Page 17 of Daddy’s Protecting

Dropping onto the hard seat, she looked back and forth between the two visitors. “Why are you here?”

“While running a big corporation, I’ve run into a lot of good people and a few bad eggs.” He held up his hand to stop her from apologizing again. “I do not count you in that latter category. If I did, I wouldn’t be here. I am curious, though. Why did you do it?”

“You haven’t talked to Dirk?” she asked nervously.

“I would never ask him to divulge client/attorney discussions.”

“My ex-brother-in-law blackmailed me into uploading the bug. If I didn’t, he was going to give the police photos that implicated me in the deaths of his parents,” Cynthia answered honestly.

“I take it you did not kill them?” Easton probed with a serious look.

“Of course not. They were the only people who were nice to me as I grew up. I learned how to cook at their restaurant,” Cynthia defended herself.

“Sounds like a royal ass,” Piper pronounced.

“Language, Little girl,” Easton corrected gently.

“Sorry. We knew something crappy had happened. You’re not a bad person.”

Cynthia looked around the drab visiting area and shook her head. It was hard to agree, given her imprisonment and the charges facing her.

“The corporate lawyer now attending to this issue after Dirk became your lawyer insists we must cooperate with the authorities to prevent an onslaught of attacks if we appear weak in response to your actions. As much as I hate this, I have to think of the other employees at Edgewater Industries. I hope Dirk will work his magic to free you and maintain the company’s security,” Easton answered.

“Thank you for not hating me.” Cynthia looked down at the table in front of her.

“Of course we don’t hate you. Everyone misses you,” Piper rushed to reassure her.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of people who are very angry at me. No one was hurt, were they?”

“Everyone is fine, Cynthia. The security and tech staff worked some overtime, and it inconvenienced a few people. Everything is more protected today.” Easton glossed over the impact of her actions.

“Grant! The judge is ready to see you,” the guard summoned her brusquely.

Immediately, Cynthia stood and said, “Thank you for coming,” before scurrying to the uniformed man at the door. Keeping the judge waiting didn’t sound like a good decision. Sheturned to wave as she walked through the door. Her heart was a bit less heavy as she walked down the hallway.

“I don’t know who you know. Usually, it’s weeks before you get on the judge’s docket,” the guard informed her with a suspicious look.

“I don’t know anyone. It must have been a mix-up in my favor,” Cynthia suggested quickly. She knew exactly who had worked magic behind the scenes. Closing her eyes to send Dirk her mental thanks, Cynthia waited where indicated.

CHAPTER 6

“Hi,” she whispered as she took her place in front of the blank video screen. She had not expected to see Dirk when she’d walked through the door to appear in front of the video link with the judge. Cynthia forced herself not to rush into his arms.

“I’m glad to see you, Cynthia. Are you okay?” Dirk asked as he positioned himself next to her.

“It’s tough in here,” she admitted. “But I’m fine.”

Cynthia stared at his appearance in the tailored suit she knew was custom made to fit his toned body. There was no way that came off the rack at a department store. He oozed confidence and legal expertise. Immediately, hope filled her heart. She was so glad to see him.

“How’s Bullyboo?” Cynthia couldn’t keep herself from asking.

“He misses you, but I’m distracting him with magic tricks.”

“You know how to do magic?” she asked.

“Of course. Here comes the judge,” Dirk said, waving at the screen.

“Good morning, Your Honor. I’m Dirk O’Roark, the defendant’s attorney.”

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