Tug Of Law (Bernadette Mackenna Cases Book 4)

by D. R. Bailey

  “Anyway.” Eve spied the paper bag which Bernadette was carrying. “What have you been doing?”

  “Ah well, I’ve bought you a little something.”

  “For me?”

  “Very much for you.”

  Bernadette did not shower Eve with gifts, although she certainly could have. Eve wanted her to be more circumspect. She wanted less because she said that meant more. Each gift was more special that way.

  “Can I see?” Eve said eagerly.

  “Come into the living room then.”

  Bernadette divested herself of her shoes and took Eve’s hand. She led her to the sofa.

  “Here you are.” Bernadette handed her the bag.

  Eve reached inside with smiling eyes. “Oh my God, oh fuck!” she exclaimed when she withdrew a black short net see-through nightdress with a black lacy bust and over the shoulder straps. It was gathered in at the waist. “That’s so deliciously naughty!”

  “Isn’t it?”

  “Yes, and I should try it on, shouldn’t I?”

  “You should, of course.”

  “Come on then, I’m going upstairs, come up in five minutes.”

  “OK.”

  Eve skipped off and Bernadette smiled to herself. The nightdress wasn’t particularly expensive, but she had thought of Eve at once. She was happy Eve had liked it. After a few moments, she made her way up the stairs.

  Eve was waiting standing in the centre of the room wearing black stiletto mules.

  “Holy shit, you are so fucking beautiful,” said Bernadette moving forward to take hold of her hands. “You’re drop dead gorgeous and so sexy in that.”

  “How sexy?”

  “So, so, so, so sexy, my darling.”

  “Show me,” Eve whispered.

  Bernadette gathered her up in her arms, holding her close, kissing her softly and then harder. The fire ignited almost immediately. The kiss became fuelled with passion, as her hands ran up over the material, feeling Eve’s naked skin underneath.

  “Oh, baby,” Eve breathed, “Fuck me, darling, please fuck me now.”

  “I fully intend to,” said Bernadette softly, leading her to the bed, and lying next to her fully clothed.

  “Oh God, I want you so badly, this makes me feel so sexy,” Eve gasped, as Bernadette’s fingers and nails raked over her flesh. “Oh, fuck, fuck, oh.”

  Bernadette’s hand slid between Eve’s thighs and she began to use her fingers.

  “Oh… darling… oh… fuck… oh… yes… oh… yes… yes.” Eve’s breathing became deeper. Bernadette was kissing her as her fingers kept working. Eve began to push her pelvis hard against them. “Oh… oh… oh… God… don’t stop… oh God… don’t stop… no… oh… yes… yes…” Eve was reaching her climax in very short order. She began to tense as she crested the wave, and her orgasm broke, “Oh… fuck… oh… oh… oh… ohh!” she cried out arching her back.

  Bernadette held her as Eve’s spasms subsided, and she relaxed.

  “That was so good, oh that was so good,” said Eve smiling, “And there I was meeting you at the door to take you to eat dinner.”

  Bernadette laughed, “I’m sure the dinner will keep.”

  “Yes, yes it will, now let me take those clothes off you, my darling.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Friday morning arrived and the day of the prehearing conference. As the alarm woke Bernadette from her slumber, she found herself with her arms firmly clasped around her fiancée’s body. Eve stirred and turned around to face her giving her a sleepy kiss, with closed eyes and tousled head.

  “Is it that time already?”

  “Yes, darling, and I’ve got to get up for court, my love, so…”

  Eve’s eyes flew open. “Of course, yes, you must. Go and have your shower. I’ll get your clothes.”

  Shortly afterwards Bernadette, refreshed from her shower, sat contemplating Eve in the mirror, while Eve fixed her hair.

  “I think a softer approach today,” said Eve brushing it out and straightening it with straighteners, “Mmm that looks gorgeous.”

