The Law of Attraction by Kristi Gold

impress his father’s cronies. As soon as he’s able, he’ll be out of here to join some high-dollar firm.”
    Daniel couldn’t argue with Vera’s assessment of Goeble either. “I’ll find someone else then.”
    â€œNo. You’ll do it. Mayor Davies has been inquiring on thestatus of the case on a daily basis. He trusts you to get Massey tried and punished to the fullest extent of the law before he causes more harm.”
    Easier said than done with Alisha acting in Massey’s defense. “Do you realize who’s representing him?”
    Vera pulled a file in front of him and flipped it open. “Alisha Hart, formerly of Gailey and Breedlove. I hear she’s pretty good.”
    â€œShe’s damn good.” And Daniel knew that on more than one level.
    â€œAnd that’s why we need you to do this, Daniel. If she’s a formidable opponent, then we need to throw the best at her. You’re the best.”
    Daniel had worked hard to earn that reputation and now he wanted to curse it. “I’ll cut a deal and be done with it.”
    â€œNo deals.”
    He held back a string of foul expletives threatening to explode out of his mouth. “No deals? Hell, Allan, I’m not suggesting we let him walk. I can get him some time on the assault charge without dragging this into court.”
    â€œWe want him in court. People like this Massey guy need to see that we don’t tolerate this kind of thing on our streets. Pettigrew insists we make an example out of him, and you know what kind of power he wields with the party.”
    Daniel didn’t like the wealthy city council member and he liked him even less now. “Why is he so involved?”
    â€œIt seems his soon-to-be-ex trophy wife has joined Massey’s fan club.”
    â€œThe guy has a fan club?”
    â€œYeah. They call themselves Masses for Massey. Best I understand, it’s made up of mostly women.”
    â€œThis case has the potential of getting way out of hand.”
    â€œTrue, and I know you’ll handle that aspect, as well.”
    Damn Les Massey for screwing up his life. “I’m still not comfortable with any of this.”
    â€œGet comfortable with it. The party’s going to be watching you closely. If you play your cards right and get a solid conviction on this one as well as the Jamison case, you’re in as the next candidate. You’ll be sitting at this desk this time next year.”
    Right now Daniel didn’t give a damn about the party or the election. “Then you’re saying I don’t have a choice in this matter.”
    â€œThat’s exactly what I’m saying.” Vera stood and walked around the desk, laying a palm on Daniel’s shoulder and guiding him to the door. “I trust that you’ll have this menace tried and convicted so quickly that you won’t have to waste more than a minute of necessary time. You’ll handle it well.”
    For months now Daniel had wanted to handle Alisha Hart and he wished he hadn’t waited so long. Hadn’t been so cautious. Now he wouldn’t be able to handle her at all except during the trial, and that would have to be strictly business. At least for now.
    As Daniel strode down the hallway on the heels of his anger, Allan called after him, “One more thing, Daniel.”
    He turned to face his boss, reluctant to even consider what that one last thing might be. “What?”
    â€œYou have a press conference at noon to announce that you’ll be in charge of this case.”
    Great. Just freakin’ great. “Is that necessary?”
    â€œPettigrew thinks it is, and he has the mayor in his corner.”
    Pettigrew could kiss his ass, Daniel thought as he walked into his office and slammed the door behind him. The last thing he needed was to try some idiot who got his rocks off getting naked in public. Getting naked was much safer when done in the