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she tried to hold her tongue.” His expression switched to one of concern. “What’s new with you? How’s that big case coming?”

    “Trial date’s been set already, if you can believe that.” It dawned on her that her brother had never shown a grain of interest in her career. “Why do you ask?”

    “Just curious. It’s in the news a lot.” He tried to change the subject. “I need to take care of some business early in the morning. Mind if I crash at your place tonight?”

    She squared her shoulders. “Elwin George Constantine, don’t give me that.”

    He shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.”

    “The hell you don’t. I know you better than anyone else does. We don’t bullshit each other, remember?”

    He looked into her eyes. “David Porter just left.”

    “Running his big mouth as usual.” She knew David would never be able to keep the
    situation to himself. She had hoped he would not see any members of her immediate family until she could fully evaluate the level of danger that she now faced.

    “His heart matches his mouth. He cares what happens to you. You’re putting yourself in danger by prosecuting that boy. He’s a college hero.”

    “He’s a filthy animal who viciously attacked a woman, dragged her into the park where you and I used to play, and when she fought back, he beat her beyond recognition. She’s in a coma from which she is not expected to emerge. Don’t give me yet another sanctimonious, good kid, hero line of bull. He’s anything but.”

    “Take a step off your soapbox for a second. He’s from a prominent family. He’s a great athlete and scholar. She’s a nobody with a reputation that stinks.”

    It was the one argument she did not want to hear again. “And of course that gives him the right to treat her like a punching bag.”

    “I didn’t say that. I just know this isn’t your average case. David said he has to practically force you to let him walk you out in the evenings. He’s worried about you, and now, so am I.”

    “Someone left a note on my car. That may be the extent of their scare tactics. I’ll start worrying when the crap visits my house. We’re not even sure it’s related to this case. David should have respected my wishes and kept his mouth shut.”

    “He hasn’t told anyone but me, and I’m glad he did. Stop being so damn independent and admit that you’re fair game for this boy’s friends, family, and all the good folk who call him a college legend in the making. David has done a lot more than you know to protect you.” He smiled. “He’s had a crush on you since junior high. I had to threaten him to keep him away.”

    “Guess I owe you for that. I have to keep reminding him that it’s too late to do anything about that now. I think David was my first big crush.” She shook her head. “He was sweet and fine back then, and he still is. I love him, but even if he were my dream-come-true, I don’t sleep with married men.” She smiled, feeling tingles in sensitive places. “Besides, I’ve got Isaac.”

    “David wanted to make a move back then and I saw the way you looked at him, but you were just sixteen. I told him if he still wanted to ask you out when you were older, I’d be in his corner. By then he had married a girl who claimed to be carrying his child. Later he heard she had lied and has never forgiven her.”

    “I didn’t know he was hot for me back then. He treated me just like you treated Dee, until she got breasts.” Chelsea smiled, glad the conversation had taken a lighter turn.

    Her brother was not so easily swayed. “I know you can’t discuss details, but how does your case look so far?”

    “That’s not close to being clear. Three reputable people saw Curtis Hamilton with that woman before she was found, unconscious, under a tree. Another man heard screams and was coming to help when this hero ran from the area where she was found.”

    “Who’s defending Hamilton?”

    “Now that’s