Beyond Innocence

by Carsen Taite

  You didn’t give her time to explain. She pushed the thought away. She didn’t care to hear what Cory had to say. The explanation was clear. Whoever the woman was who had appeared at Cory’s door late that night had obviously been there before. The way she held on to Cory, leered at her, grabbed at her. Serena didn’t need it spelled out. The woman wanted Cory with a passion Serena felt but dared not show. Serena was thankful she’d held back. She could at least face Cory again without the humiliation of being second in line.

  Or could she? Could she stroll into the clinic offices tomorrow, reporting for duty, knowing that Cory had spent the night with another woman? And not just another woman, but a gorgeous, expensively dressed, confident woman. If the woman who’d appeared at the door was Cory’s type, Serena had no business picturing herself in Cory’s arms, in Cory’s bed. Damn her. She lay in bed, but sleep wouldn’t come. It was barely ten o’clock, but back home she would’ve been well on her way to sound sleep by this time. Early to bed, early to work, late coming home. She’d spent years constructing her defenses, and she wasn’t going to allow them to come crashing down in one night. But right now she felt lost and longed for the familiar. She reached for her phone. A quick call to Marion, just to check in, catch up on old news and hear a friendly voice. To her surprise, she saw that she had numerous missed calls and several messages waiting. She’d turned her phone off when she’d arrived at Cory’s, not wanting any distraction from the outside world.

  She thumbed her way through the call list. Cory had called six times, all within close succession. She’d left two messages. Serena couldn’t resist the urge to hear her voice and she tapped the phone to start the first message:

  Serena, I’m so sorry. Julie is my boss. Well, she was my boss. At the DA’s office. I didn’t know she was planning to stop by. I had no idea. She was inappropriate and I’m sorry you had to see that, but I’m even more sorry you left. I was going to come see you as soon as I put her in a cab, but I got a call to come into the office. Please call me. I want to talk to you. Please.

  If she weren’t so angry, Serena might have laughed at Cory’s rambling message, but there was nothing to laugh about. Boss. Right. Did Cory take her for a fool? She must or she wouldn’t have dared spout such nonsense. And she got called to the office this late at night? The truth might hurt, but she couldn’t stomach lies. She deleted Cory’s second message unheard. Drained, she quickly scrolled to the next message, from a familiar number. She listened to Marion’s long message, telling her about her day, the current events in the quiet suburb where she lived, and the pretty birds she and Don had seen on their morning walk. The one-sided conversation was tame to the point of dull. Serena played it back seven times, craving the sameness of her life before she’d received Eric’s letter, before she’d flown back to Texas, before she’d met Cory Lance.

  As she listened to the message one last time, she made a decision. She was going home. She’d go by the clinic tomorrow and explain to Paul that she couldn’t take any more time off work, but she’d come back for any court proceedings where her presence might make a difference. She wasn’t doing Eric any good here. If she’d thought her presence put any pressure on Cory to do a better job, she’d been mistaken. She’d talk to Skye before she left. Skye was solid and she trusted her to keep Cory focused. Her own presence was likely doing just the opposite. Time to return to being the person she’d worked her whole life to be.

  *

  Cory guzzled her fourth cup of coffee even though she was certain it no longer had the power to keep her awake. Maybe the action alone would suffice. It was eight a.m. and she’d been at the clinic for almost nine hours. She would have worked longer, but the cab service had been slow, and it was after eleven before she’d been able to push Julie out her front door. Paul’s call had interrupted her plan to go see Serena, and Julie hadn’t believed that was where she was really going anyway, but right now, she was tired of caring what Julie thought. Caring about what Julie thought was exactly the reason she was working at the clinic in the first place. Of course, if the only upshot of her current situation was the opportunity to meet Serena, she should be thanking Julie. But any chance at something more with Serena was probably as tanked as her career. Julie had finally agreed to get in the cab, but not after spewing a string of threats about how Cory had put her job in jeopardy and she could expect dire consequences from her decision to reject her advances.

