Chapter 1

Entering the courtroom, Andy looked around with a small smile stretching her lips. She used to watch her father litigating in the courtroom back in Cincinnati, even helped him by taking notes during some of his trials. He didn't have high-profile cases, but it didn't matter to Andy. The notes she took helped him prepare for the next day, and she often picked up on things he didn't have the opportunity to observe. Those experiences would help her with this assignment. It was some criminal proceeding, and if she did well, Jenny promised to send more her way. Andy was surprised to learn just how profitable it could be. She was being paid by the local television station, and if any of the sketches were picked up by any other media, she'd receive a set fee each time. That could add up.

This case was about three twenty-somethings who broke into a celebrity's Soho apartment and stole some jewelry, electronics, and an Oscar, of all things. The case was set to last three days, and Andy was hoping to create some good images.

She chose to sit in the second row toward the left wall, not wanting her actions to be too obvious. She would start by taking notes and then do some preliminary pencil sketches of the courtroom, the parties, jury, attorneys, and judge. She didn't have to submit anything until the afternoon, so she would have enough time to create something once she got a feel for the proceedings.

About a dozen people claimed seats in the gallery, but no one came too close to her. She became immersed in the proceedings, allowing her hand to draw without any real direction throughout the morning. She drew several scenes, her mind formulating different ideas of what type of sketch would best capture the mood. The accused were all represented by the same attorney, and since Andy sat at an angle to them, she could see their expressions. The defendants seemed surly and bored. She could work with that.

By the time court adjourned for lunch, Andy had a number of sketches from which to choose. The assistant district attorney's opening statement made it clear that the three defendants were caught red-handed, mentioning video surveillance, recovered stolen items, and witnesses placing them at the celebrity's home on the night of the crime. The defense's strategy was to show how the three affluent defendants were superfans who became carried away with the desire to be like the celebrity by immersing themselves in her belongings. According to him, they hadn't meant to remove any items owned by the actress, but when they realized that the alarm system was active, they panicked. Andy couldn't help but wonder whether their attorney graduated from law school yesterday, for all the good he was doing. They were guilty, everyone knew it, and it didn't matter whether or not they forgot what was in their hands when they fled the apartment.

How do you forget you're holding an Oscar in your hands?

Andy went to a nearby diner to grab a bite to eat. She snagged a booth in the back, ordering a cheeseburger before taking out her sketch pad. Reviewing what she had, she decided to complete one that showed the defendants, slouched and apathetic, while their attorney gave his opening statement, his hand waving in front of him. She included the jury, but kept their faces blurry. By the time she finished her lunch, the sketch was complete. She would do some more drawings this afternoon, but she doubted anything monumental would occur today to push this drawing aside.

After a few hours of testimony from the apartment building security guard and a person who lived in the apartment next door, the court day ended. Andy was satisfied with her work. Once out of the courthouse, she took a few pictures of the sketch she'd finished at lunch and emailed them to the television station. Rushing back to her apartment, Andy typed up an article on the trial and emailed it to the New York Mirror. She hadn't recognized any reporters in the gallery, and she was hoping her former employer would accept her submission. Even though she couldn't give them the sketch she submitted to the television station, she told them how they could get a copy. She was tempted to attach a different sketch with the article, but she worried the television station might balk at that since they were paying her to create them.

Hearing her phone vibrate, Andy checked her email. She smiled widely. The television station was very happy with her work and wanted her to continue sketching the trial. Another email popped in from the New York Mirror notifying her that they would run the article on their website. Andy jumped up and twirled around, shouting, "Genius!" She did a little dance and collapsed on the couch. "Not bad. Not bad at all."

The next morning, Andy set up on the same side of the courtroom gallery, ready to catch the next perfect moment. The day did not disappoint. She ended up submitting a sketch of the prosecutor holding the Oscar statuette close to the jury as she entered it into evidence. Several jurors leaned forward to inspect the inscription on it, and the three defendants stared at it as if they were hungry dogs gazing at a juicy steak. She wrote a follow up article, but it was not accepted. Instead, she was directed to submit an article after the case ended the next day.

Hearing the apartment door open and close, Andy looked up from her laptop with a grin.

"Andy, you're running this courtroom sketching gig like a boss. Jenny's ecstatic. Guess her peers are all up in arms. Everyone wants to know what rock you crawled out from under."

