Matthew's Children

“In a firm this size, we can’t keep avoiding one another.”

“Really?” Jane said. “I thought we were getting damn good at it.”

Matthew laughed. Then sobered quickly. “Not that I ever wanted to avoid you. I hate that you were stuck in the middle of this.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“There are some who would disagree.”

“I can’t believe she actually spied on you.” Jane covered her mouth. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. But it’s just so wrong. You’re the most honest person I know.”

“I appreciate that. But I’m not sure it’s true. In fact, I know it isn’t.”

“Really? Who have you ever lied to?”

“The most important person.”

“Your wife?”

He shook his head. Despite her accusations to the contrary, he’d never deliberately told Gillian anything but the truth. His deceptions had gone much deeper than that.

“Myself.”

Hard to imagine a more glamorous life than being an accountant, isn’t it? Still, CJ Carmichael gave up the thrills of income tax forms and double entry bookkeeping when she sold her first book in 1998. She has now written more than twenty-five novels and strongly suggests you look elsewhere for financial planning advice.

Matthew’s Children

C.J. Carmichael

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This book is for my youngest daughter, Tessa,

who is leaving home to start university this year.

I could not love you more, or be more proud.

Thanks To:

My writing friend and lawyer Elizabeth Aspinall,

Constable Chris Terry

and criminal lawyer Simon Lord

for taking the time to talk to me about

their areas of expertise.

Chapter One

IF JANE PRENTICE HAD SEEN Matthew Gray in the elevator, she would have taken the stairs. But as she stepped on board, she was reading case notes and didn’t spot him until the doors were gliding shut behind her.

“Hi, Jane.”

That voice. It still had the power to remind her she was a woman first. Lawyer second. She stuffed her papers into a side compartment of her briefcase, then looked at him. And away.

“Matt.”

An awkward pause followed. At least they weren’t alone. Two men in business suits flanked her, neither man familiar. When the elevator stopped at the twenty-eighth floor, only she and Matt stepped off.

“Going to the partners meeting?” Matt asked, as they headed in the same direction.

She nodded. Crap. Obviously, so was he. What was going on? Over the past year they’d become adept at avoiding each other. She’d requested an office on the opposite side of the building from his. By tacit agreement they’d begun attending alternate partners meetings. And she and Matt both avoided places they used to go together, like Sully’s Tavern and the deli downstairs.

Everyone at Brandstrom and Norton was in on it; even the managing partners no longer assigned them to the same cases.

A year ago the rumor had been everywhere. Matthew’s marriage is in trouble. And Jane’s the other woman…

“Russell dropped by my office this morning,” Matthew explained. “He made it pretty clear my presence was mandatory today.”

“I wonder why.”

“Some new case he wants me to work on.”

Jane sneaked a sideways glance at him. The year had taken its toll, adding some lines and a few gray hairs, but he was still handsome in that intellectual, Robert Downey, Jr, way of his.

“I was sorry to hear about you and Gillian.”

“Were you?”

She hadn’t expected him to challenge her, and wasn’t sure how to respond. A part of her was sorry, naturally. Matthew didn’t deserve what had happened. He was a good man, honorable in the old-fashioned sense of the word.

Yes, he’d spent too much time at work. Yes, he’d neglected his adolescent son and much younger daughter.

He wasn’t perfect.

But who was?

They rounded a corner, and the open door to the conference room was now in sight. Matt’s voice became coolly professional. “By the way, congratulations on the Laskin case.”

She could feel her cheeks grow hot. They may have avoided each other the past year, but he’d kept tabs on her. “I was lucky with the judge.”

“You’re too modest. The story in the Hartford Courant was pretty complimentary.”

The admiration in his voice was contained, yet unmistakable. She tried to meet his gaze again without losing her composure. But she couldn’t.

So she made her way into the room, where she headed for a vacant seat next to another of the junior partners at the firm. “Hi, Susan. How was your weekend?”

While Susan chatted about her three kids and husband, Jane organized her papers and located a pen.

