. Bennett, I understand that you’ve been incarcerated for two years.”

“That’s correct, your Honor,” the weasel replied. “However, I assure you that my credentials are still in order.”

“Yes, I understand that. I have to tell you, though; I’m not impressed by your list of former clients. I wonder if Mr. Butler is aware of your track record in the courtroom. I wonder if he’s best served by your counsel.”

“I assure you, sir, that I have given this case my undivided attention. You may even call it a labor of love for a good friend. My only priority is to see that Mr. Butler is united with his daughter.”

“We aren’t ready to hear the case yet, Mr. Bennett. You and Mr. McCrae are my focus right now. Please sit down.” He then turned to Connor.

“Mr. McCrae, I understand that you haven’t been in a courtroom for six years. Although your background is definitely impressive, that concerns me.”

“Your Honor, I understand your concern.” Connor straightened confidently. “I was injured six years ago and hospitalized for a considerable length of time. Since then, I’ve been on hiatus, for therapeutic reasons.”

“I’m just not sure you’re ready to give Ms. Holbrook the best counsel after being away for such a long period of time.” The judge looked apologetic. “Another attorney has petitioned the court to assist on Ms. Holbrook’s behalf. I very strongly suggest that you accept his assistance.”

Connor looked at Jordan with a confused expression. She shrugged with equal bewilderment.

“Your Honor, I mean no disrespect, but we haven’t been approached by anyone. There’s a lot of material to cover in order to get a co-counsel up to speed.”

“You have until Monday morning at nine o’clock to bring him up to speed, Mr. McCrae. I’m recessing this hearing until that time.”

A man moved forward from the observers to stand beside Connor. Jordan looked at the briefcase he set on the table. It was a perfect match to Connor’s, right down to the little brass plate engraved CM. The man was almost a perfect match to Connor as well. The only difference, his suit was a camel color, his hair was short, and his face was flawless. They stood face to face with identical scowls. Connor was the first to break eye contact lowering his head. His brother’s eyes softened and looked away next.

As soon as Judge Bender had left the courtroom, Connor grabbed Jordan’s hand and pulled her down the aisle. He didn’t say a word as they rapidly walked out of the building to her car. They were half way home before Jordan had the nerve to speak. “Is there something you’d like to tell me?”

“No,” he snapped.

She looked back to see the other man following closely behind. They parked in front of the house as Mr. Coleman stepped outside.

“Why are you back so soon?” he asked.

“Ask him.” Connor pointed to the dark gray BMW 6 series convertible that pulled in behind them.

The other man got out of the car and stood looking at all of them.

“Holy hell!” Coleman exclaimed. “You’ve been cloned.”

“Why are you driving my car?” Connor angrily inquired of his brother.

“Pardon the hell out of me. I thought you’d like to have it back.”

“I don’t want it, and I don’t want you.” Connor stomped up the front steps and into the house.

“You must be Jordan Holbrook. It’s nice to meet you.” The stranger held his hand out. “I’m sorry I caused so much trouble, but this case seems important to my brother and I’m sure it’s important to you. I know he can use my help, but he’s too damn stubborn to admit it. I’ve gone over the information our men collected. I just need to convince Connor to let me in. By the way, my name is Caleb McCrae, you can call me Cal.”

“Hi Cal, I’m sorry, I’m still a little stunned. Connor didn’t tell me he had a twin.”

John and Ted got out of the car that pulled in next.

“Looks like the reunion is over,” Ted said. “I guess that means it’s time to get to work.” They walked into the house. Cal followed.

Mr. Coleman watched the three men walk inside the house and then turned to Jordan. “I guess I’d better figure out what I’m going to feed all these guys for lunch. I hadn’t planned on a party.”

By the time Jordan reached the living room, Cal and Connor were standing in the middle of the room, toe-to-toe, jackets off, and sleeves rolled up.

“I see you still haven’t cut your hair,” Cal was saying.

“Do you still expect me to look just like you? Take a better look, dickhead. We aren’t twins any more.”

“Try telling that to our mother, asshole. I just think you could look a little more professional.”

“Who are you to tell me how to wear my hair?”

“If you two don’t sit down, I’ll knock you down.” John stood and shouted. “I still answer to your father and he would not like this at all. We’ve got work to do.”

“He’s right, guys,” Ted interjected. “We need to focus on the real issue here, how to keep Lizzy away from that lunatic.”

They sobered instantly and sat on opposite sides of the room.

The four men pored over papers and pictures for several hours. Jordan gave up trying to understand all the legal jargon. She knew Connor would explain anything she needed to know later. Finally, John and Ted came to the kitchen to say good-bye.

“We’re going to get some dinner and a hotel room in town,” John explained. “We’ll take turns watching Butler, but one of us will probably be around all weekend. I hope this doesn’t put you out too much.”

“Are you kidding?” Jordan laughed. “You guys are trying to save my little girl. I can’t do enough to repay you for this. Which reminds me, how much am I paying you?”

