Intersecting Lines – The Trial

Part 07 – Dissecting a Doctor

Los Angeles

Alex's viewpoint

I'd come to a revelation; Natalie was beyond dangerous when she was truly, utterly pissed.

Let off the leash, over the weekend she'd rapidly turned the full, brutally harsh glare of the national media spotlight onto the case. She'd steered the media in the direction of the case and dropped some comments about Craven's behavior, his past case history and the like.

She'd also pointed out Peterson's previous case history, suggesting that the media look into the cases he'd taken and the tactics he'd used, something the media had taken to with gusto.

The result was front page news here in Los Angeles and major news stories across California's notoriously left-leaning media. She hadn't stopped there though, pitching the law and order side of the story to people like Fox and the right-wing talk media, ensuring media across the political spectrum and across the country were commenting on the case and Craven's mishandling of it. It was the subject de jour across the country.

Basically it had turned into a massive media circus, with her as the ringmaster and Craven as the clown.

Brenda and Sharon meanwhile were fielding requests for interview from the whole gamut of media, daytime chat shows, the late night talk shows, Time magazine, 60 Minutes, women's and fashion magazines, cable networks, local and national newspapers, you name it, they all wanted to talk. Apparently this morning Katie Couric's people had called the LAPD media team, they wanted to interview Sharon and Brenda together, if they agreed, they'd make it part of an hour-long piece on women in law enforcement and the glass ceiling of expectations and harassment.

Locally the papers were running profile pieces on Brenda, mostly based on material from stories they'd done on her cases over the years though they'd approached the LAPD for interviews, something Pope was blocking, afraid of how it might look and any potential blowback on him. He'd turned down interview requests with Jane and Maura for the same reason, without that access the media had been forced to recycle stories of their history and conviction stats in Boston, none of which was doing them any harm whatsoever. Unfortunately much of what Ana had done in the past was locked away, either in the Army bureaucracy or with the Bureau and neither was talking, meaning the good work she had done was missed.

The District Attorney's office was fielding numerous calls to interview both Andrea and I; everyone wanted a piece of the story, and a piece of Craven. His reputation was sinking faster than a lead balloon; it seemed almost no one liked his handling of the case, with academics and retired judges and lawyers lining up on the talk shows seemingly hourly to denounce his behavior and decisions.

Spurred on by the media opposition politicians were using Craven's reactionary behavior to attack the Governor and the Attorney General; in 48 hours Craven had gone from a respected senior judge to a ridiculed scapegoat, the late night talk show host's monologues in particular were brutal.

"Jesus Nat…" It was Liv. "How in hell did you do it?" The woman in question shrugged modestly from where she was snuggled up against Ana on a couch at our place as we unwound on Sunday night and spoke up.

"Wasn't all that hard, Brenda, Sharon and Maura already had a local media profile so lots of media people were aware who they were, building on what people had already seen in the trial. I just contacted media that were inclined to be sympathetic to the story anyway and that started the ball rolling, once they were talking about it, the social media people jumped all over it and the story became something the rest of the media couldn't ignore, they all watch what each other are talking about so pretty soon it became the story of the day" Looking round at the rest of us she continued. "The LGBT community has its own ins with the media and they were already pushing that barrow hard, so it gathered momentum, they in turn got a lot of Hollywood talking and tweeting about the issue and that gave the story legs" I nodded, the hash tag #cravencoward had been getting a hell of a workout already. She shrugged. "Plus I was motivated as hell" At Nat's comment Ana smiled gently and placed a soft kiss to her head, getting a happy little snuggle back from Nat as I smiled.

"So what happens now?" It was Jane speaking from where she was cuddled with Maura. I looked over and shrugged.

"I'm having a meeting with the Governor's Chief of Staff tomorrow after court" I recalled that morning's conversation, it had come right out of the blue and was totally unexpected but I had my suspicions, it had to be something very, very political. "She rang me this morning and asked to talk, so we'll see what happens" Liv looked up at me from where my feet were resting in her lap, getting a divine massage on the insteps, all that strength of hers being put to excellent use.

"You have more knowledge of politics than I do Angel, what do you think she wants?" I shrugged.

"She could be calling me in to tell me to stop making waves, back off in court and let things settle" I shook my head. "Not likely though, not with all the media attention that's focused on it now, if that leaked it'd end up with them looking like they supported Craven's behavior, something that'd be electoral suicide in San Francisco and parts of LA in particular" I tipped my head in acknowledgement of Nat's hard work, getting a small smile back. "Plus if I was being carpeted they'd do it with Andrea and my boss, Graham Annesley present. That makes me think it's not that" I shrugged. "Besides the Governor couldn't handle the media backlash if that got out that he was seen to sympathise with a bigoted judge, so more likely he's looking for some way to turn this to his benefit"

"How?" it was Ana. I looked over at her.

