Family (12 page)

Luke sat next to her, and once in a while he patted her arm, but still her stomach remained tight, her breathing shallow.

The proceedings began, and Dayne was called to the witness stand again. Only then did she truly feel that she might survive the day. Not because of anything anyone had said or the atmosphere in the courtroom. But because for the first time she had a reason to look at Dayne, to get lost in his eyes. What she saw there told her he was at peace, and more than that, he was praying.

Strange, really, how he was showing more maturity in his faith than she was. And she’d been a Christian longer. But then, he’d been raised with the same faith.

All the truths, all the power of God’s Word had been a part of his life since he was a child-same as her. Now that he had claimed that faith as his own, it was stronger than Katy had imagined. Strong enough to give her a sense of protection.

As a little girl she had learned that the eyes were the window to the soul.

Since that was true, she could see by looking at Dayne’s that his soul was not consumed with fear, the way hers had been. It was consumed with God.

And that was enough to get them both through whatever might come next.

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Dayne was dying to get Katy alone, to hold her and whisper to her the way he had the night before. To assure her that everything really would be okay, no matter how it felt in that moment. But he was helpless to do anything but sit, cool and collected, on the witness stand.

This was the part of the proceedings Dayne was most concerned about. He and Tara Lawson had worked with his attorney Joe Morris making sure the line of questioning would steer clear of the events that led Dayne and Katy to Paradise Cove the night of the attack. Now he could only pray with every breath that the information would remain vague, that he wouldn’t be required to admit that he and Katy had held hands or kissed or discussed anything but her possible part in the movie.

Katy had already been traumatized by the publicity, and the scrutiny had only just begun. The tabloids would make the Times article look passive. But by then he’d at least have time to talk to Katy. For now he wanted to keep from making things worse.

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So far Tara’s questions had been perfect. Rather than avoid the subject of why Dayne was at the beach, she tackled it head-on, keeping the details to a professional level. “Mr. Matthews, could you tell the jury who you were with on the night of the

attack?” Dayne leaned close to the microphone. “I was with an actress , Katy Hart.”

“Why were you with Katy Hart at Paradise Cove that night?”

“We were discussing the possibility of her taking a leading role in one of my films.” He shrugged. “I took her to Paradise Cove because it’s a private beach, to avoid the paparazzi.” “Very well.” Tara didn’t miss a beat. “You and Ms. Hart were at Paradise Cove discussing business. Could you detail what happened as you left the beach and headed for your car?” And just like that they were past the line of questioning

involving the time he and Katy were alone on the beach. He resisted the urge to smile at Katy. Instead he willed her to know that things were going well, and nothing he’d say from the wit ness stand would cause her any more hurt. Over the next hour, Tara led Dayne through a vivid descrip

tion of Margie Madden’s attack. For the most part, the defendant ffiljji’j §remained lethargic, her eyes glued to the table in front of her.

Dayne was pretty sure she’d been doped up with Valium or some iHjiiii’lillother drug to keep her quiet.

Tara walked closer to the witness stand. With her tailored suit and note file, she was the picture of self-assurance. “Can you identify the woman who jumped from the bushes and put a knife to Ms. Hart’s throat?”

Dayne pointed across the room at Margie. “She’s sitting there, at the defendant’s table.”

For the first time that morning, Margie stirred. She turned herattention to Dayne and glared at him. “You’re a lousy husband.”

The words were out before her attorney could say anything.

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Across the back of the courtroom there was a rustle of cam 93

eras and reporters flipping notepads as twenty-some people scrambled to capture the colorful quote.

Dayne turned his attention back to Tara. From the corner of his eye he saw the defense attorney talking sternly with Margie.

The prosecutor acted as if she hadn’t heard Margie’s comment. “Mr. Matthews, did the defendant threaten to kill Ms. Hart?”

“Yes.” Dayne worked the muscles in his jaw. He could feel the eyes of the jury on him, feel them anxious to deliver a conviction on his behalf.

“And did the defendant threaten to kill you also, Mr. Matthews?”

“Yes, she did.” Dayne kept his attention on Tara, every bit as professional as she was.

