"I don't want you to go back to work," James said. He was sitting on the edge of the bed watching her get dressed. "We haven't figured out anything yet."

"Well, that's not going to change whether I go back to work or not," Mandy said, straightening her black pencil skirt and glancing at herself in the mirror. "How do I look?"

"You look like a naughty librarian without the gla.s.ses," James said. "I like it. Why don't you stay here and let me take it off of you? You can spank me for returning a book late or something."

"You have to go back to work, too," Mandy said. "You haven't touched anything besides me for two weeks."

James cleared his throat. "Mandy, we need to figure out who planted the bomb and why," James said. "Finn and Grady have done some legwork, but the truth is, we're really behind. I let myself get distracted."

Mandy c.o.c.ked her head to the side as she regarded him. "Define distracted."

"Well, the first week all I could think about was not touching you," James said, forcing a rueful smile on his face. "The second week was different. Then I could only think about touching you. They were both viable avenues of distraction. Now I need to focus on keeping you safe."

"And you don't think I'll be safe at the courthouse? There are like fifty cops in and out of there every day. There's no place safer."

"My lap is safer," James said. "Why don't we do computer work all day?"

"Whenever we do computer work, we end up having s.e.x."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," James said. "I'll call the judge. He'll understand."

"I know he'll understand," Mandy said. "I'm the one who doesn't understand. We don't have any indication that I was specifically targeted. For all we know, it could have been random."

"Do you really believe that?"

"I don't know," Mandy said. "Like I said, we don't know anything."

"Which is exactly why you should stay here."

"I don't want to stay here," Mandy said. "I want to get my life back. I want to actually sit in my office and fantasize about missing you so much that I tear your clothes off when I get home."

James sighed, rolling his eyes. "Don't try to manipulate me."

"I'm not," Mandy said. "Sometimes I actually fantasize about you coming into my office and closing the door behind you. You don't lock it, though. It's dirtier that way. Then you kneel in front of me, right underneath my desk and ... ." Mandy leaned in, finishing her fantasy with her lips in close proximity to James' ear.

He shivered, enjoying the visual accompanying the fantasy. "I still don't want you going to work."

"I know," Mandy said. "That's why I'm going to let you take me to work and pick me up. I'm also going to stay in the courthouse and eat lunch there."

James knit his eyebrows together, considering. "Do you promise?"

"Yes."

"Do you promise to let me really act out that fantasy some time?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to agree to everything I want to make me feel better?"

"Yes."

"Fine," James said, getting to his feet. "Let's get you to work. I don't suppose you'd consider going without underwear this whole week so I have something to fantasize about?"

THERE was only one case on Judge MacIntosh's docket Monday, and it was in the afternoon. That left the morning for Mandy to catch up and clear her desk. A girl from the main records room had temped during her convalescence and things were fairly well organized. Mandy didn't say it out loud, but she was irked things hadn't ground to a halt in her absence. It was ridiculous, and she knew it, but she wanted to feel important.

She settled behind her desk in the courtroom about twenty minutes before the case was set to begin. Heidi was still out at lunch, disappointed Mandy hadn't gone with her, but resigned that Mandy's safety came first. Mandy figured she would make it up to her friend when everything was over and settled.

The door to the courtroom swung open, and Mandy was surprised to see Sophie enter. She was dressed in one of her sensible pantsuits, and she had a notebook in her hand. She headed in Mandy's direction.

"So, the rumors are true," Sophie said. "You're back at work."

"I figured James called you and made you come and check on me," Mandy teased. "Are you telling me this is a coincidence?"

Sophie held up her notebook. "I'm covering your afternoon case."

Mandy sifted through her files. "Walter Tipton, Jr.?"

"Yup."

"What did he do?"

"He killed his wife," Sophie said. "She was having an affair with his best friend. Walter says the best friend killed her, but the evidence says otherwise."

"You're not in court a lot," Mandy said, still suspicious. "Why are you here today?"

"The court reporter is on vacation," Sophie said. "Things are kind of slow at the county right now. They'll pick up again in about two weeks when the budget meetings. .h.i.t."

"Ah, your bread and b.u.t.ter," Mandy said, smiling. "So, will you be bored during this?"

