AN: I apologise for the ridiculously delayed update. Life sort of got crazy for me, and it never really felt like the right time to post. Thank you to everyone for the reviews, and thank you in advance to all those who continue to read!

Here's what you missed: A conveniently-timed power outage on the morning of the murder derails Mike and Connie's efforts to prove that Audrey Webb was driving the car that killed Jacinda Chambers. In a further turn of events, Connie finds out that Bianca Peters, her unofficial rival, has a surprising connection to the murder victim. She decides to use this to her advantage in a feat that Mike is none-too-happy about. Will her risky move cost them their only shot at Audrey?

~.~.~.~.~

In spite of the icy tension that hung like a cloud over the Prosecution table, the hearing was flowing smoothly. They had made it through the evidentiary index and the first three witnesses without incident, and Connie permitted herself a small sigh of relief. She observed raptly as Mike stood and approached the witness box, where Bianca Peters awaited. She could only hope that her last minute ploy to help them swing a trial would not backfire. Perhaps Mike had been right. Perhaps she had made a rash decision. After all, Bianca's involvement did seem too good to be true. Yet, would a woman with Bianca's reputation toss her career down the drain to help out an ex-boyfriend? Furthermore, Lupo, Bernard, and Connie had gone through every aspect of Bianca's story with uncompromising scrutiny. The only legitimate criticisms that the Defense could mull over were Bianca's connection to Mike and her initial silence. But, if Mike couldn't handle that potential curveball, then maybe that First Chair didn't belong to him.

With a firm grip on her pen, Connie watched Mike take the first step into the quicksand. He casually flattened his neatly pressed tie against his crisp, collared shirt and suit jacket, a move that Connie knew was wholly apprehension. "Ms. Peters, could you please tell us how you came to know the deceased?"

Bianca had no expression on her face, and her answer was void of emotion. "Ms. Chambers contacted me and said that she had an inside story that I wasn't going to believe. In return, she asked that I recommend her services to the…how would you say… more affluent members of Manhattan society. "

"So, in other words, Ms. Chambers wanted you to furnish a supply of wealthier clients?"

"It sounds awful when you put it that way," Bianca simpered. Mike shot her an admonishing scowl, and she instantly regained her poise. "Yes. Ms. Chambers was looking for notoriety and… a Louboutin in the door, so-to-speak."

Mike was not surprised by her impish response. Bianca had always known how to charm her audience, whether it was her readers or a half-filled courtroom. However, if she came on too strong or insincere, there was no guarantee that he would be able to navigate the damaged interrogation to safety. He had to be cautious and keep her on track. "What reason, if any, did you have to believe her? Isn't it possible that she was making the entire scenario up for money?"

"In my experience, there are two types of informants: the ones who tell you what will earn them the largest payout and the ones that speak the truth. Ms. Chambers was honest and forthcoming, and I sensed that she was deeply distressed by what she knew."

"Distressed?" Mike arched his brow and ceased his pacing.

"You must understand that she came from humble beginnings. The duplicitous nature of the Upper Crust—excuse me, the nature of a majority of them—was, well, a bit of culture shock."

"Every family has secrets. Why choose the Webbs in particular to expose? What made them a target?"

"Senator Webb and his wife had concocted a scheme that included paying off a man—an openly gay man—to marry their daughter so that they would no longer be burdened by her troubled and compromising behavior. The sham was to be kept a secret so that the Webbs' status in the philanthropic community would remain intact and so that Mr. Northam's family could maintain the lifestyle to which they had become accustomed." Bianca calibrated her glasses to sit more squarely atop her nose. "Jacinda was disgusted by the agreement, and when the Senator made a pass at her, she decided that she could no longer keep quiet."

Connie glanced across the well, where Eleanor Harper shifted in her chair, temples twitching, fighting valiantly to suppress an eye roll. Mike continued, "Did Ms. Chambers offer any proof that her allegations were based on fact?"

"Yes… A well-documented record of all communications relating to the matter, including emails, telephone calls, and threats made against her."

"What kind of threats?" Mike feigned a lack of knowledge as a ploy to usher the interrogation in the desired direction.

"Ms. Chambers felt that her life was in danger. She received several menacing phone calls and text messages from the Senator's daughter."

"Audrey Webb?" Mike turned and gestured toward the mousy woman that was slouching in the Defendant's Chair.