"Potentially he's seeking my endorsement for his next run, in return for reigning in Craven" Jane nodded.

"Makes sense" I pulled a face.

"There are a few others, some more interesting than others" I got a couple of curious looks so I kept going. "He could be sounding me out to financially support him in return for his support against Craven, maybe even up to pulling Craven from the case"

"You think he'd do that?" It was Jane, backed up by Maura.

"Would that not mean the trial would have to dismissed and run again with a new judge?" I nodded.

"Yes, so I doubt that's likely, it's probably something else, though one option is a bit farfetched but possible" Nat nodded slowly like she could see where this was going.

"Go on" she said. I looked a little sheepish.

"He could ask me to run for Los Angeles County District Attorney" That got an immediate reaction.

"You're joking?" It was Ana.

"Seriously?" asked Jane as Maura backed her up

"Why on earth would he offer you that alternative Alexandria?" Liv was frowning.

"Would you be interested in it Angel, in politics I mean?" I shrugged.

"I don't think it's likely, but it is possible" Nat nodded.

"I could see it actually; it would play well in parts of LA, plus help paint the Governor in a good light as tolerant and progressive"

"But Al's only just arrived; the Governor doesn't know anything about her" At Jane's words Liv's frown changed to a thoughtful look.

"He could have looked her up; god knows Alex's record as a prosecutor is public, plus there's the coverage of the trial here, which can't have hurt" I nodded and looked at Jane.

"As for not knowing me, he's a politician, all he cares about is that I help get him elected and avoid scandal once he is" I shrugged. "It's all supposition, it's probably something a lot more mundane, like asking me for support in return for reigning in Craven" Liv looked at me.

"Would you be willing to do that?" I smiled happily.

"To screw Craven over, god yes, in a heartbeat"

That was something we could all get on board with.

In Court

Maura was on the stand and Andrea was walking her through the forensics. I'd lost this morning's toss and was on laptop-driving duty.

"Doctor Isles, could you please walk us through the evidence you had determined contradicted the accounts given for the fatal shooting of Robert Dimery by Kennedy and Powell" At Andrea's question Maura nodded.

"Of course" She leaned forward slightly. "The OIS report witnesses statements from then-detective's Kennedy and Powell stated that the deceased, Robert Dimery, had drawn a pistol on them and that they had been forced to fire in self defence" Andrea nodded as Maura continued. "When I examined the forensic evidence again however I determined that the shots that struck Mister Dimery were not consistent with the descriptions given in their statements"

"How so Doctor?" Andrea asked.

"The statements from then-detectives Kennedy and Powell stated that Mister Dimery attempted to raise a pistol to shoot them, forcing them to fire first. Upon examining the forensic evidence it became apparent that the victim's wounds did not match the statements"

"Could you guide us through your conclusions Doctor?" At Andrea's question Maura nodded as I flipped images, revealing a torso photographed from the front and back, rods projecting from bullet wounds to show the bullets passage.

"The first shot penetrated through the victim's chest cavity and the myogenic muscular organ, passing from the left ventricle through the main cardiac muscle mass, exiting through the right atrium and passing through the upper left lung before exiting the chest cavity"

Boston Medical Examiner's Office

In the basement of Boston's Police Headquarters building Suzie Chang and her team were watching raptly on a portable television at lunchtime, they'd been following the trial as best they could despite the sour attitude of Maura's replacement.

Speaking of which Suzie looked up from where Doctor Isles was testifying as she caught movement from the corner of her eye, seeing Doctor Pike pause in his walk past, eyeing the coverage on the screen. Realising he'd been seen Pike started walking again, his grumpy demeanour departing with it much to Suzie's relief, as she turned back to see Maura answering another question.

In Court

"Passing through the heart, that would have been fatal, right?" Andrea asked, getting a nod and an answer in return.

"Almost instantly, given the damage and the shock trauma caused by the bullet passing through the chamber, termination of life would have followed within scant seconds at most" Andrea nodded and prompted her.

"Please go on"

"The trajectory suggested that the wound was received as the victim was either turned away from the shooter and crouched down, lying almost prone or the shooter was very close to the ground, something that was not mentioned in either OIS statement" Andrea nodded.

"Those however were not the only shots to hit the victim were they Doctor?" Maura shook her head as I flipped to the next image, this time the body had two different sets of rods projecting through it, both at shallower angles.

"The second and third shots were fired, as can be seen, from the front and the angle suggests that the trajectory was slightly low entering the chest cavity with the exit wounds slightly higher at the rear, suggesting that the victim was slumped against a wall or falling when the additional shots were made" Andrea nodded.

"So the first shot was fatal, with the following two delivered afterwards?"

"That is the most likely proposition, the bullets recovered from the walls support that hypothesis, with one in the wall and the other two much lower, one in the floor and the second in the wall barely an inch above the floor"

"Objection!" Craven, Maura and Andrea all turned to look at Cox.

