Page 36 of White Raven (Nevermore Duet #2)
Whoever this C.J. Parks was…Rhaena immediately hated her.
Her mood was already crashing through the floor after that interaction with Brandon, and talking to this insensitive bitch was doing nothing to help said mood.
Though, could she even call the tart insensitive when just an hour ago, she was the one being exactly that—and her significant other calling her own ass out on it?
The hearing was postponed, and Rhaena had just gotten back to her desk, noticing a familiar motorcycle helmet sitting on Athan’s desk.
Her heart stuttered, and Foley popped out of his office, heading straight for her.
“He’s with Stratford.”
Something like relief flooded her entire body and she sank into her chair. “He’s supposed to be halfway across the country. Why is he here?”
“Made the news quick. He and St. James saw it on their phones before they boarded the flight. He came straight here.” Foley leaned his thigh on the corner of her desk. “Where’s the witness?”
“I took her statement at the courthouse. She was still there and needed to go back to the firm for some damage control. She seems more worried about what it’s gonna do for the firm’s image than she seems concerned for Brent.”
“She should be,” a sharp voice interjected, rounding the corner while another woman followed behind her. “Are you the detective in charge of the courthouse assault?”
Arya damned Brenwick. Top-earning prosecutor in the state. Holy shit.
“Yes. You’re opposing counsel?”
“I am. Arya Brenwick, nice to meet you.” She offered a manicured hand that smelled strongly of sanitizer, and Rhaena took it, shaking firmly.
“Detective Rhaena Northwood. Pleasure.”
Brenwick threw a thumb over her shoulder, and a timid woman came to stand at her side. “This is Carmen Schultz. Victim that survived the murder case we were arguing in court today.”
Foley extended a hand and adjusted his tie. “Malcolm Foley. Captain of the 12th. What can we do for you?”
Brenwick smirked, looking between them both.
Her dark, shiny bob was stick-straight, and flawless.
Rhaena almost envied her poise and position.
It was intimidating. “I was prepared to bury Stratford in court. We still are. After what happened, Carmen and I felt compelled to defend him. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to clean this up. ”
Rhaena’s mouth dropped open. “You’re offering counsel to your opposition?”
“Yes. He’s no longer the opposition. Parks and that firm are. Which…as of today, he’s no longer a part of, from what I’ve come to understand.”
Foley crossed his arms, tightening his lips in approval. “Well…this is interesting.”
“Not your average Wednesday, huh?” Brenwick grinned, pressing a hand to her hip.
“Stratford knew his client was guilty. Whether he was baited into that attack or not, means absolutely nothing to me. That was dirty. He wanted to do the right thing. My client saw that in the deposition. As did I. He’s struggling.
We’d like to help. He doesn’t deserve to drown with the sinking ship.
” She breathed a long sigh. “Brent Stratford is a good lawyer, but he’s also a good guy.
I hate that this happened, but I’m also glad.
I didn’t want to have to kick his ass after what he’s been through. ”
“I didn’t know,” Carmen admitted softly. “I didn’t know who he was that day at the firm. I’m still very upset. I want justice for my husband. What he did today…” she paused and shook her head slowly. “Whatever I can do to thank him. We’d—we just wanna help.”
“Where are you holding him?” Brenwick asked, looking around.
“I can take you. Mrs. Schultz, you’ll have to hang out with Captain Foley.
I apologize.” Rhaena waved a hand, gesturing Brenwick down the hall and Carmen nodded, following Foley when he offered her coffee and walking towards the break room.
The seasoned lawyer didn’t say anything as she followed Rhaena into holding, and there was a moment of surprise that caught her off guard when they reached Brent’s cell and found Athan, Brandon…
and a familiar woman Rhaena couldn’t place in the small space with him.
Brent looked like he was about to drop to the floor when he saw the prosecutor, and Athan almost looked protective of him as he inched in between him and the lawyer.
“Easy, Stratford. I’m not here to break you,” Brenwick smiled, stepping inside when the officer unlocked the door.
“He hasn’t been fully processed—” Athan started, Brenwick quickly cutting him off.
“That’s fine. I’m his representation.”
Brent’s face poked from around Athan’s hip at her like he’d been slapped. “I—I’m sorry? My representation?”
“Yes. As the man he allegedly pummeled isn’t conscious, and the only witness to the assault is still questionable as far as credibility, I’d like you to finish whatever it is you need to do and let him out immediately. Brent, I’d advise you not to say anything else for now.”
What a dump truck. Flawless execution. Inarguable follow-through. Damn.
“Why are you doing this for me?” Brent asked, confused.
“Because, as of now, you and I are on the same side of this asshole’s teetering fate. Now zip it, and let them finish up paperwork, so you can go home.”
“Damn,” Athan smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Yeah, I second that.” Rhaena cut Brandon a glare that made him swallow, and he turned towards the opposite wall.
“Who are you?” Brenwick asked, startling the timid woman, who pushed her thin-rimmed glasses up her nose. Pretty. Clean. She’d seen her somewhere before.
“I—I’m his doctor. Melissa Ambrose. I was called up here to—”
“Good. You can give him a ride home once he’s finished up here. Brent, I’ll be waiting for you in the captain’s office. I just need to square up a few things.”
With that, she nodded to everyone, and the door buzzed as she stepped out and clacked herself back down the hall.
Everyone just stood and stared at one another.
Rhaena couldn’t help but feel completely inferior around that woman.
This other woman though—Dr. Ambrose—the way she kept looking at Brent.
That was…a little more than professional.
“Are you okay with this, Brent?” Rhaena asked, scoping him out. He only nodded, returning his glazed-over stare to the floor. She locked eyes with Athan then, holding it and trying not to get emotional again. “You missed your flight?”
“Not too upset about it. Sarah was pretty persistent on rushing back. Pleasant release of tension in my balls. I’d rather let Stratford kick my ass than get on that bird.”
Brent snorted and shook his head. Brandon cracked from behind the doctor, whose face turned five shades of red. Rhaena smiled at the doctor.
“You alright over there, doc?”
Dr. Ambrose cleared her throat, still blushing. “I can’t offer any professional opinion as far as your lower extremities, but…perhaps take a bus? A train?”
Well, that lightened the situation. They all snickered, and Rhaena patted Brent’s shoulder before walking out, Brandon on her heels.
“Sit tight, Stratford. I’ll get your paperwork filed and get you outta here.
” They left holding, and started back towards Rhaena’s desk, and she tugged on Brandon’s sleeve when he turned to go the opposite direction.
“Hey,” she groaned, pulling him to the side of the hall.
He stuffed his hands into his pants pockets, and sighed, staring at her like she was the one that had hurt him earlier.
“What’s this all about? Can we talk? I don’t like this… whatever this is between us.”
“Whatever this is, being our first potential fight? Yeah, me neither. But if I’m right about you, then I don’t think it’s anything we can’t handle.
However, if you need me to tell you what the problem is, I think there’s a bigger issue here.
Why don’t you take some time to think that over before we have this conversation.
At home. Not work.” He leaned in and kissed the top of her head before turning away and silently continuing down the hall to his desk.
Every step he took away from her for the second time today felt…
horrible. She realized then just how much she cared about Brandon Jenkins, and how different it was from the way she’d always cared for Athan.
Of course, it would hit her now that she thought breaking down in front of Wren’s apartment was goodbye to a part of her life that felt much more connected than it suddenly did now.
The thought of not being with Brandon was crushing.
Rhaena pushed off the wall and dragged her heels across the floor the entire way back to her desk.