“Wouldn’t you rather get a sure conviction than risk her walking? I’m good, and you know it. I’m willing to listen to any reasonable deal. Make me an offer.”

“First, let me say this, I’m good and you know it.” He chuckled into the phone as she added, “That said, you already know my offer, and that’s no offer.”

“And you know that’s not reasonable,” he argued. “Second degree with an established time period for possible parole. I can guarantee my client will accept if the parole period is reasonable.”

“You’re joking, right?” she said sharply. “I would never let her see parole. Forget it.”

“She’s young, a mother of two. Have some heart.”

“Life without parole,” Lauren countered.

“You can’t win a first degree charge and a death penalty sentencing.”

She clenched her teeth. “Then what are you worried about? If I overcharge then I’ll be the one with regrets. Think Casey Anthony. I am and I know I have the backup they didn’t to support my charges. And let me remind you about State vs. Norman. The wife killed her husband in his sleep stating she thought he would kill her when he woke. The Supreme Court said, “If we allowed this behavior, homicidal self-help”

“Would then become a lawful solution and perhaps the easiest and most effective solution to this problem.” He paused. “I am well aware of the ruling.”

“So you know I’ll win,” she stated with confidence.

“Juries are a fifty-fifty bet.” He sighed. “I can tell we are at a standstill.”

“I respect you, Mark. I know you believe in this woman, but you’re wrong on this one. I wish you weren’t, but you are.”

“Let me know if you change your mind,” he said. “Otherwise we’ll take our chances with the jury.”

“I guess we will.”

A few seconds later, they’d said their niceties and ended the call. Her buzzer went off immediately and that was how the next few hours went for her. When Lauren finally managed a breather, she intended to review a file, but instead found herself replaying the moment she’d dropped that sheet and pressed herself against Royce.

“What are you smiling about?”

Lauren’s gaze lifted to the doorway, to find Julie standing there, her simple black suit hugging her voluptuous curves, her long blonde hair resting on her shoulders. “I want details about this weekend.”

Lauren glanced at her watch to see if she had lost track of time. “I thought you were going to call me and make sure I could do lunch?”

She shrugged. “Yeah, well, that gave you a chance to say ‘no.’”

“It’s only eleven o’clock.”

“So?” Julie said, claiming the chair Beverly’s brother had been in earlier that morning. “It’s late enough to qualify as lunchtime.”

“I really need to work through lunch. Don’t you have any work to do?”

“No morning appointments. I delve into another divorce with the rich and famous again this afternoon. You know Gina Garrett?”

Lauren blinked. “The actress?”

“The one and only. My newest client among quite a few celebrities. Seems I’ve been named the attorney of choice when discretion is valued.”

Laughing, Lauren said, “Yeah, well, you’ve earned that. You are responsible for divorcing at least half a professional baseball team.”

“And quite discreetly, I might add.” They shared a laugh before Julie asked, “Can you at least go downstairs and have coffee with me?”

“I better not,” Lauren said reluctantly. A good talk with Julie would be well timed. She hadn’t told her about the calls or the calendar pages, because she knew Julie. Julie would call in the National Guard, but she needed to tell her. She needed her friend, but she was way behind on her trial prep. And then there was her promise to Royce to stay in the building. “Could you grab us some coffee and we can talk here? There’s actually a few things I’d rather talk about in private.”

Julie’s brows dipped. “Everything okay?”

“Not really. No. No, it’s not.”

“What did Royce do to you? Tell me now because I swear”

“He didn’t do anything,” Lauren said, foreseeing the National Guard call already. “It’s not Royce.”

Julie studied her a moment. “Okay. I’ll go get the coffee, and bring it to you so you can work until I get back.”

Giving in, Lauren motioned for Julie to go. “That’s good. And yes, I’ll be here when you get back, working, unlike some people I know.”

“Hey, you choose the type of law you do. I get paid well, and work less.”

Lauren rolled her eyes. “So you remind me all too often.” She shooed her away. “Go, woman. Get the coffee.”

Julie disappeared, and Lauren began taking notes on her case until Alice buzzed her yet again. “Do I really want to know what this is about?” Lauren asked when she punched the button.

“No,” Alice said. “Which is why I should just anticipate your response and tell your caller you’re busy.”

“Who is it?”

“Roger.”

What the heck was her ex calling her for? “Tell him I left for lunch.” Lauren looked up to find Julie entering her office with two cups of coffee. “And just so you don’t have to lie, Alice,” she added, “I really am leaving.” To heck with staying in the building. She couldn’t act like a prisoner and stay sane.