Between Sisters - Kristin Hannah [30]
Meghann knew better. She knew that May was close to the breaking point. Only sheer force of will kept her from screaming.
“I'm fine,” May said, her breathing shallow. That was common, actually. In times like these, women often began Lamaze-type breathing.
Meghann touched May's arm. “Let's go next door and get something to eat, okay?”
“Food,” was May's reply, neither an agreement to nor a rejection of the idea.
In the front of the courtroom, the judge stood up. She smiled at Meghann; then at George Gutterson, the opposing counsel; then left the courtroom.
Meghann helped May to her feet. She held on to her arm to keep her steady as they headed toward the door.
“You bitch!”
Meghann heard May's sharply indrawn breath, felt her client's body tense. May stumbled to a halt.
Dale Monroe surged forward. His face was a deep, purply red. A blue vein throbbed down the middle of his forehead.
“Dale,” George said, reaching for his client. “Don't be stupid—”
Dale shook his lawyer's arm away and kept coming.
Meghann sidestepped easily, putting herself between Dale and May. “Step back, Mr. Monroe.”
“That's Dr. Monroe, you avaricious bitch.”
“Excellent word usage. You must have gone to a good liberal arts college. Now, please, step back.” She could feel May trembling behind her, breathing too fast. “Get your client out of my face, George.”
George lifted his hands, palms up. “He isn't listening to me.”
“You took my children away from me,” Dale said, looking right at Meghann.
“Are you suggesting that I was the one who fraudulently transferred assets out of my wife's reach . . . or that I stole money and equity from my family?” She took a step toward him. “Or wait. Maybe you're suggesting that I was the one who banged my daughter's piano teacher every Tuesday afternoon.”
He paled. It made that vein look even more pronounced. He edged sideways, tried to make eye contact with his wife.
Ex-wife.
“May, come on,” he said. “You know me better than that. I didn't do all of those things. I would have given you everything you asked for. But the kids . . . I can't see them only on weekends and two weeks in the summer.”
He sounded sincere, actually. If Meghann hadn't seen the ugly truth in black and white, she might have believed he was upset about the children.
She spoke quickly, so May wouldn't have to. “The separation of your assets was entirely fair and equitable, Dr. Monroe. The custody issues were also fairly resolved, and when you calm down, I'm sure you'll agree. We all read the depositions that reflected your lifestyle. You were gone in the morning by six A.M.—before the children woke up—and you rarely returned home before ten P.M.—after they were in bed. Weekends you spent with the guys, playing golf and poker. Hell, you'll probably see your children more now than you did while you resided at the family home.” Meghann smiled, pleased with herself. That had been a smart, well-thought-out argument. He couldn't disagree. She glanced at George, who stood silently beside his client. The attorney looked like he was going to be sick.
“Who do you think you are?” Dale whispered harshly, taking a step toward her. At his sides, his fingers curled into fists.
“You going to hit me, Dale? Go ahead. Lose what little custody you have.”
He hesitated.
She took a step toward him. “And if you ever hit May again, or even touch her too hard, you'll find yourself back in this courtroom, only it won't be money at risk. It'll be your freedom.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Am I?” Her gaze found his. “Yes. I am. Are we clear on that? You stay the hell away from my client or I'll make sure your life turns into a shower scene from Oz. And I don't mean Munchkinland. Every other Friday you can park in front of the house and wait for the kids to come out. You return them on time, as stipulated, and that's the sum of your contact with May. We're all clear on that, right?”
May touched her arm, leaned close, and whispered, “Let's go.”
Meghann heard the tired strain in May's voice. It reminded Meghann