  “Thank you.” Bernadette smiled, while Eve did her makeup, all barring her lips. That was a last-minute thing because Eve wanted her goodbye kiss. Bernadette enjoyed these ministrations, tiny acts of love, she hoped she reciprocated in her own way for all the things Eve did for her. One way was the Shibari sessions, and the next one was now overdue, but she intended to remedy this in the evening.

  “Get dressed, I’ll make breakfast.” Eve put on the night attire which Bernadette had removed the night before and padded off downstairs.

  “Sexy witch,” Bernadette called after her. She chuckled whilst putting on the cream blouse, black skirt and jacket Eve had laid out. She wasn’t always too formal for court, but today being important, it was probably best to look tip top professional. Cream was a little less severe than white, and she didn’t want to be too forbidding.

  Eve had left her some black stilettoes and although Bernadette generally preferred something strappy or mules, she accepted the choice and put them on. As she took one last look in the mirror, she reflected what a good dominatrix outfit it might make and laughed at the thought.

  “Wow, you sexy fucking bitch,” said Eve when Bernadette entered the kitchen.

  “Do you think so?”

  “I know so,.” Eve came up to her and she gave her a peck before ushering her to her place and putting down a plate of scrambled eggs on toast, mushrooms and bacon in front of her. “No tomatoes in case you squirt them on your blouse.”

  “Am I that messy?”

  “No, but I don’t want to risk it, I ironed the blouse especially for today.”

  “I will be very careful then,” Bernadette told her meekly.

  She addressed herself to her breakfast for a few moments, savouring the creaminess of the eggs. Eve always got them just right.

  “How do you think it will go today?” Eve asked her.

  “Oh, alright I think, after all, it’s just the prehearing.”

  “Is that prick faced bastard going to be there?” Eve said having heard the story about Oisin.

  “Which one?” Bernadette laughed.

  “Oh, the politician, you know, the one who threatened you.”

  “I don’t know, if he does then he’s showing his true colours.”

  “Well, he showed those already, so I think he is showing his doubly true colours.”

  “You’re funny.”

  “I’ll show him funny, threatening you!” Eve said fiercely.

  “Was that a growl I just heard?” Bernadette giggled.

  “I will certainly become a feral feline if anyone goes after you!”

  “I’ll tell him to watch out then.”

  The two of them chuckled, and Bernadette, having finished her breakfast, drank her coffee.

  “You know I love you, right?” she said suddenly.

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Just checking.”

  “I love you too.”

  “And I’ve got to go,” Bernadette told her, “But not before I put this on the fridge.”

  “What?”

  Bernadette pulled a piece of paper from her inside pocket and ostentatiously placed a list on the fridge door which she secured with a magnet. She had written it the night before and kept it hidden. It read, “Keeping secrets yet again; Not telling me important things; Watching porn without telling me; Swearing at me; Behaving like a brat; Throwing a temper tantrum; Making me cry.”

  “Oh my goodness, that’s quite a list, and all of it very bad,” said Eve reading it with interest.

  “So… you know what’s going to happen later, don’t you?” said Bernadette leaning in close.

  “Yes, yes I do, and I’ll be thinking about it all day,” Eve whispered her lips now touching Bernadette’s.

  “That’s the whole point.”

  “I’m wet already.”

  Bernadette
kissed her lightly. “Hold the thought then darling, I’ve got to go.”

  Eve accompanied her to the door, and Bernadette could see the longing in her eyes. She pondered telling Eve not to touch herself for the day but doubted Eve could comply, so she didn’t.

  Eve tilted her head up for a kiss, and their lips met for a passionate union just as they always did with inevitable pulse racing consequences.

  “How do you do that?”

  “I keep telling you I’m a witch, but you won’t believe me.”

  “Oh, I believe you, I really do.”

  “Let me fix your lipstick, now, hold still, darling.”

  Bernadette let Eve finish putting on her lipstick and some gloss, picked up her bag and let herself out the door. Eve stood waving her goodbye until she was out of the gate and out of sight. Bernadette sighed, but it was a contented sigh. She shifted gears and pulled out into the main road, also mentally shifting into gear for the coming hearing.

