lost it. Cost the city big bucks and the officer quit the force.”
She lost the case. That was just great. “Anything else?”
“I guess she couldn’t take losing. She left town. There were articles in the papers for weeks, talk about whether the officer’s family would sue her firm. All I can say is, I hope she’s not defending you.”
“Thanks, Keith, I appreciate your help.”
“But there’s more.”
“I think I’ve heard enough.”
Syd hung up the phone with a sick feeling. The information made sense and it made her nauseous. That explained why a high-priced attorney had left a prestigious law firm and taken a mediocre city-service job in a town five hundred miles away. Regan had lost her edge and blown one of the most expensive cases in the firm’s history. And instead of staying to face her failures, she’d run away and started over. Great, Syd’s attorney was a coward.
For some reason the image of Regan Desanto running away from anything didn’t fit Syd’s impression of the woman. She seemed to have too much confidence and pride in her work. On the other hand, it fit perfectly. Regan did seem like the kind of person to be sympathetic to the misfortunes of others, especially if she caused them. And having cost the firm money would weigh heavily on her mind. She would have insisted on taking responsibility for her actions. So why did she leave? And didn’t Terry Blair know about her history? Surely he wouldn’t have given her this case if he did.
The lights of the city sparkled and danced beyond her window, reminding her of the challenge and satisfaction her work provided. It seemed unimaginable that her future as a police officer might be in jeopardy. Suddenly Regan’s objections to handling her case during their first meeting made perfect sense. She had tried to persuade her boss to reassign it to someone else, but he’d refused. Maybe she hadn’t told him all the details about the case in Nashville. Syd would gladly provide them. She needed the best representation the city could offer, and if that wasn’t Regan, she had no qualms about having her removed. She felt vindicated in exposing her past.
But as she envisioned having Regan taken off the case, conflicting feelings ignited inside Syd. She’d seen another side of Regan and had sensed the spark of deep caring that burned just below the surface. And what about the tiny flicker of feelings Syd had experienced when Regan tried to console her about the shooting? Would she ever allow anyone to explore those dark places inside her if she shut Regan out now?
Her mind told her to call the city attorney first thing in the morning and expose Regan’s past. But her heart held out for a better option.
Chapter Eight
Regan’s drive to work the next morning was filled with images of the previous night’s sidewalk show of Syd. Her phone was already emitting its annoying multitoned ring as she entered the office and deposited her briefcase on the desk. She answered with her usual professional identifiers and soon realized this wouldn’t be just another day at the office.
“Desanto, this is Dean Bell, attorney for the family of Lee Nartey. I understand that you’re representing the city in our wrongful-death suit.”
Regan dropped into her swivel chair and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. She’d never met Bell but had heard he was a shark in the courtroom who took only cases that had the potential to sustain his exorbitant price tag and bolster his flashy career. “Yes, that’s correct. How may I help you this morning, Counselor?”
“Actually, I’m calling to help you.” His high-pitched voice sounded condescending and presumptuous.
“I’m always open to cooperation between peers, Mr. Bell. What did you have in mind?”
“I’ve just gotten my hands on Sydney Cabot’s therapy notes and a copy of the so-called secret file from Internal Affairs. After reviewing it, I thought we should talk before this case hits the press.
She lost the case. That was just great. “Anything else?”
“I guess she couldn’t take losing. She left town. There were articles in the papers for weeks, talk about whether the officer’s family would sue her firm. All I can say is, I hope she’s not defending you.”
“Thanks, Keith, I appreciate your help.”
“But there’s more.”
“I think I’ve heard enough.”
Syd hung up the phone with a sick feeling. The information made sense and it made her nauseous. That explained why a high-priced attorney had left a prestigious law firm and taken a mediocre city-service job in a town five hundred miles away. Regan had lost her edge and blown one of the most expensive cases in the firm’s history. And instead of staying to face her failures, she’d run away and started over. Great, Syd’s attorney was a coward.
For some reason the image of Regan Desanto running away from anything didn’t fit Syd’s impression of the woman. She seemed to have too much confidence and pride in her work. On the other hand, it fit perfectly. Regan did seem like the kind of person to be sympathetic to the misfortunes of others, especially if she caused them. And having cost the firm money would weigh heavily on her mind. She would have insisted on taking responsibility for her actions. So why did she leave? And didn’t Terry Blair know about her history? Surely he wouldn’t have given her this case if he did.
The lights of the city sparkled and danced beyond her window, reminding her of the challenge and satisfaction her work provided. It seemed unimaginable that her future as a police officer might be in jeopardy. Suddenly Regan’s objections to handling her case during their first meeting made perfect sense. She had tried to persuade her boss to reassign it to someone else, but he’d refused. Maybe she hadn’t told him all the details about the case in Nashville. Syd would gladly provide them. She needed the best representation the city could offer, and if that wasn’t Regan, she had no qualms about having her removed. She felt vindicated in exposing her past.
But as she envisioned having Regan taken off the case, conflicting feelings ignited inside Syd. She’d seen another side of Regan and had sensed the spark of deep caring that burned just below the surface. And what about the tiny flicker of feelings Syd had experienced when Regan tried to console her about the shooting? Would she ever allow anyone to explore those dark places inside her if she shut Regan out now?
Her mind told her to call the city attorney first thing in the morning and expose Regan’s past. But her heart held out for a better option.
Chapter Eight
Regan’s drive to work the next morning was filled with images of the previous night’s sidewalk show of Syd. Her phone was already emitting its annoying multitoned ring as she entered the office and deposited her briefcase on the desk. She answered with her usual professional identifiers and soon realized this wouldn’t be just another day at the office.
“Desanto, this is Dean Bell, attorney for the family of Lee Nartey. I understand that you’re representing the city in our wrongful-death suit.”
Regan dropped into her swivel chair and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. She’d never met Bell but had heard he was a shark in the courtroom who took only cases that had the potential to sustain his exorbitant price tag and bolster his flashy career. “Yes, that’s correct. How may I help you this morning, Counselor?”
“Actually, I’m calling to help you.” His high-pitched voice sounded condescending and presumptuous.
“I’m always open to cooperation between peers, Mr. Bell. What did you have in mind?”
“I’ve just gotten my hands on Sydney Cabot’s therapy notes and a copy of the so-called secret file from Internal Affairs. After reviewing it, I thought we should talk before this case hits the press.
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