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AS NETTIE STEPPED into the bustling lobby of her office suite, heads turned, and whispers broke out among her colleagues. Each pair of eyes followed her, intrigued by her confident presence. With a radiant and bold smile, she made a point to greet everyone she passed, her warm and lively demeanor brightening the atmosphere.

She finally reached her office door and pushed it open, stepping inside the familiar space she had made her own. Without hesitation, she dropped her new leather briefcase onto her cluttered desk, the thud marking her arrival with authority. Next, she slid open the bottom desk drawer, neatly placing her purse inside, ensuring that her belongings were tucked away and out of sight.

With a soft sigh, she sank into her chair, the cushion enveloping her as she tried to settle into what was left of the day. But within moments, the world’s weight felt heavy on her shoulders. She leaned forward, her head resting in her hands, both elbows pressing down onto the polished surface of her desk, surrounded by scattered papers and a dark computer screen. The silence of her office contrasted sharply with the lively lobby, leaving her alone with her thoughts, battling the challenges that awaited her.

She couldn’t believe the events of her day. Earlier, they had been caught in a terrifying situation when gunfire erupted around them, sending everyone into a panic. Thankfully, despite the chaos and fear, no one was seriously injured. However, two individuals sustained injuries that were severe enough to necessitate medical attention, and they were promptly taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. The sheer shock left her shaken as she grappled with the reality of what had just occurred.

Could it have been her fault that this nightmare had unfolded? They had yet to extract any information from the gunman, who had firmly clammed up after his arrest, invoking his right to remain silent and asking for an attorney. The unsettling thought crept into her mind—could he have been lurking nearby intending to harm her, just as the series of threatening notes had ominously suggested? Every detail replayed in her mind, amplifying her anxiety and confusion about his motives and the events that had led to this moment.

Then, Casper seemed to materialize out of thin air, capturing her attention entirely. Embarrassed by how she had behaved the night before, she felt an overwhelming urge to appear poised and unruffled in his presence. But, oh, how handsome he looked, with his effortlessly charming demeanor and striking features that made her heart race. When she noticed who he chatted with, she realized Casper was there for the defendant. The very defendant she had been strategizing about, intending to plead with the judge to impose no bail and subsequently advocate for the harshest sentence permissible under the law. Suddenly, her internal conflict deepened, sculpting a delicate interplay of attraction and professional duty that left her flustered and determined.

And, in that crucial moment, he had saved her life, risking his own without a second thought. But it left her grappling why did he feel the need to go and perform such a courageous act? It was infuriating. How was she supposed to solidify her determination and harden her resolve if he continued to act with such unwavering heroism instead of challenging her and giving her the grief she felt she deserved? His selflessness seemed to undermine her attempts at courage, complicating her inner struggle even further.

A sharp knock reverberated against the door, pulling Nettie’s gaze from her scattered thoughts. Quickly, she tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear, an unconscious gesture of composure. “Come in,” she called, her voice steady despite the unease swirling within her.

The door opened, and Joann Sullivan, her ever-busy paralegal, rushed in. “I heard what happened. Are you all right? If I hadn’t been held up in traffic, I would have been there with you. The thought of it all scares the hell out of me. I can’t even fathom experiencing that kind of horror firsthand.”

Nettie couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly at Joann’s ability to pivot every conversation back to herself. No matter the gravity of the situation, she had a knack for linking it back to her own experiences or feelings, as if the world revolved solely around her. It truly boggled Nettie’s mind how this woman had navigated life to reach the age of fifty without losing sight of her knack for self-centeredness. Yet, recalling the countless times Joann had delivered insightful assistance in their legal battles, Nettie did recognize a strange form of resilience in her paralegal.

Nettie took a deep breath, grounding herself in the moment, pushing away the chaotic noise of her thoughts. She was ready to address Joann’s concerns while carefully guarding her own vulnerability.

“I’m fine. Thanks for asking,” Nettie said with a faint smile, gesturing for Joann to sit across from her. The room felt heavy with unspoken words. “It was horrible, but I don’t want to speak of it right now. I need to concentrate on my workload.” Her tone was firm, a clear boundary set.

Joann nodded, her shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment. Nettie could see the glimmer of curiosity in her paralegal’s eyes. Joann thrived on juicy gossip to share around the office, but Nettie wasn’t about to give in. “They’re reopening court after lunch,” Joann said, redirecting the conversation. “I can get the caseload and review everything thoroughly to ensure you have everything you need for your preparations.”

Nettie nodded, determined to shift the focus back to their work. She knew Joann would have to wait for the details she craved. With a warm smile, Nettie felt a profound sense of reassurance, knowing she could always rely on Joann to help her stay grounded amidst the chaos. “Have you heard any updates regarding the arraignments that were on the docket this morning?” she asked, her curiosity piqued by concern for those involved.

