Chapter 18.1

Now an urgent call from his office.

Mitch glanced at his watch. Still ten minutes before he was due in court.

He whipped out his mobile phone, retreated down the steps for a quick bit of privacy and called the number written on the message slip.

'Kathryn Ledger,' came the brisk response.

'Mitch Tyler. I don't have much time. What's the problem?'

'In a nutshell…Ric received photographic evidence this morning that a woman he knows is a battered wife. He went straight to her home and took her out of the situation. He's flown her off somewhere in Johnny Ellis's plane.'

'Good God!' Mitch muttered in disbelief.

'The husband was having her watched by a private investigator who lost their trail at our basement car park when Ric switched cars.' The incredible tale went on. 'Her husband has since turned up at our office, harassing the staff for information. I gave him the name of the restaurant where you and Ric were supposed to meet for lunch, but he's bound to come back when he doesn't find Ric there. My instructions were to call you if there was trouble.'

'A woman he knew?' Mitch queried.

'He called her Lara Seymour and said they went back a long way.' Ric's Lara? From when he was sixteen?

Mitch's mind boggled.

Could a youthful passion last this long?

Stealing a Porsche to impress a girl was one thing. Stealing a married woman from her husband—eighteen years later!—was one hell of a leap. 'But the name isn't Lara Seymour now,' the informing voice went on. 'It's Lara Chappel…married to Gary Chappel, son of Victor Chappel. You know who I mean?' Gary Chappel!

Mitch was momentarily poleaxed by shock.

'Mr Tyler? The Chappel medical clinic and nursing home empire?

We're talking big money and power here. And we've got trouble.'

Mitch's trapped breath hissed out as his mind clicked to action stations. 'I know exactly what you mean, Ms Ledger. Do you still have this photographic evidence?'

'Yes. Five copies in the safe.'

'I'll be sending two security men to escort you to my chambers. Do not leave your office until they arrive. Bring one copy of the photograph with you. Once you are safely in my chambers, wait in my private office for me. I'll join you as soon as I'm free. I cannot emphasise enough…follow these instructions to the letter, Ms Ledger. Believe me, you have big trouble.'

'Thank you, Mr Tyler. Rest assured I'll follow your advice.' 'Good!'

Efficient and sensible, Mitch thought as he hurried back to his clerk. As she should be, given her executive position in Ric's business. All the same, he was impressed by her quick summary of the situation and her no- quibbling response to the course of action he'd outlined.

He told his clerk what he wanted done, adding, 'This is urgent business.

Get the security men there pronto, and tell them Ms Ledger is carrying merchandise that is invaluable.'

Definitely invaluable, Mitch thought with grim satisfaction. Legal evidence against Gary Chappel! No way could that bastard wriggle out of this one. Or buy his way out. Not with Mitch Tyler having a controlling hand.

Harriet signalled him aside just as he was about to enter the courtroom.

Even with a barrister's wig covering her silky blond hair, she still looked beautiful—flawless creamy skin, her full-lipped sensuous mouth painted a glossy red, a fine aristocratic nose breathing fire while her big grey eyes smoked with angry frustration.

'Where have you been?' she demanded. Not at her beck and call any more.

He raised a mocking eyebrow. 'Out. Is your client ready to settle?' 'She's ready to deal.'

'The only deal on the table is what I nominated from the beginning.' 'She won't come at that.'

'Then I'll see you both in court.'

Harriet reached out and grabbed the sleeve of his robe, halting him. 'This is blackmail, Mitch.'

'No. It's exposure.'

Which was what Gary Chappel deserved, too. Though it probably wouldn't work out that way.

Better to hold the sword over his head if the aim was to keep everyone free of trouble.

'You're painting this black and white, not accepting any greys. And there are greys,' Harriet insisted vehemently.

'Then prove it to the jury.'

'You know damned well you've got their sympathy.' 'I wonder why.'

With that mocking retort he pulled his robe free of her grasp and headed into the courtroom, prepared to fight on but suspecting he wouldn't have to. That little contretemps had sounded like a last-ditch effort to get him to bend a little, win something for her client, which, of course, would be a face-saving exercise for Harriet. Total defeat didn't sit well with her. Never would. Greys suited her better.

No sooner was everyone settled in the courtroom than Harriet made the request to approach the bench. In very short order, Mitch was informed that Harriet's client had conceded and full settlement was agreed upon. The case was over, bar the paperwork.

Normally Mitch would have felt enormously gratified by this result but he found himself impatient with having to tie up all the ends, deal with the media, and see his client off with the courtesy due to her. This fight had been won. Gary Chappel was now in the antagonist's corner and Mitch's mind was already occupied with the fight ahead.

Kathryn Ledger was no more than a name and a voice to him. He thought of her only as a source, bringing him the ammunition he'd use to attack. That she was also a woman held no relevance at all until he entered his private office and came face-to-face with her.