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"Do you have the papers?" I asked, injecting a quaver into my voice.
"Of course." Sandford slid them across the table to me.
For a few minutes, I stared down at the pages that would relinquish my custody rights to Savannah. I inhaled deeply.
"I know this is tough," Leah said, her voice stuffed with gloating sarcasm. "But it's for the best, Paige. It really is."
Another couple minutes of staring at the pages, replete with tortured sighs. Then I said, "I can't do this."
"Yes, you can," Sandford said.
"No, really, I can't." I shoved the papers back to him, with a grin to mirror his. "I'm not giving her up."
"What?" Leah said.
"Oh, it was a clever plan, I'll give you that. Threaten me with exposure and make sure the Elders hear about it. If I don't cave, they'll force me. Well, you underestimated the Coven. With their support, I'm fighting this petition."
The look on their faces was a memory to cherish forever.
"And what does Margaret Levine say about this?" Leah asked.
"You want to know?" I asked. I lifted the phone. "Call her. I'm sure you have the number. Call all the Elders. Ask them if they support me."
"This is bullshit." Leah aimed a glare at Sandford, as if it was his fault.
"No," I said. "It's not bullshit. I assure you, I understand that this is a serious legal matter and, as such, I'm treating it very seriously. To that end, I've hired legal representation."
I walked to the door and waved in Cary, who'd been waiting in the hall.
"I believe you've met Mr. Cary," I said.
Their jaws dropped. Okay, they didn't actually drop, like in the cartoons, but you get the idea.
"But he's a--" Leah began before stopping herself.
"A damn fine lawyer," I said. "And I'm so glad he's agreed to represent me."
"Thank you, Paige." Cary's smile held a bit more personal warmth than I liked, but I was too happy to care. "Now, let's get straight to the heart of the matter. About the DNA test. May I assume your client is willing to submit to one immediately?"
Sandford blanched. "Our--my client is a ... a very busy man. His business interests make it quite impossible to leave Los Angeles at the moment."
"Otherwise he'd be here now," I said. "Hmmm, doesn't that seem odd? He's so interested in gaining custody of his daughter, but can't find a few days to fly out and meet her."
"He could provide the sample in California," Cary said. "Our firm may be small, but we have contacts in San Francisco. I'm sure they'd be happy to oversee the testing."
"My client does not wish to submit to DNA testing."
"No DNA, no case," Cary said.
Sandford glared at me.
"Checkmate," I said. And grinned.
When Sandford and Leah left, Cary turned to me and smiled.
"That went well, don't you think?"
I grinned. "Better than well. It was perfect. Thank you so much."
