Tug Of Law (Bernadette Mackenna Cases Book 4)

by D. R. Bailey

  “Hi, Micky, you’re looking smart,” said Bernadette.

  Micky took a seat and coloured up a little at the compliment.

  “Thanks,” he said.

  “Micky, sorry we’ve not involved you in the latest case so far, but you’ve been busy with some other things, haven’t you?”

  “Yes, I have those investigations on the couple of cases you gave me, they’ve taken a fair bit of time.” He smiled.

  “Good, I don’t want you to think I’m neglecting you,” Bernadette said smiling back at him.

  She was acutely conscious of the welfare of her staff and she had a soft spot for Micky. She had made him her lead investigator and she liked to keep him busy.

  “I didn’t think that… honestly, Bernadette, I would never think that. Besides I’m studying the legal stuff on the side like you suggested.”

  He was anxious to reassure her. She was his idol. He would do anything she wanted. She was acutely aware of his hero worship and was flattered. However, she didn’t like to take advantage.

  “Good, good and how’s the martial arts training?”

  This was another thing her firm was paying for since he’d been punched by someone she’d asked him to follow. She had felt exceedingly bad about this and wanted to be sure he could take of himself in future.

  “Oh, great, I’m going to be a brown belt soon.”

  “Wow, well done, you’ve been working hard then.”

  “Yeah, I’ve been training hard, I want to get to black belt for sure.”

  “I’m sure you will, and we’ll all feel a lot safer with you around.”

  He looked pleased when she said this.

  “What’s with the new moustache, Micky?” Imogen said teasing him.

  “Oh that?” He touched it self-consciously. “Well, I thought I’d give it a try and Alison likes it.”

  “I think it looks very nice on you, very manly.” Bernadette frowned at Imogen.

  “She’s right, I’m teasing.” Imogen poked her tongue out at Bernadette.

  Micky sniggered at this banter.

  “How are things working out in your new office?”

  Micky had agreed to relinquish his cubby hole and move to the same office as Alison Daly who was Bernadette and Imogen’s PA. Imogen had originally shared the office with Alison but once Imogen got her own office, Alison had wanted some company.

  “Oh, fine, Alison and I are getting on great. She’s great.”

  They both knew Micky had a huge crush on Alison but being in an office together would seem to have calmed things down in that department.

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “What’s err… what’s the craic on this case, then?” Micky obviously felt this was enough talking about his wellbeing.

  “Right well, Imogen, why don’t you explain it?” Bernadette smiled at her sweetly.

  “Thanks,” Imogen turned to Micky, “We’re working on a case involving our client Callum Jenkins.” She went on to give him more of the background. “So, we need you to go over there and go through his mobile phone text messages specifically for texts between Callum and Kevin his lover.”

  “What am I looking for?” Micky wanted to know.

  “Things which show they are in a relationship, that it’s more than a one-night stand. Things which show his boyfriend being jealous perhaps. Arguments, stuff like that.”

  “OK.”

  “You can snapshot some of the best ones.”

  “I might be able to download all of his messages depending upon the phone type,” Micky suggested.

  “That would be even better, we’ll have to get something signed by Callum allowing us to use them if we need to,” Bernadette added.

  “I can draw it up,” said Imogen.

  “The thing is I might need a different laptop to the one I’ve got in order to download them though. It depends on the type of phone he has,” said Micky.

  “OK. Whatever you need let me know, I’ll sign it off,” said Bernadette airily.

  “Right.”

  “Great, so Imogen will give you the details and you can get in touch with Callum yourself, arrange to go there as soon as you can. Don’t forget to keep note of your mileage, any expenses, OK?”

  “Sure, thanks.”

  “She just wants to look after you, Micky,” said Imogen.

  “I won’t forget. I do appreciate it though, really.”

  “Is there anything you want to ask us?”

  “No, it’s fine, I’ll get on and let you know if I need anything,” said Micky.

