Page 100 of Protecting Christina

I refrained from rolling my eyes. “Because I want to speak to Lynette. I think I know what to say to turn this testimony around.”

“You do? And you think you can do a better job than me?”

“No. I just know what to say to her.”

His mouth flattened, and I was certain he wouldn’t do it. But when he turned around, he stood from his chair. “Your honor, I’d like to request a short recess.”

“Why?”

“Um, I need a minute with the witness.”

“Denied. Carry on, Mr. Freeman.”

I sunk lower in my seat and bit my hangnail until it bled. I hissed and shook my hand.

Someone opened the courtroom doors, but I didn’t turn around, trying to catch Lynette’s eyes to encourage her to not be intimated. She was not at fault here.

A man sat next to me and put his hand on my knee. I recognized his long fingers and smooth nails.

“Hey,” he said and rubbed my knee. “How’s it going?”

I shook my head. “Not good. Lynette is sinking, and I don’t know how to save her. I tried to ask for a recess, but the judge denied it.”

Mr. Freeman continued his line of questioning, or rather, blaming Lynette. “Did you ever refuse to… um…” he smirked, and it irritated me. “… perform your end of the arrangement?”

Lynette pressed her lips together. “Yes,” she said. “Sometimes if I wasn’t feeling well, or—”

“Just a yes or no will suffice,” said the attorney. Then he walked back to his desk and riffled through his papers with a cocky grin on his face.

I poked the prosecutor again. “You’ve got to do something to get this back on track.”

“Leave me to my job, Ms. Polito,” he answered, annoyed.

“I would if you were doing it right.”

“What was that?” he hissed.

“You heard me.”

He narrowed his eyes again. “Get out.”

“No. Do your fucking job so we can all get the hell out of here except for that creep, Simon.”

“Simon? Is this personal, Ms. Polito?”

“It’s none of your concern.”

He shook his head and turned back to face forward.

“What was that about?” asked Will.

“I want this prosecutor to do his fucking job, that’s what.”

“I get that. But something in your voice did make this sound personal toward Simon. Is this only for your sister?”

I waved his unwanted inquiry away when the defense asked Lynette another leading question. “Don’t you think not holding up your end of the bargain meant that you were not fulfilling your obligations? Does that not mean that my client had the right to withhold payment?”

What the hell?!

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