Casey had grown to hate being summoned to Arthur Branch's office. Sure, he often gave her excellent advice – his suggestion to make the jury understand that the murder trial was, in fact, about murder had been brilliant – and sure, he was unbelievably understanding about the fact that that she had never won a single case. But if she had to listen to one more story about his farm days, she felt she would scream.
"Ah, Cassandra, come in," Branch drawled. "Did I ever tell you about the time my cousin Billy-Jo and I went alligator hunting down in Tennessee?"
Casey lapsed into a coma. When she awoke, Branch was concluding. "So if Billy-Jo hadn't been there, that gator would've gotten me, sure as there are nuke-ular weapons in Iraq. That's why it's always a good idea to have backup. Do you understand?" Casey nodded.
"Good. That's why I'm assigning you a second chair on this case." Branch pushed the intercom button. "Miss Southerlyn, would you come in please?"
Serena entered the room and proffered her hand to Casey. "My name is Serena Southerlyn, how do you do," she said woodenly.
Hubba, hubba, Casey though, reaching out to shake Serena's creamy white hand. She wasn't getting anywhere with that lady detective, but maybe working closely – very closely – with this babe would give Casey the opportunity to get lucky. She mentally took back every bad thing she'd ever thought about Branch. "I'm Casey. Do you play softball?"
Serena shook her head. "Serena's a very gifted attorney," Branch supplied to break the silence.
"Well, I guess we should go do some prep work," Casey finally said. "Let's order some food. Do you like ribs?"
"Why is everyone always trying to feed me?" Serena pouted as she followed Casey out the door.
Jack stuck his head out from under Arthur's desk. "Is she gone?" Arthur nodded. "Thank god. She's always flirting with me...it was getting so annoying."
"Well, givin' you a few days off from her is my Christmas gift to you, Darlin'," Arthur said fondly. "Now get your head back down where it belongs!"