  “Keep us posted,” Bernadette said.

  “I will.” He went stood up, nodded to them and sauntered out.

  “You shouldn’t tease him,” Bernadette admonished her.

  “I know, I just can’t help it.”

  “Are he and Alison really getting on OK?”

  “Apparently.” Imogen shrugged.

  “That’s good, very good.”

  “What about the new PA, has Andrew said anything?” Imogen wondered.

  “No, I’ll give him a nudge. Mind you we’ve been busy.”

  “Yes, we have, so what’s next?”

  “We need to prep for the prehearing conference and try to get a court date for it as soon as we can.”

  “Good then I’ll go and get onto the court now, shall I?”

  “Sure.”

  Imogen left Bernadette’s office, and Bernadette went back to her emails. She could not help thinking about the case and if they really could stop the extradition. She decided to look up the success rate of past cases to evaluate their chances. After some time, she found it to be inconclusive although perhaps Irish Courts, in general, did not favour extradition from what she had seen. Ultimately it would be for her to make the best case she could for Callum’s extradition to be disallowed.

  ✽✽✽

  Back at home, Eve greeted her with a conspiratorial air.

  “What have you been up to, my darling?” said Bernadette kissing her soundly.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  “I would but I’m sure you’re not going to tell me, well, not everything.”

  Bernadette kicked off her shoes and followed Eve into the living room.

  “Now,” said Eve, “You have to promise never to look in this drawer. At least, not until I say you can.”

  She pointed to a drawer in her drawing cabinet.

  “OK, I assume that’s all the wedding stuff in there is it?” Bernadette said with some perspicacity.

  “Exactly and it’s off limits to you. I’m pointing it out so you can’t go and open it by accident. So, promise me you won’t.”

  “I promise,” Bernadette said at once. Truthfully, she was intrigued, but she didn’t want to know about it. The surprise was going to be all the greater for that.

  “Very good.”

  Eve led her to the sofa.

  “How have you been?” Bernadette asked her solicitously. She wondered if Eve was OK after their somewhat turbulent weekend.

  “I’ve missed you,” Eve whispered moving closer, so her lips were almost touching.

  “I’ve missed you too,” Bernadette admitted and meant it. Although her work took her attention, Eve was always there in the back of her mind.

  “Do you want dinner now, or something hotter?” Eve’s fingers were tracing a line down Bernadette’s back and under her blouse. Bernadette moaned in response at her touch.

  “Hotter, if you’ve got it.”

  “Oh, I’ve got it,” Eve said kissing her, harder now passionately.

  Bernadette felt a heat engulf her almost at once, and within a few moments, they were almost ripping at each other’s clothes to get them off. Eve’s were easier since she was simply wearing a robe and nothing more. Eve’s hands feverishly unbuttoned Bernadette’s blouse and then deftly pinged open her bra, exposing her breasts to her fingertips. Within a minute Bernadette’s nipples s
tood out under Eve’s ministrations, and Eve was tugging off Bernadette’s skirt and knickers.

  “Oh fuck…” Bernadette gasped, as Eve’s fingers slipped between her legs, “You always make me so…”

  “Wet?” Eve smiled.

  “Yes, very… oh… oh God… fuck… oh my God… don’t stop… I…” Bernadette sighed, laying back to give her fiancée better access. Eve took advantage at once and Bernadette cried out feeling the crest of the wave approaching rapidly, “Oh… Eve… oh my, Eve… oh… God… darling… oh… fuck… oh… oh… ohh!” The climax washed through her and she stiffened, her eyes closed, feeling the deliciousness of it. “Shit… oh… fuck… God… oh… fuck…”

  After a few moments, it subsided and Eve was kissing her again, holding her close.

  “I love you, so much, so very much,” Eve said over and over, kissing her face softly.

  Bernadette smiled, it was almost as if Eve had been completely untethered and this was a new Eve. An even more loving and giving Eve.