“Did you believe. Mr. Matthews, that the defendant indeed intended to kill Ms.

Hart?”

“Yes, I believe she intended to kill Ms. Hart. Definitely.” Again the media stirred. The story must’ve felt irresistible.

Tara paced toward the jury and checked her notes. Dayne wanted to cheer her on.

She was perfect, allowing the twelve men and women the chance to look from Dayne to Margie and back again, giving them time to process what had happened that night. The defendant had threatened to kill with every intention of carrying it out.

After a long pause, Tara looked at Dayne. “Do you believe the defendant would’ve killed you if she’d had the chance?”

“Yes.”

“And why didn’t she kill you?”

“Objection.” The gray-haired attorney might’ve looked flustered. He might’ve been at the helm of a sinking ship, but he wasn’t going down without something of a fight. He was on his feet. “The prosecutor is leading the witness, Your Honor.”

“Sustained.” Judge Nguyen nodded at Tara. “Keep your objectivity, counsel.”

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“Yes, Your Honor.” Tara nodded, stern and remorseful. She checked her notes and tried again. “Mr. Matthews, what happened after the defendant threatened to kill Ms. Hart?”

“I kicked the knife from her hand, grabbed her, and knocked her to the ground.”

“Why did you do this?”

Dayne kept his tone grave. “The defendant had the knife pressed against Ms.

Hart’s throat. If I hadn’t done something, I believe she would’ve killed Ms.

Hart.”

The questioning continued, all of it one-sided. Tara finished just before lunch, and the judge ordered an hour break.

Dayne returned immediately to his place beside Joe Morris, and the group moved in silence to the private sitting area adjacent to the courtroom. Once they were inside, Dayne found Katy and took her in his arms. He had nothing to hide from his attorney, and Tara couldn’t have been surprised.

“Are you okay?” He spoke low near her ear. The others around them fell into various conversations, giving them what little privacy they could possibly have in the cramped quarters.

“I’m fine. Really.” She smiled, but he could see the fear in her eyes. “You’re doing fantastic up there.”

“Thanks.”

“Lunch is being brought up,” Tara Lawson announced. “I think Joe needs a few minutes with Dayne and Katy before then.” She motioned toward the hall. “I want to meet with my team and go over a few details.”

Joe shot him a silent apology. “She’s right. We need to talk about today’s story.”

Dayne wasn’t finished. He wanted to ask Katy if she felt him praying for her, but clearly this wasn’t the time. Instead he gave her hand a single squeeze and led the way to the table where Joe was sitting.

In that moment, even though he’d been praying all morning, he felt drained by the proceedings. Where Katy was concerned, 95

he always felt like they were taking steps backward, falling farther into a hole. When all he wanted to do was move forward, tell her how he really felt, and make plans to do so for the rest of his life. There, in the stuffy windowless room, the idea of ever reaching that place felt utterly impossible.

“I didn’t like the article this morning.” Joe had a copy of the LA Times. He spread it out on the table.

Dayne glanced at Katy. Her face looked a shade paler than before. Sure, she’d already seen it. But seeing it again was bound to send another wave of alarm through her body. He folded his arms on the table in front of him. “None of us liked it.”

“I can’t believe they ran the picture from the beach.” Katy’s voice was small but angry.

“They’ll run it in every tabloid next week.” Joe raised his brow in her direction. “I want you to be ready.” She nodded, her lips pressed tight together. Until lunch came they talked about the second tier of strategy with the press. They would stay with the story that Katy and Dayne were not romantically involved, no matter what was hinted at or speculated, no matter what story might run in the tabs.

“Remember, you two aren’t on trial. You don’t owe the press anything.”

“But what if they dig up information about Katy’s job, her involvement with Christian kids?”

“That’s what I want to talk to you about.” Joe leaned back in his chair and lowered his brow. “Today I’m going to hold another press conference. I’ve already alerted the media. They’re ravenous, so they’ll all be there.”

“So… ?” Dayne was puzzled. Joe was good, but where was he taking this?

