“Exactly.” Alanna nodded. “Of course, I was too young to realize it at the time. I was too afraid of losing the Fields. They were really good people. I had grown close to their son, Sam, who was younger than me.

“Kate started using my affection for Sam against me. She would threaten to do something and blame it on me so I would be sent back to the group home. Needless to say, I walked on eggshells around her,” she said wryly.

Her lawyer gave her a commiserating glance. “She was a Regina George.”

“Kate could run circles around Regina.”

“You mentioned another foster child was there …”

Alanna gave her a curt nod. “Yes, there was—Owen Hudson. “

The two women made eye contact.

“And despite what your husband, the sheriff, may have told you about Owen’s past history, I can say, with absolute certainty, not all of the crimes he committed have been documented. In case you’re under any delusion about what Owen is capable of, it doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the ugliness inside of him. The more you unearth, the uglier it will get.”

“I’m not afraid of him.” Mrs. Bates gave her an unwavering stare.

Alanna gave the elegant lawyer a pitying glance. “You’re not understanding what I’m trying to tell you.” Placing her hands down flat on the table, Alanna leaned forward. “I’ve been trying to warn you that Owen isn’t the only one to be afraid of. Imagine someone getting joy from hurting the most innocent of creatures, then imagine that same person being a pawn of a woman who gets the same sick kicks, and you still wouldn’t be able to comprehend what those two are capable of when they don’t get their way. Sadly, if you continue to represent me and get on their radar, you’re going to be finding that out for yourself.

“Kate will find every miniscule detail about your life. There will be no part of your life untouched until she discovers what will hurt you the most. And then … God help you when she does. That’s when she’ll get Owen to hurt or destroy what you value the most, or even worse, she does it herself. Mrs. Bates, do you and your family a favor—take that expensive briefcase and run as far as you can from my case,” Alanna begged her.

Instead of being frightened, her lawyer gave her a mocking smile.

Alanna wanted to shake the woman for disregarding her warning so lightly until she noticed the steely determination in her eyes.

“I’m not running. If either Kate Easton or Owen Hudson come after me, they’ll get more than they bargained for.”

Alanna’s shoulders slumped. By the time Owen and Kate were done with Mrs. Bates, the lawyer would be lucky to have a nail to hang her fancy law degree on.