"Yes Defence?" Craven asked as Cox waved towards the screen.

"How can the witness determine which shot penetrated the victim in which sequence, given there were no alternative witnesses?" Craven looked to Maura who nodded.

"For the fatal shot to have been fired while the victim was on the ground, the shooter would have had to be standing over them when they fired, something that did not tally with the bullet impacts" She shrugged gently. "For the two other shots to have been fired high enough to pass through the victim and into the higher position on the wall, the victim would have had to be close to horizontal, over four feet up in the air" Maura looked to Cox and smiled politely. "Neither option was considered likely, especially when compared to the statements provided by the defendant's, Kennedy and Powell, to the Officer Involved Shooting investigation" She smiled. "Nor did they match up with analysis of the blood spatter as each bullet exited the victim, which I will be explaining shortly" Craven nodded once and spoke.

"Continue"

Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office

Kate Murphy and her top Medical Examiner, Megan Hunt, stood side by side in the main autopsy room, watching the trial on a television in the corner. They exchanged a glance at Maura Isles' comment as Megan nodded.

"A reasonable conclusion" She looked up at her taller boss. "Mind you Maura was always good at the forensic analysis side of the job" Kate looked at her, surprised.

"You know her?" Megan nodded and smiled in reflection.

"Attended a few conferences where we've met up, I've asked for her opinion a few times on the odd case, she's got a great reputation as a consulting specialist" Megan shrugged, her eyes on the screen. "I know quite a few labs across the country call her for a consult on interesting or difficult cases" Kate raised an eyebrow at that little tidbit.

"I did…not know that" Megan looked to her and smiled.

"Usually I send her my notes and she looks them over, I ask her to poke holes in my conclusions, sometimes she suggests an alternative possibility, other times she agrees with mine" Her smile widened. "I heard she'd relocated to LA from Boston, what I didn't know was that she was involved with one of her detectives, I'm not at all surprised though" Kate found that very interesting indeed and turned to look at her.

"Oh, how come?" Megan looked up at Kate and gave her a slightly wistful smile as she answered.

"Maura's a nice person, a bit reserved around strangers but once you get to know her she's really lovely. We were out having dinner one night at a convention in Houston about eighteen months ago and the phone rang; it was a detective back in Boston, calling socially. The look on her face transformed, she was happy, laughing and joking, even after the call ended she was so happy her friend had called. I asked a few questions and she happily told me about her friend, a homicide detective in Boston named Jane Rizzoli" Kate's eyes widened, she recalled the striking detective who had given testimony earlier in the trial.

"That's the same one…" Megan nodded.

"Yes, it seems they've moved from friends to lovers, given how much Jane obviously meant to her, and from what I heard from my side of the conversation, how much Maura meant to Jane, I'd say it was pretty inevitable" She looked back to the screen and smiled softly. "I'm just happy she's happy"

Kate nodded, you couldn't argue with that.

In Court

"The statements of both defendants did not match up with the forensic evidence did it?" At Andrea's question Maura shook her head then answered.

"No, both of the former officers statements claimed the victim attempted to fire upon them with a pistol, however for the victim to do so he would have had to capable of firing through their body" Seeing the jury's confusion she continued. "Examination of the victim revealed that they were right handed, however the shot came in from their left rear, placing the victim's body between their assailant and the claimed pistol" Andrea nodded in understanding.

"Preventing Dimery from firing on Kennedy and Powell as they claimed?" Maura smiled and nodded.

"That is correct, reading the officers' statements it read as though Mister Dimery had his weapon in hand, but both officers were able to draw and fire their weapons before the victim could fire, despite apparently having his weapon in hand and menacing them" Andrea glanced at the jury.

"Unlikely wouldn't you think?"

"Making it exceptionally unlikely at best" Maura said then continued. "There was also no gunpowder residue on the victim's hands nor a bullet impact found anywhere else in the apartment, making the scenario both defendants claimed occurred well-nigh impossible""

Andrea nodded slowly then smiled at Maura as she summed it up for the jury.

"So, in summary, the victim was shot while turned away from these officer's guns and couldn't have got a shot off as the shot from the defendants killed them instantly before they could have fired, would that be an accurate summation Doctor" Maura nodded once.

"Based on the evidence gleaned from the autopsy and the forensic evidence, that is correct"

Washington DC The Jeffersonian Institute

In her office in the Jeffersonian Institute Medico-Legal Lab, Doctor Temperance Brennan sat back, eyes fixed on the screen in front of her as she watched Maura Isles walk the court through her forensic evidence. Though they'd not met in person, they'd spoken a few times on the phone and corresponded on cases where they'd each reached out for a second opinion on a case's specifics.

While Brennan was a forensic anthropologist without peer, she recognised Isles as a leading forensics specialist and an expert in multiple fields. While not as academically recognised as herself Brennan knew that was because Isles simply wasn't interested, she enjoyed her work rather more than academia, a choice Brennan hadn't understood until she'd discovered that the attractive medical examiner and the striking Italian detective who'd testified earlier in the trial were in a relationship.