“…and then Jeremy tells me it’s his turn to bring the morning snack for circle time! I had to leave Jack to handle breakfast and drive to the market to buy enough fresh fruit for twenty-five children. And when I get in the car, what happens? Jack’s run me low on gas again!”

Jane murmured a sympathetic comment, feeling anything but sorry for Susan’s predicament. Did her colleague have any idea how lucky she was? She and Jack had been married ten years and had three healthy children.

Finally, Jane found her pen amid the clutter at the bottom of her briefcase. She inhaled deeply and checked around the table. All the familiar faces calmed her. This was her family, and now that her father had moved to Texas, it was the only family in Hartford she had.

She’d been working at Brandstrom and Norton since she’d graduated from law school twelve years ago. Eve Brandstrom had hired her, and had become her mentor and close advisor.

Eve made a powerful ally. Some claimed she was too hard, too driven. But Jane had never found her so. Now she caught Eve’s eye and smiled.

I hope I look that good when I’m in my fifties.

Eve returned her smile, but her eyebrows were knit. When her eyes shifted in Matthew’s direction, her frown deepened.

Had Eve noticed them walk in together? That she might be keeping an eye on the two of them was more than a little discomfiting.

Eve, along with two junior lawyers from the firm, had been present at the restaurant last January when Jane and Matt had met for their disastrous, final lunch together. Eve’s party had been sitting at a different table, but in plain view.

All three of them had seen everything. The whole sordid scenario.

Jane wanted to believe that one of the other lawyers—and not Eve—had subsequently spread the rumors about her and Matt. But she couldn’t be sure. She and Eve had never talked about that day. Jane had hoped that eventually it might be forgotten.

The expression on Eve’s face told her it hadn’t. ALL THE USUAL SUSPECTS were in place as Matthew entered the conference room. Sensing Jane would prefer it, he headed to the other end of the table from her, putting as much distance between them as possible. Unfortunately, when he sat down he realized he’d selected a seat with a perfect view of her. If he wasn’t careful, he’d end up staring at her throughout the meeting.

In an attempt to distract himself, he glanced around. The conference room was in the southwest corner of the twenty-eighth floor. Two walls were all windows; the other two were covered with paintings by New England artists. The room was impressive. The inlaid wood table was itself a work of art.

But he’d seen this room a hundred times before.

Whereas Jane he hadn’t seen in a year.

And now that he had, one thing was clear. She still hit him like a shot of caffeine—jolting him, making him feel more alive. How could she not? Besides being one of the most intelligent lawyers in the firm, she was also kind, compassionate, honest and decent.

Her attractiveness and beauty were all the more potent to him because of these other qualities. And it was precisely because of them—in particular the honesty—that he’d worked so hard to stay away from her.

That hadn’t been easy.

But to do otherwise wouldn’t have been fair to her. Rumors had buzzed around the office after the “lunch from hell”—as he tended to think of it. When he’d announced his divorce from Gillian, the gossip had started again. One of his coworkers had screwed up the courage to ask him, “Is this about Jane?”

“No,” he’d insisted, but his protestation hadn’t had much impact on the opinions at the office.

He’d wanted to protect Jane, but he hadn’t known how. The best he could do, it seemed, was keep his distance.

No doubt about it. This past year had been hell. For most of it he’d lived in an apartment full of rented furniture that he hated. He’d never felt more alone. His mother was busy with her new life in the seniors’ complex she’d moved to, and his two brothers were preoccupied with lives of their own.

His ex-wife considered him a cheating liar. And while his three-year-old daughter still loved him unconditionally, his adolescent son didn’t want anything to do with him.

On top of all that, he had lost his valued friendship with Jane.

“Coffee, Matthew?” Davis Norton was the oldest senior partner and the only surviving founder of the firm. He was approaching seventy and rarely took cases. Still, he never missed a partners meeting.

“Thank you.”

Davis filled a bone china cup with steady hands and passed it to Matthew, then returned the carafe to the sideboard and settled in his place at one end of the table.