  When she had her energy back, she would care. The all-nighter she’d spent working on the amended brief the clinic team had just filed had drained her. Paul’s call the night before was to let her know that the lower court hadn’t waited until morning to respond to their appeal, but they hadn’t rejected it or granted it. Instead, they’d had their clerk call to ask if there was anything else they planned to file. An odd question, obviously designed to make them question whether their original brief included all the arguments they should’ve advanced. Unfortunately, no clues accompanied the question. The team had spent the night poring over their arguments, second-guessing their own best work, and losing valuable hours in the process. The problem was they couldn’t proceed to the next rung until they were rejected by this court, and this court apparently wanted more. So while half of the team struggled to rewrite the original brief, the other half prepared the brief they would file if they lost their arguments and had to appeal to the next level. Everyone in the room had worked at a crazy pace throughout the night, and Cory was amazed that any of them were able to string together any coherent thoughts after the marathon they’d endured.

  Paul clapped his hands to get their attention. “Great work, everyone. I think we can count on at least an hour until we get a ruling. I want everyone to take a breather.” The group working on the contingency brief groaned, but he insisted. “Seriously, you can’t polish your arguments any more until we get the ruling. Take a nap, grab some breakfast, run laps. I don’t care what you do, but for the next hour you’re off the clock. We’ll meet back here and regroup at nine thirty sharp.”

  Cory grunted. As a volunteer, she wasn’t on any clock, which was a subtle, but persistent source of stress, especially after Julie’s slurred, but very real threats from last night. She couldn’t afford to lose her job at the DA’s office, her pay, benefits, the retirement plan. Not to mention, it was the only career she’d ever known and she’d come to define herself by her success in the courtroom. She’d given her heart and soul to the job, yet here she was offering up the same level of devotion to working the other side. No wonder Julie was pissed. No doubt she viewed Cory’s rejection as not only a slight against her personally, but against everything they’d both worked for. Cory hated to think what her reaction might have been if Julie had known Serena was the sister of a man awaiting execution.

  The realization was like cold water in her face. She had no business mucking up her personal life until she had her professional affairs back in order. Besides, when Eric’s case was over, no matter how it ended, Serena would get on a plane and fly back to her life. Everything about their situation was transient, from their geographic proximity to the fact their only connection was a case with a looming end. She needed stability, and she wasn’t going to find it in a volunteer temp job, sleeping with a client’s sister who had no other ties to keep her around. She needed to get through the grueling pressure of the day and then contact Julie, make nice, and lay a foundation for her return to the life she knew.

  She’d start by taking full advantage of the break in activity. She needed to get away from the computer, the research, the stacks of drafts piled on her desk. She needed air, but the moment she stepped outside she ran smack into a reminder that later today when the Young case was over, she’d have to turn her attention back to Eric Washington. And his sister.

  “Hi, Skye. What brings you here first thing in the morning?”

  “Might be first thing to you, but I’ve been up for hours. I have a lead on Mr. Bolton. Care to take a ride with me?”

  Cory ca
st a wistful look at the clinic building. She’d much rather be out in the field than cooped up with pages of legal briefs. “Wish I could, but I’ve got to stick around here today. Michael Young’s execution is scheduled for tonight. We’ll be working up until the last minute.”

  Skye nodded. Texas executions might seem plentiful, but each one still commanded the attention of the entire criminal bar whether they were directly involved with the case or not. “You think he’s got a shot?”

  “I’ve given up predicting these things. Technically, the state can’t execute him. He’s clearly mentally retarded.”

  “I thought that term wasn’t PC.”

  “It’s not, but it’s what the case law says. Besides, I don’t feel like being PC. I’m actually pretty beat right now. I’ve spent the entire night trying to save the life of a guy who killed five people and got caught standing in their blood with the murder weapon in his hand. I’m all out of warm and fuzzy feelings right now.”

