Wes sat in front of the television set in his living room, his eyes transfixed on the news as it unfolded regarding the Givanti trial. Laney stood behind him, rubbing his shoulders. “Honey, don’t you need to get to work?”
“No,” he said. “I have to see what he’s up to.”
“He? He who?”
“Eric Grayson,” he said coldly.
“Your father.”
He took in a huge sigh. “He’s not my father. He’s just some man whose genes I happen to have.” He got up and paced in front of the television. “They’re bringing the mystery witness today. Clint will be a sitting duck as he goes into that courtroom, and I’ll bet you anything that Sherry will be right there with him.”
“There’ll be protection for them,” Laney said. “Wes, you have to trust your father’s office to provide what they need.”
“Forget it. Why should he care if my sister’s life is in danger? It’s not like he has any emotional attachment to her. Easy come, easy go.”
“I don’t think that’s true, Wes. Why don’t you call and talk to him, just to give you peace of mind? Find out what he intends to do to protect Sherry? Maybe he’d listen to suggestions.”
“I don’t want to talk to him.”
“Maybe for Sherry’s sake, you should anyway. Maybe it’s time to swallow all that pride.”
“This isn’t about pride, Laney,” he said, defeated. “It’s about history … experience. He doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to taking care of his own.”
“Then go over there … be in court … make sure that he knows you’re watching. Maybe there’s something you can do.”
Wes stared at her for a moment, turning the idea over in his mind. “You know, I think I will.”
He grabbed his keys, and started toward the front door.
“Wes?”
He turned back. “Yeah?”
“I love you. And I’ll be praying.”
He wilted and came back to her, pulling her into a tight hug. “Thanks. That’s what I should have been doing, but I’ve been in knots over this, worried sick, and I’ve just … I’ve forgotten to pray about it.”
“Well, I haven’t.” She kissed his lips, then wiped the lipstick from them. “Be careful, Wes.”
Wes felt that he walked a little taller as he headed out to his truck.