Now though she listened to Isles' testimony and watched the images the Defence were revealing; it was effective and in combination with the testimony she found Isles' conclusions to be more than sound.

In Court

After Andrea had finished with Maura's testimony for Dimery's forensics, I had taken over to walk her though the attempted attack on her on the drive home after work, something that Peterson and the others couldn't really find anything to object to.

After lunch Andrea had taken over once more to get Maura to explain what she had seen and done during the ambush on the streets, given it was essentially factual the Defence hadn't done much. That had left me to finish with her analysis of the forensics for the two women Humphries had murdered, once again the Defence were quiet, making me worried. Given their track record they were planning something, I just didn't know what.

We'd finished with Maura's testimony and somewhat trepidatiously handed her over to Ling for the cross, given previous experience we were expecting the worst; unfortunately we got it. Ling had basically ignored the forensics evidence, instead taking another tack entirely.

"Doctor Isles, you have not been in Los Angeles all that long, having transferred here from Boston?" Maura nodded politely as she answered.

"That is correct, I came to Los Angeles to undertake a six-month secondment, eventually permanently transferring into the role" Ling nodded.

"I understand that your application was supported by a number of recommendations, including that of both Commander Raydor and Deputy Chief Johnson, is that correct?" Maura nodded carefully as she replied.

"Amongst a number of others yes" Ling nodded theatrically from where she was holding court in the middle of the open space between jury and witness.

"And that you are close friends with them both, would you characterize that as that correct?"

"I am honoured to consider them my friends" At Maura's response Ling tipped her head as she spoke.

"Was this some sort of lesbian solidarity thing?" I glanced at Andrea but she was staring at Ling, poised to leap in as Maura looked puzzled, something her voice conveyed.

"I beg your pardon?" Ling smiled; all cheery fakeness.

"I asked if this was some lesbian thing Miss Isles, I mean you're close friends with Raydor and Johnson, both lesbians, with Agent Romanov and her lover, the LAPD's media woman Dearing, you supported your friend Alex Cabot here in her move out to LA, together with her paramour Sergeant Olivia Benson, plus you're also friends with Andrea Hobbs here and her partner, Detective Mendoza. Quite the lesbian coven you have going here"

"Objection!" I was on my feet before I realised it. "Your Honour, what exactly does a medical examiner's friendship with her work colleagues have to do with a trial where the defendants were recorded agreeing a price for the murder of law enforcement personnel?" Craven looked to Ling who shrugged.

"Your Honour, if you would be kind enough to ask the Prosecution to stop attempting to taint the jury's perceptions…" Craven nodded and shot me a baleful glance which I happily ignored as Ling continued. "Doctor Isles is involved in a lesbian relationship with one of the detectives investigating this case, Detective Rizzoli, and very close friends with the other members of the team who brought these unwarranted charges against our clients. I am simply making those relationships clear to the court" Craven looked back to me but I butted in before he could speak.

"By implying some inappropriate relationship, let alone calling them a coven of all things" I shook my head and looked to Craven. "Your Honour, when did a friendship between work colleagues become a reason for a witness's testimony to be called into question? That would be like denigrating the testimony of a number of heterosexual detectives because they socialise after hours and enjoy each other's company" I looked back to Ling and shook my head theatrically. "Obviously Defence either doesn't understand or doesn't want to understand how valuable good working relationships between colleagues are" Ling shot me a hooded glance then looked to Craven.

"The prosecution has brought a case against our clients that relies on the testimony of a number of women who are close personal friends, so close in fact that in addition to their work time together they spend much of their free time in each other's company, from socialising at each other's houses to nights out together, their lives are so closely entwined that it raises the questions of just how independent they actually are, which in turn raises questions regarding their impartiality and even their probity" I spun to face her, my eyes widening in shock.

"Excuse me? What exactly are you implying?" She smiled at me then turned and addressed Craven and the jury.

"Given how close these women all are, it raises questions about their fitness to give evidence here. I mean Raydor and Johnson acted out of a desire to protect each other's lesbian lover, perhaps the same aspect was in play here" She gave a slow, lascivious smile. "After all who, except this group of 'incredibly close' women…" She put it in quotes. "…can be sure of how close they actually are"

I felt my jaw drop, was she actually suggesting...Andrea stood quickly to join the discussion.

"Objection Your Honour, Defence is attempting to smear not just the witnesses, but the Prosecution as well, with baseless accusations of inappropriate behavior" I stared at Ling and narrowed my eyes as I spoke, my voice full of contempt.

"Maybe they've only now woken up to the fact their clients are guilty as sin and have decided that their only tactic is to fling muck in the hopes of obscuring the fact their clients are murderers and they have nothing else to use" Craven banged his gavel.

