Family (7 page)

Joe let out a low whistle. “It’ll be in every gossip magazine within a week.”

“I know.” Dayne made a face intended to show Joe his dilemma. “That’s why I need your help. Yours and Luke’s-anyone who can keep the spotlight off her.”

“But if you’re dating, it’ll be out soon enough any-“

“We’re not.” Dayne’s answer was quick. “She’s the director of 46

a Christian Kids Theater group. We live and work in different worlds.”

Joe’s brow was twisted, his expression confused. He shot Dayne a look. “I thought you said you love her.”

Dayne felt the conflict stronger than he had in a month. “I do.” He looked straight ahead again. “It’s something we have to work through.”

“Sounds like it.” Joe thought a moment. “And you want to work it out away from the magnifying glass of the paparazzi, is that it?”

“Exactly.”

“All right, no problem. The plan’s simple. Between Luke and myself, we’ll stage press conferences, do what we can to keep feeding them nonstories.” Joe hesitated. “Before lunch I want you to put together a list of things I can tell the press-her name, age, pieces of her background I can mention. That might keep them occupied for a while.”

It was exactly what Dayne had been thinking. “I’ll get it to you before we break today.” The details would be very general, but it was a good strategy. Make the media think they were getting something, even though the information would be less than they’d find on their own. “I think it could work … make it easy for them.”

“You got it, Dayne.” Joe was a fast thinker, a man whose mind was in a dozen places at once. His certainty made the situation with Katy feel a little less complicated.

Dayne leaned back in his seat and felt himself relax. Joe would handle it. He was the attorney after all. He didn’t need to understand Dayne’s personal life or the decisions he made. He was paid to handle whatever Dayne threw at him.

The rest of the ride Joe went on about a high-profile case in New York City involving a former Hollywood star accused of murdering his wife.

Dayne didn’t really listen. With every mile he felt himself 47

growing anxious again. What if feeding the press didn’t work? What if the gossip rags still dug, and Katy’s entire life was laid bare for the country to examine?

Joe was talking about penalties and prison sentences, the fact that the former Hollywood star could face a life term.

Dayne nodded at the appropriate times, but he couldn’t stop thinking about how crazy his life was becoming. He was holding long conversations with John Baxter, sharing his feelings about Katy Hart and the pressure of the paparazzi and his thoughts about getting to know his siblings. When he thought about John now, it was as a son thinks of his father. But was their relationship and the one he shared with Katy all little more than make-believe? Would there ever come a day when he could call John Baxter and say the words that were growing in his soul?

“Hey, Dad… it’s me, Dayne.” And that was only a fraction of what was consuming him.

Not only would he need to do everything possible to keep the attention off Katy, but throughout the proceedings he would be sitting next to his brother, Luke Baxter. The people in his attorney’s office were right. The resemblance between him and Luke was uncanny. If the media hounds looked hard enough, they were bound to at least joke about the fact that Dayne and his attorney’s assistant looked alike.

All of it felt like a twisted movie plot, and combined with the double latte, his heart was pumping hard and fast by the time they arrived in front of the Criminal Courts Building. Spectators stood in large groups on either side of the street, and a swarm of media vans with ten-foot-high antennas was gathered near the courthouse entrance. Police were stationed every twenty feet, keeping the crowd in check and holding the public at bay.

Joe surveyed the situation. “Luke Baxter’s bringing Katy in through the back door. They should be inside by now.” He looked at Dayne. “You can enter wherever you want, but I’ve got police clearance to park in front.”

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“Let’s do it.” Dayne studied the throng of reporters camped on both sides of the main sidewalk. “Anything to keep the attention on me.” He clenched his jaw, ready for whatever they threw at him. “It’s my trial, my problem. The psycho would’ve killed anyone to get to me. None of this is about Katy Hart.”

Joe pulled up as close as he could to the curb. An officer came toward them, and Joe rolled down his window. “I’ve got Dayne Matthews.”

The officer peered into the Suburban and nodded at Dayne. “Sorry about the chaos.”

“No problem.” Dayne grinned. It was time to be on. “Thanks for holding a spot for us.”