"Yes."

Mike retrieved a paper from the table and flourished it dramatically. "The People's 23: an affidavit addressed to Ms. Peters and signed by the deceased. 'Do you know who you're dealing with? You will never get away with this.' 'If you run your mouth, you low-budget bitch, I will strangle you with the strand of pearls around your neck. You are nothing.' 'If my family goes down, you're coming with us.' Does any of this sound familiar, Ms. Peters?"

"Yes. Those are some of the messages that Ms. Chambers told me about."

"Do you recall who made these particular threats?"

"Audrey Webb."

Mike paused for a moment, a deliberate move that allowed the information to be fully assimilated by the judge. He folded his hands and allowed them to rest against his stomach, beginning his conclusion. "Did Ms. Chambers tell you why she didn't simply go to the police with her story?"

"Yes. When people of the Webbs' status are faced with the threat of a tell-all exposé or the prospect of time in jail, they will often choose the latter. It's a matter of pride. Jacinda felt that the only way to be truly heard was through a media outlet rather than legal intervention."

"Thank you." With a curt nod amidst a miniscule air of triumph, Mike returned to his seat. Connie braced for the rebuttal from the Defense. Three…two…

"Ms. Peters," Eleanor Harper swooped in like a vulture to road kill, "you stated that Ms. Chambers confessed to you that she feared for her life."

"Yes."

"Hmmm… It's to be expected, I suppose. Airing such distinguished dirty laundry could engender quite a few enemies. Audrey Webb was not the only person who faced humiliation over Ms. Chambers' accusations. Surely, my client was not the sole source of the minatory phone calls and e-mails. In fact, the very same list that Mr. Cutter so eloquently read from includes intimidation tactics used by not just my client, but also her mother and father and her fiancé." Eleanor handed Bianca a copy of the affidavit. "Could you read that line right there to us? Yes, that one. Thank you."

Bianca cleared her throat and quoted, "'Mind your business and do the job that you've been paid to do. If you open your mouth to anyone about anything, it will be the last thing you do. You will never work in this town again.'"

"And could you please tell us whom that lovely little gem came from?"

Bianca glanced at Mike nervously, and then back at the paper in her hands. "Celeste Webb."

"Thank you!" Eleanor yanked the document from Bianca's grip. "Ms. Peters, isn't it true that you did not inform the police of your affiliation with Jacinda Chambers until—let me check my notes—hmm, yesterday?"

Bianca fidgeted anxiously, and Mike eyed her carefully, praying that her squirming would go unnoticed by Judge Braden. "Yes… But, you see-…"

"Why now, Ms. Peters? What's in it for you?"

"The satisfaction of doing the right thing." Bianca's eyes narrowed, almost daring Eleanor to continue. "…Of putting petty status struggles to rest and playing my part as a human being to ensure justice, even if it were to mean sacrificing my job."

The seasoned attorney leaned casually against the railing that enclosed the witness stand. "You went to Hudson University, right?"

Connie knew that the subject was unavoidable, but how ruthless would Harper be? She stole a brief glimpse of Mike's reaction—a nearly undetectable mixture of tension and panic. He leaned against the arm of his chair with his elbow propped up and his chin resting in the frame of his fingers. Connie suddenly felt a surge of remorse. She had experienced the hell of having one's personal life put on display. But, she and Mike had discussed it before hand, and she was prepared. This time, she had no idea of what lie ahead. She felt nauseous with anticipation.

Bianca stammered. "Yes…"

"You were a Communications major?"

"I obtained a double major. I have a Masters in Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing," Bianca stated proudly, giving a slight toss of her head so that her golden hair settled neatly against her back.

"But, initially, you were enrolled in Hudson Law School?"

"Yes."

"Those are two very different disciplines, Ms. Peters! What on earth made you change your mind?"

"My father was a senior prosecutor for the CPS in London. He was disappointed when I chose to move to the States, and naively, I thought I might win back his affection by following in his footsteps. But, his was a cerebral profession that ventured upon theatrical at times. I realized that it was not my calling."

"So it wasn't an attempt to avoid the sting of a nasty breakup?" Eleanor slyly alluded to her objective.

Bianca scoffed. "That couldn't be further from the truth!"