  “Shall I?” Bernadette asked her, as her fingers started to slide down Eve’s torso.

  “It can wait,” said Eve, “Let’s have dinner. I just wanted to do… that.”

  “I love you so much, too,” Bernadette whispered, “I hope you know I love you just as much as you love me.”

  “Silly.” Eve smiled. “Of course I know.”

  “You seem… well, different.”

  “Because I’m no longer carrying secrets. This has all been my fault. I should have used what I was taught in the Ashram. The weight of your secrets will drag down your soul and anchor your feelings, until you can no longer truly feel everything. Drain the puss from the boil and the body can heal.”

  “Is that what you’ve done, drain the pus from the boil?” Bernadette couldn’t help chuckling at this analogy.

  “In a manner of speaking, yes, it is.”

  “I’m glad, it seems like it was a heavy burden on you, darling.”

  “I never told a soul until I told you. I felt one hundred kilos lighter,” Eve told her earnestly.

  “Then I’m glad to have been your confessor and to be the recipient of your unbridled love.”

  “I have unbridled lust now too.” Eve’s eyes danced.

  “Didn’t you always?”

  “It’s even more unbridled!”

  “God help me then,” Bernadette giggled.

  “Also, none of this means I don’t deserve to receive consequences,” Eve told her.

  “Oh, you will certainly be getting those, and no mistake.”

  “Good, I just wanted to make sure.”

  “I promise you, darling, you will be getting consequences.” Bernadette kissed her.

  “Something to look forward to,” said Eve smiling.

  “Is it?”

  “Yes, of course, especially from you.”

  “Then I will try to make it extra special.”

  “Come and have dinner.”

  Bernadette pulled on a black satin robe Eve provided and picked up her clothes to put them in the washing basket. She followed Eve to the dining room where two places were laid.

  Eve brought out a large tureen with a ladle, bread rolls, butter and a selection of cheeses.

  “What have we got today?” Bernadette asked watching Eve ladle out a healthy portion into a bowl.

  “It’s seafood chowder, I’m trying out the recipe.”

  “God, it’s delicious, so creamy and yum,” said Bernadette taking a spoonful.

  “I’m glad, help yourself to rolls and cheese.” Eve took her place at the table with a bowl of her own. She proceeded to butter one of the small rolls and cut herself a few small wedges of cheese.

  “Thank you, darling.” Bernadette did likewise.

  “How did it go today? I suppose you told Imogen all about my tantrum?” Eve said taking a mouthful of soup.

  “I did, of course, and she was understanding as always.”

  “Did she suggest I needed a spanking?” Eve’s eyes twinkled.

  “No, she didn’t, although, it does seem to be her usual remedy for everything these days. She said if it had been D’Arcy, then D’Arcy wouldn’t be sitting comfortably for a week, but then that was nothing I didn’t expect to hear. Anyway, she was hardly going to suggest something like that about you, not after your sister had traumatised you.”

  “I’m glad it’s out in the open, though.” Eve sighed.

  “So am I frankly.”

  “What other news?”

  “I’m sure you’ll be interested in hearing she spanked D’Arcy over the weekend, and no, I don’t have any details.” Bernadette raised an eyebrow.

  “You could make some details up to tell me later?” Eve said hopefully.

  “Of course, darling, now apart from the personal stuff, we saw Olivia and Callum.” Bernadette changed the subject and took a bite of cheese. She dipped her roll into her soup and bit into it. She realised she would need to buy into Eve’s fantasies and if verbal stimulation was what she wanted, then she would get it.

  “How did it go?”

  “With Olivia, not much help so far, but Callum was interesting.”

  Between mouthfuls of soup, bread and cheese, Bernadette regaled Eve with the interview at Callum’s and the strange relationship his father had with his Polish girlfriend.

  “Oh my!” said Eve when she’d finished, “So you think you can get at this Kevin on the stand then? Rattle his cage?”