  ✽✽✽

  “Are we all ready?” she said to Imogen, entering her office with two coffees.

  “Yes, very much so, I’ve got all the documents we need.” Imogen patted the small wheely suitcase they used for the court.

  “We’ve time for a coffee I think?”

  “Mmm, yes please.”

  They sat together amicably on Imogen’s sofa.

  “Everything OK at home?” Imogen asked her.

  “Oh yes, and it’s going to be even better later.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, Shibari session tonight, I just put a list on the fridge,” Bernadette giggled.

  “I bet Eve’s looking forward to it.” Imogen smiled and sipped her drink.

  “Both of us are, I quite enjoy them now.”

  “Did you not used to?” Imogen cocked an eyebrow.

  “I wasn’t sure at first, but now it’s kind of fun, very sexy. The real enjoyment is because Eve loves it so much, and it really turns her on.”

  “See, kinky can be fun.”

  “Yes, yes it can.”

  “Believe me I know,” Imogen laughed.

  “Yes, I know, darling, and I’m sure D’Arcy knows it too.”

  “Oh, she does and I’m sure she’ll do something this weekend to merit chastisement.”

  Bernadette laughed at this and shook her head. She drained her cup and set it down.

  “On that note, shall we go?” she said.

  “Yes, let’s.”

  They arrived in good time at the Central Criminal Courts of Dublin. As they mounted the steps it was evident there was quite a contingent of press who set up a clamour as soon as they saw her.

  “Oh fuck,” said Imogen, “They’ve got wind of it already.”

  “Yes, I see,” said Bernadette, “Although maybe this time we can turn it to our advantage.”

  As they reached the top of the steps she slowed and turned to the reporters shouting out questions. She held up her hand.

  “We are here for the prehearing conference today of the attempted extradition of our client Callum Jenkins. I can’t say anything now, but if you stick around, I may have more to say later.”

  With that she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving an uproar behind her.

  “What are you playing at?” Imogen asked her with interest.

  “I’m setting up a counter movement. There’s more than one way to play politicians at their own game. We can get the public onside perhaps and create a stir about this case.”

  “Really? It’s not usually your style.”

  “Kavanaugh is playing dirty and so will we. I know Brogan said he was going to take him out of the game, but until then we can have some fun with it.”

  “You are evil to the core, a lesbian bitch lawyer of no mean order,” Imogen chuckled.

  “Oh, I can be when I want to be.”

  “I’ve no doubt about it.”

  Since the hearing was to begin shortly, they headed for the courtroom, picking Callum, and his father up on the way.

  “Callum, you’ll probably have to be in the dock in case the judge wants to ask you anything,” said Bernadette. “In a case like this, you’re not required to make a plea as such, other than perhaps to agree that you oppose your extradition if questioned on it. Otherwise leave it all to us, OK? Then afterwards come and talk to us in a meeting room, as we might be facing the press when leave. I want to brief you on that, OK?”

  “Sure, OK,” said Callum.

  “Do exactly what she says mind, now, Callum,” Rhys admonished him.

  “I will, Da, don’t fret so.”

  “OK, well, I’m just worried about you son,” said Rhys a little emotionally.

  “I know you are, Da, no more worried than I am, I can assure you.”

  “Look, nobody has to worry today, it’s a prehearing and that’s all you need to know, OK. Let’s be calm. The real hearing is when we can all start worrying,” said Bernadette trying to put a stop to what seemed to be putting Callum on edge.

  “Yes, OK, sorry,” said Rhys.

  “Right then, here we go.”

  They entered the courtroom en masse and leaving Rhys on the public benches at the front, Imogen took Callum over to the dock. Once he was settled, she returned to their lawyer’s station where Bernadette was setting up.

  “Are we good?” said Bernadette.

  “Yes.” Imogen nodded.

  “Great, so now we wait.”

