"We've got a problem," Benny said. The lawyer approached Bull who was staring at his phone as he sat casually leaning back in a chair in Chunk's prep area.
"Just one?" Bull asked with a quick glance up from the phone's display.
"This civil case is happening right when we took on a new client and are in the middle of fact finding. We should ask for a continuance so we can better prepare," Benny told him.
"We are not asking for a continuance. This is one of the reasons why I employ all those people out there. We will be prepared," Bull said and absently gestured to the other side of the glass wall.
"Still, given your history, Diana Lindsay isn't going to let you off easy," the lawyer said as he sat down opposite his boss.
"I know. She subpoenaed Ashton," Bull replied as his phone signaled an incoming message.
"Ashton. Why?" Benny said. He watched as his former brother-in-law answered the text and then returned his attention to the conversation.
"We were married when I was working on this case. Diana obviously thinks that Ashton knows some deep dark secrets that can turn things in her client's favor," the psychologist said.
"I need to be playing darts with Ash and not you," the lawyer remarked.
"I don't have any deep dark secrets," Bull said.
"Sure you don't. Does Ash know about your relationship with Diana?" Benny asked.
"Yes," Bull said shortly as his phone buzzed twice in quick succession.
"I bet that conversation went well," the lawyer said.
"It went a lot better than this one," Bull said and gestured to the phone. He had been going back and forth via text with Ashton since she received the subpoena earlier in the day. After reading the last two messages she had sent, the psychologist stood up and touched the screen to dial Ashton's number as he walked out of the room.
"Thanks for meeting with us," Bull said and shook the lawyer's hand. Ashton stood nearby and watched as her former husband introduced himself and his lawyer to her legal counsel. He appeared totally at ease despite the unusual situation. Ashton had informed her lawyer about her current relationship with Bull, along with giving her a brief history which included his having dated the attorney for the plaintiff.
"Ashton, this is Liberty Davis. Liberty will be representing TAC and myself at the trial. Liberty, Ashton Catazarro, my ex-wife," Bull continued.
After shaking hands and exchanging polite pleasantries everyone sat down around a table in a meeting room that Ashton's attorney had made available at her office. Bull and Liberty were on one side and faced Ashton and her lawyer.
"I asked to meet you with our lawyers present so I can't be accused of trying to influence your testimony. However, I have no intention of speaking about the trial at this meeting," Bull said speaking directly to Ashton.
"Then why are we here?" Ashton asked impatiently, voicing what the two lawyers were thinking.
"I think it's best if we don't see each other, or speak privately, until the trial is over," he replied. Bull could almost see the wheels turning in Ashton's mind as she mulled over his words.
"Is there a law against it?" she questioned.
"No, but there is no reason to give the plaintiff's attorney an opportunity to discredit you...or me," Bull said and waited for her reaction.
Ashton stared across the table at Bull; a slightly scornful expression formed on her face. The lawyers looked at each other uncomfortably as the silence continued. Finally, Bull broke the stillness, "Ash, you know better. You know me."
"Do I? Things change."
"That hasn't," Bull said.
"Diana thinks you know some secrets or misdoings that would be no longer protected by spousal privilege. She's wants to win this case and is playing hardball. That's why she subpoenaed you," he pointed out.
"I don't know anything about this case…or any of the other cases you've been involved with for that matter," Ashton protested.
"I know that. You need to convince everyone else in court of that. I think you could be the key in swaying any jurors that might be leaning towards the plaintiff's side," he said. He kept his voice calm and even, and slightly leaned forward as he spoke.
"Me?"
"Yes, you," Bull stated.
"How can I convince anyone of anything when I don't know a damn thing?" Ashton asked in a low and very controlled voice. Both lawyers looked inquisitively in Bull's direction.
"Just tell everyone exactly how much you don't know when you're asked. Let them in on what day-to-day life with Jason Bull was like. Trust me on this, Quince," Bull said. When Ashton averted her eyes and stared out the window, he got up from his chair and motioned for her to follow him to a corner of the room.
"I know you'd rather keep your, and our, personal life private. If it was up to me you wouldn't be involved in this at all. But…you are," Bull said to her quietly.
"I can be difficult, I admit that. You handled it better than most would have. Feel free to tell everyone whatever you want about me."
"Do you really think anyone will believe me?" she asked in a low voice.
"Yes," he nodded and watched as Ashton turned to face the window. She had worn her dark hair loose and the unruly waves obscured her countenance from Bull's scrutiny.
"You couldn't be one of those psychologists who sees clients from nine to five in a corner office, could you?" Ashton said not bothering to whisper.
"You wouldn't like me half as much if I was. When this is all over, I will make it up to you," he replied as she turned back around.
