Dara
crossed the threshold and stopped.She
felt the reassuring pressure of Stefan’s hand at the small of her back and
made a conscious effort at relaxation.Already
things were progressing exactly as Stefan had warned Dara they might.With one glaring exception.
“Judge
Cho,” Stefan gently nudged Dara forward, “thank you for your generosity in
traveling to my home.”
“In
light of all the paperwork involved, it certainly made more sense to hold the
proceedings at Wyndemere.”The austere Asian judge glanced around him.“Traveling here also afforded me the opportunity to see for myself
certain details.”He turned a critical eye Dara’s way.“Hello, Miss Jensen.”
Judge
Hae Won Cho was a slight man several inches shorter than Dara.His smooth, black hair was short and neat without a single hair out of
place.His movements were fastidious and deliberate, and there was
something almost delicate about him.Such
an impression was misleading, though.Many a defendant standing before him in a court of law
underestimated the basic toughness of the man.
Dara
forced a smile and stepped forward to shake the judge’s hand.“Judge Cho.Welcome.”
Censure
emanated from Judge Cho in waves.Dara
felt it plainly.Several years
earlier the judge had taken it upon himself to recommend Dara for a junior
partnership at the firm he’d gotten his own beginnings with.Upon Judge Cho’s recommendation, Dara had immediately been offered a
coveted position with the prestigious old law firm.The judge had been none too happy to discover that Dara turned down the
high profile position for a job in public service.
As
soon as Judge Cho turned back to his paperwork, Dara discreetly clutched
Stefan’s arm.“You should
have told me that it would be Judge Cho in charge,” she whispered.“This is not a good thing!”
Stefan
was unruffled by Dara’s concern.“Do
you believe the judge will be unable to judiciously administer his duties here
today?” he inquired sotto voce.
“Of
course not!I just meant that Judge
Cho will definitely not cut any corners on our behalf.”
“Good.That is to our benefit,” Stefan observed.“There can be no claims of impropriety that way.”
Judge
Cho’s dry, clipped voice interrupted their discussion.“I am ready to begin.”
