Too late she realized her lapse in reason. The full effect of Brad barreled into her. Dressed in a dark charcoal suit with a light blue shirt that accented the vibrant color of his eyes, he cut a magnificent picture of confidence and power. His gaze skipped to her an instant before he nodded at Judge Larker, and though Cassie was seated, she felt the world move beneath her feet. Her breath lodged in her throat. Her lungs constricted like blocked straws. And her heart, her damnable heart, skipped erratically.
“Yes, Your Honor,” Brad replied.
“He looks sure of himself, doesn’t he?” Jennifer whispered in Cassie’s ear. “Do you think he has a conscience?”
Cassie patted her hand, reassuringly. She had every right to be bitter—Brad had opened Anna to a world of trauma. But Cassie understood; Brad was obligated. He had been hired by a client to perform a specific job, one which forced him to report to higher authorities the allegations Miles claimed. Short of resigning—which he wouldn’t do with a partnership on the line—Brad couldn’t acknowledge what conscience he might have. Though given his abrupt departure, she questioned whether he possessed a conscience at all.
Judge Larker squinted at Brad. “I don’t see your client, counselor. In a grave matter like this, I would expect he’d be present.”
Brad clasped his hands in front of his waist and nodded. “I stand in his behalf. A prior work obligation demanded his presence and he couldn’t get away given the short notice.”
“Right,” Jennifer hissed beneath her breath. “We know how much he cares.”
“I trust then, Mr. Steele, you’ve informed your client thoroughly as to the due process we must initiate? He understands the Court will appoint a guardian on Ms. Anna Cooper’s behalf, who will conduct a series of interviews. A psychologist may be employed. If evidence is found that the allegations are true, prosecution may follow.” Judge Larken leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands atop his presiding bench. “He is aware he will have to make arrangements with his work and testify, if such occurs?”
Brad nodded again, the picture of perfect respect. “Yes, Your Honor, I’ve duly informed him.”
Leaning forward, Judge Larkin stared at Brad a long moment before speaking again. “I don’t like theatrics in my courtroom, Mr. Steele. I have to admit I’m hard pressed to believe your client’s claims given his lack of involvement in his daughter’s life. If this all is discovered to be a waste of money, and more importantly my time, I will be less inclined to look favorably on future requests of the Court.”
“Understood, Judge,” Brad replied.
“Well. That said…” Judge Larkin picked up his glasses, unfolded them, and pushed them onto the bridge of his nose. He then picked up the documents Brad had entered as evidentiary discovery. When he glanced up, he looked directly at Cassie.
For a moment, nerves possessed her. The last thing she wanted to do was look foolish in front of Brad. What if she said the wrong thing? Misspoke? Stumbled over her tongue?
“Ms. Blaire.”
With a heavy exhale, Cassie pushed aside her unfounded insecurity. Family Law might be new to her on many levels, but the courtroom was not. More than once she’d acted as co-counsel with Chris and had spent her fair share of time under the bench’s scrutiny. She could do this. Brad, and the personal baggage between them, was irrelevant now. She forced a smile. “Yes, Your Honor?”
“I presume, based on your initial response, you object to the allegations.”
“Frankly, my client finds them absurd.”
“Absurd?” Brad barked.
Judge Larkin shot him a heavy look of warning.
“Apologies, Judge,” he mumbled.
“Would you care to explain your client’s position, Ms. Blaire?”
“I’d love to.” Brad’s interruption gave Cassie courage she hadn’t expected. Feeling more sure of herself, she swiveled in her chair and met his gaze with a challenging stare. “To begin with, counsel withheld information, presenting it in a fashion which lends to the belief it was deliberately staged to intimidate her into complying with his client’s custody desires.”