Sitting at the other end of the rectangular table was Russell Fielding and, next to him, Eve Brandstrom.

Russell was one of those men who had finally grown into his looks in his fifties. With his steel-gray hair, strong jaw and broad shoulders, he had the sort of distinguished presence that juries loved.

Eve, also, had developed an air of distinction as she’d aged. Thick, dark hair framed a face grown more attractive with the sculpting hand of age. As she peered over stylish, turquoise glasses, her eyes were clear and sharp, as was her mind.

Although the firm bore her family’s name, Eve’s preeminent position here had little to do with nepotism. She’d never married and seemed to live for her job, having few outside interests. Since her father had passed away two years ago, she was determined to do his memory proud.

In addition to the three senior partners, there were six junior partners at Brandstrom and Norton, including Jane and Matthew. All were in attendance today. Each had nodded at him earlier, but not one would meet his eyes now.

Something was up.

Matthew felt a surge of adrenaline. Just what was this case Russell wanted him to handle?

He checked his BlackBerry. One minute before nine. Russell, who usually chaired these things, was a stickler about starting exactly on time.

Matthew’s gaze slid over to Jane. He just couldn’t stop himself. He noticed details he’d been too flustered to pay attention to in the elevator. She was wearing a black suit, impeccably tailored, and a slim-fitting shirt. The thin red stripes in her white shirt brought out the color in her lips and on her cheeks.

She wasn’t looking at him. Wasn’t looking at anyone in particular, really. She nodded when Davis offered her coffee, and when he’d finished pouring, she brought the cup to her lips with a steady hand.

Matthew gave her credit. She had to know everyone in the room had watched them walk in together. The curiosity in the air was almost palpable, yet she affected the utmost nonchalance.

As she set the cup back on the saucer, Matthew’s attention moved to the long, fine bones of her fingers. Her gold watch dangled on her elegant wrist. As if she could feel the spot where his gaze lingered, she pushed the watch higher on her forearm.

She looked around the room, let her gaze rest on his briefly, then carried on. Jane was one of few who had resisted the lure of the BlackBerry, and she set a pad of paper on the table and clicked her pen to release the nib. She was ready.

Russell cleared his throat. “Good morning, colleagues. I trust you all had a pleasant weekend. Before we discuss new business, we’ll go around the table with our usual updates.”

Though he hadn’t expected to be at this meeting, Matthew was prepared when it was his turn to speak. Most of his cases were minor, not worthy of discussion in this forum. But he’d be going to preliminary hearings on a manslaughter case next week. He summarized the facts, answered a few questions, then leaned back in his chair as the spotlight shifted to the coworker on his right.

Again Jane’s gaze sought him out. This time several seconds passed before she glanced away.

His heart was drumming so loudly he almost didn’t hear Russell as he proceeded to the next order of business—assigning new cases.

Two phrases leaped out at him, though.

“…sexual misconduct involving a minor…soccer coach…”

Matthew’s mind stopped wandering as he noticed everyone was looking at him again. Was this the case?

“I realize no one in the firm will be clamoring to handle this one.”

Russell had that right. Sexual misconduct involving a minor. You couldn’t get much uglier than that. Usually, such cases were assigned on a rotating basis. Who had handled the last one? Matthew knew it hadn’t been him.

“According to the schedule, this one is Jane’s.”

Matthew, like everyone else in the room, turned to her. Jane’s face paled, but she showed no other reaction.

“However, in this instance,” Russell continued, “our client has requested a specific lawyer. Matthew Gray.”

Matthew felt sucker punched. “Who is this guy? Did he give any reason for requesting me?”

“He’s the coach of your son’s soccer team. He says you met at the season start-up party for the Blazers.”

Matthew did his best to organize his thoughts. “You must be talking about Wally Keller.”

“That’s correct.”

“What, exactly, is Coach Keller alleged to have done?” Please let it have nothing to do with Derrick.

“The police are investigating him for sexual misconduct with the twin sister of one of the boys on the team.”

