I felt my lips tighten with anger. “It’s great that they’re close. Peter especially is going to need a lot of support over the next several months—maybe even the next twenty years. And knowing his daughter’s in his court, believes in him a hundred percent, will only help.”

Tears glistened on the ends of Teri’s lustrous lashes. Waterproof mascara kept black smears from developing under her eyes. “Dick said you had a strange sense of humor, but I can’t believe you think this is funny.”

“I don’t find anything that’s happened in the last three weeks very funny. Two old men were killed because your daddy and your uncle didn’t want them squealing about a pension reversion your husband set up. At least one old lady nearly became homeless because of a slick marketing scheme your uncle organized to chisel her out of her life’s savings. And I don’t feel very happy myself, having been shot at and almost run over.”

I fingered the ridges on my stomach through my cotton T-shirt. The bandages covered the cuts, but I kept thinking they were oozing every time I twisted my torso.

“But Daddy explained all this to me. None of this was his doing. The people at the Diamond Head plant misunderstood him and Uncle Jason. They should never have done what they did. Everyone agrees it was wrong. Daddy will prove it in court; Dick can see to that. But it would make our lives so much easier if he didn’t have to, if you would agree that it was all a big mistake. I’d hate for Dick to have to attack you in public. And you know, in a case like this, they’d hire investigators to dig up your secrets—talk about your love life, your disregard for the law, all those things.”

Fury had me so in its grip, I could barely see. I jammed my hands into my pockets so Dick couldn’t see their trembling. “Discovery cuts both ways, sugar. By the time I get done with my case your husband will be lucky to have his legal license, let alone be walking around outside a federal prison.”

Dick, who’d never really come into the room, had wandered over to the window during the last interchange. When he spoke it was to the glass; we had trouble hearing him.

“My only role in this case will be as a witness.”

Teri and I were both stunned into silence, but she recovered first. “Dick! I can’t believe you would be such a—such a traitor. After everything Daddy’s done for you! You promised me—”