White Collared Part Two: Greed (2 page)

He smiled. “Today is all yours. You’re going to argue the motion before the judge.”

Chapter Three

W
EARING HER BLACK
suit, Kate rode the elevator to the fourth floor along with Jaxon, Nick, and two prostitutes dressed in multicolored spandex and five-inch heels. Likely at court to fight a solicitation charge, the women didn’t appear to have a care in the world. They spent the entire ride talking trash about a girl named Vera who probably wouldn’t show for court.

Meanwhile, standing in an enclosed space with both of the men in her life, Kate couldn’t stop shaking. The pill she’d taken before leaving for court hadn’t calmed her enough to handle the two alpha men she wanted but couldn’t have. Besides, with all the secrets she was keeping from them, an entire bottle wouldn’t help.

Jaxon’s gaze didn’t rest on her for more than a second before it jumped to Nick. And when he did look at her, it was with nothing more than the familiarity of a client for his attorney. No one would possibly guess he’d climaxed inside of her last night.

As much as it had hurt, she didn’t blame him for walking out on her. The man just lost his wife and was under the suspicion of murder. She only wished he would’ve walked out on her before she gave him a piece of her heart. Now nothing could ever erase the feel of his mouth on her skin, the taste of his come as it slid down her throat, or the stretching sensation when he’d thrust inside her.

But judging by his current behavior, last night meant less than nothing to him.

The elevator stopped on the second floor, and the prostitutes departed, leaving her alone with Jaxon and Nick. She quashed the fleeting fantasy of the three of them getting stuck in the elevator and making good use of the time and instead took a deep breath to ready herself for presenting their opposition to Alyssa’s parents’ motion.

Nick raised a brow at her, and she gave him a little smile to display her confidence. He’d probably noticed her trembling and thought she was nervous for court. Better he believe that than the real reason she couldn’t stop shaking.

When they reached the fourth floor, they got off the elevator and headed toward the courtrooms. The heels of her shoes clicked on the tiled floor as they made their way down the abnormally crowded hallway.

Someone had alerted the paparazzi. Several of them milled outside Judge Cross’s courtroom.

Why hadn’t they anticipated this? They could’ve bypassed the journalists if they’d come through the back entrance where they brought the criminal defendants in from the holding cells.

Terror clogged her throat. She tried to breathe through her nose and exhale through her mouth like Nick had taught her, but it didn’t help this time.

Why was it she had no problem speaking in the courtroom, but the moment she saw the media, she froze like an animal in the middle of the road?

Nick caught her terror but, again, misunderstood the reason. “You worry too much. It’ll be fine.”

One of the local television news reporters spotted Jaxon and moved toward them, alerting the other members of the press to his arrival. Swarming like bees, the journalists buzzed around them, nudging each other and shouting questions.

“Are the Merriweathers contesting their daughter’s will?”

“Are you the sole heir to your wife’s estate?”

“Is it true Deveroux Venture Capitalists is bankrupt?”

“Mr. Deveroux has no comment,” Nick responded calmly.

Her chest constricted, and the floor tipped below her feet. She pressed her lips together, fighting against the darkness threatening to overtake her.

Jaxon’s hand slid under her hair to gently squeeze the back of her neck. As if they were protected by a giant bubble, the world shrank to her and Jaxon, all the noise and chaos disappearing. Just like that, air inflated her lungs.

The heat in his eyes scalded her.

He hadn’t forgotten last night.

Two security guards cleared a path for the three of them to escape the mayhem, and Jaxon dropped his hand from her neck. Following right behind them, she entered the packed courtroom. Halfway down the aisle, a high-heeled foot hooked her ankle, and Kate stumbled.

The owner of the foot hopped up from her seat. “I’m so sorry about that. I was trying to catch up with the two men who came in before you.” Recognition registered in reporter Rachel Dawson’s eyes. “You’re part of Jaxon Deveroux’s defense team, aren’t you?” She smiled and leaned in with her hand cupped around her mouth as if they were two friends sharing secrets. “What’s it like to defend a wife beater?”

“What’s it like to be a bottom-dwelling scavenger?” Kate asked sweetly. Leaving a gaping Rachel behind, she strode down the aisle of the courtroom and through the swinging doors that separated the attorneys’ space from the peanut gallery.

