She didn’t know how to pull him from that, and when she tried to talk to him about it he deftly steered the conversation elsewhere. It affected his writing, even though he tried to hide it from her. Many days he sat in his office for hours without composing a single sentence.
Bob was their contact with the State Attorney’s office and she dealt with him directly. Tyler had enough guilt and she made a point of keeping the men out of the loop throughout the process.
Nevvie steeled herself for the trial preparation. First step was to inform the assistant state attorney handling the case of their “arrangement.” Bob went with her.
“It is likely the defense will try to impeach all three witnesses, taint the jury’s opinion,” Bob said.
The assistant S.A., Frank Smith, looked like he hadn’t graduated high school yet. “How so?”
“It’s not entirely accurate to say that Ms. Barton is Tyler and Thomas’ roommate. It’s also inaccurate to say she’s Thomas’ fiancée.”
Smith frowned. “Then what would be accurate?”
“The three live together.”
“How is that different than being roommates?”
“They live together. All three of them. Together.”
He chewed on that for a moment, staring at Nevvie before Bob’s words finally sank home. “What? Like those people out in Utah?”
“No. They have a monogamously polyamorous relationship.”
“Try saying that five times fast,” Nevvie muttered.
Bob nudged her foot. “It’s not for religious reasons, and they’re not committing bigamy. I’m assuming you will take a vigorous stance on objecting to any improper questions regarding their personal relationship? It has nothing to do with the fact that Mr. LaRougue stalked Ms. Barton and attempted to murder her.”
Smith grabbed his phone. “Yeah, but I need to talk to my boss.”
The State Attorney, Robert Jimenez, came down to the office and heard Bob out. “All right. I’ll handle this hot potato myself.”
“Won’t that draw more attention?” Bob asked.
“So I get accused of grandstanding in an election year. I’d rather that than lose because a prudish jurist hangs what should otherwise be a slam-dunk case.”
* * * *
Nevvie couldn’t sleep the night before the trial. Alex’s public defender was overworked, underpaid, and pissed that Alex wouldn’t take the offered plea deal. He would probably make everyone else’s life miserable as a result.
She figured Thomas would do well. More like her in temperament, he’d roll with the punches. But Tyler…
She worried Tyler would blow his cool and lose it on the stand.
“Remember, if you’re forced to answer the question, do it. Don’t get upset if the attorney says something trying to defame us. Let it go.”
“You certainly are calm.” Tyler had reacted poorly when he learned he couldn’t be in the courtroom with her when she testified.
“I want this asshole locked away. I can sit there and stare the fucker down. He’s the one in the orange jumpsuit and fancy bracelets, not me. Living well’s the best revenge, Ty. We’re living pretty damn good, I think. Besides, Bob will be there. It’s okay.”
While the boys headed for the shower, Nevvie made the excuse of wanting to refill her coffee. She opened the drawer where Tyler kept his wallet and removed his ATM card and all his cash except for a ten dollar bill.
Just a precaution. If he blew up and ran, she didn’t want him to get very far without the ability to track him.
When they were ready to go she tossed Thomas his Ridgeline keys. “I’ll ride in back.”
Tyler shook his head. “Let’s take the Lexus. It’ll be easier to park.”
She looked at Thomas, trying to get him to understand without Tyler catching on. Tyler would have understood, but she didn’t have that same type of connection with Thomas.
Thomas looked at her from behind Tyler, confused by her irate glare. “He’s got a point. I don’t mind taking the Lexus.”
“Tom, I’d really like to ride in the truck today.”
“Sugar, it’s okay. If Tyler wants to drive, it’s fine.”
She stalked out of the bedroom, growling under her breath.
“What’s got into her?” Thomas asked.
Tyler shook his head. “Stress, I’m sure.”
* * * *
Bob sat in the row behind the State Attorney’s table. Nevvie took a deep calming breath as the prosecutor worked his way through the attack with her. When Jason Dean, the public defender, stood, she knew from his smile and Alex’s that she was in for a rough time.
