DEFENSE (19 page)

People began to stand. Galiema grabbed my arm.

              “We need to talk,” she hissed under her breath. “Now.”

Katie

“You’ve disgraced Rook & Scott before we’ve even begun,” Galiema said to me the second the door closed in the side room. “I don’t want you as partner anymore.”

              I frowned. “Well we signed a contract. We can’t just stop being business partners like that.” I clicked my fingers to iterate my point.

              Galiema grabbed her bag and yanked out the contract we’d signed, so new and fresh it hadn’t even been filed yet. She ripped it in half and threw the pieces to the ground.

              “You know I suspected something might be going on between the two of you,” she said, “but I decided I was just reading into things. I thought you were far too sensible for that. Katie, how could you do it? Your whole reputation is over! You had everything going for you and threw it all away for a stupid man.”

              I gave her a look. “Harrison and I are in love.”

              “Oh please!” Galiema cried. “Have you gone insane?”

              “Insane? Really? Because it’s so insane to not want to end up old and alone like you, spending every weekend at work because you have no one to go home to?”

              I knew it was below the belt, but I was so angry I didn’t care.

              Galiema looked at me coldly. “If you want to do what’s best for Mr. Wrexler, you’ll hand the case over to me and excuse yourself.”

              “Absolutely not. This is my case.”

              “Actually, it’s Mr. Wrexler’s case. Why don’t we find out from him who he wants representing him in court?”

              We requested to meet with our client, and moments later, Harrison was whisked into the room. I couldn’t help but worry that the whole debacle would have caused him to change his mind about me.

              “Harrison. I’m so sorry,” I said the second he walked in.

              “Sorry about what?” Harrison replied, taking his seat. “You haven’t broken any laws. I was complicit in the relationship. No one’s done anything wrong here. They’re just using it to make you look bad.”

              Galiema leaned forward on her elbows. “Mr. Wrexler, you need to think hard about this. The jury won’t be behind Katie anymore, and that will make it harder for her to argue your defense. It would be better for you if we removed Katie from the courtroom altogether.”

              “Absolutely not,” Harrison replied.

              Galiema faltered. “I really must insist you reconsider. Keeping her on the case could be disastrous.”

              Harrison reached out and grabbed my hand, entwining his fingers through mine. “I trust Katie. I always have.”

              My heart swelled. It meant so much to me that Harrison was on my side. And being so open about our relationship felt amazing. There was no point hiding anymore now it was all out in the open. In some ways, it was a relief.

              “Well,” Galiema said, looking small all of a sudden. “I’m surprised. But fine, Katie and I can continue working together if that’s what you feel is best, Mr. Wrexler.”

              “Um, sorry,” I butted in. “But didn’t you just rip up my contract in front of my face? There is no us anymore. Rook & Scott was over before it started. Your words, right?”

“That was merely a symbolic gesture,” Galiema said. “You know as well as I do that ripping up a contract doesn’t make it void.”

              “You’re unbelievable,” I hissed. “You only want to stay on this case for the money. As soon as it’s over, you’ll find a way to dissolve Rook & Scott. Then you’ll find a way to make sure I don’t get a penny. You’re my mentor, Galiema, I’ve been studying you. I know exactly how your calculating little mind works.”

              Galiema looked like she’d sucked a lemon. She grabbed her briefcase. “I suppose I should take some credit for the bitch you’ve turned out to be,” she said with finality. Then she marched out the room, slamming the door behind her.

              “Sorry about that,” I said to Harrison.

              “Don’t be,” he replied, looking at me like he wanted to devour me. “It turns me on watching you do your powerful lawyer thing.”

              “Why thank you.” I smiled, feeling my heart thud in my chest. “I have a feeling I’m going to regret pissing Galiema off, though.”

              From where our hands were still interlocked, Harrison stroked my thumb with his. “You can do this on your own, Katie. I know you can.”

              If Harrison had faith in my abilities, then so did I. I could turn this around, all on my own.

              “So, you and Mark then…” Harrison said out of nowhere. He let the statement linger in the air.

              “Oh God,” I replied. “That was ages ago. I was an idiot. He’s such a smarmy, disgusting sleazeball.” Then I paused and raised an eyebrow. “And is that a hint of jealousy I detect?”

“I’m not jealous. It’s just that a man like Mark can give you so many things I can’t,” he said. “My life is a media circus. And I could be spending the rest of it behind bars.”

              “I already told you I don’t care,” I murmured. “I want
you,
Harrison, and everything that entails.”

              He took my face in his hands and brought my lips up to his. We kissed gently, passionately. Every bit of emotion I felt for Harrison was poured into that kiss.

              Just then the door opened and Harrison and I parted. A man I didn’t recognize walked in.

              “Katie Scott?” he asked.

              “Yes,” I replied. “Can I help you?”

