[Maeve] "Maeve Collins?" I hear my name called from a distance, but it's hard to believe that it is the case. Not until it is repeated and I am pushed roughly by the woman huddled in the dark corner along with me. Upon seeing the guard glaring at me through the jail bars, I immediately jump to my feet and head over. "Your lawyer's here," he says, and the moment the words are spoken, tears pour from my eyes. They are quiet and humiliating, but I don't have the strength to wipe

[Lennon] I am just arriving at the high-end bar in midtown Manhattan when I receive the call from Maeve. I come to a dead halt as she informs me of what has happened, and by the time my hand lowers, it tightens so hard around the device that I feel the ache in my bones. Still, I manage to keep my calm as I am led over to the table reserved for three and meet the two men waiting for me. I immediately note Streidel's pompous expression and recognize the man on the right. Seeing

[Maeve] Hello Maeve, I hope you’re well and nearing the completion of your latest project. I saw your request for an advance, and I would like to propose an arrangement to help you earn a little more, assuming you are motivated to do so. Finish this new story entirely by the end of this month, and I'll pay you a 5% bonus on total payment due, less any advances. This is conditional though on the story’s full completion; ie all chapters added, full epilogue, and all edits done

[Lennon] "What do you have?" "Nothing as of yet," Orion responds. "He was Assistant DA of Bronx County until '01, became a judge, and served in the criminal court up to '05. Spent eons in Criminal Term and just got transferred to the Appellate Division, First Department." "There's no connection between him and any cases I've handled?" "Absolutely none," Orion replies. “So what the fuck is the problem?” I curse just as the elevator arrives on the 13th floor of the courthouse.

[Maeve] "I'm going to fall in love with him. There is no other explanation I can think of for why the hell I am still in his bed, stubbornly refusing to leave. Hearing him come in had felt like a knock on the head, a reminder that I might have overstayed my welcome. As he moved around the room, I had braced myself, expecting to be thrown out. So, all I could do was pretend to be asleep. To my surprise, he'd left without uttering a single word, leaving me feeling somewhat diso

"Cross-examination, counselor?" the judge asks. Juniper's gaze nervously goes to Lennon and Maeve, and then back to the defense attorney, who regards her predatorily. Then he rises to his feet and approaches the witness stand. "Miss Bay, would you say that you are close to the plaintiff?” "Yes, I would," she replies. "Why?" "Well, we’ve known each other for almost a decade. We've lived together as well, and we communicate nearly every day.” "Ah," he says. "So ... you're like

[Lennon] The incessant ringing pulls me out of what has to be the most peaceful sleep I've had in years. At first, I'm able to ignore it. However, when I sense the woman beside me—equally disturbed—my eyes immediately open. Her hair is all over the place, against my face, and across my sheets, but more importantly, she is in my arms, and our bodies are still melded together. I vaguely recall using the last bit of my strength to bring her over to the bed after pulling out of h

[Maeve] I no longer know what to think as I stare at him. Does he mean what he is saying? I mean, he has thrown me in jail before, but will he truly do it again? Another thing that astounds me is a nagging memory. Of this scene right now. It feels eerily reminiscent of something similar I'd written in my story about him. The belt... the threat... the abject exposure and subsequent indignity. All had required prior consent while this... the reality of this has none. He is righ

[Lennon] I am truly considering letting her go. At this point, I have reached the end of my patience, but given her unresolved criminal case and our volatile relationship, I know that this will be a bad judgment call. So, I head straight to the shower, hoping that it will cool me off. I can still feel the sting of her hit on the side of my cheek, and the fact that she had the guts to do this makes my blood boil. And to think that I had been about to open up about my emotional