Passing a catering truck on the busy interstate, Scott barked out orders to his assistant as he assigned various hearings to his associates for the rest of the week. “I also need Bigsby to cover the Johnson deposition as well as the hearing with the county commissioners regarding rezoning plat fifty over in the third subdivision,” he stated.
“Got it,” Alexis, his assistant, agreed. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, switch the two briefs for the motions in limine for the Trasguard Incorporated trial from Bigsby to Lauren. She’s a better writer, and I think she has a stronger grasp of materialmen’s liens. Make sure she focuses on the hourly time requirement and not days. It’ll make a difference in that one.”
“All right.”
He glanced over to where Millie slept peacefully in the passenger side of his vehicle, her head against the window and her mouth open slightly. He didn’t need to look to know that Roscoe was snoring in the back seat, once again chasing something in his dreams.
Scott thought through his current cases.
“What else?” Alexis asked.
He paused. “I briefly read through Martin’s pleadings for the shareholder derivative suit against the board of Mac May Industries.”
Elevator music hummed in the background. “Okay,” Alexis said.
“He needs to add claims for misappropriation of corporate assets and corporate waste. The rest of the causes of action are pretty good, but make sure he adds those and gets supporting affidavits. We’re in front of Judge Katherine Sanchez, and she’s a stickler for a strong foundation. He needs to get on that and have them done by Monday because I want to look them over before they’re filed.”
“Understood, boss,” Alexis said cheerfully. “I don’t know if you’ve looked at the press, but there’s an article out today about Mrs. Dearth’s disappearance that mentions you as her attorney. We’ve had the phones ringing off the hook.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Put Sharon in charge of vetting new clients, and make sure that she or Victor are careful with their conflict checks. I don’t want to get into another situation like we did last year.”
“Got it,” Alexis said. “When will you be back in the office?”
He glanced at the sleeping woman, and a shocking feeling of protectiveness swept through him on the heels of what could only be termed possessiveness. “I don’t know. For now, call me with any problems. Thanks, Alexis.” He clicked off, reminding himself to give her an excellent bonus in July when everyone’s contracts renewed.
His stomach rumbled as if unhappy with the fast-food burgers they’d grabbed for dinner on the way out of town. He looked in the back seat just to make sure that Roscoe was content. Scott had taken the bun off the dog’s burger, but he figured burgers weren’t that great for dogs.
He drove the rest of the way in silence, flicking on the windshield wipers when the rain started to gently dot and then cover his windshield. Darkness fell, and he made sure the vehicle remained warm enough for both woman and dog as he strategized his way through his remaining cases. He remained three weeks away from his next trial, so he figured his associates could handle all matters in the meantime. For now, he was right where he needed to be.
He drove through the small town of River City and continued on his way through the forest and along the river to reach Millie’s picturesque little homestead. It still didn’t completely jibe with the brilliant Q that he knew, but more and more he could see her living there. Hopefully, if they ever discovered who was after them, he could actually go fishing with her. It would be fascinating to see her out on the river, surrounded by nature. Though knowing Millie, she had a decked out fishing rod that would do everything from play music to serve cocktails.
Possessiveness gripped him as he drove up the dirt road to park near the driveway. It didn’t surprise him when JT strode out of the bunkhouse, unheeding of the now drilling rain. Scott let the dog out of the vehicle before walking around to the passenger side.
“I’ve got her,” JT said curtly.
“No, you don’t,” Scott retorted, opening the door and gathering Millie into his arms. She cuddled right in, not awakening. JT glared at him, the look hot enough to scorch Scott’s already burning ears. “If we need to talk, JT,” he said quietly, “I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Good,” JT said shortly.
Scott didn’t need this right now. He’d been fired upon and then nearly blown up. Subsequently, he’d spent too much time in an interrogation room with a complete jackass. Instead of letting any of that show on his face, he turned and strode through the rain and into the house. The door stood unlocked, an issue that needed to change rather quickly, even with JT on-site.
Millie barely stirred when he walked up the stairs and placed her on her bed before tossing a quilt over her.
He returned to the front door to see Roscoe waiting patiently. “All right,” he said, moving aside. “She’s up in her bedroom. Go up there and sleep.” Roscoe stared at him, looked back at JT, and whined.
“We’re fine, boy,” JT said, appearing nothing like his sister as he stood tall and fierce in the pummeling weather.
They were anything but fine, but Scott didn’t want to stress the dog. “We’re fine. Go check on Millie and go to bed,” he said gently. Roscoe, if it were possible, rolled his eyes and sauntered inside the house. Shaking his head, Scott shut the door and crossed his arms. “You have a problem?”
“What are you doing with my sister?” JT snapped.
Scott sighed. “Currently I’m keeping her from getting blown up.” He related the events of the day to JT, whose expression went from pissed off to downright ferocious.
“Who the hell is after her?”
“I don’t know,” Scott said. “I’m doing my best to find out. But for now, we need to talk security. I know there are cameras, because Millie wouldn’t live in a place without them. What else do we have?”