“Happy to help.” The officer leaned a little closer to the window. He held out a pad of paper and a pen. “I hate to ask … but could you sign an autograph for my wife?” A sheepish grin lifted his otherwise serious face. “Her name’s Kathy with a K.”

“Sure thing.” Dayne reached across Joe, signed the paper, and handed it back.

“Hey-” he flashed his silver-screen smile at the guy-“we might need some help getting one of the witnesses out later on.” He nodded at Joe. “Can my attorney be in touch with you after lunch? Maybe make special arrangements?”

“You got it, Mr. Matthews.” The officer straightened and took on an authoritative look again. “Whatever you need.” He took a few steps back and motioned for Joe to park the Suburban.

Joe winked at Dayne. “Nice work.”

The moment Joe killed the engine, they slipped out and headed up the walkway—Joe slightly ahead. Like the depositions in January, Joe straight-armed the crowd, his face grim. He and his famous client took the matter of a knife-bearing fan very seriously.

A CBS newscaster stepped in front of them. “Dayne … what’s your hope for the outcome of the trial?”

At the same time a woman with a CNN microphone separated herself from the crowd.

“Do you think the obsession with celeb49

rity has gotten out of hand, and what should Hollywood do about it?”

Joe waved and shouted, “I have an announcement!”

A hundred cameras were aimed at Dayne, and each of them continued to click. But otherwise a hush fell over the throng.

Joe cupped his mouth so he could be heard. I’m Dayne Matthews’ attorney. He is a witness to this trial, and as such he cannot be interviewed yet. I’ll hold a press conference later today on the front steps of the courthouse. When we have a verdict, Dayne will meet with you and answer your questions at that time.” He waved off what was an immediate response from the crowd. “Thank you.”

Dayne was impressed. As they climbed the steps he leaned in close to Joe. “Nice work yourself.”

Joe grinned at him. “That’s why you pay me the big bucks.”

Dayne glanced back as they headed through the double doors. The press was packing up, hurrying along behind them. The situation was about to get difficult. It was one thing to walk through a mob of media on a courthouse lawn.

Katy hadn’t had to face a single one of them. But once they were in the courtroom, the press would fill every available space. Then it would be only a matter of time before Katy and her identity were made known to the world.

He gulped and uttered a silent prayer that Katy would be protected and that even with his biological brother sitting next to him, there would be at least one secret the paparazzi would never find out about.

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51

KAty was in a small sitting area adjacent to the courtroom. Luke Baxter was sitting at the table, as were a few members of the prosecution team.

Luke was explaining that she had a choice about where to sit during the proceedings. “Oftentimes judges ask all witnesses to leave the courtroom because of the testimony. But in your case there’s nothing you don’t already know. The police officer is going by the account you and Dayne gave, and-” he smiled- “of course you and Dayne have the same story since you were together.”

She nodded. She was trying to listen, but something about Luke was distracting her.

His expression changed. “But you don’t have to stay in the courtroom, Katy. You can wait in this room until they call you and leave when you’re finished.”

“Right.” Katy bit her lip. What was it? Luke was Ashley’s brother, but she’d never met him until today. So why was he so familiar looking? Not just his eyes and his face but his

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mannerisms. Katy tried to keep her mind on the matter at hand. “What will Dayne do?”

“He’ll be in the courtroom for most of it. His presence is important for the prosecution.” Luke kept his tone professional. “Yours is important but not in a high-profile way.”

Katy frowned. Not yet, she wanted to say. “Do I have to decide now?”

“No.” Luke adjusted his tie. He leaned forward. “Are you okay? Ashley said you were pretty nervous about the publicity.”

“Yes.” She wondered how much to tell him. “There’s a lot at stake.”

“I’ll be meeting with Joe Morris every few hours. We’ll do our best to keep the attention off you.”

“Thanks.”

There was a noise at the door, and they turned.

Joe Morris walked in, his cheeks red. “Intense.”

Behind him were Dayne and two police officers. Dayne’s eyes met Katy’s. For the sweetest second, they weren’t in a stuffy room about to be witnesses in an attempted murder case. They weren’t ready to take the stand while every major media source took careful note. They were just two people lost in a sea of emotion, a sea neither of them could even begin to navigate.

