5. THE VERDICT

Snow was drifting down outside the enormous windows, blanketing the city in a wintry wonderland as they settled around the table to await their final guest. �It has been too long,� Charity agreed. �I trust nothing monumental has happened in my absence?�

She caught the rapid glance Garrett shot his wife and a smile started at the corners of her lips. �Your husband is a prosecutor, isn�t he?� inquired Garrett, trying not to tug on his necktie.

Charity had a mischievous look in her eyes as she settled back into her chair, resting one arm on the straight wooden back. �Do you remember those arsonists you caught not too long ago setting fire to your beloved woods? Richard was the chairman of the prosecuting panel. He may have never set foot in the woods in his life, but he certainly cares about arsonists.�

�They burned down half the Black Forest before we got them. It will take years for the land to heal.�

Carissa reached across the table and enveloped his hand in hers. �Garrett was fighting the fire with the other rangers,� she said, tightening her hold. �I did not rest easy until he came home.�

Their companion turned as the double glass doors opened, admitting a familiar figure. Richard shook snow from his coat as he handed it to the matre�d and came toward them. His poise and the heaviness to his step indicated that he had lost his case. Garrett and his wife rose to their feet, but Charity remained seated as her husband approached. Scattered snowflakes melting in his dark hair, he looked at her rather disconcertedly and took her hand.

�I�m relieved to see you in one piece,� he said.

�Richard, allow me to introduce you to Garrett Hudson. His wife, you already know.�

The men looked at one another warily and shook hands. Garrett found Richard�s grip formidable, nearly as much so as the daunting look in his cold blue eyes. His upbringing was apparent in the manner he carried himself, a hint of an accent in his voice. He was polished and at ease in the surroundings, which suited him ideally. No doubt he had conducted many business dinners here. With a lithe movement, Richard assumed the chair beside his wife. He looked at her so intently that she turned to him and said, �I�m fine.�

Carissa looked from one to the other. �Is there something going on?� she inquired.

Garrett glanced up from the daunting array of choices on the menu.

�She was in an accident on the way here. I looked at the car on my way in. There doesn�t seem to be any damage.�  His hair was slightly tousled from running long fingers through it, and weariness to his countenance.

There was a general outcry, hampered only when Charity lifted one hand and replied, �A car failed to stop at the intersection and nearly skidded into me. There wasn�t any crash, so you need not be concerned. As much as I like being the center of attention, it�s really nothing to be concerned about. I�m fine.�

�It�s not you I�m worried about so much as the Porsche,� said Richard with a hint of a smile. Charity shook her head in amusement and vanished behind her menu.