The Secret Child. Jamie Denton Ann
Marni had stuffed into her pocket on her way out of the office last night, and laid them on the white tiled countertop before scampering off.
Marni read the messages. One was from the public defender on the Kendell case, two others were from defense attorneys on minor offenses she was handling, and there was one from Cole. Her hand shook. The message was only a reminder to meet him at Muldoon‘s. He must have called her office right after they ran into each other on the courthouse steps. Marni crumpled the pink slip and tossed it into the trash bin under the sink. What if Jenna had seen the message? She was not a dull-witted child; she knew her father‘s name. What were the chances of another Cole Ballinger calling? She resolved to be more attentive in the future.
After dropping Jenna off at the junior high school, Marni drove straight to the courthouse. Fridays were devoted to felony arraignments. When she entered the courtroom, the prisoners had already been led into the jury box. Marni perused the prisoners as she took her seat at the prosecutor‘s table. Three men and one woman in chains. The remainder were more than likely arrested on drug offenses.
Marni glanced at the defense table to see who she‘d be opposing. She saw a couple of young public defenders and sized them up quickly. They‘d provide no problem. She recognized a few criminal attorneys and her friend and former classmate, Rebecca Parks, a family law attorney. Probably representing a deadbeat dad, she surmised.
The bailiff directed the court to order. After the judge was seated, he called the first case. The chained woman glared hard at Marni and stood.
Marni quickly located and scanned the file. She stood to address Judge Bickerman. “The state requests the defendant be held over for a bail hearing, Your Honor.”
Rebecca stepped forward, her rich, straight black hair pulled away from her face in a tight knot at her nape. Sharp blue eyes assessed Marni, their friendship forgotten for the moment. “The defendant has no record of any prior convictions.”
“None in this state,” Marni said before turning her attention back to the bench. “Your Honor, we‘ve just received word from Tulsa, Oklahoma, of an outstanding bench warrant. The defendant has a history of failing to appear.”
The judge, a hulk of a man with a thick patch of gray hair, shuffled through the paperwork in front of him. “I see no record of this in the court‘s file, Ms. Rodgers.”
Marni held up a piece of paper.
“Hand it to the bailiff,” the judge instructed, an inflection of boredom in his tone.
Rebecca sent Marni a baleful glare. “I request a copy, Your Honor.”
The judge reviewed the arrest warrant, ignoring the request. “A hearing to establish bail will be heard Monday at two o‘clock.” He stared hard at Rebecca. “Do you have any further objections, Ms. Parks?”
Rebecca lowered her eyes. “None, Your Honor.”
Marni cringed inwardly at the judge‘s harsh tone. Poor Rebecca. She didn‘t deserve such treatment, but Judge Bickerman obviously hadn‘t forgotten Rebecca had represented Mrs. Bickerman in their divorce three years ago.
When the last prisoner was led from the courtroom, Marni gathered the armload of files together, then turned toward the low swinging door separating the attorneys from the audience. Rebecca Parks held the door for her.
“I‘ll see you get a copy of the bench warrant.” Marni smiled at her friend. “What are you doing here today?”
“The firm‘s criminal attorney is on vacation.” Rebecca grimaced. “Free for lunch?” Their earlier courtroom demeanor dissolved as they slipped into a familiar and easy friendship.
They walked side by side out of the courtroom. Marni looked up and down the corridor. She half expected to see Cole, but she was relieved to find he wasn‘t there. He continued to occupy her thoughts; she knew he wouldn‘t let up until he got his way. “I‘d love to, but I haven‘t even been to the office yet,” she explained. “How‘s next week?”
Rebecca shifted the bulk of files in her arms and pressed the button for the elevator. “Hectic. I‘m stuck with criminal arraignments on top of my regular caseload. How about dinner next week? You and Jenna can come over and I‘ll cook.”
“Actually, I do need to see you,” she said turning serious.
“Sure. Problem?”
Marni shook her head. “Not yet. I just need some legal advice.” She glanced above at the bank of elevators and watched the flashing lights behind the floor numbers, ignoring Rebecca‘s questioning blue eyes.
A low-toned ping signaled the arrival of the elevator car. The center door slid open and Marni gasped. Cole stepped out dressed in khaki slacks and a navy blazer. The whiteness of his shirt emphasized his golden tan and the color of his eyes. A blue paisley tie completed the picture of a well-dressed man.
Recovering quickly from her shock, she stiffened both her spine and her resolve not to let him into her life again, no matter how much he affected her. “What are you doing here?” she asked. Her tone was harsher than she‘d intended, if the perplexed expression on Rebecca‘s classically beautiful face was any indication.
Cole graced her with one of his disarming smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I came to take you to lunch.”
Marni sighed. “Cole, I can‘t.”
“Are we going to have that old argument again?” He turned his attention to Rebecca. “She needs to eat, right?”
Rebecca eyed Cole appreciatively. “Absolutely. Now I understand why you turned me down.”
The silky purr of Rebecca‘s voice made Marni bristle. No one could claim her friend wasn‘t a smart woman, but at this moment, she was simply a woman who appreciated a handsome man. And that man was Cole Ballinger.
“I didn‘t know he was–” Marni began as Rebecca stepped through the open doors of the elevator.
“Don‘t worry about it.” Rebecca gave a deep, throaty chuckle. “I‘ll talk to you later,” she called as the door slid closed.
Marni was left alone with Cole.
He reached for the files in her arm. “Can I take those?”
“No.” Marni pushed the button to signal for another car. “I have to get to the office.” She kept her eyes on the lights above the elevators. “I have a busy day.”
The smile on his face disappeared, only to be replaced by a tensing of his jaw. “There are a few questions I want answered.”
Now, what was that supposed to mean? Fear gripped her, but she shook the sensation away. “Cole, please. Leave me alone.” She concentrated on the indicators. Two more floors and she‘d be free of Cole.
“Why?” he demanded.
“I have a lot to do this afternoon.” If I don‘t look at him, he‘ll go away.
“You can‘t be all that busy.”
Marni‘s shoulders sagged. So much for mind over matter. “I am. Now, please, just go away. It‘s been great seeing you, but really, I just don‘t have the time.”
When the elevator finally arrived, Marni stepped inside, trying desperately to ignore him. She punched the button for the garage and prayed the door would close before Cole could step through the portal.
Her guardian angel must have been on a coffee break, because Cole sauntered into the lift and stood close beside her. Her shoulder rested against his upper arm in the crowded car. Marni could feel the muscles bunch beneath the fabric of his blazer. His cologne mingled with his masculine scent, tickling her senses. God, he smelled good. Marni‘s pulse quickened as she cast him a sideways glance. He smiled down at her, but the look in his eyes said something she wasn‘t ready to analyze.
The doors opened on the third floor, and a few people