Page 20 of Feel Me

I groan. Sometimes it really sucks working with investigators. They’re trained to pick up on subtle changes in a person’s demeanor. In a room with Detectives Hernandez, Melo?anyoneof the law enforcement staff, I don’t think I’d stand a chance. They’d see right through the confidence I try maintain and unearth every insecurity threatening to tear through me.

I hurry out the side door and down the stairwell, wishing my encounter with Declan hadn’t affected me like it had. He walked away without another glance back. I know he felt rushed, and if it involved the search and seizure, it was urgent, just as I know I shouldn’t care. We both have work to do. But even knowing as much doesn’t make the snub an easier pill to swallow. Not with Stephanie so close to his heels, and especially not with how easily she dismissed me.

My shoulder length hair sweeps behind me as I walk along the bridge connecting our building to the courthouse. With my badge firmly in place, the sheriff’s officers wave me through and past the line of people waiting to clear the metal detector.

I’m supposed to observe one of the newly appointed A.D.A.s, Kirk Stevenson. He’s clerked in our office for over a year now, waiting for the opportunity to prove himself. Since Declan is considering him for SACU, I’m hoping Kirk can measure up.

With a deep breath I proceed to Judge Bronson’s courtroom, increasing the speed in my stride. There are a cluster of people piled outside the double doors leading in. They speak in low murmurs, but the collection of voices is loud enough to overwhelm my hearing. I hurry forward when I catch sight of the judge’s clerk walking back to chambers. “Steve,” I call out.

I’m not sure he hears me until he turns around. “Oh, hey, Melissa,” I watch him mouth, doing my best to tune out the extra noise. “What are you up to?”

“I’m here to observe Kirk Stevenson . . . What’s wrong?” I ask when he makes a face.

He hooks my elbow and guides me down the small hall that leads to the chambers. “Look, Melissa. I’m only telling you this because my clerk assignment ends in another week.” He waits as one of the deputies hurries past him before continuing. “Rumor has it Kirk just accepted a position with a firm downtown. He’s biding his time here and making connections until he starts his new job.”

Awesome. So much for him. I glance around, hoping I didn’t waste my time by coming. “Are there any other A.D.A.s around?”

“A few.” He sighs. “Including the woman who broke my heart.”

I follow his stare to the corner where Tess O’Brien is standing. Oh, yes, I’d heard a few of the clerks had it bad for her.

Tess is lovely, tall and thin, except where her baby bump is showing. She doesn’t notice me, too busy flipping through the file as she speaks to a defense attorney and his client. Just a few feet behind her waits her husband Curran. He’s dressed in his Philly cop uniform, watching his wife and her interaction closely.

Considering opposing council is looming over Tess and rolling his eyes as she speaks, Curran seems surprisingly calm. “Thanks, Steve,” I say, walking toward them.

I frown the closer I draw. The defense attorney is being blatantly disrespectful, and the client isn’t that much better. But honestly what shocks me is how unaffected Curran appears. That’s his pregnant wife, and for all he jokes, he’s known for his tough-as-steel persona. I don’t understand why he’s not stepping in to throttle this jerk.

I inch closer, not wanting to leave her so vulnerable. I can’t hear Tess well, but I can read her lips. “This is what you’re going to do,” she says. “Plead guilty to the possession and intoxication charges, and I’ll drop the misconduct and indecent exposure.”

Defense council huffs. “You can’t be serious. He’s a first time offender.”

“I’m not doing that,” the defendant snaps. He scowls at his attorney. “You said I wouldn’t have to do any of that.”

“You don’t,” his attorney tells him.

I stop beside Curran. He keeps his attention on Tess, but nudges me with his elbow. “Watch this,” he says.

She straightens to her full height, adjusting her tiny glasses. “That’s true. You don’t have to plead guilty. We can set up a hearing and try this case today.” She motions around. “You see all these people, all these fine and proud Philadelphians? I’m sure they’re dying to hear how you got blasted out of your mind, ran across Liberty Park naked, and peed on their sacred bell—no, thatyou peed on American historyand the very embodiment of freedom.” She veers on the attorney. “You’re ready, aren’t you counselor? Because I am. In fact, I’ve already prepared my witnesses, including the two priests who saw your client strip off his clothes and sprint across the lawn. They’re on standby and ready to go.”

“I need a week,” the defense attorney counters.

“To prepare for a case that’s been sitting on your desk for over a month?” Tess addresses the defendant. “How much are you paying him, never mind,” she adds quickly. “Just know it’s more than I make, that I received this case yesterday, and that I’m ready to try this case now. Oh, and keep in mind that not only did you basically pay him to stand here and do nothing, but that he’ll be asking you for more money to try the case. Steve?” she calls out.

“Yes, Assistant District Attorney O’Brien?” Steve answers, grinning.

“Could you squeeze us in this afternoon for a quick trial?” Her eyes narrow at the defense attorney. “I assure you it won’t take long.”

“No problem, Tess,” he replies.

My head whips back to Tess’s group so I don’t miss a word. The attorney starts to open his mouth, but Tess cuts him off. “Unless your client is ready to plead to the charges I recommended, I have nothing more to say to you. See you this afternoon.”

She starts to leave, her pace slowing when she sees us standing there. “Hi, Melissa,” she says, before turning to Curran. “What are you doing here, cop?”

“Watching you get me hot.”

Her face flushes pink only to redden further when he puts his arms around her waist and pulls her close. “Curran, I’m at work,” she reminds him.

“What?” he asks. “It’s not like I grabbed your ass like last time.”

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