COUNTY COURTHOUSE
"There's nothing to worry about,"
Eric says, leaning over to
Diane and practically whispering. Even so, the
low volume of his voice sounds like an affront to the still quiet of the
small courtroom.
There are a few official-looking
people moving about towards the head of the room, getting things in order
for the hearing that is set to begin in a matter of moments, but for the
most part the room is dead. Diane and Eric are seated behind one desk,
Claire and her lawyer Jim at another.
The judge's bench sits before them,
empty and yet still so ominous.
"I hope so," Diane whispers back
to him. "I feel like I'm locked in a friggin' box. When is this thing gonna
start?"
"Give it a few minutes."
"You told me it would be a few minutes
a few minutes ago. I'm dying of anxiety here. Would it kill anyone to be
a little more expeditious?"
"Probably," Eric intones, glancing
at his watch. "But don't worry too much. We have a very strong case. And
besides, it's only a preliminary hearing. All that's being decided today
is what happens to Samantha from now until the time of the official proceedings."
"Yeah, but it's not like it isn't
important," Diane says. She leans closer to him so that she can keep her
voice down, and as she turns her head slightly, she finds her lips just
inches from his. The urge to make a move for them is almost overwhelming.
"Besides, if we win today, we get to go home and celebrate, right?"
The comment clearly makes Eric uncomfortable
in this setting, but he agrees with a quick nod anyway. "Right."
Diane responds with a tiny laugh
and a pair of raised eyebrows.
From her seat on the other side of
the room, Claire makes a face. "Jeez," she mutters.
Jim leans over to her. "What?"
"She's making eyes at her lawyer.
I swear, someone ought to get that woman fixed."
Though he can't help but be amused,
Jim manages to maintain a relatively straight face. "Just calm down, Claire.
The last thing you need is to look irrational or jealous."
"You're right," Claire agrees, straightening
herself in her chair.
In an instant, the quiet of the room
is broken and the tension multiplied tenfold. "Please rise for the honorable
..." comes the call from the front of the room.
Diane shoots a glance over at Claire
and notices that it is met. Let the games begin.
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