Chapter Twelve

Lauren sat in the corner booth of her favorite lunch spot, and instead of anticipating the first bite of the heavenly chocolate cake the place was famous for, she fantasized about the ice Julie was scavenging for her.

“Here you go,” Julie said, sliding into the seat across from Lauren. “Relief is here.”

Lauren held it to her arm. “Thank you.”

“No problem. And I ordered our usual. I wasn’t sure if you would be up to staying long, so I thought we should rush the food.”

Lauren felt the chill on her arm, a slow numbness easing the pain. “This helps.” Her attention locked on a familiar face. “Isn’t that David Sullivan?”

Julie turned in her seat. “Where?”

“Too late. You can’t see him anymore.” Lauren made a face. “Weird though. I know that was him. He looked right at me and pretended not to see me.”

Julie gave Lauren a hard stare. “Of course he did. You prosecuted the biggest case of his career, and he lost.”

“And so he avoids me?”

“He was passed over as partner after losing the case. I’m pretty sure he thinks you ruined his life.”

Lauren’s eyes went wide. “I did not ruin his life. That’s like blaming you for breaking up the marriages you legally dissolved.”

The waitress appeared and set their food down in front of them, forcing Julie to put her reply on hold. The minute the woman walked away, Julie leaned forward, her voice low. “Of course you didn’t ruin his life. But you know how people can be. They look for someone to blame and since I went out with one of his buddies a few years back, I happen to know he blames you. He’s a big blame thrower, that guy.” She stabbed a piece of chicken on top of her salad.

“Why didn’t you tell me this?”

“I didn’t tell you because I knew it would upset you, just like it clearly is. I knew you’d tear yourself up over it.”

This day was not going well. Her world felt like it was imploding on her. Her idea of getting out of the office, and not letting fear control her, certainly had backfired.

She shoved her plate aside, knowing she should have listened to Royce. “I’m going to the ladies' room.” She dropped the bag of ice on the table, and grabbed a napkin to soak up the water on her arm. “Get my salad to go, will you?”

Fortunately, the restroom was empty, and she had a few blessed moments alone. She dried her shirt the best she could, her mind a jumbled mess. It was hard enough to put someone on death row, regardless of their crime. She really didn’t need the added weight of other types of guilt. Like being told she'd ruined the life of her opposing counsel.

Several people funneled into the restroom, eyeing Lauren’s arm with interest. So much for her escape. She headed for the door, pushed it open, and ran straight into a hard wall of muscle, and when she might have flinched and pulled back, her nostrils flared with a familiar spicy scent of man.

“Royce,” she breathed out, relaxing into him. “Oh, thank God, it’s you.”

He guided her into a corner, hands settling on her waist. Reaching up he brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes. “Julie said you were burned. Let me look at your arm.”

Lauren felt her lips quiver as she nodded. “You had me followed, didn’t you? That’s how you’re here?”

He glanced up at her. “Yes, and I’m pissed as hell that you left the building. However, I’ll save my lecturing – and there will be lecturing – for when we’re alone and you’re not in pain. But damn it, this isn’t a cigarette burn and this wasn’t an accident. What if he’d have used a knife under the cover of the crowd? You might not be here right now.”

He was right. She knew he was right. “I thought you were saving this until later?”

“I am. I’m not even close to saying everything I have to say.”

She let out a breath and let her lashes lower. “I deserve this. I was foolish.” She swallowed hard. “I didn’t want this to be real.” Her gaze lifted and then louder, “I didn’t want this to be real. I think... I was in denial.”

“You’re okay,” he said, his voice softening with understanding. “That’s all that matters. Right now, we need to get you to an ER.”

“No. It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not, and we both know it. You’re scared. You’re hurt. We’re going to the ER.”

“I’ll end up in the newspaper.”’

”Then we’ll find a private doctor but you have to have this looked at.”

“I so don’t need this right before the trial, Royce. I’m behind. I’m not myself. I almost feel like I need to step aside, but it’s too late now, it would hurt the case.”

“Maybe that was the idea.”

***

Two hours later, Lauren and Royce were finally back at her apartment, and he was doing a walk through for safety. Lauren had called Julie and explained everything that was going on, and she had eagerly agreed to pick up Lauren’s work for her. She just hoped she arrived in time to get some work done. The day was all but lost and the pain meds were going to knock her out when she finally caved and took them. As it was, the antibiotics were making her nauseous, which was probably because she hadn’t eaten at all.

Royce appeared in the hallway, and she felt a surge of relief when he gave her the ‘thumbs up’ to enter. She rushed forward and straight to her bedroom so she could change. She wanted out of the burned shirt so she could separate herself from threats and fears to focus on work.