Chapter 8
"You're running late, late," Carmen comments in a sing-song voice, handing him a copy of his schedule and a stack of legal briefs.
"I know," he replies, shedding his jacket, accepting the paperwork. He had made it home with just enough time to pull himself together and in typical Manhattan manner, traffic had been his downfall.
Never-mind the hedonistic release he had in his shower thinking of Liv.
"What's up first?"
Carmen follows him into his office, moving towards the coffee machine brewing him a fresh cup. "I managed to reschedule your meeting with Mr. McCoy to later in the week. He thinks you're having complications from that root-canal you had last week."
She offers him a fresh cup of coffee which he accepts gratefully. "Root canal?"
"Noah's soccer game?"
Rafael had completely forgotten the flimsy excuse he had given Carmen when he was halfway out the door. "Right...Thanks for the heads up."
She nods. "Judge Linden got called into court, but wants to meet with you, Olivia and Trevor Langan later this morning."
He flips through a few of the briefs, trying to get himself up to speed. "Wonderful," he replies dryly.
Carmen smirks. "Tell me how you really feel, counsellor."
He smirks too. "There isn't enough words in the English language to adequately convey my thoughts on Trevor Langan."
"And your mother called twice."
His phone rings and he glances at the caller ID, not recognizing the number. "Did you take a message?"
Carmen nods. "She wants you to call her back as soon as possible." She reaches for his phone, answering it. "ADA Barba's office, how can I help you?"
He continues to flip through the stack of paperwork on his desk, sipping his coffee, listening to the one sided conversation.
"ADA Barba will have to get back to you, Ms. Calhoun-"
Rafael reaches for the phone in her hand. "-Rita-"
"-are you dying or something?" Rita questions immediately. "It's after 9am, Rafael. Where the hell have you been?"
Carmen leaves his office, closing the door behind her. "I had a late start to my morning-"
"-you never have late starts to your morning," she echos sarcastically. "Cut the bullshit; are you getting laid? Because it's about-"
"-Why are you calling, Rita?" He interjects. He can practically hear her smirk over the phone.
"Judge Linden has requested to meet with my client this morning and I'm hypothetically inquiring what it might be about?"
"Hypothetically, your client showed up at Liv's apartment last night with two officers demanding a wellness check."
"Shit."
Rafael continues. "I requested the meeting with Judge Linden."
"Family law is a little out of your preview, counsellor. I get that you're close with Olivia, but that's a conflict of interest."
He'll never forgive himself for allowing Lewis to walk on a technicality. For not doing more to prevent his terror on her. He had trusted too much in the judicial system to protect her, believing that after everything, once he was finally behind bars he wouldn't be a threat.
He knew better.
He has seen criminals the likes of Lewis escape even the most precarious situations. He should have done more.
He has to do more now.
"I'm not going to make the same mistake again, Rita," he replies. "I'll see you in court."
...
Olivia waits anxiously outside the courtroom, trying not to pace the length of the hallway. Langan hasn't said much to her, and it's probably for the best because she would probably chew him out if he so much as told her not to worry.
She hadn't even made it into the precinct, Langan calling her to inform her that Judge Linden had requested to meet, and she worried if this was a result of Rafael's request.
The elevator chimes, and Judge Linden steps out just as Rita Calhoun and Sheila Porter turn the corner.
"Is everyone here?" Judge Linden questions.
"We're just waiting for ADA Barba," Langan answers.
The elevator chimes again, and Rafael walks off heading towards them. He looks put together, his three piece navy blue suit a stark contrast to the jeans and sweater he had left her apartment in earlier that morning.
"Looks like we're all here. Shall we?" Judge Linden gestures them all into the courtroom.
Olivia manages to catch Rafael's gaze and he gives her a comforting nod.
Judge Linden proceeds to take her place behind the bench while Rita and Sheila settle at the table to the left of the them. Rafael remains in the gallery and Langan settles beside her.
"I appreciate you all making the time to convene here today," Judge Linden begins. "Noah is a very lucky boy to have so many adults caring for his well being."
Shelia nods dutifully from her seat and Olivia resists the urge to roll her eyes.
"I had hoped that both parties would be able to come together amicably for Noah, however, it's been brought to my attention that there have been new developments since we last convened."
"There has been," Rita Calhoun begins. "My client has been made aware that a CPS investigation has been launched against Lieutenant Benson regarding suspected child abuse."
Judge Linden looks surprised.
Langan speaks. "Your honour, I've just been given notification that the investigation has been closed against Lieutenant Benson, having found no evidence to substantiate those claims-"
"-awfully convenient," Rita comments.
"What are you insinuating, Ms. Calhoun?" Langan questions.
Rita is about to respond, but Judge Linden cuts her off. "That's enough. I'd like to remind both counsels that this is family law; we're here for what is best for Noah."
"My client would like to petition the court for financial disclosure and a psychological evaluation," Rita continues.
Langan shakes his head. "My client has already gone through the rigorous vetting process with the adoption-"
"-an adoption that was fast tracked," Rita points out. "Look, my client is grateful to Ms. Benson for taking care of her grandson in his time of need-"
"-it's been five years," Langan interjects. "If anything, Ms. Benson should be questioning Mrs. Porters ability to parent a child, given the circumstances surrounding her daughter, Ellie."
Finding his in, Rafael rises from his seat in the gallery. "Your honour, if I may?" Judge Linden gestures for him to join them from the gallery.