“Ms. Barton, what exactly is your relationship with Mr. Kinsey?”
The State Attorney jumped on it. “Objection, relevance.”
The judge nodded. “Sustained.”
The P.D. was prepared. “Your Honor, in the 911 tapes Mr. Kinsey states his ‘wife’ was stabbed. I’m trying to establish the exact nature of their relationship.”
“Tread lightly, Mr. Dean, I’m in no mood for grandstanding.”
The P.D.’s smarmy smile resurfaced. “Ms. Barton, are you married to Mr. Kinsey?”
“No.”
“Then why did he call you his wife?”
“That’s a good question. I suggest you ask him.” She struggled to keep the snark out of her voice, not wanting to sound like a bitch.
“Are you going to answer my question?”
“I thought I did.”
There was a titter of laughter from the gallery. She risked a look at Bob. He smiled and tipped his head.
Dean wasn’t amused. “Ms. Barton, do you live with Mr. Kinsey?”
“Yes.”
“And you work for his company?”
“Yes.”
“So you are a live-in employee?”
“That is why I was originally hired, yes.”
“What is the exact nature of your duties?”
“I don’t understand the question.” This was a tactic Bob taught her. Ask him to rephrase the question, or say she didn’t understand. It would stall him and possibly derail his train of thought.
Dean looked irritated. “What do you do as an employee for Kinsey Consulting?”
“I am a head project supervisor.” Also another tactic—answer as short and sweet as possible. Make him dig for the info. He’d asked about Kinsey Consulting, not Tyler or anything else.
Dig? Hell, he’d need a friggin backhoe.
“So why do you live in Mr. Kinsey’s home?”
“I used to be his once-a-week housekeeper. I moved in after he saved my life when your client attacked me the first time.”
Dean nearly exploded. “Move to strike, your Honor.”
“You opened this can of worms, Mr. Dean. I suggest you fish or get off the dock.”
Dean’s face reddened. Nevvie risked another glance at Bob, who smiled. She was scoring points.
“You were his housekeeper?” Dean asked.
“Yes.”
“Why are you no longer his housekeeper?”
“I still am.”
“You said you’re a project supervisor.”
“I am—for Kinsey Consulting.”
The State Attorney looked pleased. Dean neared apoplexy. “Is it true that you’re committing polygamy?”
“No.”
“But you’re living with two men.”
“Is that a question, Mr. Dean?”
“Are you living with two men?”
“Yes.”
“Are you married to both of them?”
She smiled. “No, I’m not married to either of them. I wish I could be. They’re good men who’ve twice now saved my life when Alex attacked me.”
Dean exploded. “Move to strike!”
The judge shook his head and looked amused. “Overruled. Sorry, Mr. Dean. You wanted it, you got it.”
The P.D. took a moment to compose himself and review his notes. “Are you in a relationship with Mr. Kinsey?”
>
“I don’t understand the question.”
Dean clenched his jaw. “Are you now or have you ever had an intimate sexual relationship with Mr. Kinsey?”
The State Attorney stood. “Objection, relevance.”
“Sustained.”
Nevvie successfully fought the urge to grin while Dean regrouped.
“Ms. Barton, do you expect us to believe that you are living with two men and not having a sexual relationship with either of them?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Are you sleeping with them?” he practically screamed.
The audience’s reaction to Dean’s anger nearly drowned out the State Attorney’s objection. The judge pounded his gavel and pointed at the P.D. “You will conduct yourself appropriately, Mr. Dean, or I will cite you with contempt. Now move along or end it.”
Nevvie patiently waited, worried about Tyler. Thomas would handle this schmuck, no problem. Tyler wouldn’t. She knew it already. Ty was good at reading people, but he had a huge blind spot when it came to her and Thomas. He would react without thinking to the guy’s emotional outbursts.
Dean tried again. “Do you also work for Mr. Paulson?”
“Yes.”
