Free Objection Overruled by J.K. O'Hanlon

as to go through those details with me at my office? I’d also like him to review the Kovels’ and other plaintiffs’ records. Of course, you’re invited too, Gary, if you’re not too busy with another landmark case you’re supervising.”
    She strode away, not waiting for a response from Brandon or Stone.
    Stone turned to Brandon. “Follow me.”
    He led Brandon down a hallway lined with modern watercolors of seascapes to a large corner office. Stone slammed the door behind him and spun around to face Brandon. His eyes were bulging and sweat shined on his forehead. “What the hell is the Boyers Report?”
    “The Boyers Report was referred to by the other expert, just not by name, and only in passing,” Brandon explained slowly and quietly.
    “Jesus Christ.” Stone slammed his hand against the wall. “Why am I just hearing about this? What kind of game does Ashe think he’s playing?”
    “Look, settle down. There’s nothing in that report that hurts the case. In fact, the way I see it, those figures show the flow of funds, which actually supports Ashe’s claims that the investments were legit.”
    “Are you sure about that?” Stone glared at him.
    “Damned sure.”
    “I hope you are, because more than this case depends upon how well you’ll convince a jury.” Stone walked to the window, where he rested his hands on the sill and stared out to the Inner Harbor view.
    “What is that supposed to mean?”
    Stone looked back over his shoulder. His face was gray and worn, like an old sail beyond repair. Fear flitted in his eyes. “I thought you knew Ashe.”

Chapter Seven
    Jackie didn’t know whether to be relieved to be out of the same room as Brandon or saddened. During that one night together, everything clicked. They understood each other. Physically, Greek gods found their match in Brandon’s body. Even better, he didn’t just have a great physique, he knew how to use it to pleasure her. Intellectually, he was a total stud. She loved that in a guy. His demonstration today in the deposition only turned her on more. Emotionally…being with Brandon had been the closest she’d come to letting herself go completely. Now, the smooth rhythm they’d enjoyed had turned into a jerky, grinding tension.
    The elevator ride from the twenty-eighth floor to the lobby was uninterrupted but moved at a turtle’s pace. Once in the lobby, her heels click-clacked hollowly on the marble floor as she strode purposefully toward the main doors.
    Stan, the building’s security guard, still trim and fit in his perfectly pressed uniform, sat perched at his station working a Times crossword, in ink surely. He glared at her. She knew that fierce drill-sergeant grimace. “Hey, North,” the old buzzard bellowed. “Get over here. Got something special for you.”
    Stan pulled a white wax paper bag from under his desk and slid it across the granite surface.
    “I hope that’s what I think it is.” Jackie’s mouth watered.
    Stan’s eyes twinkled back at her as she opened the bag. The aroma swallowed her before she pulled out the perfectly crisp apple fritter. Almost every Friday morning for seven years, she and Stan had enjoyed an apple fritter and a cup of coffee while they debated the latest sports trade or game.
    “I love you, Stan.”
    The thin glaze melted where her fingertips touched the pastry. She held it delicately, like a precious work of art. Well, it was a work of art, after all.
    Stan chuckled. “I love a woman who can appreciate a good fried roll.”
    The sweet apple aroma calmed her nerves and took her back to slower, simpler days when she had read the Sunday comics and ate doughnuts. More expensive than the plain cake doughnuts, a fritter had been a special treat. It still was. The dough was light and airy on the inside with a crisp outside. No greasy residue hung to these beauties.
    “Mmmmmm, that’s just what I needed. How did you know?”
    “Oh, I talked to Marilyn when she dropped off your lunch. I