a P

through Catherine. I saw it in the subtle tightening of her grip on Gavin's arm.

orry you have to witness this ugliness. We truly didn't want things to become so contentious." Her voice was

was irresistible. Even Leo

bald's voice was flat

om the victim herself." Her eyes glistened with what looked like unshed tears. "I didn't want to brin

ception area. "Maria? Would you... wo

y believable. She was a weapon, perfectly chosen. My mind raced. Catherine must have known I'd be here today-a private investigator tracking my mov

ysical pain. "I'm so sorry you have to do this," she whispered loud enou

red-rimmed and filled with tears. She raised a tr

racking with practiced anguish. "Tha

gathered at a distance to watch the drama unfold. Gavin immediately ste

you would stoop so low,"

fore in my life. This was a lie, a complete an

several other service workers with a "can't-miss" investment opportunity. She claimed I had charmed them, promi

kers, but significant enough to be damning. It was a neat, plausible expla

nuine shock and distress. She didn't say a word. She didn't need to. Her expression alone

a subtle but definite step away from me. This had just escalated from a conte

eins, but I kept my face a blank mask.

steady. "If you have an accusation, you shoul

nk back, and Catherine, ever the comforter, instinctively-protectively-reached o

entire performance, his blue eyes watching, a

to me, or to Catherine, b

s a serious offense. Making a false accusation in a public setting, with

face wen

"And for you, Ms. Meadows, suborning perjury-inducing someone to lie under oath

roze on her face. Her hand, still resting p

sed her, and her entire pathetic scheme, as i

rned

ariah. The woman everyone

stance between us, creating an invisib

he extende

loud enough for everyone to hear. "I am Archibald Kn