Don't Tempt Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

you?”
    â€œMost of it. The money settlement, the division of property, the visitation rights—you name it.”
    Justine was prepared, tapping on a pad of paper with the tip of her pencil. “Mr. Marston, as far as the money is concerned, your client is a multimillionaire. Certainly this lump sum figure is not out of line, especially considering that the couple was married for twelve years.”
    â€œIt’s too high, nonetheless. With a monthly child support payment to boot! We simply cannot agree to that.”
    â€œAnd why not? The figure we’re talking about would be very little to a man of your client’s standing.”
    â€œHe has … other obligations … business commitments.”
    â€œYes, other obligations.” Justine had done her homework, having had the husband of her client thoroughly investigated. “I understand that one of those ‘other obligations’ is a mistress. Is that true?”
    There was a brief silence on the other end of the line as the opposing lawyer recovered from his surprise. He had,
obviously, thought this to be a little secret between his client and himself. “How did you ever get that idea?” he called her bluff.
    But Justine was crafty enough not to show all her cards at once. “I have my sources. And we have uncovered more about your client that any judge will have to consider, should we finally go to court.” Again, silence reigned. Sensing her opening, Justine grasped it. “It might be a good idea, Mr. Marston, if we sat down across the table from one another and discussed these matters. Then we can negotiate a further settlement.”
    She had played her hand to the hilt. Without delay an appointment was set up and the matter temporarily tabled. Justine’s strength lay in analyzing her adversary, then using instinct to attain her goal. An in-person conference would give her that opportunity.
    A sigh slipped through her lips as she crumbled the pink slip and tossed it into the leather wastebasket behind her. Leaps, and pinions his victim with his paws. Helplessly her mind reverted to thoughts of Sloane. But his touch had been so soft, so gentle, she mused, recalling the tingling sensation she’d felt. Catching her breath, she forced her attention back to the phone.
    Girardi, at the district attorney’s office, was the next order of business. “Mr. Girardi,” she began, following the suitable identification, “how is our case shaping up?”
    â€œA little shaky, Justine.” Though the law firm, within itself, operated strictly on a first-name basis, she always resented the occasional outside male who presumed such a status as quickly as this one seemed to have done. She could only fight fire with fire.
    â€œI’m not sure I understand, Jim. I thought it was an open-and-shut case of wife beating. Isn’t that what the indictment read?”
    â€œAh, yes, ah, that was what we had originally determined.”

    â€œHowever—” she anticipated him.
    â€œHowever, there is new evidence that has just arisen. He, ah, claims now that it was self-defense.”
    â€œ Self-defense ?” Justine’s reaction was instant. “Jim, that woman was black-and-blue for weeks.”
    â€œHe claims she tried to attack him with a poker.”
    Justine shook her head slowly, ingesting this new information. “Do you believe that?”
    The assistant district attorney cleared his throat self-consciously. “I’m not sure. You’re the one who represented the wife in the divorce. What do you think?”
    â€œI think,” she countered strongly, “that it’s highly unlikely!”
    After a pause, Jim Girardi agreed. “I tend to be on your side. But he still wants to plea bargain. He’s hoping for probation.”
    â€œThat would put him right back on the street, free to do God knows what! I can’t see it. His ex-wife is a gentle person.