  Skye changed the subject. “Did you get what you wanted done on Eric’s case yesterday?”

  Cory shook her head. “No chance. When I got back to the office everyone was working on Young.”

  “I’ll let you know what I find out about Mr. Bolton. Maybe it’ll be something juicy that’ll make the wait worthwhile.”

  “Sounds good. Call me as soon as you talk to him.” She started to walk back to the office, but stopped when she saw Serena pull into the parking lot and get out of her car. Paralyzed, she watched Serena hesitate, and then head her way.

  Skye raised her eyebrows, then followed the direction of Cory’s transfixed gaze. “You look a little pale. You okay?”

  “Fine,” Cory muttered. She willed her legs to move, but they betrayed her desire to make a hasty exit. What was the point anyway? Serena had already seen her, and she was heading straight for them. If Serena could handle a direct confrontation, then she could too. She couldn’t deny she welcomed the sight of her as much as she dreaded the fallout from last night. While she was bleary-eyed and rumpled, Serena looked rested and, as usual, her outfit was perfectly put together.

  Skye waved as Serena approached. “Hey, Serena. We were just talking about Eric’s case.”

  Serena flashed Skye a bright, friendly smile that fizzled when she turned to look at Cory. “Good to see you, Skye. I was hoping to talk to you today.” She didn’t acknowledge Cory’s presence other than with a slight nod. Her next words seemed directed into the space between them. “When do you think the judge will rule on your motion in Eric’s case?”

  Skye shifted in place, looking decidedly uncomfortable. Cory knew the question was meant for her, and now she wished she’d told Serena she hadn’t even written the motion and why. But when she’d been with Serena last night, work was the last thing she’d wanted to discuss. Even now, her resolution to keep her distance was fading fast against the pull of attraction she felt. Who was she kidding? Distance was necessary. Besides, she wasn’t used to having a client to deal with, someone standing over her shoulder, watching her every move. If she wanted that, she would’ve gone into private practice. She didn’t feel like sugarcoating every bit of this process because Serena was the sister of the man she represented, and without any consideration, she threw her former desire to protect her out the window.

  “I didn’t get to it.”

  “What?”

  “I didn’t finish it and I didn’t file it.”

  “Care to explain why? And would you also care to explain why you didn’t tell me?”

  “Actually, no.” Cory caught a glimpse of Skye shaking her head, warning her from this path, but she plowed on. “I don’t report to you.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Absolutely. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back in to do the work I’ve been assigned to do. Skye, call me after your meeting.” As she turned to leave, the mix of hurt and anger on Serena’s face brought back memories of her passion, a completely different kind, from the night before, but she shook away the reflection. She had a plan, and passion wasn’t part of it.

  *

  Serena bored holes into Cory’s back with her eyes, to no effect. She stood, fixed in place, as Cory marched into the clinic offices without a backward glance. After several silent seconds, she realized Skye still stood next to her and she felt silly for arguing with Cory in front of her. “I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

  Skye’s voice was gentle and kind, but she was dead wrong. She had a lot to be sorry about. Letting her guard down, succumbing to her feelings for Cory. The list was long, but it no longer mattered. She’d be on her way home today if she had to sit at the airport all day waiting for a seat on standby. “I appreciate the work you’re doing, and I’d like you to keep me posted on your progress directly. Is that okay?”

  Skye looked puzzled. “Sure. I’ll report everything I learn to both you and Cory. Is there a problem?”

  “No problem, but I’m leaving and I just want to make sure that even though I won’t be here, I’ll be in the loop.” She’d sent Paul an e-mail late in the night, a cursory explanation about her planned departure. He’d asked her to stop by before she left, and she decided she owed him a face-to-face, even if she dreaded having to explain in person. She’d prepared a list of reasons to give Paul about why she was leaving, all purposely vague: family, work, pressing needs at home. She’d planned to make the meeting short and quick and any follow-up discussion could take place on a long distance call. Bottom line, she’d made up her mind. She had a list of possible afternoon flights in her purse, and once she packed, she’d plant herself at the airport until a seat opened up. She did feel guilty about abandoning her promise, but she couldn’t face the idea of working in such close proximity with Cory after they’d crossed the line.