  “I hope so, you never know until you try how they are going to react to questioning. If Callum is right, I can get him riled up though, then we’ve got a chance of him saying something in anger which will help our case.”

  “You’re devious, I’ll give you that,” Eve laughed.

  “Only in court, not when I’m with you.”

  “I know and I love you for your honesty. I don’t love myself for my dishonesty.” Eve pouted.

  “You weren’t dishonest, you were just hiding things, and you’re not doing it anymore, that’s different.”

  “You’re right.” Eve smiled and then an impish look crept into her face. “I could get one of those maids’ outfits if you’d like it. A nice tight one, you know…” she trailed off.

  “God you are so naughty,” Bernadette laughed.

  “So, it’s a no then?”

  “Well, I’m not saying that. Is it a roleplay? What would I be?”

  “You’ll be my strict mistress, who orders me about in that very severe voice you’ve got, and then, of course, because I misbehave too much, I get sent upstairs and…”

  “Stop, you’re making me fucking horny already, let me finish my dinner,” Bernadette complained.

  “So, it’s a yes then?” Eve said taking another bite of her roll.

  “I think I could accommodate your desires. It might make a good lead into a Shibari session, perhaps?” Bernadette’s eyes were dancing.

  “I’ll get one this week then.”

  “OK.”

  Eve ran her bare foot up Bernadette’s calf which she knew always turned Bernadette on.

  “Witch,” said Bernadette, “Let me eat, then we’ll go upstairs.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Mid-morning the following day, Bernadette was sitting in her office. There hadn’t been anything further to do on the Callum case as they were awaiting a prehearing date. Micky had been put in touch with Callum and was going over for a preliminary look at his phone.

  There was a soft knock at her door, and Alison came in.

  Alison was tall and slim with blonde hair which she seemed to be growing longer. She wore glasses behind which a pair of pretty blue eyes peered out. Bernadette always thought she had nice lips too. Her fair complexion was sporting a few more freckles than usual no doubt as a result of the recent sunny weather. Alison was wearing black trousers, a pair of mules, and a pink blouse. Bernadette noticed her feet. Alison had an attractive pair of shapely ankles. Ber
nadette had a predilection for women’s feet, it was often the first thing she observed. Pulling her attention back to Alison herself, she said, “Alison, hi, what’s up?”

  “There’s a man, come to see you, he’s smart looking, well dressed. I think he’s some sort of politician or something.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, apparently Juanita says he was insistent though he’s got no appointment.”

  “And where is he now?”

  “I put him in the meeting room.”

  “Right, I’ll get Imogen to come in with me,” said Bernadette wondering what he wanted, “Did he say anything at all?”

  “He said it was a matter of great importance.”

  “Did he now?” Bernadette pursed her lips.

  “Yes, shall I get tea and coffee?”

  “That would be nice, thanks.” Bernadette smiled. “And, Alison, come in a moment sit down.”

  “But what about?” Alison looked worried, Bernadette didn’t seem too concerned about the visitor and normally she didn’t like to keep them waiting.

  “He can kick his heels for a bit longer, coming in here unannounced.” Bernadette was already set against whoever this unnamed individual was, as it appeared, he was the pushy type.

  “OK.” Alison came and took a seat across the desk.

  “Are you finding there’s a lot of work for you these days?” Bernadette asked her.

  “Well, you know… I cope with it.” Alison shrugged.

  “I’m not asking you that, Alison, now be honest, I know you cope but…”

  “Yes, alright, Imogen has spoken to me about things. I’m having to put in more overtime than usual to get things done.”

  “Right, that’s what I thought, and you know we are trying to get another PA in to help?”

  “Yes, yes I do. Have you had any luck?”

  “I’m going to chase Andrew up on it, sorry, darling, we got wrapped up in this Callum case.”

  “It’s OK.” Alison smiled.

  “No, it’s not, and I’m going to sort it out,” said Bernadette firmly.

  “Thanks.”