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which sure wasn’t there before.

‘I’m a little behind on my notes. Some more legal research to do before I can finish. Sorry, I just really want to finish this and make a good impression tomorrow. I have a strategy that’s kind of unusual, but it could really pay off for Alexandra. I really think I deserve a shot at second chair in the trial.’

Levy stepped back, set his lips into an ‘O’ then cringed as he said, ‘I just gave second chair to Scott. Sorry, I can’t go back on that. I’m sure your strategy is bold, but it couldn’t beat Scott’s theory. It’s kind of genius in a way. Ruthless, which I like, but really thinking out of the box. At first I couldn’t believe what he was saying, but he convinced me. We’re not going to apply to the court to sever the trials. It’s going to be a joint trial. We’ll put Alexandra against Sofia, and Alexandra will beat her weird sister hands down. How did Scott put it?

Putting on our Nike’s when we see a tiger in the jungle. We won’t beat the tiger in those shoes, but as long as we outrun the other guy we’re home free. Funny,

don’t you think?’

Kate’s heartbeat quickened – she could feel the pulse beating its way through a large vein that stretched across her chest.

‘When did Scott tell you this?’

‘Just now. It’s brilliant. I didn’t see any point in delaying the decision. Scott’s got second chair. If we play along with the prosecution and get a joint trial I can pressure Dreyer into a deal for Alexandra. She’ll accept a felony misdemeanor,

no time. So look, you don’t need to have this work done for the morning. Come

and have some dinner with me. My apartment is really something, you know?

It’s spacious but at the same time it’s … intimate.’

Bile filled Kate’s mouth. She felt dizzy, and turned away from Levy so she could hold onto the desk. She needed to hold onto something right then or she knew she would be sick all over the floor.

If she told Levy this was her idea all along the chances were he wouldn’t believe her. Even with the notes she had made – Scott could say that he brought it up in the meeting and his bimbo buddies would back him up one hundred percent. From somewhere that felt far away, Kate was aware of Levy saying, ‘Well, if you change your mind later you’re welcome to drop by. I just got a jacuzzi tub installed. It’s big enough for two. We could chill out with some champagne, discuss your case theory. You never know, I might need a third chair in this trial.’

She put her head in her hands.

A montage of possible actions flickered through her mind. None of them involved going back to Levy’s apartment.

‘No, thank you,’ said Kate.

Levy backed away, perhaps conscious that he was pushing the envelope now.

Kate wanted to push her laptop up Levy’s ass.

Instead, she flicked her finger across the face of the mouse, brought her screen back to life and checked her emails. She had received Brad, Chad and Anderson’s notes for commentary. She printed them, and another two

documents. These she collected from the copier, grabbed her coat and pushed the button for the elevators. While she stood there, she had second thoughts. What she was thinking of doing was dangerous, outrageous. It could kill her career stone dead.

The elevator doors opened and Kate got in on her own. The floor below was where Human Resources was based. She thought about hitting that button, going

to the personnel supervisor and making a complaint of sexual harassment, and discrimination. The doors began to close.

She reminded herself she was Kate Brooks.

Kate hit the button for the ground floor. She’d had enough. It was time to take the nuclear option. No complaints against Levy would ever stand scrutiny. It’s nigh on impossible to prove a person has done something wrong when you work

in an office with that same person’s name on the letterhead.

There would be no sexual harassment claims.

What she had in mind was far more damaging.

THIRTEEN

EDDIE

I waited at my office until five-thirty, then called Sofia. She was a half-hour late for our meeting, and I wanted to make sure she was coming.