“And what do you do?”
“I am his administrative assistant. I handle e-mails, phone calls, edit his manuscripts, and general office work.”
“And this is in addition to your housekeeping duties?”
“Yes.”
“And what is your relationship with him?”
“Objection.”
“Sustained. Mr. Dean, move along.”
“Why did Mr. Kinsey refer to Mr. Paulson as his partner on the 911 tape?”
“Because they’ve been together for over thirteen years. They love each other.” Hopefully that would stonewall him.
“But he called you his wife.”
“Objection, asked and answered.”
“Sustained.”
Fuming, Dean finally sat. “No further questions, your Honor.”
The State Attorney stood. “Redirect. Ms. Barton, you said Mr. LaRougue attacked you before?”
“When I still cleaned once a week for them, Mr. Kinsey and Mr. Paulson gave me a necklace for my birthday. Alex saw me wearing it. When I refused to pawn it and suggested he pawn his Xbox, he attacked me.”
“Objection!” Dean screamed.
“Overruled. Proceed, Ms. Barton.”
Nevvie hoped she looked intimidated. “He went crazy and attacked me. He kicked me, punched me, threatened to rape me. I was supposed to clean that morning for the boys, and when I was late and they couldn’t contact me by phone they were worried and came looking for me.”
She looked at the jury. “They saved me. So yes, I can honestly say I do love them. They took care of me, gave me a chance for a new life. I lost everything in Katrina. I don’t have any family. They welcomed me, made me a part of their family, and I don’t care what other people think or say. They’re good men. They asked me to stay, and they pay me to work for both of them. As long as they want me in their lives I’m happy to stay.”
“Thank you.”
She knew she wasn’t done because the P.D. stood.
“Redirect. You said Mr. LaRougue attacked you, but you didn’t press charges?”
“I was too scared. Mr. Kinsey and Mr. Paulson tried to talk me into calling the police, so did the doctor. When I was eighteen I was raped, and when I went to the police they did nothing but blame me because the guy had money. I didn’t want to go through anything like that again. I just wanted to be as far away from Alex as possible.”
Dean looked like he wished he hadn’t asked the question. “Nothing further.”
She had to walk by Bob on her way out. He nodded as she passed.
* * * *
Thomas was next. Dean ripped into him for cross examination after the State Attorney finished.
“Mr. Kinsey, if Ms. Barton is your employee, why did you call her your wife?”
“We are very close, and she was bleeding to death on my kitchen floor after your client attacked her. I wasn’t concerned with semantics, it just came out.”
“What is your relationship with her?”
“We are not married, and she works for me.”
“And what is your relationship with Mr. Paulson?”
“He’s my lover.”
A hushed murmur rippled through the gallery. Apparently Dean had expected linguistic gymnastics and the straightforward answer caught him by surprise.
“Lover?”
“Lover.” Thomas held up his hand and pointed to his ring. “Partner, spouse, husband.”
Dean had nothing. He’d been prepared for a sparring match similar to the one he’d had with Nevvie. “Nothing further.”
* * * *
They adjourned for lunch. Tyler would testify after they reconvened. Bob caught up with them in the witness room.
“Nevvie, girl, you were a pistol,” he said, laughing.
Bob’s obvious amusement relieved Tyler. “Was she really?”
“I think Dean popped a blood vessel by the time she got done with him. She had him twisted in knots. Judge even threatened him with contempt.”
Thomas smiled. “Sugar, you’re amazing.”
“I told the truth.” She looked at Tyler. “Don’t let him rattle you. If he asks you to admit you’re lovers with Thomas, just say yes, it’ll take the wind out of his sails. It’s okay.” She read the worry in his blue eyes and cupped his chin in her hands. “Tyler,” she whispered, “you need to stay calm. Don’t let him goad you into reacting, please. You don’t have to protect my honor, just answer the questions short and sweet, okay? Promise?”
“Of course, sweetheart. Let’s grab some lunch, right?”
