Chapter 44

RION WAS WAITING for me—naked and in bed—when I got home, so I undressed quickly and joined him

“I thought you might need some TLC,” he said.

“You were right.”

“How did it go?”

“About as expected, but it isn’t over. I still worry about you getting sucked into it.”

“What happens will happen.”

“Yeah, but I’d rather it didn’t happen because of me. You mentioned TLC.”

“Yeah.”

We had a snack in the kitchen a bit later, after which we carried a bottle of wine and two glasses upstairs and settled down for the night. Dan’s prediction proved to be on the money—closing arguments were made the next afternoon, and the case went to the jury at four. I didn’t have time to worry or wonder about the trial, as there was too much going on at the office. Six o’clock rolled around, and I was gathering my homework when my BlackBerry chimed. It was Willard Ayres.

“Guilty on all counts,” he said, without preamble, “and it was unanimous.”

“That’s a relief.”