Page 6 of Flynn

"What a spectacular failure I had at court." Dropping the transcript on the desk's surface, Ryleigh stared at the woman resignedly. "I am thinking it."

"You hit a roadblock," Rosalyn told her smoothly. "We both knew going in that this would not be a walk in the park."

"It's becoming a trip equal to wading in the Niagara Falls. How the hell did Daley get to the witness? We were right there in the courtroom, and suddenly, the man became as white as a sheet and practically comatose. I have ordered some officers to guard him in case he meets 'his untimely death' via a syringe."

With a sigh, she lifted a hand and rubbed the back of her neck. "I don't want him getting away, Rose. The man has done some despicable things and needs to pay for it with his life."

The woman gave her a speculative look. "You have been through a hell of a lot."

"And?" Ryleigh braced for what she knew was coming.

"That scandal rocked the very foundations of this office and you more than anything. You are a damn good prosecutor, but ever since that happened, you have become relentless."

Ryleigh stiffened. "Is that a complaint?"

"Far from it," Rosalyn said smoothly. "But I am just warning you not to allow this to become a banana peel for you. I understand you want to get this son of a bitch but stick to the book."

Ryleigh struggled to reign in her temper. The woman was a friend, but she was also her boss. Diplomacy was necessary; hell was even called for. "I would like to think that my integrity is not questioned."

Rosalyn put away her cup. "I see I have offended you, which was not my intention. You are beautiful and smart, and any man would think it's a feather in his cap to be hooked up with someone like you. Not that weak and pampered asshole you were engaged to. He and several others are the exception. I am not here to give you relationship advice-"

"Good."

"But," Rosalyn continued firmly. "I want to advise you not to allow what he did to color your views. I have been married and divorced thrice, and it's soured me from the noble institution. But I love men, and I love what they can offer.

Find yourself a lover, a hobby, and yes, I know you play tennis and golf, although, for my life, I don't know why. I am saying that you don't allow what happened to you to be the end of everything."

Ryleigh's anger and resentment had drained away in the middle of the speech, and she felt a smile hovering on her lips. "I might take you up on that," she said lightly.

"Good." The woman clapped her hands briskly and rose. "I will leave you to it then. Go home, my dear, and chill. Go to a bar, get drunk, and call an Uber to take you home."

"I don't trust those Uber drivers."

"You are right. Pick up some random man and let him take you home." She said suggestively.

"I will not!"

"Just a thought." The woman smiled at her. "Loosen up and forget this for the weekend. Go shopping and take your mind off work."

"I just might do that."

With a wave, she left the office.

Sitting back in the chair, Ryleigh closed her eyes wearily. Rosalyn just might have a point. She had been using work as an escape hatch so she did not have to think about Glen and how he had betrayed her.

The wedding dress, the lovely champagne silk, and lace had been returned to the store, and her mother and Rosalyn took care of the gifts. He had left some things at her house, and in a fit of pique and rage, she had boxed them up and shipped them to his address.

The other day, she was rooting through her dresser and found a pair of boxers. It had escaped her notice. Taking it out with two fingers as if it would contaminate her, she tied it into a plastic bag and dumped it inside the trash can.

She hated him with a anger that was almost past bearing. He had humiliated her and played her for a fool, and she was still unable to get over him.

Firming her lips, she pushed away from the desk. Maybe it was time to let her hair down.

*****

Flynn pitched the half-smoked cigar into the ashtray and leaned back in the comfortable lounge chair. After losing several thousand to a very exultant, Liam Moses, he escaped the intense card game.

His delight was not over the mountain of chips next to him because it was all going to charity. He was crowing over, finally getting the upper hand in a card game where Flynn's expertise was legendary.