              He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me. “You’ve been served.”

              “Served for what?” I cried, looking down at the envelope in my hands.

              But the man left the room without answering.

              I tore open the envelope and pulled out the papers.

              “Well?” Harrison asked.

              “It’s a subpoena,” I said. “From the prosecution. They’re calling me as a witness against you.”

              “They can do that?” Harrison cried, looking astonished.

              “Yes,” I replied. “In some circumstances.”

              “But how is that fair? You can’t cross-examine yourself!”

              “No,” I replied. “You’re right. They’re expecting Galiema to do it. You went into this case with two lawyers representing you.”

              “But now I only have one, so…”

              I shook my head. “It doesn’t work that way. We have no choice. Galiema will have to come back onboard.”

              I could hardly believe what was happening.

              Harrison paced away, his hands balled into fists. “They did this on purpose. It was never about making you look bad in front of the jury; it was about causing a rift between you and Galiema then forcing you back together.”

              I nodded my agreement. The whole thing had been a dirty trick.

              “I would have done the same if I were in Mark’s shoes,” I admitted. “But don’t worry, Galiema will be professional about it. She knows how to separate her personal feelings and business.”

              I called over the guard and asked him to bring Ms. Rook back into the side room, then took a deep breath, preparing to eat my words.

Harrison

The trial was more like an ordeal. It became clear very early on that the prosecution’s reason for subpoenaing Katie was twofold. Firstly, it put her in an awkward situation with Galiema, though the professionalism with which the two women handled it was applaudable. Secondly, it meant they could get her to testify about our sex life. And because she was under oath, Katie had no choice but to answer every single one of their gratuitous questions.

              Through Katie’s testimony, they presented the argument that my sexual preferences were gentle, that I had no personal inclination towards BDSM or rough sex, and that, consequently, the marks on Shantelle’s body could not have gotten there through consensual sex, but rather through an aggressive, violent act. They were attempting to undo the case that Katie had presented to the jury in which she’d gotten the coroner to admit that every single mark found on Shantelle’s body could have been sustained innocently through usual sexual activity.

              Mark did not hold back. He laid into Katie, making it seem like she was the one on trial. But Katie took it all with a cool head. It was like nothing fazed her. I watched proudly, awe-filled at the way she handled herself, the way she conducted herself. If Katie could cope that well with being torn apart in court, then I certainly could cope with the tabloids bad-mouthing me. Together we could be America’s most hated couple. The lowlife lawyer and her murderous bad-boy boyfriend. Together we could take on the world.

              When it was Galiema’s turn to cross-examine, she used the opportunity to call Mark out, describing him as a moralizing puritan to the jury.

              Piece by piece, the two women pulled apart Mark’s case. Each bit of evidence was countered. Then came the final touch. The prosecution had tried to argue that I’d drugged Shantelle because the same prescription drugs were found in her system as were found in Catherine’s, despite her not having been prescribed them by her physician. They called on one of the topless dancers where Shantelle had worked before her death. The woman explained how all the girls were encouraged to take the drugs to calm their nerves before going on stage or before hooking up with a john, and that there was a whole supply of them readily available to any of the girls whenever they wanted them.

              If any moment in the case was a turning point, it was that. Mark had nowhere to go and the crux of the entire case seemed to rest on that point. I could sense the shift in the room, but I couldn’t let myself build my hopes up yet. Katie had told me that juries were unpredictable.

              Then, suddenly, the whole thing was over. All the evidence had been presented. The closing arguments were made, and the jury were sent to deliberate.

              Katie and I were kept in separate rooms during the hours that the jury deliberated. I wasn’t sure what was more agonizing—knowing twelve people were deciding the fate of the rest of my life or that Katie Scott was just in the next room and we were separated by nothing but a thin plywood wall.

              After several hours, we were called back into session to hear the verdict. The court was packed with journalists and paparazzi. Catherine’s snotty parents who’d always hated me had flown in from Oxford. They were desperate to see me sent down because that would mean their precious daughter hadn’t really died of a drug overdose. Shantelle’s family was there, too. I felt terrible for them, to have lost their daughter and have heard all those things about her secret life laid bare for the world to scrutinize. I noticed that Derek from the prison was also in the crowd, as he’d promised, watching on. He gave me a thumbs-up.

              As the judge cleared his throat, I was so nervous it felt as though my heart had stopped beating. I could hardly breathe. Each second that passed seemed to stretch on for eternity.

              “We, the jury, find the defendant, Harrison Wrexler, on the charge of homicide, not guilty.”

My legs gave way beneath me. I crumbled to the floor. A cheer sounded out from the back of the room. Then suddenly I felt arms round my neck, pulling me into an embrace. Kisses rained down on my face. It was Katie.

              “We did it,” she said into my ear.

              Her tears fell onto my cheek as she pressed her face against mine.