"Enough! Prosecution will be seated. Defence, are you suggesting that there is some sort of relationship taking place here between the female members of the investigation and the prosecution team?" Ling shrugged innocently.

"Just that their friendship seemed unnaturally close, calling into question their impartiality as dispassionate witnesses Your Honour…" she shrugged then continued. "I mean they socialise together, frequent lesbian nightclubs together, spend all their time together, at work and otherwise, it does raise questions…" I stood, ignoring Andrea, angry beyond measure.

"It would seem that Miss Ling here hasn't the slightest idea of the behavior of friends" I turned my head to stare at her as I spoke, my voice carrying the contempt I felt, for once I didn't even try and hide it. "I pity the despicably miserable existence she must lead if this is what she believes friendship is. Perhaps instead of attacking people on the basis of their friendship she should actually try and learn something about the lifestyle of the people she is denigrating, before she makes herself look like an even bigger fool" Craven banged his gavel again.

"Prosecuting Counsel will be seated" He looked to Ling. "Are you openly suggesting inappropriate relationships between those women who investigated or are prosecuting this case?"

"I am not in a position to prove anything Your Honour, just pointing out the unnatural closeness of the prosecution and investigative team's lesbian members" Andrea just beat me to it.

"Objection Your Honour, I object to the statement that friendship is unnatural, in particular when applied to the Prosecution team and our friends, and would ask you to have the Defence counsel withdraw the remarks" Craven frowned for a moment, finally speaking.

"Prosecution will withdraw the term unnatural. No matter your own personal beliefs, the nature of the friendship between these women is not illegal and cannot be characterised as unnatural, no matter their personal sexual…habits" Andrea and I looked to each other, aghast at what he was suggesting before I turned and went to speak but Craven rapped his gavel.

"Prosecution will return to their seats and let Defence continue to cross examine the witness" The anger that the mocking smile Ling shot me generated was only exceeded by the sick feeling of despair as I realised that Craven didn't give a fuck about appearing like the bigoted old bastard he was. Ling turned back to Maura who had been sitting there quietly as we argued and smiled.

"Now then Miss Isles, let's talk about your…interestingly close… relationship with the investigating officers"

New York NYPD 12th Precinct

"Oh my god" Rick Castle looked up at his partner. "That's…unbelievable" Kate nodded, equally stunned.

"If either Ling or Craven turn up dead tonight, it won't be for lack of suspects" Rick grimaced as he spoke.

"With Jane, Liv and Ana at the top of the list" Kate frowned.

"If one of the others doesn't get them first" She shook her head in disbelief. "I cannot believe how he's behaving" Rick nodded slowly as he replied.

"That judge just about openly agreed with that Ling woman that they were all sleeping together" He looked to Kate. "I know they're close, but that's beyond insulting" Kate shot him a rueful look.

"The media is going to go nuts about this"

Los Angeles

"The media's gone nuts" I looked up to see Jane scanning the media on my tablet. She looked up and shook her head. "They've got shots of us at one of the little black dress nights" She turned it round to show Natalie, Anastasia, Mikki and Andrea standing together with Jane and myself outside the club, we all looked happy and gorgeous, and best of all not too risqué.

"I am remarkably relieved that was not at a Club Night at the Intersection, can you imagine the images?" I paused for a moment then continued on as a thought hit me. "Or the captions?" Jane nodded ruefully.

"The text just says we've been regular features at some of LA's lesbian bars since arriving, there's nothing too nasty here and no one's gone on the record" She pulled a face. "I wonder if the club's clients aren't cooperating on an obvious anti-lesbian hit piece" I thought about that for a few seconds.

"If so we are extremely fortunate"

Los Angeles Palihouse Hotel

I was glad the day was over. We'd tried to fight some of the muck Peterson and his crew had been throwing but it was obvious that the Defence had worked out how far they could push things under Craven, which was pretty damned far. It had been a long and exhausting session before we'd wrapped up.

Now though I had work of a different kind to attend to. The Governor's chief of staff, well Executive Secretary was what she was called out here but her job was the same, was a woman named Nancy Souza, I'd done some homework and she'd been with him for years, as well as serving in a number of roles at both Federal and state level, she was part politician, part bureaucrat and firmly located in the centre of California political power. She'd apparently flown down from Sacramento for the meeting; in person she was polite, no-nonsense and straight to the point. We'd barely been seated and had our drinks delivered before she jumped right in.

"Ms Cabot, the Governor has followed the details of the trial you are prosecuting with interest" I nodded once as I replied.

"I'm pleased to hear it Ms Souza, has the Governor formed an opinion on the trial?" I smiled and gave her an opening. "And the way in which it is being conducted?"

She looked at me over her wine glass as we sat in the West Hollywood Palihouse Hotel's Mardi restaurant, taking advantage of the mid-week evening quiet to talk. Off in one corner I saw her security man trying to be unobtrusive, while Liv was doing a better job of it over near the door. Carefully placing her glass back of the table Souza nodded and started.