"Thanks. I'm having a lot of fun with it. And I got an article picked up. Another one tomorrow. Looks like I'll be able to buy food after all," she joked.

"Always a good thing. I'm glad you're still writing, too. At least now you can choose what to submit. Maybe it was a good thing the Mirror became a digital publication."

"Maybe." Andy shrugged. "I guess I feared I wouldn't be able to earn enough to cover my bills, but everything's been falling into place. I get to do two things I love: draw and write. I'll even have enough to take you out for a drink, a thank you for getting me the job."

"I won't say no to that. I'll call Doug to see if he's around tomorrow night. We can go to that bar on Broome."

"Oh, yay. I've wanted to try it out."

"Me, too. Maybe we'll find some lucky studs while we're at it."

"No, thank you," Andy said with a shudder. Picking up someone was not particularly attractive to her. Although her pride had smarted for a while after Nate up and left, she was over him and all that came with a boyfriend.

"Aw, come on, Andy. You haven't dated anyone since the break up. It's time."

"I'm not interested in doing the whole getting-to-know-you dance. Dating is brutal here, and before you suggest it, I'm not interested in meaningless sex, either."

"There's nothing meaningless about a good orgasm, my friend. I know you're Miss Independent, particularly after working for the Devil in Prada and living to tell the tale, but dating someone can be fun. It's new and exciting. None of the bad habits are on display, and you can release a little steam. If something comes of it, great. If not, no feelings get hurt."

Andy gave a noncommittal hum, allowing the conversation to end. She knew Lily wanted to help her, but she didn't feel inclined to expose herself that way again. Flashing blue eyes flared in her mind, and Andy sighed. She knew it was her imagination, but her heart still hurt whenever she thought of Miranda.

Her phone rang, interrupting Andy's thoughts. Seeing an unknown number, Andy answered it with what she dubbed her professional voice.

"Oh, hi, Jenny. How are you?"

"Feeling a bit better. I should be able to get back to work next week. I hope you don't mind my reaching out to you."

"No, of course not. Thanks for having me fill in. I'm having a blast."

"Well, that's why I'm calling. CNN is really impressed with your sketches. If it's all right with you, I'll give them your number to contact you for future assignments. I'm gonna let that contract go and concentrate on some of my other media relationships so I can lighten my load. It's time to cut back."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. You can make a lot of money if you're good. I like what you've done the last couple of days. I know you have a promising future in courtroom sketching if you choose to pursue it, and I can relax, knowing that I'm passing the baton to someone who has some integrity. Watch out for the vultures. Don't let anyone rattle you."

"I won't. Thank you, Jenny. Really."

"Not a problem. Keep up the good work. I'll be looking for your drawings."

After their conversation ended, Andy sat on the couch, staring at nothing. It felt too neat. Like she'd been maneuvered into position. Or fate had lent a hand? She shook her head. Paranoia wasn't typical for her. She may not trust as readily as she once did before moving to New York, but that was no reason to think the worst. This was synchronicity, pure and simple. It was time she attracted something good, and she needed to embrace her good fortune.

The last day of trial passed in the blink of an eye, and before she knew it, Andy was done with the case. Her last sketch was accepted, as was her follow up article on the trial. All in all, it was a great work week, and Andy was ready to blow off some steam with her friends.

They were enjoying their first drink when Andy's cell phone rang. She dug it out of her purse and saw the number for CNN flashing. With an apologetic smile to her friends, Andy placed a hand on one ear to block out the noise and answered the call.

"We have another case for you to cover which starts next week, if you're available."

"Sure. When does it start?"

"Wednesday. Should take about two weeks. It's a high profile divorce. I'll email you the details."

"Okay. Thanks." Once they signed off, Andy smiled with glee. She didn't think she'd get another assignment so soon. It amazed her how in one week she'd lost one job and gained two more. Now she was a freelance writer and a courtroom sketch artist. Rejoining her friends, she made good on her promise to buy a round of drinks.

"A toast," Andy shouted about the noise, raising her glass. "To best friends. They open doors for us, and push us through them to new adventures. Sometimes we flail—"

Doug and Lily joined in with Andy, "but we always sail."

Their combined laughter made Andy's heart sing.