Destination D Read Free Page A

this case.”
    Allison's face turned colorless. “Excuse me?”
    Pam was silent. Her eyes spoke volumes and she knew Allison got the message. You heard me. I didn't stutter.
    Allison bit her lip, put on her best poker face, and directed a pensive look toward the judge.
    â€œJudge Hampton, may I approach the bench?” Allison had asked in almost a whisper.
    â€œYes, Miss Hughes. Is there a problem?”
    Pam couldn't help but stifle a laugh as she watched Allison walk pointedly over to the judge. She could tell that Allison was getting more and more worked up by the second.
    Pam, on the other hand, had three parts to her courtroom strategy. Number one: Getting the prosecuting attorney rattled before the trial. Unbeknownst to Allison, she had just fallen victim.
    Allison shot Pam a deliberate cut of her eyes as she assertively turned to face the judge. “Well, Your Honor, Counselor Madison seems to think that making threatening remarks before my opening argument is going to shake me.” Allison waved her finger accusingly in the direction of Pam as she proceeded to tell the judge what Pam had said.
    â€œIs that true, Ms. Madison?”
    Pam approached the bench, unfazed by Allison's allegations. A devilish grin spread across her face as she pretended to make peace with Allison.
    â€œOn the contrary, Your Honor, I was simply expressing to Counselor Hughes that I hope she had plenty of rest for this case. It's going to be a long one, and I know that she has had some personal difficulties and I was only implying that…”
    â€œImplying what? That I can't try this case?” Allison had blurted out. The blood vessels in her forehead were making a well-defined V in the middle section of her eyebrows.
    â€œI didn't say that,” Pam had calmly insisted, knowing that Allison Hughes was as high strung as they came. Recently, rumor had it that Allison's newlywed husband was found in bed with another man. It was just a matter of time before the network got wind that her Fortune 500 executive husband was really a closet homosexual. Pam shuddered at the thought of the embarrassment it would cause Allison. And although Allison was doing everything she could to try and have some sense of normalcy, it was obvious that she was clinging to the edge of a dangerous cliff, and Pam was ready to push her right over it.
    â€œI know your tactics, Counselor, and I will not allow you to intimidate me,” Allison said, trying to contain the pent up frustration swelling inside of her. Pam knew at that very moment Allison was teetering on the brink. Any sudden collapse would push her right off this case.
    Judge Hampton intervened. “This is a courtroom, and you are both professionals. So let's act like professionals.”
    Allison tried hard to keep her composure, but the perspiration from her underarms was already making a dark puddle on her light gray blazer. She resumed her position with her client and took a tissue from her briefcase to wipe the perspiration that was now falling profusely from her brow. She smoothed her thick honey-blonde hair back in place and began perusing over her notes, nodding as her client whispered in her ear.
    Pam was as smooth as she was alluring. She walked coolly back to her seat with a smirk on her face and gave her client a reassuring wink as she slowly broke down her opponent. This was strategy number two.
    â€œCounselor Hughes, will you be giving opening arguments?” asked Judge Hampton.
    â€œNo—I mean yes, Your Honor.” Pam's sedate green eyes honed in on Allison as if she was putting her in a trance. Allison slowly began to speak, stuttering over her words. “Your Honor…Mr. Fielding…has…uh, been…a…excuse me, Your Honor.”
    Allison had looked up at Pam and scanned the room with her eyes, as if she was lost. She picked up the glass of water that was sitting on her desk, and as she drank, her hands shook, causing the