3. AWAITING A VERDICT

Snow was coming down thickly by mid afternoon and as evening eased in, had coated the streets white. The woman crossing the parking lot of the multi complex of the publishing company skirted patches of ice in her unpractical heels and with a little chirp of the keyless entry, unlocked the door. Turning on the heater and in doing so, kicking the stereo on, which blasted a melancholy beat filled with haunting voices, Charity pulled out of the lot and into the street. A vibration alerted her to the ringing of her cell phone, and she dug it out with one hand, keeping an eye on the slow-moving traffic crowding downtown.

�I�m going to be late.�

The voice on the other end was deep and soothing, effortless in its charm and rarely lifted in a rage, although she had witnessed his frustration in the courtroom more than once. Annoyance illuminated her expressive eyes as a car passed, throwing slush onto the wet sidewalk.

�I�m afraid it really cannot be helped. One of my trial cases is running overtime and I�m not allowed to leave until a verdict has been reached.�

She could hear the usual noises of a courthouse behind him. He would be standing in the little alcove where he always retired to calm his thoughts and pray. Richard handled criminal cases and many of them were more than just business. He awaited her response, a cringe on his lean features. There was something aristocratic about them, sharp in their contours but quite attractive. Charity pressed her lips together and changed lanes, the wipers going frantically to keep out the impending storm. Another car came sliding across the intersection and she slammed on her breaks, dropping the phone in the process. All Richard heard on the other end of the line was the sound of tires skidding on icy pavement.

He listened for a moment, his heart beginning to pound, and demanded, �Charity!�

A trembling voice came back on the line. �I�m all right. A car nearly hit me. I don�t think there�s any damage. Traffic is moving again.�

He could sense how shaken she was and glanced at the courthouse clock in aggravation. The hands still remained poised at slightly after six. He closed his eyes painfully. �Just be careful,� he pleaded. The bailiff came along the passage and motioned to him. �The jury has been called back. I�ll see you soon, Darling.�

By the time she reached the restaurant, her hands had stopped shaking. Taking the elevator to the second floor and along the spacious entry hall, she met the matre�d inside the glass double doors. Arthur removed her coat and showed her to a corner table by the window, where they could watch the snow filtering down into the city lights. She was not alone more than a few minutes before her companions entered. Arthur pointed them in the direction of the table and she rose to her feet as they approached. Carissa was slightly flushed from the cold, but her beautiful eyes were twinkling. Garrett appeared slightly uncomfortable in his suit and tie, and it took her as much by surprise, since she was accustomed to seeing him putter about the house in blue jeans.

�Garrett, hello,� she greeted after resignedly hugging her friend. �I�m glad you agreed to come. Richard had a trial run late, but he should be here momentarily.�

She indicated the near chairs, and they settled into them comfortably.