  Shane Wilson and Mason Beamish arrived just at that moment and began to set up on their own bench. Shane and Mason nodded at them briefly but did not come over. Bernadette reflected this was just as well because Imogen still wasn’t quite settled in her emotions as regards Shane. As it was, she noticed Imogen stole a couple of glances in his direction but otherwise studiously did not look at him. Bernadette had no doubt Mason would have filled him in on their lunch but nothing particularly untoward had been said, so she wasn’t worried.

  They had everything arranged and were waiting for the judge, when Imogen nudged her. Imogen flicked her eyes to the back of the court. Bernadette looked around and was annoyed to discover Oisin Kavanaugh was sitting in the rear benches which were starting to fill up with press people. He was apparently chatting to someone who might be an aide or a reporter. However, the sight of him did slightly raise her ire, and determination to do something after the hearing.

  Before she could think about this any further the Tipster entered the room and called everyone to rise. A moment later the Tipster announced the entrance of Justice Colin Brannigan. The judge strode in and took a seat. He was a heavy-set man in his late fifties at least. He had grey hair, lowering bushy brows, and what would appear to be something of a scowl in his expression.

  Bernadette sighed, Brannigan was very old school and known to be a real stickler in the courtroom. He had a reputation for handing out heavy sentences and believed, it seemed, in harsh punishments. He wasn’t an easy judge to appear before and many lawyers considered he leaned heavily towards the prosecution. There had obviously been some tampering, and another quick look up at Oisin confirmed he was smiling to himself about the judge’s appearance. She and Imogen exchanged a glance which spoke volumes about the choice of judge for the hearing.

  Justice Brannigan looked around the courtroom taking in the various parties before speaking.

  “Right then, we are here in the case of the DPP versus Callum Jenkins, am I right?” he said to the court in general.

  “Yes, Judge,” said Shane standing up.

  “And you are?” Justice Brannigan enquired in a none too friendly manner.

  “I’m Shane Wilson, Judge, representing the prosecution service, and I have with me today Mason Beamish QC who is not taking part in the proceedings but represents our effective clients, the Crown Prosecution Service from the United Kingdom.”

  “I see,” said the judge in such a manner, as if he didn’t see at all. However, he passed no comment on Mason’s
presence.

  “I presume the defence counsel is yourself?” said Justice Brannigan to Bernadette, in surprisingly milder tones.

  “Yes, Judge, I am Bernadette Mackenna, and this is my junior counsel, Imogen Stuart. We represent Mr Jenkins who is presently in the dock.”

  “Right, right, good.” The judge gave her a half smile which disconcerted her even more. If the judge had been ‘got to’ then she expected far more antagonism in her direction which was not what was happening at all so far.

  “So, this the prehearing conference as a precursor to the main hearing, as we must all be aware,” said Justice Brannigan, and then he paused to once more look around the courtroom. Bernadette noticed his gaze alighting upon Oisin at the back, and all at once he inexplicably scowled with what one could only interpret as unsuppressed fury and then it was gone.

  “Now then,” he continued, “Before we start, I want to make a few things clear. This case is extremely high profile in the sense that all such extradition proceedings are likely to be. However, it seems this case, by the look of it has attracted particular attention today. So, with this in mind, it needs to be clearly understood by all parties, we are dealing with the attempt to extradite an Irish Citizen from his country of birth by a foreign government.”

  He paused to once more fix Oisin with an inscrutable glare which made the man flush slightly. Bernadette cottoning on to this realised the cause of the judge’s ire was directed particularly at the errant politician without stating it.

  “As such we in the justice system do not take such things lightly. Oh no, indeed. This is a very serious matter, very serious. Removing a citizen of this country without good reason or proper lawful due process is not to countenanced by anybody! And there will be due process done according to the law of this land which is Ireland. There are strict parameters for extradition that must be met and they will have to be met, that had better be understood at the start, for any such action to take place or any such judgement to be issued.”

  He practically barked this last sentence out, so much so that a number of people appeared to blench slightly.

  “And I say this. There will be no attempt by anyone from anywhere to interfere with the process of proper justice in my courtroom on this matter. So, bear it in mind, all parties concerned.”