              “We did it, baby,” she said.

              I held her tight, letting my own tears fall. I was free. Today was the beginning of the rest of my life. The rest of my life with Katie.

Katie

We celebrated with champagne and oysters in a lavish restaurant. It was Harrison who insisted we go on a real date because it was something we’d so far been denied. I’d wanted to go straight to bed, tear off his clothes, and finally succumb to the desire that had been building in me all those weeks. But Harrison played it cool.

              “We have all the time in the world,” he’d said, repeating my own words back to me.

              Light-headed from the bubbles, we finally caught a cab back to his place. It was sometime after midnight when we arrived back at his apartment.

              The concierge leapt up when we entered.

              “Mr. Wrexler, congratulations. I’m so happy for you,” he said.

              Harrison shook the man’s hand. “Thank you. And may I introduce my beautiful partner, Katie.”

              The man shook my hand. “I heard about you, too,” he said. “The whole trial was tweeted live on the Washington Post website.”

              Of course. I’d expected no less from Jim Larson than to try and blow my and Harrison’s relationship up into some kind of scandal. He should have realized by what happened to Mark that such a thing would backfire.

              Harrison and I took the elevator up to his apartment. I was slightly awed by its beauty. It wasn’t big or overstated in any way; it was just a gorgeous house for a gorgeous man.

              “Don’t get attached,” Harrison said when he caught me admiring the place. “I’m planning on selling.”

“You are?” I said.

              “There are too many memories in this place. I want to make new ones. New ones with you.”

              I felt a surge of excitement beneath my breast. Everything felt like a dream come true.

              I caught sight of the view from the window. It was stunning. But when I thought about the balcony, my happiness was replaced by a wave of sadness. Shantelle’s last moments alive had been spent there. This place really was filled with ghosts.

              I picked up a photograph from the mantelpiece. It was of Catherine and Harrison on their wedding day. “You look so happy,” I said.

              Harrison walked over and took the photograph from my hand. “We were. But that’s in the past. I think I’m finally ready to let her go.”

              I looked up into his eyes. “Do you know I’m in love with you?” I said.

              “I know,” he said. “And I’m in love with you, too.”

              Harrison took my hand lightly in his and began to lead me across the room. My body leapt to attention, recognizing this to be the moment where our passion would finally be realized. After stolen kisses and letters and hiding away, our moment to be together was finally going to happen.

              Like everything else in his apartment, Harrison’s bedroom was tastefully decorated, with silky caramel-colored sheets. I couldn’t wait to slip between them and have Harrison slide in on top of me.

But Harrison was going to take it slow. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and began kissing my neck softly. His hands inched down my dress, making me tingle all over. He pulled it slowly up over my head, then paced around me, his eyes roving all over my body as I stood there in my heels and underwear.

              I unhooked my bra and let it fall to the floor. Harrison’s pupils dilated at the sight of my bare breasts. I loved seeing that look in his eyes. It made a thrill run right through me.

              Harrison reached out, taking me by the waist, and guided my body close to his. I pressed myself against his chest, feeling the firm muscles beneath. He stroked the flesh on my back, giving me goose bumps.

              I unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off, revealing his broad shoulders and muscular arms. I bit my lip, loving the sight of him.

              His hands found their way to my hips and slid beneath the elastic of my panties. Then he eased them off my body, all the way down to my heels. I stepped out of them and stood before him completely naked.

              “God, just the sight of you makes me so hard,” Harrison murmured.

              I hooked my fingers in the belt loops of his pants and pulled him towards me. Sure enough, his cock had hardened. I felt the heat rush between my thighs.

              My fingers began to fumble with the button of his pants. Then I unzipped the fly and they fell to the floor. I tried to take it slowly and patiently like Harrison, but my need to see his erection was too strong. I yanked his underpants down to the floor and gasped as the sight of his cock.

              “I’ve missed this so much,” I said, reaching out and taking his shaft in both my hands.

              Harrison tipped his head back and gasped. He wrapped his arms around my waist, his hands linked at the small of my back, and gently guided me towards the bed. I laid down for him, raising my arms above my head so he could take in the whole sight of my body. He bit his lip seductively, his gaze roving all over my naked flesh.

              “I don’t think I can wait,” he said.

              “Then don’t,” I replied, my eyes blazing with lust.

              Harrison rolled a condom on then reared up above me. I opened my legs for him and he sunk to his knees between them. He took hold of his cock in one hand and guided it between my legs. I was so wet and ready for him. He slid right in, all the way.

              “Oh fuck,” I moaned as the sensation of pure pleasure washed over me. Harrison began to rock gently, and the sensation intensified immediately.

              I grabbed hold of the flesh on his back, kneading it with my fingertips, feeling delirious with pleasure. I’d wanted Harrison inside of me for so long that merely having him there again felt like it was enough to bring me to climax.