Matthew only knew of one guy on the team who had a twin sister. Right now, he couldn’t remember either of their names. “Do you have a name?”

“Sarah Boutin.”

His memory quickly provided him with an image of the girl. An outgoing blonde, tall and thin like her brother. Matthew recalled the boy’s name now; it was Robert. The Boutins lived in the same neighborhood as his ex-wife and kids. He had a dim recollection of Robert and Sarah coming over to play with Derrick when they were younger.

“Is she okay?”

“She’s at home with her mother, so physically she must be fine. But she has claimed sexual abuse, and medical examination has confirmed this. We don’t yet know the details of what transpired.”

Details. Matthew’s stomach turned. “And she said Coach Keller was responsible?”

“That’s right.”

He swore. “I don’t want anything to do with this case.”

“None of us does, Matt. But the client is asking for you. He told me you seemed like a decent guy and he wanted your help with this.”

Damn it. Why had Keller done that? Matthew would have been pleased to refer him to several excellent attorneys.

With all eyes on him, Matthew shook his head. “Isn’t it obvious I can’t do it? I have a conflict of interest. My son is on his soccer team.”

“That makes it a gray area, I agree. Which is why I’ve decided to put two lawyers on this one. You’ll be on the team primarily to hold Keller’s hand, walk him through this. You know how tough these cases can be.”

Hold his hand? Walk him through it? “I’m a pretty expensive babysitter.”

Everyone chuckled, including Russell, but the senior partner didn’t back down. “I have no doubt you’ll provide the client with good value. Besides, this is an excellent career opportunity for you. This case has the potential to be high-profile.”

“What if I’m not that ambitious?”

Again there was laughter. No one in the room considered it possible that he wasn’t joking.

Actually, one person didn’t laugh. Jane’s gaze met his, warm with sympathy, but also a hint of apprehension. Matthew thought he understood why.

As if he could read Matthew’s mind, Russell nodded. “You’ll be working with Jane on this one, Matt. That’s who I’ve decided should be lead lawyer.”

“But—” He and Jane objected at the same time.

Russell held up his hand. “I know the two of you haven’t worked together in a while. But we’re a small team here and that can’t go on forever. Eve and Davis agree with me.”

He said nothing more, and neither did Jane nor Matthew. But as soon as the meeting was over, Matthew intended to have a strongly worded chat with Russell. From the grim expression on Jane’s face, so did she.

Chapter Two

“THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE, Russell.” Jane sounded calm. The only sign betraying her agitation was the end-over-end rotation of her pen as she jabbed it again and again on a blank page of her notepad.

Matthew recognized the nervous habit from years of observing Jane in court. It was something she fell back on when she felt cornered.

The three of them were alone in the conference room now. The other partners had scattered at the official closing of the meeting. Jane and Matthew had moved to sit on either side of Russell.

“She’s right,” he said, hoping his composure was a match for hers. “We can’t work together.”

“Aren’t you being dramatic? A year has passed, guys. The divorce is behind you, Matt. We can’t do anything about that now.”

Russell made it sound so cut-and-dried. From a legal standpoint, Matthew supposed he was correct. But emotional wounds couldn’t be healed with a court document. A year had passed but they were all still hurting.

“Come on, Russell. You’ve made Jane the lead lawyer. She might as well handle the case on her own. I’ll just get in her way.”

“Wally Keller is scared, Matt. Can you imagine how it feels to be accused of something like this? What do you suppose he’ll tell his wife? His kids? He knows you and he trusts you. Can you blame him for wanting a familiar face on his team?”

Matthew paused, thinking about how Wally had gone out of his way to help his son at the beginning of the season. Unlike most of the other boys on the team, Derrick hadn’t started his adolescent growth spurt yet and was self-conscious about his size. At the team’s first practice, the coach proposed a strategy for dealing with the bigger boys on the field. His suggestions had given Derrick a whole new confidence in his abilities.