“You’re not,” Ted answered. “The firm pays us,
McCrae and Sons Family Law
. You were lucky the day Connor McCrae knocked on your door. They’re the best attorneys in the state.”

****

Connor and Cal had gone up to Lizzy’s room.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever slept in a canopy bed before.” Cal shook his head after checking out the miniature furniture. “I think I’ll sleep on the couch and keep my clothes in the hall closet.”

“You’ll probably want to be down there anyway. Jordan is a real bathroom hog. She was locked in there for two hours this morning.”

“I’ve got something I have to ask you, Connor.” Cal hesitated for a moment. “You seem to be doing so well now, almost back to your old self. You’re obviously crazy about Jordan. I see the look in your eyes when you watch her. You’ve moved heaven and earth for this little girl of hers. And now, you’re back in the courtroom. So why are you still giving me such a hard time? We used to be close. Why do you hate me so much?”

Connor sat on the edge of the bed beside him and combed his hands through the length of his hair before answering. “It’s real hard for me, Cal. I’m never going to be normal again. You remind me of that every time I look at your face. The face I used to have. I’m a handyman who lives out of an old van, but Jordan and Lizzy accepted me that way. This morning Jordan told me that she loves me. She’s an angel to me. I can’t live without her. I want to ask her to marry me when this is over. But then you walked in looking so perfect. It really knocked me off my pegs. I’m not sure she’ll feel the same way about me now.”

“You don’t give her much credit, do you? If she doesn’t love you after seeing my pretty face, she never did. But, I think you’re going to find out that she does. She doesn’t seem like the kind of woman to say things she doesn’t mean. She’s not Tiffany, Connor. She’s not going to kick you while you’re down like that superficial little bitch. You’ve got a real woman this time, brother, and I’m happy for you.”

“I really am glad you’re here, Cal.”

“I know you are, but I’ve really got to get out of this room. I’m starting to get the urge to play with Barbie dolls.”

Chapter Fourteen

On Sunday night, Jordan felt as nervous as she had before the first court date. It had been nice to have all the men to keep her mind busy over the last few days. She’d just returned from spending the evening with Lizzy and the Douglases. It was getting harder every day to leave her behind.

She was standing in the barn door watching the sunset when Connor approached from the house. He looked more like himself in jeans and a T-shirt. At least he looked more like the Connor she knew. She wondered how much he missed his old life. He’d been a little distant since his brother’s arrival.

He and Cal had stayed up late every night in strategy meetings. By the time he came to bed, she was sleeping. Maybe she and Lizzy had become too much trouble for him. Maybe he didn’t really love her, but just felt a huge sense of obligation. She couldn’t blame him if he’d changed his mind about her. Maybe she should let him off the hook.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked.

“I was just thinking.” She walked further inside the barn. Connor followed. She slid the ring off of her finger. “I want to give this back to you. I can’t lie about something like this. I’m not good at it. Someday, if you want me to have it for the right reasons, you’ll give it back to me.”

“Jordan, I bought this ring for you weeks ago. I love you so much it hurts. If you walk away from me now, I swear to God, I’ll just stop breathing. I can’t live without you.” His voice broke. “Please marry me, Jordan. I’m begging.”

Jordan was stunned to see tears in his eyes. All his confidence seemed to have suddenly drained.

“I’m sorry I hurt you, Connor. I thought you’d changed your mind. I was trying to make it easier for you. I do love you, but I didn’t want you to feel trapped.”

He looked at her with anger in his damp eyes. “Well, it hurt like hell, so don’t ever do that again. Are you going to marry me or not?”

“I’ll marry you on one condition.” Jordan gave a wicked smile.

“What?” he asked suspiciously.

“I think it would be nice to restart an old tradition.” She pulled him into the nearest stall.

“I suppose you plan to have your way with me anytime you like.”

“Is that a complaint, Mr. McCrae?” Jordan unsnapped his jeans and lowered the zipper.

“Actually, it was a wish.” When she slipped her hand inside his shorts, he groaned. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

An hour later they walked into the kitchen. Coleman, Cal, Ted, and John were sitting at the table sharing an apple pie.

“We have an announcement to make.” Connor grinned.

“I’ll be damned!” Cal jumped up to swing Jordan around in a big hug. After returning her feet to the floor he picked a piece of straw from her hair. “There are some things twins can just feel about each other. You’ll be good for that old dog.”

“I can’t wait for the old man to hear about this,” Ted whispered to John.

“I know.” John chuckled. “He doesn’t like anybody to make a decision without his approval first.”

****

On Monday morning, Bobby Ray paced the hallway outside the courtroom. “I have a bad feeling about this whole thing. Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Bennett?”

“Don’t worry, man. The court loves to reunite families. You’ll have the kid in your house by the end of the week. There isn’t any reason for them to deny your request. You haven’t had any history of child abuse or anything. Just be cool and I’ll take care of everything.” Bennett shrugged casually.

“Don’t tell me to be cool. You’re the one who had better be cool. If this doesn’t turn out right, I’ll ruin you. You know what I’m talking about.”