Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 06_ Vortex - Denning Troy [80]
As the Bothan placed his antique briefcase on the table, she reached up and fingered the lapel of his tailored suit jacket. The white fabric was an exorbitantly expensive wool made from tauntaun undercoat. The jacket completed a double-vested white suit that had been out of date a decade before Tahiri was born. Still, it worked for the old boy in a way that the formal robes and tabards he had been wearing until now had not.
“You’re looking quite dapper today,” Tahiri said. “You must have slept better.”
Eramuth smirked down at her. “My dear, I haven’t been sleeping badly.” He looked over her head and smiled at Sul Dekkon, his long upper lip rising just enough to give the gesture a predatory edge. “But opposing counsel is about to have some sleepless nights, I promise you.”
“That’s good to hear,” Tahiri said, trying to put some hint of faith in her voice. “Because, to tell you the truth, I’ve been getting a little worried.”
“No need, I assure you.” Eramuth’s gaze lingered on his opponent for a time, then finally shifted toward the aisle in the spectator section. “I’m doing fine.”
“Actually, it’s not you I’ve been worrying about.”
“Is that so?” Eramuth’s voice grew distracted as the Solos arrived with Lando Calrissian and an attractive Lorrdian woman who had long braids of amber hair falling over her shoulders, both front and back. “Look what we have here, my dear: the up-and-coming Sardonne Sardon.” He sounded surprised.
Before Tahiri could object—or explain Sardonne’s presence—Eramuth stepped away from the table and went to the bar, which separated the court proper from the spectator aisle. The identification surprised Tahiri. Not only was Sardonne two generations younger than Eramuth, she had never met him in court and was—as Lando had put it—“a well-kept secret” whose competence had not yet drawn the attention it deserved.
Eramuth surprised the younger counselor by reaching across the bar and offering his hand to her. “What a pleasure to meet you, my dear. I’ve reviewed several of your cases. The Travaless speeder-theft acquittal was particularly brilliant.”
Sardonne’s dark-lashed eyes widened in surprise. “You reviewed the Travaless case?” she asked. As Tahiri had requested, her formal robes remained concealed beneath a full-length overcoat. “Even I barely recall that.”
“Never forget that one, my dear,” Eramuth replied. “Arguing that the defendant’s delusions justified bypassing the security system was inspired. But actually proving that she had, in her own mind, purchased the vehicle was pure genius.”
Sardonne’s smile stretched nearly from ear to ear. “Thank you, Counselor. Coming from you, that means a great deal to me.”
“It’s well deserved, my dear … very well deserved.” Eramuth released her hand and glanced over at the crowded row of seats behind the defense table. “But I wish you had let me know you would be observing today. I’m afraid I reserved only three seats.”
Sardonne’s smile did not waver. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”
Her gaze flickered toward the defense table so briefly that even Tahiri almost missed it—but Eramuth did not. His ears pricked forward, and he slowly turned to face Tahiri.
“We discussed this,” he said. “I don’t want a second chair.”
“That may be so,” Leia said, stepping to the bar. “But isn’t what Tahiri wants the determining factor here?”
Eramuth’s eyes narrowed, but the expression on his face was more disappointed than angry. He continued to stare at Leia for a moment, then finally whirled on his heel and faced Tahiri.
“Well?” he demanded. “Is this what you want?”
The general din was fading as spectators began to notice the tensions at the defense table. A pair of camdroids appeared from the crowd and began to float forward. Tahiri caught Leia’s eye and shot a glance toward the camdroids, then turned to Eramuth.
“I’ve told you several