Tara Sivec - Shame on Him

Your Honor, my client would like to

Bzzzzzzzzz.

The vibration of my cell phone forces the device to bounce across the wooden table in front of me. I pause for a moment to glance at the screen and see that its Paige calling. She knows Im in court. She also knows Im not to be interrupted unless someone is dying. With everything that has happened latelydrug lords trying to kill Kennedy, the mob going after Paigemy heart skips a beat.

While opposing counsel is busy stating his case to the court and the judge is looking away, I quickly grab my phone, hunch down in my seat, and bring it to my ear.

Paige, whats wrong? Is Kennedy okay? I whisper as softly as I can.

I hear giggling on the other end of the line and then a squeal.

Paige! I whisper again, glancing up at Judge Robertson to make sure hes still occupied with the defense.

Another burst of laughter comes through the phone and then Paige finally speaks. Matt, seriously, that tickles!

Oh, my God.

Paige, Im hanging up now. Im in court.

Lorelei! Oh, my gosh, Im sorry! I totally forgot. I was just calling to remind you that you need to pick up the subpoena today and deliver it to Richard Covington.

Counselor, are we interrupting something?

My head whips up and I jerk the phone away from my ear when Judge Robertson bellows across the courtroom at me.

Im sorry, Your Honor. There was an emergency with my mother, I lie. Quickly ending the call, I place my phone back on the table.

I realize my mistake as soon as his angry expression turns to one of concern.

If you need to take a recess, Counselor, speak up now.

How did it completely slip my mind that Judge Robertson knows my parents? My father plays golf with Judge Robertson once a week. I dont make mistakes like this. Ever. The only explanation for my carelessness is that theres been a lot going on. My brain is being forced into a hundred different directions.

Its fine, Your Honor. We can proceed.

While the defense continues with their arguments, I jot myself a note at the top of my yellow legal pad to pick up the subpoena and to let my father know that if Judge Robertson asks how mother is, he should just go along with it.

The likeliness of that happening is zero to none, though. My father is an Indiana Supreme Court judge and my mother teaches advanced criminal law at Notre Dame. They have no tolerance for frivolity and would never understand if I told them I was interrupted in court by a phone call from one of my friends.

Bzzzzzzzzz.

The sound of my cell phone bouncing across the table again forces me out of my depressing thoughts.

I swear to God Im going to kill Paige.

With a quick smack of my hand on top of it, I silence the noise. I glance nervously up at Judge Robertson to see if he heard it. Luckily, hes called the defense up to his bench and they are deep in conversation.

Paige, I swear, someone better be dead. I give an apologetic smile to my client seated next to me.

Yes! Yes! Oh, God! Oh, Matt! Harder!

My eyes widen in horror and I quickly end the call.

Did she really just call me while she was having sex?

This time, I remember to power my cell phone down and shove it quickly into my purse on the floor. No wonder Im so distracted. Ive had to deal with my two best friends falling in love right in front of my eyes after we all swore off men for the rest of our lives.

My parents dont know this yet, but Im part owner of the company we opened togetherFool Me Once Investigations. It was the first time in my life I was actually excited about something. Ive been putting off sharing this news with them for months. Since my sham of a marriage to Doug ended, Ive felt lost. Felt as if Im floundering around from day to day trying to figure out my life and what makes me happy. Doug certainly found his happinesswith another man.

Maybe thats why Ive been slow to inform my parents. Once they know what Ive been doing in my spare time, it will no longer be all mine. The choices Ive made and the work Ive been doing for Fool Me Once will be theirs to pick apart and criticize.

The remainder of the preliminary hearing goes off without a hitch. Judge Robertson decides that there is no probable cause for the complaint against my client and, thankfully, we wont be going to trial.

Rushing out of the courtroom, I pull my cell phone out of my purse, power it back up, and call Paige.

She answers on the first ring. Please dont kill me. Im so sorry for calling you during court. I swear it wont happen again.

I sigh as I pull my rolling leather briefcase behind me and push through the double doors at the front of the courthouse, exiting into the sunshine.

Id rather you apologize for calling me when you and Matt were having sex, I deadpan.

Paige gasps in surprise and then starts laughing. Oh, my God! I butt dialed you!

She continues laughing and I can hear Matt laughing along with her through the line.

Tell Matt he owes me a bottle of bleach to pour into my ears.

Paige and Matt met a month ago when one of Paiges cases for Fool Me Once required her to catch him cheating. She quickly found out he wasnt a cheater and that his ex was trying to take his fathers company away from him in the divorce proceedings.

Im happy for them, I really am. Just because Im finished with love doesnt mean I cant celebrate when my best friends find it again.

I picked up the subpoena for Richard Covington from the court administrator and Im heading over to his place now, I tell her as I unlock my Mercedes, lower the handle of my bag, and lift it into the passenger seat.

We were hired by another law firm to deliver the subpoena to Richard. Since Im the one who works at the courthouse, it was a given that Id be in charge of this job.

All right, good luck with that. Ive seen pictures of him in Forbes. That man is hot as hell. Dont fall victim to his good looks and charm, Paige teases.

Like that would ever happen. First of all, Richard Covington is still technically married. Thats not something I would go near with a ten-foot pole. Ive been married to a cheater who liked men. Im not about to fall for a straight cheater in the middle of a vicious divorce battle. His ex is trying to take Mr. Wandering-Eye Moneybags for all hes got.

There isnt a man alive right now worth giving up my independence for.

Im pretty sure Ill be able to resist him, Paige, I tell her with a roll of my eyes as I start up my car. This subpoena is asking him to turn over all records of his Internet usage. Men like him are too cocky to ever delete their Internet history.

I bet hes got some kinky fetishes too. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when the divorce lawyers go through his computer, she says with a sigh.

Seriously, Paige? You were just telling me how good-looking he was like you thought I should make a go for him. Its nice to know you have my best interests at heart, I say.

Hey, kinky fetishes can be fun. Unless hes into barnyard animals.

I try not to gag at that mental image. Thats disgusting.

You never know. It could just be some fun S&M or three-way action. Hes hot enough for you to forgive a little proclivity like that, Paige tells me with a laugh.

Im hanging up now, Paige. This conversation has officially made its descent right into the gutter.

Can I help it if I want you to find someone and be happy like I am? she asks.

Im perfectly happy on my own. I told you that.