"Murder's never deserved," she said, then made a small sound of impatience. "Hell with it. Justice was served in a courtroom. It might have been onstage, but it wasn't make-believe. There was no pretense when Areena Mansfield picked up that knife and rammed it into the heart Richard Draco didn't have. And when she took that step, that stand, justice was served."
"She'll have the jury eating out of her hand. Before it's over, they'll canonize her rather than convicting her. You know that."
"Yeah. Hell, I'm counting on that. You know what I figured out, pal?"
"Tell me."
"You can't go back. Can't fix what broke. But you can go forward. And every step matters. Every one makes a difference." She pushed away from the desk, cupped his face in her hands. "From where I'm standing, you're the best step I ever took."
"Then let's take the next, and go home."
She walked out with him, and because it fit the mood, took his hand in hers. She would sleep that night. She would sleep clean.