Joe jabbed a finger at the newspaper. “The press has launched an implied attack on the character of Katy Hart.” He smiled, and his confidence seemed to ease the tension in the room. “Katy is a

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private citizen. The test for libeling someone like you, Dayne, is very tough.

You’re a public figure, pretty much fair game.”

Dayne gave a sad chuckle. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“But, Katy, with you they have to be much more careful. That’s why at today’s conference I will make a promise to every member of the media. We will file a libel suit against anyone who publishes any material against you that we deem damaging or a violation of privacy in any way.”

Dayne sat back and stroked his chin. “Two problems.”

“Okay.” Joe waited, listening.

Katy sat between them, wide-eyed and watching.

“First, truth is a defense for libel, right? I took a class on this back in college, and I remember that if they could prove validity or truth, a libel case could be thrown out.” Dayne didn’t hesitate. “And the other’s worse. By nature of the fact that Katy’s involved in a trial of this magnitude, the fact that she’s connected with me elevates her to a public person. Meaning the libel test for her becomes as difficult to prove as it would be if I were the victim.”

“I’m impressed.” Joe was still smiling. He gave a thoughtful nod. “You know your media law, but you’re forgetting one thing.”

It was Dayne’s turn to wait. Whatever it was, he hoped joe had something else up his sleeve. He liked the direction this was taking-if the argument held water, anyway.

“The paparazzi may be up on their media law too, but no one-not even slimy tabloid people-wants to be sued. Being sued and winning can still cost a great deal of time, money, and embarrassment. As long as we’re feeding the press a few morsels of information, they’d be smarter to leave Katy alone. They have her identity, and they’ll certainly try to find out more information this week. But your past is pretty safe. At least it will be once I tell them how serious we are.” He shot a pointed look at both of them. “The two of you have to be very, very careful where you go, what you do while you’re together in Los Angeles.”

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“We will be.” Dayne turned to Katy. “I’ve been thinking about that.”

She reached for a bottle of water, opened it, and took a sip. “What if it makes them more interested than before, like maybe we’re hiding something?”

“It might make them check.” Joe crossed one leg over his knee. He didn’t look the least bit worried. “But what is there to find, Katy? You teach Christian theater. That isn’t worth getting sued over. My bet is they’ll back off and try to find out more about you and Dayne this week. Every one of them believes the two of you are romantically involved. They’ll be out for blood over who can prove it first.”

Katy nodded. Again her face looked pale. She glanced at Dayne, and he could almost hear her thoughts. Joe was right. They had to be careful. They couldn’t be caught together in any compromising position. An embrace, a quick kiss, the first night of her return was one thing. Friends could embrace, and in Hollywood they could even let their lips touch. But a tryst or a more involved full-blown kiss, anything of the sort would prove the media’s story and elevate her to the roll of Dayne’s girlfriend-thus clearly a public figure. Then they could say what they wanted about her and not worry about threats of any lawsuits.

Dayne put his hand over hers. “Don’t worry. We’ll be careful, Katy. I promise.”

She took another drink of water. “My head’s spinning.”

“I think the press conference today will do a lot to take the pressure off.” Joe folded the newspaper and tucked it into his briefcase. “I feel good about it.”

“Thanks, Joe.” Dayne had to agree. God was looking out for them in the form of their attorney. The threat of a lawsuit was a good idea. “Again, nice work. Let us know any feedback you get after you talk with them.”

“I will.”

Before Joe could launch into another topic, Luke Baxter 98

returned from a conversation with the prosecution team out in the hall. He joined them at the table and looked at Dayne. “Happened again twice out there just now.”

Dayne had been so caught up in the talk with Joe, so involved in testifying and worrying about Katy, that he hadn’t had time to look his brother in the face. As he did, a single breath seemed to trap itself deep in his lungs. The guy was so much like him, and in that moment he ached for the chance to tell him, to hug him, and to thank him for watching out for Katy earlier today. Instead he reached for a water bottle and twisted the top open. “What happened?”

Luke laughed. “They think I’m you.”

“It happened earlier too.” Katy sparked to life for the first time since they’d started talking about the press. “We were walking up the sidewalk, and one of the photographers asked Luke a question as if he were you.”