"Yes, the conduct of the trial has not been all that the people of California might have come to expect from our judicial branch" By which she meant it was causing her boss headaches. I nodded slowly, giving the appearance of thinking over what she'd said before replying.

"I can understand that, given the vile attacks on a number of participants in this trial on the basis of their sexuality" I sat back as I applied some pressure. "And given the escalation we witnessed this afternoon what exactly does the administration propose to do about it?" I tossed that out and waited to see what she did with it.

"The Governor has been in discussion with the Attorney General. The AG is of the opinion that intervening in the trial and dismissing Judge Craven, as some in the media have called for, would be counterproductive" I nodded to be agreeable.

"Yes, starting the trial over again would not only cost the City of Los Angeles a large amount of money, it would also look like interference in the independence of the judiciary" She smiled.

"Exactly" Leaning forward she tapped the table. "The Governor isn't happy but there is nothing we can do overtly to replace the Judge" I nodded and made it a little easier for her.

"Covertly however…?" I got a small smile.

"Privately the Attorney General is willing to have a little chat to Judge Craven, as is the Chief Justice, subject to a number of commitments" I raised an eyebrow…'commitments?'

"Could you please be more specific Ms Souza?" She leaned forward as she spoke.

"If you don't mind me speaking plainly, and off the record, Ms Cabot" I smiled.

"Naturally"

"As I stated, Judge Craven's conduct is proving a headache, his conduct reflects no credit on the California judiciary" I smiled slightly as I responded.

"I'd describe it as dragging its good name through the sewer" I shrugged. "But then I'm biased, having been on the receiving end of it" She nodded.

"In addition to what has transpired in court, I'm aware that there have been…tensions that have played out away from the camera" I smiled a little wider.

"Craven's looked into having me disbarred here in California hasn't he, or having me declared in contempt to get me off the case?" I said, as Souza sat back and nodded slowly, eventually speaking.

"I take it you were aware of his proposal?" I shrugged.

"He threatened me with both last Thursday when he dragged DDA Hobbs and I into his chambers for a dressing down, so yes, I was aware"

"Rest assured neither the Governor nor the Chief Justice would support such measures" I nodded, tossing a little more fuel on the fire.

"I'm pleased to hear it, after all I'm equally sure neither would want this mess to end up splashed across the national media for a few more weeks" She nodded once.

"Exactly, so Judge Craven will be 'advised' that his conduct in this case has been…less than acceptable, an improvement in his attitude, particularly with regard to sexual orientation is expected and that in addition any attempt to punish you for simply doing your job, would also have adverse consequences" I nodded, it sounded good but Souza was a politician's right hand woman and a skilled politician in her own right, she'd want a quid pro quo.

"And in return for Craven being reminded of his obligations to act like a judge, not a nasty old homophobic bigot, you would ask for…" I let it trail off and as expected Souza went straight to the point.

"In return for that, we have several requests" She ticked off her index finger. "The first is that, when both the Governor and the Chief Justice make strong statements against discrimination, particularly sexual discrimination in the coming days, you publically endorse their comments to the media that will be calling you for comment" I nodded, it was what I'd expected and I'd be happy to.

"That's understandable and acceptable" At that Souza nodded and ticked off her middle finger as she continued.

"Secondly, we want you to turn off the hostile media" She shrugged. "They've done their job, all too well in fact. We will act and in return you call off your PR agency" I nodded as I mentally congratulated Nat on a job well done.

"I will speak to my media person, I can ask them to refrain from stirring the pot any further, but as you're aware, Craven's brought much of it down on himself, a lot of the civil liberties organisations, LGBT activists and celebrities who have driven this story have done so off their own bat and will continue to do so, especially given his performance this afternoon" She nodded as I shrugged. "While they can highlight the Governor's and Chief Justice's strong public statements against discrimination, it'll have to be Craven changing his tune that calms them down, not us" She sat back and regarded me coolly for a moment.

"If I have your agreement then that will have to do" I nodded.

"I'll ask her to do as agreed" Souza nodded.

"Finally, as you may or may not be aware, given you are not a native of California…" She shot me an apologetic look. "The Governor is not eligible to run again for governor, similar to the Presidency he can only serve two consecutive terms" I nodded; I could see where this was going but better to have her ask than me volunteer.

"Yes?" She looked at me across the table and leaned forward.

"We would seek your support for his nominated candidate to succeed him" I nodded slowly then spoke.

"And that support would take the form of…" She leaned forward as she spoke.

"Public endorsement, participation at a few major campaign events and other support as appropriate" I frowned at that then proceeded to lay out my misgivings.

"Forgive me Ms Souza, but there's a number of assumptions there" I leaned forward. "The biggest one being that I will even be here in California at the next election. As you are no doubt aware, I am on secondment here from New York" She nodded.

