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"I think I should take the stand again."
Stephanie's declaration startled everyone present. Vince's attorney had called for a brief recess, most likely to regroup after the embarrassment her client had received at the hands of Miles Prescott's questioning. All eyes were on the brunette.
"What?" Jay asked. "But Steph, there's no reason for you to do that again. Miles has Vince just where he wants him."
"Right," Prescott agreed as he eyed his client. But he was damned curious. Why on earth would the young woman want or even feel a need to take the stand again? He had to find out. "Stephanie - can I speak with you in private?"
"Of course," the woman replied as she took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. She glanced around at all her friends and co-workers. Adam was comforting Amy, his arm around the redhead's waist. Stacy and Eddy had been speaking in soft tones with one another, and Trish was sitting on a chair a few feet away, nursing a diet Sprite. "Would it be okay if Jay joins us?" Her eyes met the blond man's as she awaited Miles' answer.
"Yes, I think that would probably be all right." The attorney turned to face everyone else, waving one hand. "We'll be right back," he assured them. He led Stephanie and Jay from the room and they all wandered into the hallway and down to a deserted corridor.
"Now, I know this is going to sound crazy," the brunette began, "but there's something you don't know about my father's lawyer." She closed her eyes slowly, her pulse and blood pressure increasing as the horrid memories returned to her. They were enough to make her want to vomit. No one had ever known, not Shane - not even their mother, Linda.
"I'm not sure I'm following you," Prescott said softly, his brow furrowed with confusion. Jay was also looking at her with a mixture of concern and wonder.
Stephanie let out a deep breath before she slowly explained.
"She has absolutely no credibility. She has no right to be defending my father," she began. "You see, a few years ago, I witnessed something I shouldn't have... Daddy has known Dana Finley for years, and... Well, their relationship hasn't always been strictly client-attorney."
Miles arched an eyebrow as Jay let out an exclamation of disgust.
"Ugh... You mean, your dad and Ms. Finley...?"
Stephanie nodded, hating having to remember the disgusting experience.
"I walked in on them. Mom was actually *home* at the time, too." She shook her head. "My father didn't even *care* that I saw them - he... he just looked away and continued with what he was doing."
"This is most interesting news indeed," Prescott said. "It could possibly get Ms. Finley taken off the bar."
"And it would definitely further prove your case against Vince," Jay added. "I would mention it."
The brunette glanced down at the floor as she chewed her lower lip. On one hand, she knew both men were right, and in her own heart knew she had to do this. On the other, her mother and brother were in the courtroom and would be hearing about this for the first time. How would they take such news? She knew that her mother knew Vince was unfaithful to her, but Shane might actually flip out to the point of violence against him. Her older brother tended to be a bit naive - or at least he allowed himself to be where their parents' marriage was concerned.
She looked back up and met Jay's kind blue eyes for a beat. He seemed to be encouraging her with that look he was giving her, a slight nod of his head adding to it. He reached out for her hand and gave it a soft little squeeze.
"What do you think, Miles?" she asked, shifting her attention briefly to her lawyer.
"I think we have nothing to lose," he replied. "Now, your father and Dana Finley - they're a different story."
*
"What do you think they're talking about?" Amy asked Adam, worry in her hazel eyes as she gazed up into his face.
"I have no idea," her husband replied honestly. A dozen or more thoughts flitted through his head as to what the impromptu meeting might be about, but he couldn't gauge it.
"I bet they're going to ask me to take the stand again, too," the redhead said, a small shiver going through her. "Against Chris." She bit her lip nervously, the mere thought causing unpleasant butterflies to flap their wings in her stomach. "I don't know if I can manage that again, Adam."
The tall blond man shook his head.
"I honestly don't think this has anything to do with you, Ames," he said, rubbing a large hand up her arm and shoulder. He sighed as she rested her head on his own shoulder, then kissed her temple. "Something tells me it has to do with Vince."
Stephanie, Jay, and Prescott suddenly returned, and all eyes went to them. But before Miles could announce what their next move would be, the bailiff appeared.
"Judge Williams is calling you back to the courtroom. Let's go."
Stephanie and Jay met eyes, and the blond man took gentle hold of the brunette's hand. She smiled and drew strength
from his tender touch. She was going to do this, and she would be strong in the process. It was, after all, the *right*
thing to do.