Typically lawyers and their clients filled the rows, but today the media invaded every inch of free space. Since cameras and recorders weren’t permitted inside the courthouse, the reporters would have to rely on good old-fashioned paper and pen.

She joined Nick and Jaxon at the long table, sitting to the right of her boss. “Do the media have a right to be here?”

He nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. The judge could ban them, but she won’t. With elections around the corner, she’s going to enjoy the free publicity.” Nick poured himself a cup of water.

“Please rise for the Honorable Judge Cross,” announced the young female court clerk. “The estate of Alyssa Deveroux, Case Number 14-003044.”

Not a hair was out of place on Judge Mary Cross’s auburn head. She clearly had been made aware of the media’s presence in her courtroom. “Are both parties present?”

“Yes, Your Honor,” said a tall, lean woman as she pushed her way into the courtroom with a middle-aged couple following close behind. “Carol Patterson, attorney for the Petitioners.”

Both pale-skinned with white-blond hair, Mr. and Mrs. Merriweather looked so much alike they could be mistaken for brother and sister. Mr. Merriweather pulled out the chair for his wife, and his gaze narrowed on Jaxon. Mrs. Merriweather, on the other hand, kept her head down, her long hair shielding her face.

“Nicholas Trenton for the Respondent, Your Honor. Also with me is Kate Martin, my legal intern.”

“I’m a bit surprised by this motion, Ms. Patterson,” Judge Cross said. “It’s not every day we have an argument over the disposition of remains in probate court. I’ve had a few minutes to review the parties’ briefs on the matter, but I’d like to hear oral arguments before I render my decision.”

The Petitioners’ attorney remained standing while the rest of the courtroom took their seats. “Your Honor, my clients, Barbara and Frederick Merriweather, lost their daughter Alyssa Deveroux three days ago in a brutal murder. Since that time, the Respondent has come under suspicion for the crime, and information has come to light that their daughter was a victim of severe domestic violence inflicted by Respondent. It is their position that Respondent should not be rewarded for this alleged abuse or the possible murder of Alyssa Deveroux and that, had Alyssa had the freedom to do so, she would have given her parents the right to dispose of her body. They are requesting Alyssa be buried in their family plot rather than be cremated as wished by Respondent. If she’s cremated, any evidence the state may require in the future would be lost, and therefore the Petitioners feel it’s contrary to public policy for Respondent to retain the rights of disposition of his wife’s body. Furthermore, they’re asking for an injunction to bar Mr. Deveroux from attending the funeral of the woman he abused and may have murdered.”

The judge put up her hand in a signal for Ms. Patterson to stop. “Okay, I’ve heard enough. Mr. Trenton, what is your client’s position?”

Kate heard the excited whispers of the reporters in the room. Whichever way this went, she had a feeling they’d spin it unfavorably toward Jaxon.

Nick stood. “Your Honor, under my direction, Ms. Martin will be arguing the motion.”

He nodded to Kate and took his seat as she got to her feet.

“Good afternoon, Your Honor. The Petitioners’ facts in support of their argument are incorrect. First of all, Mr. Deveroux is not officially a suspect in this case. He was questioned and released by police because he discovered her body when he returned from a business trip. Second, Alyssa Deveroux never made any claim of abuse. The Decedent clearly stated in her last will and testament that she wished to be cremated. Jaxon Deveroux, her husband, was named in the will as the sole beneficiary and was given a financial power of attorney and medical power of attorney in case of incapacitation, demonstrating her intent to have her husband fulfill her wishes. It is public policy to uphold a valid will, and, as of now, there have been no claims made in probate that her will be held unenforceable. Moreover, even without a will stating her wishes, as her husband, Jaxon is the next of kin and would have the right to disposition of Alyssa.”

The judge shook her head. “Are your clients contesting the Decedent’s will, Ms. Patterson?”

The Merriweathers’ attorney stood and fidgeted, her hands smoothing down invisible wrinkles in her skirt. “Other than the paragraph regarding disposition of her body, my clients have not made any firm decision to contest the will at this time, Your Honor.” She pivoted her body to direct her next statement to the media. Her voice grew quiet and solemn. “Their only concern right now is to provide what they believed their daughter wanted and that is to be buried in the family plot along with all of her paternal grandparents and great-grandparents.”