She allowed the hint of a smile. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He stepped in and came to her. In a way that couldn’t be mistaken for more than a show of support, he put his hand on her shoulder. “You okay?” His voice was meant only for her.

“Fine.” His touch was electric, and she wondered at her careless heart. Dayne’s world was insane, wilder than anything she could’ve dreamed. No matter what changes he’d made, she had no right letting herself have feelings for him. Not when they might as well live on different planets. In his world they couldn’t hold a single public conversation without it being headline news. “Did you come through the front?”

“We did.”

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“It’s a zoo.” Joe wheeled around the table and took a seat next to Luke.

Luke stood and reached out to Dayne. “Good to see you again.”

“Thanks for coming.” The two shook hands. “We need all the help we can get.”

Katy watched them, and again she was struck by something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Whatever it was, the feeling was stronger watching Luke with Dayne. Or maybe it was the look in Dayne’s eyes. They held something that hadn’t been there before. A sweet shining sadness, as if he were greeting a long-lost friend and not an associate from his law firm.

After a few minutes, Joe motioned to Luke. “I need to talk to you out in the hall for a minute.”

The two left, and Dayne took the seat next to Katy. With the prosecution team members talking at the other end of the table, she almost felt as if she were alone with him. He looked incredible, more dressed up than she’d ever seen him.

Suddenly her cheeks felt hot. She glanced at her black pants and white lightweight cable-knit sweater. “I’m underdressed.”

“No.” Dayne shook his head. His expression told her he had a hundred things he wanted to say. “You’re perfect.”

She wanted to tell him about Luke, about how he seemed so strangely familiar, but the chief prosecutor, Tara Lawson, walked into the room and motioned for everyone to listen up. She was in her late forties, her hair cut short around her face. She looked from Dayne to Katy and then to her fellow prosecuting team members at the far end of the table. “It’s time. Katy, I’ve reserved you a spot in the courtroom. I’d like you there throughout the proceedings, if that’s okay.”

Katy thought quickly. “Yes. Fine.”

“Good.” Tara took a quick breath. “Okay, everyone. Follow me.”

Katy’s heart skipped a beat. She had no choice now. She 54

would be in the courtroom because that’s what was expected of her.

Dayne nudged her and leaned in closer. “You’ll be fine. Keep praying.”

She already was, of course. She’d been praying constantly. Still, his words were like a balm for her soul. He’d changed so much since their first meeting. How incredible that now he was the one reminding her to pray. Peace filtered through her even as they stood and filed out of the small room.

Tara led the way as they headed for the empty row she had reserved directly behind the table where she and her prosecuting team would be stationed. The peace from moments earlier left in a hurry. Katy’s heart beat so hard she wondered if the court reporter could hear it.

Tara studied Dayne and Katy. “You’ll be fine.” Then she and her prosecution team headed toward the front of the courtroom.

Joe Morris directed the rest of them, careful to sit Katy next to Luke Baxter, with Dayne at the opposite end of the row. No sense giving the photographers something to shoot on the first day. At this point, the media could mistake Katy for part of the legal staff, not the woman all of Hollywood wanted to know about.

Not until Katy was seated did she allow herself to look around the courtroom.

The crowd amazed her. There were people with cameras packed into every available spot. Tara had already explained that in California each judge had the right to allow or disallow cameras in his or her courtroom. The judge in this case-Henry P. Nguyen-had handled high-profile cases before. He had given select members of the press the okay to attend and to take photos and video footage. But he reserved the right to make them leave if they were disruptive.

Katy shifted her gaze to the left and noticed two rows of six people along the side of the courtroom. The jury, of course. Most of them were looking at Dayne.

Tara Lawson had said that

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one of the defense’s strategies was to find a jury that wouldn’t be starstruck by Dayne Matthews. The prosecution team had laughed at the idea. Now Katy could see why. At least half of them looked ready to spring from their seats and beg Dayne for an autograph.

She looked to the far right, and what she saw made her heart skip a beat. Margie Madden was sitting at a table near the front, opposite Tara Lawson and her team.