Page 16 of Cause and Effect

“I’m here about Laurel Evans,” I said.

“That’s right.” Mark pointed at me. “The Hamilton Group. You stole her from me.”

“I didn’t. My brothers did. How was her work here as a public defender?” I asked.

“Laurel was one of the best public defenders this office has ever seen. I really miss her. Her record was impeccable. She had the highest rate of acquittals, got favorable plea bargains for her clients, and could get charges dismissed like no one I’ve ever seen. She has a way with clients and the jury. She’s a fierce and smart woman, especially when it comes to the opposing side. She says what she wants and does what she wants. Why are you asking?”

“Because I want to know what kind of attorney she is now that she’s working for my firm.”

“Shouldn’t you have done that before hiring her?” His head cocked. “Anyway, lucky for you. She will be a real asset to your firm. She’s a brilliant woman, and I often wondered why she would work as a public defender.”

“You never asked her?” I asked.

“No. I didn’t want her to second-guess her decision because I didn’t want to lose her.”

“Did you ever find her to be mean-spirited?”

“Laurel?” He chuckled. “Never. She’s one of the nicest people I know. She’s a great mom, too. Her little girls are adorable. Have you met them yet?”

“Uh, no. And I don’t plan to,” I said.

His brows furrowed.

“Well, thank you for speaking with me.” I stood and buttoned my suit coat. “It was nice to meet you.” I extended my hand.

“Nice to meet you too, Julian. Tell Laurel I said hi.”

“Of course.” I nodded.

Shaun and I walked out of his office and climbed into the back of the limo.

“She sounds amazing,” Shaun said. “Are you disappointed?”

“Disappointed?” My brows furrowed.

“Disappointed that he praised her as if she were a goddess,” he said. “Listen, Julian. I remember when Jackson and Nathan hired Charlotte without telling Conner. They knew about the run-in the two of them had in Target. Man, Conner was a bear for a while. He just couldn’t accept she was working at the medical center. Now look at them.” He smiled. “Happily married with a baby. Even after the accident, when she lost her memory and had no idea who Conner was, they found their way back to each other. Fate happens whether we like it or not.”

“Laurel Evans is not my fate, Shaun.”

“Okay.” A smirk crossed his lips. “But the fact that you wanted to speak to her former boss tells me you can’t stop thinking about her, which I get.” He winked.

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. My phone pinged. Pulling it from my pocket, I noticed a text message from a number I didn’t recognize.

Julian, it’s Laurel. Melinda gave me your number. As soon as you get back, head to the firm. The police found something in the Bennett case, and it doesn’t look good.

“Shit,” I said.

“What’s wrong?” Shaun asked.

“Just a case Laurel and I are working on.”

My fingers typed a message back to her.

I’ll be back in a couple of hours. We’ll discuss it then.

I stored her number in my phone under Mean Spirited Woman.

“Jesus Christ, Julian.” Shaun chuckled. “Really?”

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