Willow’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, God. Is she?—?”
“Family of the defendant, it seems. I had no idea until just now.”
In the privacy of the judge’s chambers, with Priya Sharma present as required, I stood rigidly before Judge Harris’s desk.
“My Lady, I must recuse myself from this case, effective immediately,” I stated, fighting to keep my tone formaldespite the humiliation burning inside me. “I have just become aware of a personal connection that constitutes a significant conflict of interest. I have been... socially acquainted with a woman who appears to be a member of the defendant’s family. This relationship was not disclosed to me, and I had no knowledge of her connection to the defendant until I saw her in court today.”
Judge Harris’s eyes narrowed. “I see. How long has this acquaintance existed, Lord Sterling?”
“Approximately four months, My Lady. She is a teaching assistant at my son’s school. We met to discuss my son and formed a relationship. She was…” I broke off to clear my throat. Fuck, this was degrading. “Sheisliving with me and my son at this current time and has been for the last three months.”
Judge Harris’s eyebrows were in her hairline now. “Living with you?”
“Yes, My Lady.”
“And you’ve had no indication of this connection until now?”
“None whatsoever, My Lady. Nevertheless, the Crown Prosecution Service’s ethical guidelines are clear. I cannot continue to represent the Crown in this case.”
Priya Sharma looked both surprised and calculating. I could practically see her mind working, wondering if this could benefit her client.
“My Lady, the defence will need to consider whether this warrants further investigation. If sensitive case information has been compromised?—”
“That is a separate matter,” the judge interrupted. “For now, we must address the immediate procedural issue. Lord Sterling, I accept your recusal. I’ll contact the CPS immediatelyto arrange a replacement prosecutor. Court will be suspended in this case for the present time.”
“Thank you, My Lady,” I said, holding my professional mask firmly in place. “I apologise for the disruption to the court’s schedule.”
“These things happen, Lord Sterling, though rarely so dramatically,” Judge Harris said with a hint of sympathy. “I trust you’ll brief your replacement thoroughly.”
“Of course, My Lady.”
Judge Harris turned to Priya and her team. “Counsel for the defence, please go and brief your client. I want to speak to the prosecution alone for a moment.”
Priya seemed like she was going to object, but Judge Harris gave her a stern look and she thought better of it. After they left, Judge Harris sank back into her large leather chair and pulled her wig off to slam it down on her desk.
“Rafe, what the hell are you playing at?” she said in a disappointed tone.
Katherine Harris was one of the most well-respected judges in the country and something of a mentor to me. I hated disappointing her.
“I’m sorry, Katherine.”
“What a bloody waste of time! Honestly, Rafe, do you have to go around shagging the criminal underbelly of London? Aren’t there enough nice girls around to satisfy you?” She shook her head and I looked down at my shoes, not wanting to meet anyone’s eyes. But for some weird reason, when Katherine called Clara the “criminal underbelly”, I had the insane urge to defend her. I was officially losing my mind. She threw her hands up in exasperation.
“Right,” she snapped. “I’d better go back in and tell that circus out there what a fuck-up you’ve made. In all my yearstrying cases, I’ve never come across anyone being recused over something so ridiculous.”
With that, she swept out of the office, leaving Willow and me alone. When her door slammed behind her, I sat down heavily in the solid oak chair next to me and slumped forward with my head in my hands. Bile rose in the back of my throat and I swallowed it down.
“Rafe?” Willow said tentatively, and after a few moments, I felt her hand on my shoulder. “Hey there, Your Lordship. You doing okay?”
I started laughing then and she sunk down in the chair next to mine, her hand remaining on my shoulder. “Well, I’ve been fucking the accused’s sister for the last three months. She’s made a complete spectacle out of me. I’ve just likely tanked my bloody career, which I’ve been dreaming about since I was five years old, and the girl I thought I was in love with is an absolute back-stabbing bitch. I’m very fucking far from okay.”
“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” she said softly.
“She wanted to keep it low-profile. Said it was so we didn’t upset Ozzie.” I sat up then and rubbed my hands down my face. “Christ, Ozzie. She’s his teacher. I need to talk to the school. She’s given them a false name and God knows what other bullshit she’s pulled. The last thing they’ll want is the likes of her around all the kids. I’m certainly not going to have her teach Ozzie anymore. If she even is a teacher? Maybe it was a front? Maybe her degree is as fake as her name?”
“She was the skinny one with the glasses, right?” Willow asked. “Brown hair?”
I nodded and she frowned.
