Dearth’s nostrils flared. “Your client’s a real bitch, you know.”
“Your soon-to-be-ex-wife is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met,” Scott returned. She was also very good friends with his mother. “You breached the prenup and cheated on her.”
“Prove it.”
So far, Scott had been unable to do so. Anybody with information was more afraid of Dearth than Julie or even the judge. Right now, his entire case came down to he-said, she-said, and that was no way to go into court. “How about you stop being an ass and finish this thing?”
“Because she needs to pay,” Dearth sputtered.
“That sounds like a threat,” Scott said. “We all know that you cheated on your wife with an eighteen-year-old.” One who had conveniently headed off to backpack around Australia, leaving her phone at home. “Just settle this and move on with your life.” The last thing Scott wanted to do was put his client through a trial, especially since he had a proof problem.
“Like I said, prove it,” Dearth said, his jowls moving. “I’m leaving that witch with nothing.”
Not if Scott had anything to do with it. “You sound like a blowhard.”
Dearth looked him up and down. “I investigated you.”
How freaking boring. “So?”
“You’re supposed to be an excellent trial attorney, but you don’t do divorces. Is my wife doing…you?”
What an asshole. “Let’s just make this a fair and amicable split, shall we?” He normally wouldn’t touch a divorce with a fishing rod, but his mother had asked for a favor.
“I don’t think so.” Dearth frowned. “I will ruin her before we end this.” He shrugged, moving his jiggling belly. “I don’t think you have the chops for a real divorce trial. Since it’s my third, I do.”
Scott would have to schedule depositions, then. He didn’t have time for this. “I’ve been playing nice so far, but that just ended. Do you get me?” He stared directly into the man’s eyes.
For the first time, Dearth paused. “Yeah.”
Scott had been a marine before he’d become a lawyer, and right now he was just pissed off. He didn’t have many pet peeves, but somebody wasting his time shot right to his shit list. Add the fact that the jerk was an ass, and he shot right to the top.
A knock sounded on the door and Gladys poked her head in. “Mr. Dearth, your two o’clock is here.”
Scott turned and strode toward the door, looking over his shoulder. “I’m more than happy to meet you in court. In fact, I prefer it.” With that, he swept past Gladys, noted the door to the mechanical room was closed, and walked to the elevator to ride back down.
Dearth would prolong this stupid case just to mess with Julie. Shy and kind, she didn’t belong in a courtroom. Scott shook his head, his headache increasing in force as he walked across the main floor and outside into the chilly January weather.
He’d somehow managed to claim a parking spot just a few yards down against the curb, so he walked to his SUV and leaned against it, waiting. About half an hour later, Millie Frost walked out, still in her cute little uniform. She caught sight of him and shook her head. He gestured toward the passenger side of his car.
She lifted her chin and started to walk away.
“Millie. I’ll make a scene,” he said quietly.
She halted, turned, then walked around to climb into the passenger seat, ducking down and slamming the car door. He could feel her eye roll but not see it.
He slid onto the driver’s seat. “The windows are tinted dark enough that you won’t be spotted by cameras.”
“You know I’m on a case,” she said with a cute huff. “You’re a miscreant, Terentson.”
“That seems to be the general consensus.” He started the engine and pulled away from the curb. “Did you leave a vehicle nearby?”
“I planned to take the bus,” she retorted.
He had no problem rescuing the pretty blonde from public transportation. “Do you want me to take you to headquarters?” The woman worked for the Homeland Defense Department.
“Yeah, that’d be great, considering you could’ve blown my entire case.” She crossed her arms.
“What were you doing in the bank, Millie?” he asked.
