Smith grabbed his phone. “Yeah, but I need to talk to my boss.”
The State Attorney, Robert Jimenez, came down to the office and heard Bob out. “All right. I’ll handle this hot potato myself.”
“Won’t that draw more attention?” Bob asked.
“So I get accused of grandstanding in an election year. I’d rather that than lose because a prudish jurist hangs what should otherwise be a slam-dunk case.”
Nevvie couldn’t sleep the night before the trial. Alex’s public defender was overworked, underpaid, and pissed that Alex wouldn’t take the offered plea deal. He would probably make everyone else’s life miserable as a result.
She figured Thomas would do well. More like her in temperament, he’d roll with the punches. But Tyler…
She worried Tyler would blow his cool and lose it on the stand.
“Remember, if you’re forced to answer the question, do it. Don’t get upset if the attorney says something trying to defame us. Let it go.”
“You certainly are calm.” Tyler had reacted poorly when he learned he couldn’t be in the courtroom with her when she testified.
“I want this asshole locked away. I can sit there and stare the fucker down. He’s the one in the orange jumpsuit and fancy bracelets, not me. Living well’s the best revenge, Ty. We’re living pretty damn good, I think. Besides, Bob will be there. It’s okay.”
While the boys headed for the shower, Nevvie made the excuse of wanting to refill her coffee. She opened the drawer where Tyler kept his wallet and removed his ATM card and all his cash except for a ten dollar bill.
Just a precaution. If he blew up and ran, she didn’t want him to get very far without the ability to track him.
When they were ready to go she tossed Thomas his Ridgeline keys. “I’ll ride in back.”
Tyler shook his head. “Let’s take the Lexus. It’ll be easier to park.”
She looked at Thomas, trying to get him to understand without Tyler catching on. Tyler would have understood, but she didn’t have that same type of connection with Thomas.
Thomas looked at her from behind Tyler, confused by her irate glare. “He’s got a point. I don’t mind taking the Lexus.”
“Tom, I’d really like to ride in the truck today.”
“Sugar, it’s okay. If Tyler wants to drive, it’s fine.”
She stalked out of the bedroom, growling under her breath.
“What’s got into her?” Thomas asked.
Tyler shook his head. “Stress, I’m sure.”
Bob sat in the row behind the State Attorney’s table. Nevvie took a deep calming breath as the prosecutor worked his way through the attack with her. When Jason Dean, the public defender, stood, she knew from his smile and Alex’s that she was in for a rough time.
“Ms. Barton, what exactly is your relationship with Mr. Kinsey?”
The State Attorney jumped on it. “Objection, relevance.”
The judge nodded. “Sustained.”
The P.D. was prepared. “Your Honor, in the 911 tapes Mr. Kinsey states his ‘wife’ was stabbed. I’m trying to establish the exact nature of their relationship.”
“Tread lightly, Mr. Dean, I’m in no mood for grandstanding.”
The P.D.’s smarmy smile resurfaced. “Ms. Barton, are you married to Mr. Kinsey?”
“No.”
“Then why did he call you his wife?”
“That’s a good question. I suggest you ask him.” She struggled to keep the snark out of her voice, not wanting to sound like a bitch.
“Are you going to answer my question?”
“I thought I did.”
There was a titter of laughter from the gallery. She risked a look at Bob. He smiled and tipped his head.
Dean wasn’t amused. “Ms. Barton, do you live with Mr. Kinsey?”
“Yes.”
“And you work for his company?”
“Yes.”
“So you are a live-in employee?”
“That is why I was originally hired, yes.”
“What is the exact nature of your duties?”
“I don’t understand the question.” This was a tactic Bob taught her. Ask him to rephrase the question, or say she didn’t understand. It would stall him and possibly derail his train of thought.
Dean looked irritated. “What do you do as an employee for Kinsey Consulting?”
“I am a head project supervisor.” Also another tactic—answer as short and sweet as possible. Make him dig for the info. He’d asked about Kinsey Consulting, not Tyler or anything else.
Dig? Hell, he’d need a friggin backhoe.
“So why do you live in Mr. Kinsey’s home?”
“I used to be his once-a-week housekeeper. I moved in after he saved my life when your client attacked me the first time.”
Dean nearly exploded. “Move to strike, your Honor.”
“You opened this can of worms, Mr. Dean. I suggest you fish or get off the dock.”
Dean’s face reddened. Nevvie risked another glance at Bob, who smiled. She was scoring points.
“You were his housekeeper?” Dean asked.
“Yes.”
“Why are you no longer his housekeeper?”
“I still am.”
“You said you’re a project supervisor.”
“I am—for Kinsey Consulting.”
The State Attorney looked pleased. Dean neared apoplexy. “Is it true that you’re committing polygamy?”
“No.”
“But you’re living with two men.”
“Is that a question, Mr. Dean?”
“Are you living with two men?”
“Yes.”
“Are you married to both of them?”
She smiled. “No, I’m not married to either of them. I wish I could be. They’re good men who’ve twice now saved my life when Alex attacked me.”
Dean exploded. “Move to strike!”
The judge shook his head and looked amused. “Overruled. Sorry, Mr. Dean. You wanted it, you got it.”
The P.D. took a moment to compose himself and review his notes. “Are you in a relationship with Mr. Kinsey?”
“I don’t understand the question.”
Dean clenched his jaw. “Are you now or have you ever had an intimate sexual relationship with Mr. Kinsey?”
The State Attorney stood. “Objection, relevance.”
“Sustained.”
Nevvie successfully fought the urge to grin while Dean regrouped.
“Ms. Barton, do you expect us to believe that you are living with two men and not having a sexual relationship with either of them?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Are you sleeping with them?” he practically screamed.
The audience’s reaction to Dean’s anger nearly drowned out the State Attorney’s objection. The judge pounded his gavel and pointed at the P.D. “You will conduct yourself appropriately, Mr. Dean, or I will cite you with contempt. Now move along or end it.”
Nevvie patiently waited, worried about Tyler. Thomas would handle this schmuck, no problem. Tyler wouldn’t. She knew it already. Ty was good at reading people, but he had a huge blind spot when it came to her and Thomas. He would react without thinking to the guy’s emotional outbursts.
Dean tried again. “Do you also work for Mr. Paulson?”
“Yes.”
“And what do you do?”
“I am his administrative assistant. I handle e-mails, phone calls, edit his manuscripts, and general office work.”
“And this is in addition to your housekeeping duties?”
“Yes.”
“And what is your relationship with him?”
“Objection.”
“Sustained. Mr. Dean, move along.”
“Why did Mr. Kinsey refer to Mr. Paulson as his partner on the 911 tape?”