Ashton searched his eyes for a few seconds as if seeking some reassurance before focusing on the lawyers. Her face was resolute and any uncertainty seemed to have disappeared. "You most certainly will."
"I hope you realize what you got yourself in to," Ashton said to Liberty.
"I do," Liberty replied.
"Can you give us a minute?" Bull asked the lawyers. "I promise I won't try to coerce her in any way."
Ashton looked at Bull quizzically after the lawyers exited. "What now?"
"I also know how you feel about blatant public displays of affection," he said and kissed her gently. "I'm doing this for the case…no other reason."
Ashton traced a finger along his jaw and shook her head. "You will make this up to me," she said and walked out of the office.
Ashton went straight home after meeting with Bull and Liberty. Despite it only being late afternoon, she changed into her pajamas which consisted of an oversized t-shirt and black drawstring pants. She filled the electric kettle and while waiting for the water to heat, Ashton looked in the refrigerator. As her eyes perused the shelves, she wished that she had taken the time to get a few groceries on the way back to the apartment. Making dinner was going to be a challenge later that evening.
Ashton spooned tea leaves into the steeper in her mug and thought about the meeting with Bull earlier. Her cell phone rang as she was waiting for the tea to steep. Ashton's eyes went towards the ceiling after looking at the screen to see who was calling. "You've got to be kidding me," she muttered.
"Hey Ash! It's Matty," said the caller after Ashton answered.
"I see that. Is everything okay with my dad?" she asked concerned by the call.
"Yeah. Everything's fine," Matthew Wagner said. "The party's all set. He's decided what he wants for dinner and said you can pick dessert."
"Me?" Ashton said.
"Yes, you. Alex agreed," came the reply.
"Alex agreed? I guess cake is fine," she said and walked to her desk mug in hand. "Who does the restaurant use for cakes?"
"Grables Bakery, I think. You know that's not really my area," Matt told her. "How's life in the big city?"
"Same as life where you are – only with more traffic," Ashton said and turned on her laptop. She was determined to get some work done before the stress of the day's events caught up with her.
"I doubt that," he replied. "How are you?"
"I'm…fine," Ashton said.
"Doesn't sound that way," he said.
"I'm just surprised. You've never called me before," she said.
"Ash, we dated for over two years. I'm pretty sure I called you," Matt reminded her with a laugh in his voice.
"I meant recently…say the last decade or so," she told him and took a sip of tea.
"Well, I was talking with my dad, your dad, and Alex about the party. Your brother wanted to show them something in one of the cellars, so I told them I'd call you about dessert," he said.
"Well then, chocolate, vanilla, or something else?" Ashton asked. She wasn't sure if she believed his explanation for the call but it seemed silly to argue.
"You want me to pick?" Matt asked. The uncertainty and surprise was evident in his voice.
"This is what happens when you take Alex's job," she said.
"Vanilla," he said quickly.
"That's boring. I vote for something else," she replied.
"Always have to be different, don't you?" he asked.
"If it means I don't have to have plain vanilla cake…yes," Ashton said.
"How's work?" Matt asked.
"Work is good. How's life at the winery?"
Before Matt could ask anything else, Ashton had another call. "Matty, it's Alex calling. I've got to go. It's been good talking to you."
"You too, Ash. Have a good night," he replied.
"Night," Ashton said and switched to the other call. "You couldn't call a little earlier?"
"I was busy. Why?" Alex asked his sister.
"I just got off the phone with Matty. He called me about dessert for dad's party."
"He called?" Alex asked and started to chuckle.
"Yes, he called. Don't tell me you told him to?" Ashton said.
"Ash, I never thought he'd call you."
"Yeah, well…it's been one of those days." Ashton said. She went on to explain the situation with Bull to her brother. Ashton left nothing out and told Alex about having to go to court to testify, Bull previously dating the lawyer who subpoenaed her, and Bull not wanting to see or talk to her until the trial was over.
"Don't get mad at me for asking, but…did Jason do anything wrong?" Alex asked.
"No," she responded quickly.
"You're sure?" he stressed.
"Jason will bend the rules, but he wouldn't cross that line and break the law outright. He'd never put his clients at risk like that," Ashton said. "And…I wouldn't lie for him."
"Good, because I wasn't going to visit you in jail," he said.
"I'm pretty sure that loses you the brother of the year award," she told him.
"And I just finished writing my acceptance speech," Alex said. "Since Jason doesn't want to see you until the trial is over, I assume he's been seeing you since I was there."
"Maybe."
"I was right. He is still hung up on you," he said smugly.
"Alex, why did you call?" Ashton asked.
"About dessert for Dad's party. Finding out I was right about Jason is the…icing on the cake," he teased.