Buttoning his jacket, he passes through the swinging doors into the well. "The office is investigating the circumstances surrounding Ellie Porter's death. We have reason to believe that Mrs. Porter is a person of interest."
"You can't be serious," Rita scoffs. "Angel Perez is rotting in a jail cell for Ellie Porters death."
"The office cannot comment on the scope of our investigation," Rafael replies. "I'm sure you recognize the lines here."
Judge Linden exhales, nodding. "I do, Mr. Barba. Until the office has concluded it's investigation, we cannot proceed."
"In that case your Honour, my client would like to file for a restraining order," Langan cuts in. "Shelia Porter arrived at Ms. Bensons house last night, unannounced with two officers. Noah was terrified."
"She was merely concerned about her grandsons well being," Rita clarifies.
"I'm sure that was Ms. Porter's intention," Judge Linden says. "However, given the investigation, I'm granting the restraining order."
Olivia exhales for the first time, clasping her hands together against her mouth.
Judge Linden addresses Rafael. "Mr. Barba, you'll keep me abreast of your investigation?"
"Of course, your Honour."
The judge nods. "Mrs. Porter, you are not to have any contact with Ms. Benson or Noah until further notice. Should you violate the terms of the order, you will be remanded. Am I clear?"
Sheila nods. "Yes your Honour."
"Then we're done here. If you'll excuse me." She leaves through her chambers.
Rita stands, shaking her head. "You're good, Barba. Don't think I won't be looking into your investigation."
"That's your prerogative," Rafael comments.
Rita ushers her client out of the courtroom and the doors close heavily behind them.
Langan looks between Olivia and Rafael. "Clearly I missed something here. Care to fill me in?"
Rafael gives him a look. "Just doing your job, Langan. You should give it a try." Trevor opens his mouth to respond and he pins him with a glare that causes him to rethink it. He turns to Liv, holding her gaze. "Ok?"
She nods silently, not trusting her voice at the moment. He nods too, before leaving the courtroom.
...
"Mr. McCoy is waiting for you."
Rafael's step falter for a minute. "I thought you said you rescheduled the meeting for later this week?"
"I did," Carmen confirms. "He's been waiting for you since you left for family court."
He inhales. "Hold my calls."
His secretary nods.
Breezing into his office, he closes the door behind him nonchalantly. "Jack, what brings you by? Have you been waiting long?"
The older man's gaze follows him as he circles towards his desk. "Over an hour."
"I apologize, I was in court-"
"-family court," Jack clarifies. "What were you doing in family court, Rafael?"
Judging by the look in his eyes, Jack already knows the answer to that. "She needed my help-"
"-Olivia has retained a lawyer. A very good one I might add."
Rafael snorts in disagreement, and Jack gives him a look.
"Look, I wasn't about to sit back and watch her face another blow when I'm able to help her."
Jack stares at him for a long time. "Is there something you need to tell me, counsellor?"
He shifts uncomfortably on his feet. "No-"
"-don't lie to me."
Rafael holds his gaze.
Jack continues. "If you are involved with her, alleging to investigate Shelia Porter is a gross abuse of power."
"And if she is a legitimate person of interest in Ellie Porter's death?" "Then I won't stand in your way."
Rafael nods.
Jack unfurls from where he sits on his couch, heading for the door. "Just so you know, counsellor: there are many around this office that have a soft spot for Lieutenant Benson, myself included. Tread lightly."
He heads Jacks words for everything that they are: a warning.
...
She's grateful that the squad room is relatively quiet when she finally does make it in, heading for the break room for a much welcomed cup of coffee. Everything from that morning had happened so fast that rewinding to when she was wrapped in Rafael's arms sounded like a great way to reset her frazzled emotions.
Taking her cup of coffee with her, she heads to her office, closing the door behind her. She just needs a minute.
Sinking into her chair, she holds her face in her hands.
In the silence, she can feel his lips against hers. Sure. Firm. Reassuring. Hear his voice, steady and full of conviction. She had sought release in her shower, thinking of him, his hands and his mouth all over her and her body prickles with arousal at the memory.
He had walked into the courtroom that morning ready to slay all of her dragons in nothing more than a three piece suit and armed with his words.
And she didn't have to ask him.
The warmth swells in her chest.
Her phone buzzes from her desk and she glances at the caller ID, finding Rafael's name. Raising the phone to her ear, she accepts his call. "Hey," she greets softly.
"Hey," he greets back. "My schedule is jammed packed today and I'm actually on my way to court right now."
She can hear the hustle and bustle of the courthouse in the background. "A text would have sufficed," she reasons. The fact that he's made it a point to call her in the middle of his hectic day is more than she had ever dared to expect.
To be thought of. Put first.
"Not for me," he answers. "...I'm thinking of you, Liv...have a good rest of the day. Kick ass as usual."
She smiles. "You too, Rafa...take names."
He chuckles over the phone. "Hablar pronto, cariño."
Hanging up, Olivia holds the phone to her lips. Her Spanish is a bit rusty, but she knows it's the second time he's called her honey, and one of many he's spoken to her in the language, and it's not lost on her the significance of it: he trusts her.
Opening up their text conversation, she types a quick message to him.
Will be thinking of you too.
He hearts her message immediately and she smiles.
Tbc
...feedback most welcome :)...they certainly help keep me motivated to write! TIA!