“If Matt has to be on the case, then let him handle it on his own,” Jane insisted. “Or assign another lead lawyer.”

“No one else has the time right now. And since your Laskin case wrapped up last week, Jane, you’re the obvious choice. Besides, it is your turn.”

She bowed her head, acknowledging the logic of his argument.

“Matt. Jane. Let’s be reasonable adults here. We can’t let a bunch of ugly rumors—and I have no doubt they were just rumors—destroy two excellent careers. Everyone remembers how well you two used to work together. Your skills complement each other, and I have every faith in your ability to provide Wally Keller the best defense this firm can offer.”

With that, Russell rose from his chair. He slid a file to the center of the table. “This is all I have so far. Mr. Keller is scheduled for an initial consult at one o’clock tomorrow. I’ve taken the liberty of booking the small conference room for your meeting.”

He left the room, diplomatically closing the door behind him. Matthew fixed his gaze on the folder. As he watched, Jane reached for it and pulled it across the table.

Their eyes met.

“I suppose Russ has a point,” Matthew began tentatively. “In a firm this size we can’t avoid each other forever.”

“Really? I thought we were getting damn good at it.”

He laughed. Then quickly sobered. “Not that I ever wanted to avoid you. I hate that you were stuck in the middle of my personal disaster.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“There are some who would disagree.”

“I can’t believe Gillian actually spied on you.” Jane clapped her hand to her mouth. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. But it’s just so wrong. You’re the most honest person I know.”

“I appreciate that. But I’m not sure it’s true.”

She gave him a doubtful glance. “Who have you ever lied to?”

Acknowledging the churning feelings inside himself, Matthew knew the answer. “The most important person.”

“Your wife?”

He shook his head. Despite Gillian’s accusations to the contrary, he’d never deliberately told her anything but the truth. His deceptions had gone much deeper.

“Myself.”

BEFORE SHE’D MET Matthew Gray, Jane had assumed that men like him didn’t exist anymore. Regardless of the progress women had made in the workforce over the past few decades, she still encountered sexism on a regular basis: biased judges, condescending prosecutors, and clients who thought only a man could handle the job. Jane had seen it all.

Matthew displayed none of those prejudices. From her first day at the firm, he’d treated her with the same respect he accorded all his colleagues.

His underlying gallantry had nothing to do with male dominance, but was simply a manifestation of his good manners and consideration.

It hadn’t taken long for him to become her favorite lawyer to work with at Brandstrom and Norton.

She’d always known he was married, and it had never occurred to her that that might cause any problems. Unlike some of her other married colleagues, he did not flirt with women, not even in so-called harmless ways.

Jane had felt perfectly safe putting in late hours with him, and had never expected that the real danger didn’t lie with him, but with her.

She still couldn’t pinpoint the moment she’d fallen in love with him. Maybe it was when she’d seen how tenderly he’d interviewed a scared young mother fighting for custody of her child. But it might just as easily have been as Jane watched him shred the testimony of a prosecutor’s star witness who’d traded away the freedom of Matthew’s client.

Now, as she tried to focus on the case notes in front of her, she wondered if it truly was possible for the two of them to work together again.

She cleared her throat. “So what do you know about this guy?”

Matthew seemed surprised, then amused. “That’s how you want to handle this? Straight to the business at hand?”

“Do we have another choice?”

“You could tell me what’s been going on in your life over the past twelve months.”

Through various internal channels he would have heard about the professional stuff. “You mean my personal life?”

“Well…yeah.”

Her cheeks turned hot. She was blushing. How ridiculous was that? His interest meant little. Matthew probably felt a measure of responsibility for her happiness. Not that he ought to, but he was that sort of man. Probably he wanted reassurance that her life hadn’t fallen apart the way his had.

And of course it hadn’t.

You needed to have a personal life in order for it to fall apart. And she didn’t. She hadn’t had a serious romantic relationship in years. The last one had ended so badly it had taken her over a year to recover. And then, just when she’d been ready to start dating again, she’d realized she was falling for Matthew, a married man.