Legal Heat by Sarah Castille Read Free Book Online

else you should know,” Martha blurted out.
    “I’m sorry,” Katy said, genuinely contrite. “We’re out of time.”
     
     
    Seven minutes to ten.
    Mark tapped his pen on the table, matching the rhythm of the ticking clock.
    His client, Darkon Steele, frowned. “I hope we aren’t kept waiting much longer. This discovery is already a waste of my valuable time.”
    “I’ll make sure plaintiff’s counsel is aware we intend to finish on time even if we start late,” Mark said. Anything to ensure the CEO of his firm’s biggest client, Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, continued to send work his way. He needed a win on this case to secure Hi-Tech’s business and his firm’s future.
    Steele leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “I’ll just tell the plaintiff’s lawyer his client is a corporate spy and belongs in jail, not running around launching frivolous civil suits. We’ll be done in five minutes.”
    Mark sighed. With Steele already defensive and angry, he could imagine how the discovery would go. “You’ll do no such thing. You’ll speak only to answer the questions opposing counsel asks, and your answers will be as brief and as succinct as possible. If you say anything inappropriate, it will affect your credibility and could damage our defense at trial. You’ll be under oath and the court reporter will transcribe everything. Isn’t that right, Tim? ”
    Tim Daniels, one of Vancouver’s most sought-after court reporters, turned on his computer and gave Mark a nod.
    “That’s right. Everything is recorded, even coughs and pauses.” Tim rubbed his hand through his thatch of red hair and flashed a smile. “Bible okay, Mr. Steele, or do you wish to affirm?”
    “No Bible.”
    Tim nodded. “I’ll get the affirmation sheet ready.”
    Steele spun his pen across his thumb without taking his eyes off Mark. “So what do you do while I’m answering the barrage of questions?”
    “My job is to object to questions that aren’t relevant, or are in any way inappropriate, privileged or prejudicial. There’s a lot more to it in terms of tactics, but I won’t bore you.”
    “Good. That’s what I pay you for.” Steele slicked down his neatly cut black hair. With his cold, dark eyes, heavy features and shiny, black Italian suit, he had the look of a gangster. Not far from the truth. The savvy, ruthless, hard-edged businessman didn’t hesitate to take risks or bend the rules to get ahead. But he relied on Mark to keep things legal.
    Tim excused himself to find an affirmation sheet. Cool air rushed into the stuffy, windowless boardroom as he hurried out the door.
    “Speaking of money, how’s the firm doing?” Steele leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.
    A loaded question. Steele knew how the firm was doing. The recession had hit litigation boutiques hard, and law firms all over the city were scrambling over the few clients with the capital to run the long and expensive courtroom battles that were a litigator’s bread and butter.
    “Fine.” Mark had no interest in getting involved in a discussion about the firm’s financial struggles. Steele knew he was the sole reason Richards & Moretti had not folded like so many other firms. He just wanted to rub it in.
    Just like Tony.
    The barrage of questions he had had to endure both in the club following Katy’s departure and on Monday morning at the office had made him rethink his decision to run a second business with his fellow partner.
    Mark flipped open his file and tried to shut out any thoughts about Carpe Noctem. Too late. His betraying mind had already conjured up images of Katy. He could still feel her soft curves under his palm and her warm skin under his lips. If he breathed in deeply, he could even smell the faintest trace of her perfume. Had he pushed too hard? If he had shown some restraint, would she have run away?
    Tim returned with the affirmation sheet. “I didn’t see opposing counsel, but I’m sure she’ll be here on time. The