They ate, but Nevvie’s nerves nagged her. She worried more about Tyler’s testimony than her own. Ironically she wished she could be in the courtroom with him, calming him, sending him one of their freaky mental messages to not say anything he’d regret.
When the bailiff called Tyler to the courtroom, she squeezed Tyler’s hand one final time. “Keep your eyes on Bob. Don’t get upset.”
* * * *
Tyler took a deep breath and walked into the courtroom. Nevvie was right, he could do this. Alex wasn’t worth the dirt on his shoes. He’d be damned if he’d give Alex the satisfaction of seeing him lose it on the stand, especially not if it could ruin the case.
He took his seat in the witness chair. The State Attorney’s questions were straightforward, but he immediately knew what Nevvie meant when Dean stood for cross-examination.
Apparently, Dean had changed tactics.
“Mr. Paulson, what kind of employee is Ms. Barton?”
Tyler had expected any question but that. “She efficient, she’s smart, she is quick to learn. We are happy with her services.”
“And what exactly are those ‘services?’”
Tyler ignored the implication. “Housekeeping duties, some cooking. She assists me with editing, answering my phone so I’m not interrupted, taking care of emails and appointments, errands, things like that. As for her exact duties at Kinsey Consulting—”
“That’s all right.” Dean sidled up to the witness box and smiled. “And how are her ‘services,’ Mr. Paulson?”
“She is an excellent employee. We are lucky to have her.”
“And how, exactly, do you ‘have’ her?”
“Objection.”
“Sustained. Mr. Dean, the ice is thin and I feel a thaw. Move along, quickly.”
Dean tried another tactic. “Mr. Kinsey is your lover, correct?”
“That is correct.”
“And you’ve been together how long?”
“Over thirteen years.”
“Did it bother you he referred to Ms. Barton as his wife on the 911 call?”
“Objection, relevance.”
“Sustained.”
Dean thought for a moment. “You picked up Ms. Barton from her apartment
one morning when she still lived with Mr. LaRougue, did you not?”
“Yes, the week he attacked her the first time.”
“Did you attack Mr. LaRougue in his apartment?”
“What?” Tyler’s temper simmered.
The State Attorney jumped to his feet. “Objection!”
“My bench, right now!”
Both attorneys walked up to the judge and quietly argued for a moment. They eventually broke their huddle. Dean turned to Tyler.
“Tell me about the day you and Mr. Kinsey took Ms. Barton from the apartment.”
“You mean the day your client beat her to a bloody pulp?”
“Move to strike.”
“You wanted it, you got it. Mr. Dean. Ask and ye shall receive, just make sure you really want what you’re asking for.”
Dean glowered at Tyler. “Did you attack Mr. LaRougue?”
“I never laid a hand on him. Thomas and I heard her screaming for help, and we rushed in. Your client was kicking the bloody hell out of our poor girl.” Tyler felt his voice rising in anger and couldn’t stop it. “Thomas pushed him off her, and I carried her outside. She couldn’t walk. What happened after I left the room, I cannot speak to.”
“So you admit the two of you attacked him?”
“I admit no such thing. We came to her defense. He tried to kill her.”
“Did you break down his door?”
“We rescued her from that fucking bastard!” Tyler yelled, pointing at Alex. He regretted the words as soon as they were out. He’d done exactly what Nevvie asked him not to do.
When the gallery settled, Dean continued his questions.
“Why did the two of you go looking for her?”
“We were worried. She didn’t show up or answer her phone.”
“But was there a particular reason to be worried?”
“She’d agreed the Sunday before to move in with us. We feared her boyfriend would react badly when he found out. She told us she was scared of him.”
“Objection, hearsay,” Dean said.
“Sustained, but, Mr. Dean, remember you’re questioning him now. You’re bringing this on yourself.”
“So you hire her, move her into your home, buy her things, and expect people to believe you’re not sleeping with her?”
Love Slave for Two Collection [Box Set 7] Page 54