“Granted, part of that is making sure that the case is solid before we go ahead with it. There have been times when I’ve been pressured to go to trial with a very weak case.”
“How do you handle that?”
“I plea-bargain.”
His eyes held faint censure. “That’s a lousy practice.”
“It’s better than nothing. If my case is shaky against a murderer and I go to trial and lose, he walks the streets. If I plea-bargain, he goes to prison—maybe not for as long as I’d like, but for a short time, at least, the public is safe.”
Jared studied her quietly for a minute. “You’ve thought it out.”
“I’ve had to.”
“Have you been put on the hot seat?”
“On occasion.”
“By the press?”
“The press, friends, family…”
He seemed surprised. “I’d have guessed you come from a long line of lawyers.”
“Why?”
He was silent for a moment, then shrugged and moved on. “So you don’t?”
Her mouth twitched at one corner. “Not quite.”
“Hey, Jared?” came a call from every corner of the room. It was a second or two before Savannah realized that it came through the speakers. By then, Rick was saying, “Pizza’s getting cold, and you’re on soon.”
Jared, who hadn’t so much as blinked at the intrusion, said a quiet, “Be right there.” His eyes held Savannah’s, and for a minute he said nothing. Then, effortlessly leaving the door frame, he walked toward her. With each step, he seemed to grow taller and more real. When he stood before her, a solid six-foot-two to her five-foot-five, she felt a soft humming inside.
“Rick said your name was Susannah?”
“Savannah Smith.”
“Savannah.” He experimented with its sound in a voice that was low and gritty. “Savannah. Interesting name. Roots in the South?”
She nodded. “My mom was born there.”
His eyes twinkled. Actually, she realized, one eye did most of the twinkling. The other had a slight cast to it, which, if anything, only enhanced his appeal as he asked, “Is she a southern belle?”
“She was. She’s dead now.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. She died when we were twelve.”
“We?”
“My sister and I.”
“Twins?” he asked, grinning at that.
If his nearness had made her body hum, his grin turned that hum into deep vibrations. Her voice came a little higher. “Uh huh. Fraternal. Very different.”
“Jared?” It was Melissa this time, interrupting the music with her own singsong call. “We need you, Jared. If you’re gonna take over at twelve, you gotta get in here.”
