Jamie Quinn Cozy Mysteries Collection

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

"Do I need to call security?" the bailiff asked, wagging his finger at Becca and Joe. Harold had to be at least seventy-five years old, but he was a retired cop and he wasn't putting up with any nonsense from these two. He had a courtroom to run.

I hissed at Becca not to get into it with Joe, then took her by the arm and pulled her towards the door. Divorce work can be so unpleasant. I often wonder why I went to law school just to end up as a glorified babysitter. I actually took a break from lawyering about two years ago when my mom died of cancer. I was such a wreck that even after six months of doing nothing, I still couldn't pull myself together. It took my autistic cousin, Adam, being accused of murder to snap me out of it. Not only did I finally leave my house, but I also left my comfort zone, which was kind of terrifying. Exhilarating, but terrifying. To tell you the truth, I couldn't wait to do it again.

As I nudged Becca towards the central elevators in the middle of the courthouse, I was aware of what an odd pair we made, her with her Nordic beauty, at least 5'9" before she put on her heels, and me, 5'2" if I stood up straight, olive skin of unknown heritage, and dark curly hair that refused to cooperate. In the elevator, I counseled Becca that she shouldn't let Joe get to her; that he was trying to make her angry and that she was giving him what he wanted.

"But, Jamie," she said, her eyes brimming with tears, "We're talking about my girls! If I don't protect them, who will?"

"I understand that you're worried, but it's all going to be fine. The girls are entitled to have their dad in their lives. If he steps out of line, the judge will come down hard on him. Are you keeping a log of everything that happens, like I told you to?"

She nodded mutely. The elevator had reached the lobby and people were trying to push their way in before we could get out. Nice!

I patted Becca on the arm, reassuringly. "I have to stop at the Clerk's office now, okay? We'll talk soon. Can you find your way back to your car?"

Becca nodded again. Her pale face looked otherworldly under the fluorescent lights. As she walked away, oblivious to the buzzing crowd around her, I suddenly had a bad feeling about her, but I shrugged it off.

Stop it, Jamie! Next thing you know, you'll be buying Tarot cards and a Ouija board…

I trudged back up to the Clerk's office to argue about some lost paperwork.