  “Why are you leaving?”

  Serena hadn’t expected the blunt question from Skye, and she sensed Skye would see through her “pressing needs” excuse. She stared at her feet, but she couldn’t admit the real reason she had to go. What would she say? That the heat of Cory’s closeness threatened to burn through the layers of protection she’d worked her whole life to build? That Cory was obviously a player, and she couldn’t protect her heart? Both things might be true, but she didn’t feel comfortable sharing either of these reasons with Skye, no matter how much she trusted her. She settled on something innocuous. “I don’t think my presence is adding anything. I’m on my way in to talk to Paul and let him know my plans.”

  “Let me buy you breakfast.” Skye shot a look at the clinic building. “You’re due for a change of atmosphere, and I happen to know Paul’s super busy right now. If you still want to talk to him in an hour, then it’d probably be a better time.”

  Serena hesitated for a second, but then gave in. She could use the time to find out what steps Skye had planned, since Cory had obviously back-burnered Eric’s case.

  Ten minutes later, they were seated in a crowded diner. Serena marveled at the crowd still present even though it was almost nine o’clock. “Popular place.”

  “Dallas has a ton of diners, but in my opinion, this is the best one for breakfast. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.”

  “I wish I were more hungry, but frankly, I’m feeling a little drained.”

  “I bet. But don’t lose hope. Eric has a good attorney. She’ll fight hard for him.”

  Serena started to say that wasn’t the reason she felt drained, but she quickly realized how that would sound. Of course she was worried about Eric. The thought of his death pierced her, but right now she was still focused on her own shaken vulnerabilities. Seeing Cory so soon after last night had only heightened the loss she felt. She was now committed, but with no one to commit to. She couldn’t help but feel foolish for thinking Cory could be that person, a lover, a trusted confidant.

  “I guess so.”

  “I can tell you’re concerned. Talk to me. Maybe I can help put your mind at ease.”

&nbs
p; “How well do you know Cory?”

  “Personally, not well. At least not anymore. When she worked—”

  Skye stopped abruptly, but Serena urged her on. “I know she works for the other side. That secret is out of the bag.”

  Skye cleared her throat and resumed. “When she worked for the DA’s office, we spent quite a bit of time together. We worked some pretty gruesome homicides. When you spend that much time together, you necessarily get to know a little about their personal life.”

  Okay, so Skye was a great source for all things Cory, but now Serena wasn’t even sure where to start. She considered for a moment, then blurted out, “Is she honest?”

  “Wow, you don’t beat around the bush, do you?”

  “When you’ve had the life I’ve had, you figure out what really matters.”

  “And by honest you mean?”

  “Seriously, is honesty really that difficult to define?”

  “I’d say no, for the most part. But if you’re asking about what I think you’re asking about, what you really want to know is does she do the right thing. Because if she did what she got suspended for, I’d bet my Harley, which I love dearly, that she did it because she thought it was the right thing to do.”

  Serena noted the “if she did” part of Skye’s declaration, and filed it away for future reference. “So it’s okay to do the wrong thing for the right reason? What if the reason turns out not to be so right after all? I mean, who gets to judge?”

  “All good points. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, and I may not be the best one to ask about this particular subject.” Skye suddenly couldn’t seem to look her in the eye, and her change in demeanor piqued Serena’s curiosity.

  “Well, you can’t just make a remark like that and then let it drop. Spill.”

  “I hid evidence once because I was sure I had the right guy and I didn’t want the defense to be able to muck up the case. In my case, I was dead wrong. I arrested the wrong guy.”