Joann nodded thoughtfully, her expression serious yet determined. “Yes. They’re planning to process the arraignments over the next few days, so you’ll need to act quickly to ensure they’re moved through the arraignment hearings efficiently.”

“What about McNabb?” Nettie blurted out. She wasn’t entirely sure why that specific name had come to her mind, other than it brought her back to one person: Casper. “What is his brother’s name?”

Joann looked momentarily taken aback, her brow furrowing as she processed the question. After a beat, she lightly tapped her finger on her chin, a thoughtful gesture as she attempted to summon the details from her expansive memory. “Let me think,” she murmured, closing her eyes for a moment as if searching through a mental archive.

What Nettie appreciated most about Joann was her exceptional ability to recall even the tiniest details from their case files. This skill had proven invaluable to Nettie multiple times, often shedding light on the intricate nuances others might overlook. Joann’s memory was a treasure trove of information, and Nettie felt grateful for having her as a colleague.

“Ash,” Joann remarked, shaking her head in disbelief. “I have no idea what was going through their mother’s mind when she named him.”

Nettie was lost in thought as she grabbed her pen, twirling it between her fingers absentmindedly. Ash McNabb—that was his full name. Yet, she couldn’t help but ponder the origins of his nickname, Casper. Why Casper? The question nagged at her curiosity, but she hesitated; asking Joann might feel like imposing a personal favor, and she wasn’t sure if Joann would appreciate that kind of intrusion into her paralegal’s private life. After a long moment of contemplation, she set the pen down decisively. “Yeah, weird,” Nettie finally replied, trying to shake off her thoughts about names. Shifting her focus, she continued, “Okay, let me know what they decide. I’ll be ready for court after lunch.”

As Joann departed, the intercom on Nettie’s desk phone rang, piercing through the quiet hum of the office. With a slight frown that quickly morphed into curiosity, she picked up the receiver, cradling it gently against her ear. “Yes?” she inquired.

Laylianna, the ever-cheerful receptionist, responded with a hint of mischief in her tone, “Sheriff Necaise is on line one for you. He’s insistent that you aren’t too busy to take his call. And if you don’t pick up, he’ll barge over here and stride into your office.”

Nettie couldn’t help but smile, affection blooming in her chest. Despite the significant age difference, she adored the sheriff. He was like a father figure, always treating her with gentle mentorship and playful banter. Memories flooded back—she recalled the fateful day when he drove to see her at the University of Southern Mississippi, his face a mix of concern and sorrow, to deliver the heart-wrenching news of her parents’ untimely demise in a tragic car accident. She remembered collapsing into his embrace, her sobs echoing off the walls of her dorm room as she mourned the loss of the only family she had known. It felt like an eternity, drowning in despair at sixteen years old. She was starting college, loaded with ambition but utterly lost in her personal life, navigating the storm of grief with no guardians to guide her.

In the wake of her tragedy, they sought to place her in the system, a notion that ignited a firestorm of anxiety within her. But then, Beau, a steadfast ally, stepped in, determined to help her petition the court for emancipation. He fought for her freedom with unwavering determination, advocating against the tide of bureaucracy. She emerged victorious as the court acknowledged her unique circumstances—her parents had left her a modest inheritance, including the cherished home where she had grown up. The label of “child prodigy” granted by the court, often seen as a blessing, became her armor, shielding her in a tumultuous world where grief and resilience intertwined.

She clicked on line one. The familiar flicker of playfulness danced across her mind, but he cut her off with an unexpected declaration just as she opened her mouth with “Hello.”

“I’m placing you in protective custody,” he stated firmly. His tone was serious, betraying the underlying urgency of the situation. She paused, momentarily taken aback, the weight of his words settling heavily on her shoulders, igniting a spark of curiosity and fear all at once.

“What?” she asked. “You heard me. Two deputies are on their way to you now. You will leave with them,” he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The air thickened with tension as she processed his statement. What kind of danger loomed over her that the sheriff deemed it necessary to send deputies for her protection? Beyond the immediate concern for her safety, her mind raced with thoughts about her formidable caseload. Who would take over her responsibilities?

They had only one other Assistant District Attorney in their small office and another unfilled position. David, the only other ADA, was already burdened with his cases and had a court hearing scheduled shortly. His plate was complete, leaving no one available to manage her arraignments or the critical cases that needed immediate attention.

“Can we make a deal?” she ventured.

“What kind of deal?” he pressed.

“Well…” Caught between the fear of the unknown and the pressing demands of her job, she hesitated, searching for a way to navigate through the chaos threatening to engulf her.