The attorney was clearly attempting to tug at the emotional heartstrings of both the judge and the press. Kate hoped the judge would know better than to fall victim to an emotional argument over a legal one.

Kate ignored the media and spoke directly to the judge. “The Petitioners offer no proof of Alyssa’s wishes other than their word. Jaxon Deveroux was happily married to Alyssa Deveroux for ten years. He just lost his wife and now his in-laws have turned their backs on him when he needs them the most. To penalize him for someone else’s crime would only add to this tragedy. And to deny him access to her funeral . . .” She paused dramatically and dropped her head as if overcome by grief. “I know the Petitioners loved their daughter. But so did Jaxon Deveroux. And she loved him. That love was memorialized in the will in which she gave her wishes.”

Judge Cross sighed and drummed her fingers on her desk. “I’m troubled by this case. Although it is the court’s usual practice to follow the wishes of the Decedent as stated pursuant to the will, I would hate for any evidence to be lost because she was cremated. Which means we can do one of two things. One, we can permit immediate burial in a location to be agreed upon by the parties or, two, we can keep Alyssa’s body at the morgue until the police have time to investigate her murder. Unfortunately as we all know, this could take months or even years, and we have to ask ourselves is that fair to Alyssa?”

The judge’s gaze bounced over the attorneys’ heads to the press. “I’m going to reject the Petitioners’ request for an injunction and adjourn the issue of her cremation until an evidentiary hearing can be made. In other words, I hope the parties can work it out amongst themselves. Court is adjourned.”

Judge Cross left the courtroom, and immediately the reporters began noisily chatting about the hearing, several of them racing out of the room to call their employers with the story. Carol Patterson and the Merriweathers stood talking on the other side of the room.

Kate poured herself a glass of water. “I don’t understand. The law was clearly on Jaxon’s side. Why wouldn’t the judge make a decision on the cremation?”

“It’s not about right or wrong,” Nick explained, bending to retrieve his briefcase. “It’s about what looks good in the press. It’s about not wanting to make a mistake that would cost her the judge’s seat. It’s about politics and money. Today you’ve learned a valuable lesson. Justice has nothing to do with the reality of our legal system. But you did great in there. At least Jaxon can attend Alyssa’s funeral. Like I said, you’re a born litigator.”

Jaxon pushed back from the table and stood. “I agree.”

“But we lost,” she said.

Nick zipped his briefcase and rose. “We made our point to the media that Jaxon had nothing to do with her death. Now that we have some leverage, what would you like to do about Alyssa’s final resting place?” he asked Jaxon. “If you insist on cremating her, it will only make you appear as though you’re trying to destroy evidence.”

A muscle jumped in Jaxon’s cheek. “Even though that was her wish?”

“I’m sorry,” Nick said. “If you want to fight it—”

Jaxon put up his hand and shook his head. “No. Let her parents bury her in the family plot. Maybe after all of this is over, I’ll sue to have her cremated, but right now . . .” He lowered his voice. “My only condition is they not use Reverend Pierce to preside over her funeral or burial.”

Nick’s brows crinkled in confusion. “Who is—?”

“Just do it,” Jaxon ordered. He looked over at the Merriweathers with disdain and rubbed his temples.

Who was Reverend Pierce?

Nick slid a glance her way and then turned to Jaxon. “Before I do, there’s something you should know. Last night, Kate received a phone call threatening her to drop your case.”

Her heart pole-vaulted into her throat.

“Who? What did they say?” Jaxon asked, moving closer to her.

“I don’t know. The voice was computerized.” She glared at Nick. “You shouldn’t have told him.”

“I thought it was best if he knew.” He took her hand. “He can protect you when I’m not around. As much as I enjoyed waking up with you this morning, I can’t stay with you every minute.”

Jaxon stared at their joined hands and clenched his jaw. Was he jealous?

Did he have reason to be?

“This is how it’s going to work,” Nick said with his usual air of authority. “Until we’re satisfied that you’re safe, Jaxon and I will provide you with extra protection. I’ll drive you to and from work. I don’t want you on that motorcycle. It’s too exposed.”

She refused to give up riding her Harley but nodded anyway, knowing she wouldn’t win this argument.
What they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.
“And if I need to go somewhere other than work?”