It was strange, being on this side of a courtroom. Previously, Riley had sat on the opposite side. The side where the bad guys sat. She’d been one of the bad guys. Those thoughts had been copious when this whole fiasco had started.

Earl had made this seem like it was going to be a cake walk from the onset. Riley hadn’t been so sure, but the red-haired man’s supreme confidence and glowing personality had convinced her that they were doing the right thing. That and the fact that she couldn’t afford a better lawyer.

They’d wanted to settle out of court, and for a split second Riley had thought she was going to win outright. She’d taken a big enough risk by pursuing this at all…actually going to court would have been almost guaranteed career suicide. Then they’d had the meeting.

The first thing that had been obvious was that Gerry Johansen had the money for a much better lawyer. The man had even brought a lackey…some pretty boy who seemed to tag along everywhere the bastard went. Yes. Gerry’s lawyer was a bastard. That much had been obvious the moment the settlement meeting had began. They were willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and not make a public spectacle of her in court if she just walked away. Gerry would even be nice enough not to charge her for his lawyer.

What about her pay? After what he’d done? Well Gerry’s lawyer, Lonnie of all things, had indicated that from their perspective, Riley had been the one in the wrong. It was baffling, and infuriating.

Needless to say. They’d gone to court. Riley had sat at the table next to the rotund, bearded, bald-man who was her lawyer and watched as the Johanssen entourage came in and settled themselves. She’d dressed for the occasion, far more conservatively than normal, in a grey business suit with a matching skirt. Her hair was down, and her hair was loosely curled around her shoulders. She hadn’t wanted to look too innocent, because her past was bound to come up, so the ruffled neck blouse she wore under the suit jacket exposed just enough skin to be formidable without looking trashy. In this situation, one didn’t want to appear to be acting.

The trial had started…it was a lawsuit, so things worked just slightly different from the criminal stuff Riley had experienced. Lonnie was a skeeze as usual, his pretty-boy lackey watched from the other side of the table and Gerry told his side of the story so well that Riley almost believed him. Her initial amusement at the fact that his name was actually ’Geraldine’ quickly evaporated into nearly violent anger. She also wanted to chuck the glass clutched in her hand at his head. Twice. Then beat him with the water pitcher. Then do the same to his slime ball lawyer and his lackey. She glared murder at the bastard, then realized what she was doing and forced herself to look straight ahead as Earl did his best to question the man.

Things were starting to look bleak. Riley sighed internally. Just like everything else, she’d have to do this herself.

Up she walked to the stand, when it was her turn, swore on the bible like a good girl. Earl had some questions she needed to answer.

He hadn't liked how things were looking from day one. Something about it had rubbed him the wrong way. It may have been the way Lonnie treated the woman, it might have been that the scenario was in direct opposition to his notion that defense attorneys actually defended... it was possible he wasn't pleased with the idea that there might come a time when he defended, not the innocent, but the scum of society. It may have been that he was feeling chivalrous, and didn't want to see a good-looking woman's career destroyed.

It was probably that last one, or the one before that. He'd said to Jenni that, if it came down to it, he'd be able to defend the ones in the wrong. Maybe he'd lied to himself?

Or maybe this felt less like defending anyone, and more like lining someone up for the executioner's squad.

It became increasingly obvious as the trial went on that this whole thing had been a terrible idea. An absolutely. Terrible. Idea. Earl’s questions were good, and Riley had answered truthfully and without embellishment.

Gerry was the sort of pig who thought that if he threw a little money at his models, he could get a little something on the side. He hadn’t wanted to take no for an answer when Riley declined. He walked away with wounded pride and man parts, and Riley walked away without a paycheck. It never came in the mail, either. That’s why they were here, that’s what Riley testified.

Then Lonnie had gotten a hold of her.

For someone used to being in control of every situation she was in, especially with men, Riley caved fast and hard once Lonnie started to question her. It took absolutely no time, she looked like a charlatan who’d been the one doing the propositioning. She’d given the wrong impression, she’d made the advance, she’d gotten angry when money wasn’t on the table, and then she’d assaulted his client and left. Of course Gerry hadn’t paid such an awful employee. Who would?

Riley simply stared straight ahead as the judge made his ruling. It had gone in favor of Gerry, of course. She sighed, but didn’t let any of the fury or disgust show on her face. It wouldn’t do any good now, and she already looked bad enough as it was.

The trial ended, and Riley made her way to the back of the courtroom hoping that there wouldn’t be a countersuit filed. With how things had gone today she figured Gerry would have a pretty good chance of getting money from her.

”I’m sorry it didn’t work out better.”

It was Earl. Riley sighed as she turned. The guy had failed miserably…but what good would it do to take it out on him. He was the best her money could buy, and lord knew she might need him again one day.

”It wasn’t you’re fault. That sleazebag Lonnie would scam his own mother.” she said, hoping the man was close enough to hear.

Earl smiled sadly and patted her shoulder fondly. Riley gave a small, sad, but genuine smile and shrugged, ”What else can a girl like me expect, right? Crazy to try.”