Page 45 of Set In Stone

I hate that you’re not feeling well. Since you refused to stay home today, I thought these might brighten yourday.

- Alex

At first, I smiled. Until a twinge of guilt hit me for not being forthcoming about my plan. The angel’s voice sounded loudly in myhead.

Liar!

The voice got louder and louder causing my heart to thud hard in my chest. The self-condemnation grew as I fired up my computer and pulled up Alexander’s schedule for the day. I took note of when he’d be tied up in meetings, knowing that he wouldn’t be looking for me during those times. Removing my cell phone from my purse, I located the phone number that I was able to obtain in an email correspondence from a few weeksback.

Guilt-ridden angst caused me to shake as I began to dial the private cell phone number for Thomas Green, the Manhattan District Attorney who was heading up Charlie’strial.

“DA Greenhere.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and summoned the most confident voice I couldmuster.

“Hello, Mr. Green. This is KrystinaCole.”

“Hello, Miss Cole. What can I do for youtoday?”

“Actually, I was wondering if I could come in to see youtoday.”

“Today? Is everything alright?” he asked, seemingconfused.

Everything wasn’t alright, but the most important thing in that moment was setting up a face to face meeting. I did not want to do this over the phone. Facial expressions and body language told too much of astory.

“I need to talk to you about mytestimony.”

“Okay,” he paused, sounding even more perplexed. “I don’t know what else there is for us to go over, but I’d be happy to meet with you and Mr.Stone– .”

“No!” I nearly shouted, forgetting my composure. “Not Alex. Just me please. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention our meeting tohim.”

“Well, I ah…” he hesitated. I huffed out a breath of frustration over my own stupidity. I should’ve predicted that he’d want Alexander to be present. I would have to say something more to convincehim.

“Look, Mr. Green. Something has just come to my attention that could affect my testimony. I’m going to have to pull the client attorney privilege on thisone.”

“With all due respect, Miss Cole. You’re a witness, not my client. I work for the city, so that rule doesn’t really applyhere.”

Shit! Think, Cole.Think!

I scrambled to try to come up with a way to persuade him to my way of thinking. I didn’t want to show my hand just yet, but I wasdesperate.

“I see,” I began evenly. “While that may be true, you need me for this case. Am Icorrect?”

“Yes…” he trailed offcautiously.

“You don’t have a solid case without me. If you want my testimony, I must insist that this meeting stay between just the two ofus.”

There was a long pause and I could only assume he was weighing hisoptions.

“I understand. Let me just pull up my schedule.” While his words were agreeable, his voice sounded terse, like he was annoyed with the situation. The last thing I needed was for him to be uncooperative. Trying to sound as sincere as possible, I acknowledged his efforts to meet withme.

“I understand this is sudden. Thank you for agreeing to meet, Mr.Green.”

I heard the shuffling of papers for a moment before he spokeagain.

“I’m due in court in thirty minutes, but I should be free by noon. I can see you at twelve-thirty today if that works for you. Myoffice?”

“Yes, your office is fine. I’ll be therethen.”