Ties That Bind by Kathryn Shay Page B

because his assistant witnessed firsthand how angry and hurt he was after the split, and Kate was gone from her viewfinder. Reese suspected Kate suffered as much, maybe not for as long, as he did, but he couldn’t convince Yolanda that they were both to blame.
    “I have to see Kate. But I’m dealing.” He snapped his briefcase closed. “I wish you didn’t blame her so much.”
    “Wish all you like,” she said sniffing.
    He squeezed her arm as he said good-bye. He walked the short distance to the courthouse in downtown Westwood, appreciating the warm spring sunshine, trying to concentrate on the case, and not what Yolanda had said. He wouldn’t think about his ex-wife, or anything that might taint his concentration. Now, more than ever, he had to be at the top of his game.
    Entering the courthouse, he passed through the security detector. The low din of conversation and the occasional beep of the machines filled the huge reception area. The checkpoint was slower than usual, and he thought he heard behind him, among the guards, snatches of talk mentioning his name. On his way to the elevator, several attorneys passed him. Some greeted him normally. A few smirked. More than one averted his gaze.
    There was silence when he stepped into the elevator.
    Guess “innocent till proven guilty didn’t apply to lawyers.” Fuck them, he could deal with it.
    He met McAlister outside the courtroom. “Ted. Hi. Ready?”
    “I hope you are, Bishop.” His client’s tone was gruff. Ted McAlister was a prominent businessman in Westwood, had a nice family, a girl on the side and a big drinking problem.
    “Of course I’m ready. Why would you doubt that?”
    The guy ran a shaky hand through his thin, graying hair. “I read the papers, boy.”
    “Are you referring to the allegation by Anna Bingham?”
    “Of course. You up to this today?”
    Reese bit back a retort. “I assure you, Ted, I’m fully prepared to argue your case.”
    “People are going to know about your situation. Will that hurt my defense?”
    A valid question, still it stung. “No.”
    “Hmm.”
    “If you’d like to seek other counsel, I understand.”
    “No, no, too late in the day for that. I want to get this over with.”
    “Fine,” Reese said curtly. “Let’s go.”
    Struggling not to be paranoid, Reese entered the courtroom. The mammoth space consisted mostly of wood-high ceiling, paneled walls, tables and spectator seats. When the opposing counsel gave him a second look, and the judge seemed to peer down, narrow-eyed, from the judicial bench, Reese refused to read anything into their actions.
    He wondered if Kate was getting the same kind of vibes.
    o0o
    JUDGE LAWRENCE LARKIN always reminded Kate of Barry Krumble on the TV show, Judging Amy. Bearded, with a full head of just-graying hair, he was about fifty, in good shape and had a sharp, all-seeing gaze that intimidated most people.
    Not Kate, though. As she waited in the conference room for the ranking judge in charge of administration for family court, she remembered their first few dealings…You’ve made some rather…creative decisions, Judge Renado…I hope I don’t have to tell you again that your theatrics in the courtroom are not well accepted…Superb work on the adoption, Kate. I’m not sure I would have seen through the father’s façade…
    “Sorry I’m late,” Larkin said striding into the conference room. “Did you get coffee?”
    “No, thanks, I’ve had plenty.”
    Sitting across from her, his gaze was direct. “You look tired.”
    “As you might expect.” She wasn’t going to pretend the last six days weren’t wearing on her.
    “Been tough, I imagine.”
    “Yes.”
    “Give me a progress report.”
    She sat back and smoothed down the skirt of her sage green suit. “Actually, the newspapers are doing a fairly good job with the facts. The alleged suicide is being investigated. The New Jersey cops are getting a court order to release Bingham’s records. We’ve got