"Yes, together with your partner, that attractive woman sitting over by the door drinking coffee and discretely eyeballing everyone in the room" She smiled at my slightly surprised reaction before continuing. "I understand that you have close friends living here in Los Angeles, and that there is a possibility that you would stay in LA should the opportunity present itself" I sat back and regarded her for a long moment, finally replying.

"That's possible, but I've only just arrived, so nothing's been suggested yet" She smiled confidently.

"I understand that Deputy Chief Johnson has high regard for your partner and would not be averse to her transferring permanently into the LAPD Major Crime's team" I sat back and regarded her though narrowed eyes.

"You are well informed" She played it off with a wave and a smile.

"I have my sources. I also understand that having your partner offered a role in LA would clash with your necessity to return to New York when your secondment finishes, therefore I can assure you that should you wish to remain close to your friends a permanent position here in LA with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office could be arranged"

I nodded, seeing an exercise in raw power playing out in front of me. Obviously my endorsement alone wasn't enough to secure her pulling strings; I was pretty sure where this was leading, time to put her on the spot.

"That is a generous offer Ms Souza. One I would have to take under advisement. It is so generous that I would wonder why you would be prepared to offer it, unless you are hoping to secure something more from me" She tipped her head to regard me for a moment then nodded.

"Well, as you mention it, there is the chance that an opportunity to become a major supporter of the next Governor's campaign would be available" She smiled. "Support that would ensure further consideration for you in the future" I nodded.

"You seem very confident that your, as yet unelected, candidate will be in a position to deliver" She sat back and smiled confidently.

"This is California Ms Cabot; the Governor's successor will receive the Governor's blessing as his appointed heir, which will provide a significant boost to their chances" I raised an eyebrow as I replied.

"Then why do you need me and my support?" At my questions she shrugged and shifted slightly in her seat before replying.

"Politics right now is in upheaval, as we've seen in Washington, an upset can never be completely discounted, I believe that your support will be a factor in ensuring that such an upset doesn't happen" I knew what she wanted, financial support, enough to buy ads and editorial space and support staff and a winning campaign. I made a show of thinking it over as I sipped my wine before finally speaking.

"And such support would in turn buy support?" She looked at me through narrowed eyes, finally she spoke.

"As I stated, your position here in Los Angeles would be assured" I shook my head.

"Ms Souza, we both know that you were prepared to offer that to make your media issues go away, it costs you almost nothing to do so" I sat back as I continued. "The Chief Justice or the Attorney General makes a comment to the District Attorney here about the good work I'm doing and how it would be a shame to see me lost back to New York; Graham Annesley isn't stupid, he'd get the message loud and clear" I smiled at her. "If you are seeking my support and commitment to the Governor's campaign then I would have a few requests of my own" She lost the smile and leaned forward, all business.

"And they would be?" I sat back; time to let her know who had the upper hand here.

"In return for a significant level of financial support to the Governor's campaign, I have two requests. The first is Governor Brown's endorsement of me as the next Los Angeles County District Attorney at the next election, backed by the incoming governor" Souza leaned back and frowned.

"I'm not sure that's doable" she said. "Annesley is popular and was supported by the Governor at the last election" I shrugged at her words, unconcerned.

"As you have pointed out, there will be a new governor by the time the next election for DA rolls around, so a changed endorsement isn't that big a deal, in fact it would be one way to show that a new broom is sweeping in changes" I smiled at her nonplussed expression and pushed on. "This way the Governor would get to support a woman, a gay woman, for the role, one who had not only successfully prosecuted a high-profile case involving corrupt cops but did so in the face of judicial bigotry" I sipped my wine, giving her a moment to take in what I was asking, before rolling the glass between my palms as I pressed on.

"If I was to stay here in LA, I would be giving up any chance of running for political office in New York" I was lying, I'd already given up on that, but Souza had opened the door for me here, giving me a chance to make a real difference. "If I am to remain here, then I would pursue political office and where better than as DA here in Los Angeles?" She sat back and thought about it for a few moments as I reflected on my request.

As District Attorney for Los Angeles County I'd be responsible for ensuring that the laws were uniformly and adequately enforced and the LAPD, the LA County Sherriff's Department and all the other law enforcement organisations operating here were properly supported. I couldn't think of a better way to make a real difference out here in California. Finally Souza replied.

"I can't promise that, I'd have to take your request back to Sacramento" I nodded, I'd figured as much.

"I understand" At my comment she looked at me then spoke.

"You said two requests" I nodded. "What's the second?" I smiled, Ms Souza was about to get a lesson in politics, New York style.

"Once this case is completed, Judge Craven is to be moved off the bench, found somewhere he cannot hear cases until he retires, I don't particularly care where but somewhere he cannot taint cases with his deplorable attitude, with it to be made clear to him that he is being punished for being a vicious bigot" Souza's jaw dropped.

