Objection Overruled Read Online Free PDF Page B

fancy. Jackie imagined making coffee and bringing him a steaming mug to wake him. He’d crack his eyes at her and take in a long whiff of the rich aroma in the mug. He’d sit up in bed and take a long sip while she pulled the covers back and straddled him.
    “Jackie.” From the sea of blue, a familiar baritone called out and curdled her thoughts of intimate passion.
    That voice still sent a tingle down her spine, except now it emanated from abhorrence, not affection. She paused, squared her shoulders, inhaled deeply, and swallowed hard before she turned to face Gary Stone—
    Her former mentor.
    Her current nemesis.
    Her ex-lover.
    “Yes?” She attempted to keep her face relaxed despite the fact that every neuron in her body was firing up to full-attack mode.
    As usual, Gary Stone’s navy-blue Brooks Brothers suit displayed perfect creases. His lightly starched, custom-made, white button-down shirt fit his body precisely. His jet-black hair swooped back from his forehead. Pale blue eyes flicked over Jackie. A smug smile crossed his face.
    What a condescending asshole.
    How she wished she could rack up her career at the big firm and relationship with Gary to temporary insanity, but no one could claim temporary insanity for seven years.
    Well, except her mom, of course.
    With a shudder, Jackie rid herself of that mental intrusion.
    Besides, that was the past, she reminded herself. She worked at her own firm and remained happily unattached. Loved her life. She’d love it even more if she won the case.
    “I think you should seriously reconsider my client’s settlement offer,” Stone purred at her.
    Jackie ground her teeth. “No, Gary, your client should reconsider my clients’ settlement demand. That response you called a counteroffer is an embarrassment to both of us, and you know it.”
    Stone took one step closer and leaned down toward her right ear. “Maybe you should check your ego, Jackie, and make a decision in your clients’ best interest. You’ll never get through this trial on your own. Face it, I’m giving you a gift. Don’t be too proud to take it.”
    “See you in court, Counselor,” she snapped and spun on her heels to head through the security checkpoint.
    The courtroom was just down the hall. Jackie wanted to get there and settle in before Stone and his entourage entered. No one substituted a witness this late in the game. There was no way the judge was going to rule against her. He practically wrote the rulebook, and bending the rules was never his style.
    Shortly after Stone and company entered, the bailiff called the court to session. Judge Brownley bustled in. He settled his massive frame at the elevated bench and peered down over his rimless glasses. His face was already red and sweaty. Not a good sign.
    The judge wet his lips. “I’m sure both of you realize the unconventionality of Mr. Stone’s request for leave to substitute his expert at this late stage of trial preparation.”
    Jackie instinctively rose to her feet, “Your Honor—”
    His hand went up, and then he pointed down with a jab toward her chair.
    She forced herself down, sitting rigidly on the edge of her chair.
    “As I was saying, this is an unusual request.”
    The judge’s fleshy, crimson neck rolled over the white collar visible under his judicial robes. His face grew redder as he shuffled through the papers on his desk. He continued, “Defendant’s expert’s testimony is the crux of his defense. Right now, his expert is lying in a coma in Hopkins’s ICU. Based upon the medical report, it looks like the witness is unlikely to recover from the stroke and will be unable to testify at trial. Although Ms. North has his testimony on video tape, not allowing a substitution…”
    The judge’s words faded as Jackie’s mind spun in confusion. Impossible! He could not be ruling against her.
    “…would substantially prejudice the defendant. Accordingly, I grant the motion.”
    Jackie sprang to her feet. “I object.