Chapter 1

"Hey, hunk," Lori said, kissing Brian's cheek. "Happy birthday."

Brian gave a snort in response.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm getting old," he groaned. "I've been mourning my twenties all morning. Think of it, Lor; at 20, I had sex for the first time, had my first real relationship at 22, had my first major murder case at 26, lost my first case at 27, got both tagged as one of those 'celebrity lawyers' and married at 29, and today, my life has officially gone to hell."

Lori rolled her eyes. "Don't you think you're overreacting? I'd hate to see how you are at my age. Besides, as Shelly says, you're a cutie no matter how old you are."

"Cutie? Jesus, you women and your terms."

"At least let this old lady take you to dinner tonight," she offered.

"Old lady? Sweetheart, you're aging like wine. I, on the other hand, am aging like milk."

Just then, Paul walked in grinning, holding a package. "Happy birthday, old man," he chortled.

"Uh, Doc? Birthday boy here is not so happy right now," Lori said.

"Why not? Turning thirty only comes once in a lifetime. Hey, is that a liver spot? I think you have a little bald place on your head too," he joked.

"Thanks, Doc, that made me feel so much better. Not." Brian glared at him.

"Paul," Lori warned. "Don't aggravate. All right?"

"Don't you have some dead friends to cut open?" Brian asked.

"Probably, but I wanted to drop by and wish you happy birthday first." Paul handed over the gift. "I couldn't forget my best friend's special day."

"What's this?"

"A surprise. Open it."

Brian did what he was told. "A book?" he asked.

"Not just any book," Paul replied. "My first book. I thought I'd give you an advance copy."

"I didn't know you'd been working on a book," Lori said, smiling.

Paul nodded. "Some of my most outstanding cases. The Lily Schaad one is in there among some of them."

"This will make some great reading," Brian nodded. "Thanks, Doc."

"Much obliged. By the way, thirty isn't old; you're coming into your prime."

"Totally agree," Lori smiled. "And to think I am honored to see such a great man in his prime."

Meanwhile:

Exodus Pirro sat in a holding cell in the jail's processing area, waiting to be taken up to be arraigned. She had just been arrested for the death of her boyfriend, Mickey Kleto. Granted, Mickey had been a brute that had smacked Exodus around more than she could have counted over the last two years, but she had been at her breaking point and didn't even remember firing the gun.

How could I planned this if I don't even remember? Exodus thought. She was going to need a good attorney.

Sitting in the holding cell with a couple of other women, Exodus considered herself lucky to be well to do enough to afford private counsel, but she'd never been in trouble before and wondered who would be willing to take on a case such as hers.

A hard-looking redhead puffed on a cigarette. "Whatcha in for, honey?" she asked Exodus.

"Apparently for murder," Exodus sighed. "My boyfriend was shot to death. We had…kind of a volatile relationship."

"Beat ya, huh?"

"Sometimes," Exodus nodded.

"Then he deserved to get his head blown off. Compared to you, though, my problem is a minor one. Was in a car that I didn't know was stolen. Talk about being fucked over. I wish I could get a good lawyer, but I'm going to be stuck with one of those public defender assholes instead. You got one?"

Exodus shook her head. "Not yet. I don't even know of any."

"Ya know, I do. There's this guy that took all kinds of cases, and he's supposed to be really good.

"Really? And who would that be?"

"Brian Kendrick," the redhead nodded. "If there is any lawyer that can get you out of some crazy shit like that, he can. They're gonna let us out to use the phones in a few; I think his number's out there on the wall somewhere. He'll probably get you bail too. Hell, I'd hire him if I could afford it."

Exodus smiled gratefully at this information. The guy was top flight, and Lord knew she needed a good attorney right now.

Once the doors had been unlocked, she headed for the phone bank, finding Brian's number and dialing, keeping her fingers crossed for luck.

A short time later:

"You won't believe that call that came in," Brian said.

"The one from that lady from the jail?" Lori asked. "Why, what's the matter?"

"I thought I had tough cases before, but this may be my most challenging yet. It's a battered woman's case."

"Battered woman?" Lori raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, apparently she shot her boyfriend to death, but can't really recall the details. In any event, you know how much I love a challenge, so naturally, I took the case. Her arraingment's in half an hour."

"Oh that poor woman," Lori replied sympathetically.

"Well, one thing about this," he said, "it may make me forget birthday hell for a few hours. Get hold of Shelly, will you? I want to start working on this right away."

Lori nodded, picking up the phone. "Consider it done."