"You were at Hudson Law in 1993…" Eleanor adopted an exaggerated expression of realization. "Mr. Cutter was also a student in Hudson's Law school in 1993. That's quite a coincidence. It's a fairly small program. You two must have known each other."

Apprehension marred Bianca's reply. "We were… acquaintances."

"Acquaintances? Isn't it true that you and Mr. Cutter were in a relationship until you withdrew from the University in 1994?"

Following a very pregnant pause, Bianca ceded, "Yes."

"So, would you say that your history with Mr. Cutter has nothing to do with your sudden altruism toward the DA's office? Perhaps, after all these years, you're still chasing down the one that got away, going so far as to lie-…!"

"I've heard enough, Ms. Harper. I'm ordering the witness to step down." Judge Braden did not look pleased. He glared across the bench, and ordered, "Sidebar, now!" Once all members of counsel had assembled in front of his perch, he covered the microphone and urged, "Mr. Cutter, you are aware that your actions have cast umbrage on these proceedings."

Mike moved to speak, but was cut off at once by Eleanor Harper's caviling. "Your Honor, my client deserves a fair trial. Mr. Cutter's indiscretions with the Prosecution's witness could hardly qualify as impartiality. I move for immediate dismissal-..."

Connie clung to the elevated wooden surface and fervently made her argument. "I'm the one that called Ms. Peters to the stand. Mr. Cutter had no knowledge of her involvement until this morning. I assure you that there is no conflict of interest."

Braden appeared to be unmoved by her words. "Perhaps not on your part, but what about the witness? I will not have my courtroom turned into a soap opera, and I must say, Ms. Rubirosa… This is all seems a little contrived."

"Her story checks out," Connie insisted. "We have documented evidence that backs up her statements, not to mention the fact that she took an infrangible oath today. Contrary to what the Defense is implying, Ms. Peters was not bribed and she's certainly not doing us any favors. We have done everything by the book, and there should be no question of the witness' credibility."

"Except that her legs are wrapped around the lead prosecutor," Eleanor interjected. "My client does not feel comfortable being evaluated by an office that promotes fraternization."

"Your Honor?" Mike pleaded in exasperation, casually shoving one hand into his pocket and squeezing the bridge of his nose with the other.

In sharp contrast, Connie's reaction to Eleanor's allegation was colored with outrage. "The history of Mr. Cutter's personal conduct has nothing to do with the case at hand. Time and again, he has shown his dedication to justice through a consistent exhibition of the standards of professionalism and humanity that are essential to any branch of Law. On the other hand, it seems that Ms. Harper's modus operandi is to stonewall and cry foul all the way to her summation. She's more than welcome to scour through our personnel files if she really thinks it will help her case. Our office has nothing to hide, and frankly, we don't have the time to pay heed to pointless mudslinging."

"Ah, it looks like we've found the President of the Mike Cutter Fan Club," Eleanor observed dryly, procuring an icy pair of daggers from Connie's direction.

"Enough, Counselor." Judge Braden's admonishment was stern and laden with aggravation. "Another remark like that, and you can add a contempt citation to your catalog of accomplishments. All of you: go back to your seats. You've given me a lot to think about."

As they shuffled back to the table, Mike eyed Connie with sincere gratitude, verging on adoration. Her outburst had been unexpected and slightly inappropriate, but completely endearing. He whispered, "Thank you-..."

"I did it for the case," Connie countered sharply before he could finish his sentence. He seemed taken aback by her tone, and there was an awkward moment of cognizance and hesitation. She hadn't meant to sound so abrupt or scornful, but it was much easier to cope with uncertainty and uninvited emotion through aloofness. She had so quickly jumped to his defense—more or less toeing the bourns of perjury—when there was no guarantee that Mike was not once again embroiled in Bianca's crown jewels. Connie could only hope that nothing would blow up in her face. After all, wherever he had done his "witness prepping" with Bianca, it certainly hadn't been in his office. Her stomach churned once again.

If they did go to trial, that would mean that Bianca would remain in the picture, and Connie was unsure if she could remain objective and focused. Her working relationship with Mike was already suffering. How bad would things get? Scratch that—how childish would she become? Would it escalate to spiteful looks, sulking, and door-slamming because Mike Cutter dared to have a life outside of the DA's office? Judge Braden's voice jolted Connie from her reflection and back to the present.

"I will have my decision by tomorrow morning. This hearing is adjourned."

~.~.~.~.~