Present Day…

Michael’s office smelled of new paint. I sat stiffly on a chair in front of his desk, feeling out of place in my blue jeans, and drained from a night of travel. Framed photos of the courthouse hung above his desk. Anxiety twisted my stomach. I was taking an enormous chance by being here, but I couldn’t see any other way.

After waiting for thirty minutes, Michael entered the room with an apology. He placed a cool kiss on my cheek, then took a seat behind his desk. As always, he looked impeccable, clean-shaven, dark hair perfectly groomed, and his suit pristine. He unbuttoned his jacket and shifted in the chair with a heavy sigh. This wasn’t going to be easy for either of us.

“Sorry I’m late. My last trial ran a little long.” His gaze searched my face, searching for answers I didn’t want to give, but that was why I came here in the first place. “How’ve you been?”

“Fine. Good. How about you?” To hide the tremor in my hands, I pressed my palms to the tops of my thighs.

“Not bad. Busy.” The springs of his chair squeaked as he leaned forward and rested his forearms on the desk. “Before we go any further, I’m glad you’re here. I want to apologize for my behavior the last time we talked. I was out of line, and I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Even though things hadn’t worked between us, I respected him for apologizing. Our relationship had ended, but I’d never stop caring for him.

“No, it’s not. I acted like an ass. I had no right to give you a hard time about seeing someone else. You deserve to be happy. That’s all I want for you.” The touch of his hand to mine reminded me of how much I had cared for him. Before I could blink, he withdrew his hand to his lap and gave me a wry smile. “What can I do for you? You were very mysterious on the phone.”

“Did you look into the details of Owen’s case?” I licked my lips to ease their dryness.

“I had to call in a few favors to get his case file, but it’s not good.” He withdrew a folder and ruffled through the pages. “I have to say, it looks like he got a bum deal all the way around. He hasn’t had so much as a parking ticket during his entire life. The evidence was circumstantial. The conviction was based entirely upon his confession. It looks like they knocked the charge down from murder to manslaughter because they couldn’t make it stick any other way.” The color of his eyes darkened. He grimaced, like he’d tasted something bad. “Since he confessed, there was no trial, and therefore no other suspects were introduced into the case. Forensics has come a long way since then. DNA might have been able to absolve him. Unfortunately, the courthouse burned down a few years ago, and most of the physical evidence was lost or destroyed.”

“Does it say anything in there about me or Lanie?” I asked, steeling my nerves.

“Your names are mentioned as persons of interest, but there’s nothing to incriminate either one of you.” The chair springs squeaked as he leaned back. “Like I said, a good deal of the documentation is missing.” The furrow between his brows deepened. “I still don’t know why you’re here.”

“What if he didn’t do it? What if the whole deal was a mistake? Can you help me?”

“Stella, I don’t know.” His expression changed from one of cool resolve to tenderness. “You really care about this guy, don’t you?” I nodded. “If Owen wants to get the crime expunged, he needs to see a criminal attorney. I’m sure Lisa would be more than happy to help him, but I have to tell you, it’s probably not going to happen.”

I cringed at the mention of her name but pushed aside the petty jealousy. This meeting was about Owen, not me. “Owen doesn’t know I’m here. I need to talk to someone I can trust. Will you just listen to what I have to say? Off the record?”

“Shit.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I could get sanctioned for this, but okay.” He got to his feet and locked the door. When he returned, he took a seat on the corner of his desk in front of me and clasped his hands in his lap. “Talk.”

I told him everything from the first time I met Owen to the night of Chris’s murder, leaving out my suspicions about Lanie. He listened patiently, nodding occasionally, until I finished. “So, you see, he confessed to keep them from charging me.”

“Wow.” After clearing his throat, he shook his head. The motion released the scents of his aftershave and shampoo. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Is there anything I can do to help him?” I asked, fighting against the tightness in my throat.

“If you ask me, you should just let it go, Stella. He’s already served his sentence, and like he said, the most likely suspect after him was you.” He stood and straightened his tie, signaling the end of our discussion, before reclaiming his chair behind the desk. “Anyway, the crime occurred in my jurisdiction, and I have no desire to reopen the case. If Owen wants to pursue the matter, he needs to consult his attorney. Should the matter get in front of a judge, I’ll give it another look.”

“But don’t you understand? He didn’t do it.” I slammed both hands on the desk, bending to his eye level.

“Stella, calm down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down.” Tears of frustration burned my eyes. “It’s so unfair. You haven’t seen the way people treat him. He’s a good man—the best. He doesn’t deserve this.”

He steepled his fingers in front of him. We stared at each other. After a few seconds, he rolled his eyes. “Damn, you’re so stubborn. You won’t let this go, will you?”

“No.”

“What if I dig into this case, and you’re the prime suspect? Are you prepared for the consequences?”

“Yes.” No, I wasn’t prepared, but Owen had sacrificed everything for me. If I had to give up my freedom in order to restore his future, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

He left his desk again to pace in front of the fireplace. His dark good looks fit in with the muted gray tones of the office décor. A minute passed before he spoke. “You’d give up everything for a man you haven’t seen in eighteen years? Do you know how crazy that sounds?”

“Yes, Michael, I know. Believe me. I’ve been torturing myself over the situation for the past few weeks.” I went to the window and stared over the city. The fourth floor offered a nice view of the park. The trees had begun to turn. Their crimson and gold leaves dotted the sidewalk, making me wish I had time to shoot a few photographs.

“Do you love him?” Michael’s voice came from directly behind me. He stared over my shoulder, not quite touching me. Out of habit, I wanted to turn and put my arms around his neck, but I stopped myself.

“I don’t know.” I’d been wracking my brain over that question but still hadn’t found the answer. “But I did, and that’s what matters.”