Attorney Charles Barnett thought it was all over for him and his heart. In the three years since his partner died, he hasn't felt so much as a spark of attraction to another man. That suddenly changes when Charles is assigned a new case and meets his new client.<br><br>Recent widower Philip d'Autremont has been traveling in all the same circles as Charles, but somehow they've never managed to meet. Now that they have, both men find themselves falling hard and fast.<br><br>But there's more than one hurdle to Charles and Philip beginning a love affair, much less maintaining it: Philip is on trial for murder, a politically ambitious and homophobic district attorney is determined to convict him, and Charles is responsible for Philip's defense.

Trial

I locked them in my desk drawer, then called Rosemary in and gave her a few instructions, and we were ready. When Rosemary left, I closed the door and turned to Philip, who was standing beside me. I hugged him quickly and kissed him. Then I said, “I won’t be able to do that where we’re going. However, I promise that I’ll get you back out just as fast as humanly possible.”


WE WALKED A few blocks to the police station, went up the steps, and waited in line to see the desk sergeant. When it was our turn, I gave the sergeant my card and said, “This is Mr. Philip d’Autremont, my client. It’s our understanding that there is a warrant out for his arrest, and we’re here so that he can surrender.”


The sergeant, obviously recognizing Philip’s name, picked up his telephone and spoke to a higher authority. Then he said, “Wait just a minute, please, and someone will be right out.”


Chapter 31