stalking her. I was going to tell her I didn’t want to commit when they weren’t even sure they had a permanent instructor. Last I heard, Professor Wilson unexpectedly quit. I don’t need the hours to graduate and I can think of better things to do than take six hours from a fill-in prof.”
“Quit bragging about all your extra hours. Some of us need this class. Besides, you’re going to love the prof they got. Hell, she’s famous.”
Parker raised her eyebrows, waiting for the name.
“Oh, here she is. Better sit up straight and stop talking so you can impress the pretty new teacher.”
Parker turned in her seat, looking in the direction Dex had been focused. Pretty was not an accurate description. Morgan was a knockout. Her wavy auburn hair trailed to her shoulders and her emerald green eyes swept the room in crystal focus. Her height was accentuated by stylish pumps with three-inch heels, and the hemline of her skirt showed off well-toned calves. Her suit was designer with lines both soft and sharp, blending femininity and power in its russet silk threads.
A shove to her side shook Parker from her reverie. Dex leaned close and whispered, “Close your mouth, Casey. You’re starting to drool.”
Parker recovered enough to whisper with jagged breath, “She’s the professor?”
“Yep. Morgan Bradley,” Dex responded, adding, “She’s one of those hotshot attorneys who’s always on Court TV, commenting on cases like Michael Jackson and Enron.”
Dex was still talking, but Parker heard only “Morgan Bradley.” She had certainly heard of Morgan Bradley and her high-profile cases, but she rarely watched television and wasn’t sure she could have picked her out in a crowd. She had no doubt, though—the commanding presence standing a few feet away was the beautiful woman from the alley who had shared her bed for one night and lurked in her thoughts ever since. Confused and feeling strangely vulnerable herself, Parker waved off Dex’s whispered fascination with the new professor and lowered her head. Flipping through pages of her notebook, she studiously avoided looking at the woman holding court at the front of the room. Willing herself to another place, she registered little of the words spoken.
“Since this is a very hands-on class, I want us all to get to know each other. We’ll be working in various combinations of groups throughout the semester. If you haven’t already, you’ll learn what it’s like to work in teams when the stakes are the highest. And I’m not talking about your grades. I’m talking about the life and liberty of the person you’ve been chosen to defend or the right of the individual wronged to see the defendant brought to justice. This class will focus on evidence in criminal cases. If you want to focus on civil litigation or you want an evidence course for your transcript so you can look well-rounded to prospective employers, this is not the course for you. We’ll be doing simulations of real case problems, all of them using real criminal cases as the basis for our studies. If you want a drop slip, see me after class. Now, let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves.”
Dex poked Parker in the side. “Wake up, darling, you’re about to have to state your name, rank, and serial number.”
Parker stole a sidelong glance at Dex, then at the front of the room. Morgan was faced slightly away from her, focusing on the student at the other end of their row to start the introductions. Furtive looks around the room revealed all escape possibilities were blocked by the presence of other students. In mere moments, she’d have to face the woman she’d never expected to see again. The prospect was at once titillating and formidable.
*
Years on the courtroom stage gave Morgan the skill it took to cloak her surprise behind knowing smiles. It happened to every experienced attorney. Days of preparation were rendered useless the moment a witness took the stand and began to
“Quit bragging about all your extra hours. Some of us need this class. Besides, you’re going to love the prof they got. Hell, she’s famous.”
Parker raised her eyebrows, waiting for the name.
“Oh, here she is. Better sit up straight and stop talking so you can impress the pretty new teacher.”
Parker turned in her seat, looking in the direction Dex had been focused. Pretty was not an accurate description. Morgan was a knockout. Her wavy auburn hair trailed to her shoulders and her emerald green eyes swept the room in crystal focus. Her height was accentuated by stylish pumps with three-inch heels, and the hemline of her skirt showed off well-toned calves. Her suit was designer with lines both soft and sharp, blending femininity and power in its russet silk threads.
A shove to her side shook Parker from her reverie. Dex leaned close and whispered, “Close your mouth, Casey. You’re starting to drool.”
Parker recovered enough to whisper with jagged breath, “She’s the professor?”
“Yep. Morgan Bradley,” Dex responded, adding, “She’s one of those hotshot attorneys who’s always on Court TV, commenting on cases like Michael Jackson and Enron.”
Dex was still talking, but Parker heard only “Morgan Bradley.” She had certainly heard of Morgan Bradley and her high-profile cases, but she rarely watched television and wasn’t sure she could have picked her out in a crowd. She had no doubt, though—the commanding presence standing a few feet away was the beautiful woman from the alley who had shared her bed for one night and lurked in her thoughts ever since. Confused and feeling strangely vulnerable herself, Parker waved off Dex’s whispered fascination with the new professor and lowered her head. Flipping through pages of her notebook, she studiously avoided looking at the woman holding court at the front of the room. Willing herself to another place, she registered little of the words spoken.
“Since this is a very hands-on class, I want us all to get to know each other. We’ll be working in various combinations of groups throughout the semester. If you haven’t already, you’ll learn what it’s like to work in teams when the stakes are the highest. And I’m not talking about your grades. I’m talking about the life and liberty of the person you’ve been chosen to defend or the right of the individual wronged to see the defendant brought to justice. This class will focus on evidence in criminal cases. If you want to focus on civil litigation or you want an evidence course for your transcript so you can look well-rounded to prospective employers, this is not the course for you. We’ll be doing simulations of real case problems, all of them using real criminal cases as the basis for our studies. If you want a drop slip, see me after class. Now, let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves.”
Dex poked Parker in the side. “Wake up, darling, you’re about to have to state your name, rank, and serial number.”
Parker stole a sidelong glance at Dex, then at the front of the room. Morgan was faced slightly away from her, focusing on the student at the other end of their row to start the introductions. Furtive looks around the room revealed all escape possibilities were blocked by the presence of other students. In mere moments, she’d have to face the woman she’d never expected to see again. The prospect was at once titillating and formidable.
*
Years on the courtroom stage gave Morgan the skill it took to cloak her surprise behind knowing smiles. It happened to every experienced attorney. Days of preparation were rendered useless the moment a witness took the stand and began to
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