              We both wanted to savor the moment but our passion was too intense. We’d been denied each other’s body for so long. Now, being together, it was impossible to hold back. I needed to feel Harrison come inside of me.

              I pushed with my hips, intensifying the speed and depths of Harrison’s movements. He cried out, grabbing both my hands in his and raising them over my head. His thrusts became stronger.

              “I’m close,” I told him. “Don’t hold back.”

              He didn’t. He slid into me faster, harder. The rhythm of our lovemaking intensified. I matched each of his thrusts with my hips.

              “Yes,” I said. “Yes. Faster.”

              Harrison gritted his teeth. I could tell he was close to the precipice, that he was trying so hard not to give into his desires before I’d reached an orgasm.

              I closed my eyes and immersed myself in the sensation. Harrison’s body against mine was as hot as fire. The heat between us burned. His cock inside of me felt amazing. Each thrust took me closer and closer to the point of no return.

              “Katie,” he murmured. “I love you.”

              My eyes flew open and I gasped. His words had taken me right up to the edge of an orgasm. He could tell immediately that I was almost there, and he sped up his thrusting. I gripped on to him, bringing my arms up around him, hitching my legs up on either side of him. And then my orgasm burst through me.

              I cried out as my body bucked upwards. The wave of pleasure hit me with the force of a tsunami.

              “Harrison!” I cried.

              I felt his cock inside of me pulsate as his own orgasm took hold. He thrust deeply into me once, twice, then he was done.

              I fell back against the bed. Harrison drew himself out of me and flopped next to me. His skin was glistening.

              “You don’t know how many times I dreamed about that,” he said, turning onto his side to face me.

              I gazed at him adoringly. “About as many times as I did,” I replied.

              Harrison began stroking his fingers along my arm. “I think we should get out of DC,” he said. “Let’s go on holiday somewhere. One of those islands I was telling you about.”

I looked into his eyes, feeling bathed in love and warmth. “That would be wonderful,” I said.

“How about now?” he said, grinning mischievously.

              “Now?” I cried, sitting up as Harrison leapt from the bed.

              “Yes, now!” he laughed. “Let’s get out of this city. Find somewhere quiet. Cozy. Somewhere where just the two of us can be alone together uninterrupted.”

              I liked the sound of that. I was being swept away in the romance of it all.

              “I need to go home and pack,” I said.

“No, you don’t,” Harrison said seductively. “You won’t be needing any clothes. It will be skinny-dipping, sunbathing and making love.”

              My heart fluttered at the thought.

              “This is like a dream come true,” I said as he swept me up in his arms and kissed me.

              “You deserve it, Katie,” he said. “I owe everything to you. My freedom. My life. My happiness. Everything.”

***

The sun hadn’t even begun to rise when the cab arrived to take us to the airport. Harrison had secured us two seats on a flight to Saint Kitts where we would spend two weeks in a beachside apartment.

I followed him out of his apartment block, and soon we were racing along the highway heading for the airport. Even in the back of the cab we couldn’t keep our hands off of each other, much to the driver’s chagrin.

              We reached the airport and leapt out. I felt like I was living in a movie. I kept expecting something to pop up and ruin it, like Jim emerging from the bushes with his camera, or Galiema serving me for breaking the Rook & Scott contract. Something. Anything. Life couldn’t be this perfect.

              We boarded the plane and the air steward asked us all to turn off our cell phones. But just then, as if on cue, mine began ringing. I rolled my eyes and picked it up. It was Jessica.

              “I’m sorry, can I just take this quickly?” I said to the steward.

              In the midst of my excitement I hadn’t even told Jessica I was leaving for two weeks. She would be worried. The steward smiled and gestured for me to go ahead.

              “Hey Jess,” I said into the receiver.

              “Katie,” she replied. She was whimpering.

              “What is it?” I said, sobering up almost immediately.

              “Seb…” she croaked. “He was here.”

              “Shit!”

              Harrison flashed me a concerned expression.

              “I’m coming,” I said into the receiver. “Don’t go anywhere.”

              I ended the call and looked at Harrison.

              “It’s Jessica,” I said. “I have to go.” I unbuckled my seat belt. “I’m so sorry,” I said to the steward. “I have to go. Please let me off the plane.”

              “Ma’am, we’re preparing for takeoff,” he replied. “Please take your seat.”

              Harrison stood, too. “Let her off the plane,” he demanded.

              The steward ran to the back and telephoned the pilot. The other passengers groaned as he announced the short delay.

              “I’m sorry,” I said to them as I grabbed my purse.

              I turned to Harrison, but he didn’t even let me apologize.

              “We can go another time,” he said. “We have all the time in the world, remember?”

              The steward ushered us from the plane. Of course my dream wouldn’t last. Something always brought it crashing back down to earth.