You're…you must be…I'm sorry…" She finally got herself coherent. "That will not be happening" She shook her head. "Judge Craven is not up for reappointment" I tipped my head to regard her for a few seconds before I spoke. Her lesson began here.

"Ms Souza, let me explain, I have caused the Mayor, the Attorney General, the Chief Justice and the Governor significant discomfort in the media across this country, all without spending a dime or actively speaking to the media or the public" I let my smile widen. "Imagine what I could do if I set my media specialists loose with a mandate to cause real trouble, backed by say, twenty or thirty million dollars and a willingness to make myself available to the media, when and wherever necessary, imagine the traction my media spoiler campaign would get" She sat back, shaking her head, in wonder or maybe bemusement I didn't know, maybe mixed in with a little fear.

"You're joking" she stated, I shook my head.

"Ms Souza, as you have quite obviously ascertained, my family's fortune is substantial, significantly so, and I am the sole beneficiary of it" I shrugged. "That sort of expenditure wouldn't even put a minor dent in it" Finished I sat back, sipping my wine as she struggled to come to grips with what I'd suggested. Finally she spoke.

"That is remarkably vindictive Ms Cabot" I shook my head once before responding.

"I don't think so actually, I haven't called for his dismissal so I think I'm being remarkably restrained, all things considered" Souza looked pained.

"But to have him shunted off to oblivion…" I smiled, as cold as I could.

"That man has allowed, no, encouraged the Defence's disgusting behavior, my close friend's names have been dragged through the mud, their reputations besmirched, our personal habits fouled and he has generally behaved like some fossil from the dark ages of the 1950s. I wish him to pay for that unacceptable behavior" She pursed her lips as she regarded me for a few seconds before speaking.

"You think that you could fight the Governor on this? That's unlikely, no matter your resources" I sat back and smiled politely even as I thanked my father for the years of discussions and lessons in New York's politics as I grew up. He'd wanted me to enter politics and had been grooming me to do so for years, I'd figuratively sat at his feet and learned the brutal lessons of power politics since I was a young girl and while this wasn't New York's political stage as he'd envisioned I was now putting all those lessons into play here.

"Perhaps, perhaps not, but you have a binary choice here. I could be part of the new Governor's team, new faces, new ideas and a clean break with the past that could be sold to the voters. Or I could be a disruptor" I smiled a little wider. "If you will pardon the use of an exceptionally vulgar political analogy that fits particularly well here; better to have someone inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent, pissing in" She nodded slowly, either at the analogy or the sentiment I didn't know..

"And if you were inside the tent, so to speak, that would include your considerable resources?" I nodded.

"At the campaign's disposal" She nodded as I buried a smile. I'd offered her a powerful ally if they were wise enough to take it, while holding out the potential of causing them no end of problems if they didn't, and all they had to do was sideline Craven till retirement. All in all not a bad days work if I did say so myself. Finally she nodded once as she spoke.

"We will have to give your requests appropriate consideration" I nodded.

"That is all I ask" Souza stood and held out her hand.

"If you will excuse me, I will take your proposals back to Sacramento" I nodded and stood as we shook hands.

"I look forward to Craven's attitude being adjusted" I smiled politely. "Once that is evident, I am more than willing to abide by the term of our agreement" She nodded and let go of my hand, giving me a long look.

"You seem to be someone who is not adverse to plain speaking so if I might make a personal comment Ms Cabot…?" I nodded.

"Please" She shook her head slowly.

"Please don't take this personally but I find myself wishing that you had stayed in New York" I let my smile widen into a grin.

"And miss all the fun? " With that she nodded and took her leave, security guy trailing after her as I sat back. I was reviewing what had transpired when Liv's voice came to me from my left side.

"That looked all sorts of interesting" I smiled up as at her as she bent and gave me a quick kiss.

"It had its moments" Liv grinned quickly.

"At one point I thought she'd choked on her drink" I knew exactly what part she was referring to, I stood as Liv pulled the chair back and looked to her as I replied..

"Let's say she thought she was the one making the offer and I'd be the one jumping through her hoops" I gave her a happy smile. "I was pleased to set her straight" Liv nodded, her eyes sweeping the room as we turned towards the door.

"So do you think you'll get what you want from her?" I let my smile widen, Souza wasn't dumb, I'd offered her not just a way out of the Craven mess, but the prospect of significant financial support for the next Governor's campaign; she'd have to be a fool to say no.

"Oh yes, she'll come round to my way of thinking, soon enough" Liv looked my way.

"If it means Craven behaves like a judge, not a prick, well it's not before time"

That was a sentiment I could get behind. With that we headed out to the car for the run home. I found myself in such a good mood that I skipped Liv making dinner, seducing her on the kitchen bench and making a rather satisfying meal of her myself, something I felt capped off an altogether successful evening.