Sophie shrugged. "Murder trials are hit and miss," Sophie said. "From what I understand, the families in this thing are at war. That might make it interesting."

"What kind of war?"

"Well, the father of the victim allegedly started Walter Tipton, Sr.'s truck on fire. That case is pending in Warren district court. Walter Tipton, Sr. retaliated by allegedly throwing a brick through the other guy's window. That case is pending in Roseville district court. The victim's brother reportedly knocked up the suspect's sister, which means that case is going to be pending in family court in about six months. Oh, and there's a missing dog."

Mandy frowned. "A missing dog?"

"Someone stole the suspect's dog."

"They didn't kill it, did they?" For some reason, the idea of an animal being hurt upset Mandy more than the thought of a person getting hurt.

"There's no evidence of that," Sophie said, shrugging. "A family friend says that the victim's sister stole the dog and took it up north, if that's any consolation."

It was. "So, you're saying this could get ugly?"

"Yup."

"The judge won't like that," Mandy said.

"This whole thing is going to be a mess before it's all said and done," Sophie said.

A half hour later, Mandy realized just how well Sophie had read the situation. The victim's brother was the first one called to the stand. After referring to the suspect as "an impotent troll with an invisible p.e.n.i.s," the suspect tried to attack him on the stand.

When the victim's father tried to intervene on his son's behalf, the suspect's father jumped in and punches were exchanged.

Then, when the best friend decided to get involved, things turned into an all-out brawl.

One of the security guards moved Heidi and Mandy into the back hallway quickly, securing them so they couldn't be used as human shields or hostages. Sophie and Judge MacIntosh were pressed into the narrow hallway a few minutes later.

Sophie arched an eyebrow. "I told you."

"I'll never argue with you again."

"They're all going to be arrested," Judge MacIntosh said. "I'm sending a message. I don't take this s.h.i.t in my courtroom."

"It's going to make the news," Sophie warned. "I'm going to have to do a story, and the television crews will be here before the five o'clock hour."

"I'm well aware," MacIntosh said. "Why do you think I'm sending a message by having them all arrested?"

"I just thought you were p.i.s.sed off," Sophie said. "I don't know you very well."

Judge MacIntosh chuckled. "You're funny. You're dating the middle Hardy brother, if I'm not mistaken."

"I am," Sophie said, glancing at Mandy. "Do you two gossip together?"

"Mostly about the stalwart James," the judge replied. "I have occasion to see him from time to time. I've seen Grady show up at a few events, too."

"What can I say, he's a joiner," Sophie deadpanned.

Mandy snorted. "Yeah, that's what I think about when I think of Grady."

"I'm still reeling from the revelation that he used to braid your hair when you were a kid," Sophie said.

"Only when we had games," Mandy said. "He's the only one who could braid the ribbon in just right."

Judge MacIntosh watched the exchange, smiling. "It's good to see your spirits are up," he said. "I was worried after the explosion. I wanted to come and see you in the hospital, but I was warned off by an army of Hardys."

"I'm sorry," Mandy said. "They're ... ."

"Loyal," the judge finished. "They're loyal."

"And bossy," Mandy said.

"Good grief," Sophie said, nodding energetically. "They're so bossy. I don't know what you're complaining about, though. You're bossy, too."

"I am not."

"Oh, you are so," Sophie said. "Why do you think you and James are always at odds?"

"Because he's always wrong and I'm always right," Mandy said.

"I think you two like being bossy," Sophie said. "You like to yell."

"And then they like to make up," Judge Macintosh said, laughing.

Mandy tried to fight the blush furiously climbing her cheeks. "We do not."

Sophie rolled her eyes. "You two are the king and queen of making up," Sophie said. "That's how you got moved in four hours and then no one saw you two for a week."

Mandy pursed her lips. "You have a big mouth."

"I guess I fit right in," Sophie teased. "Don't you have to have a big mouth to fit in with the Hardys?"

She wasn't wrong.

Fifteen.

James was furious. He knew Mandy returning to work so soon was a bad idea. When he saw the breaking news coverage of a brawl in Judge MacIntosh's courtroom one that resulted in eight arrests he had the sudden urge to handcuff Mandy to the bed for the next month.

James pushed his way into the courthouse, pausing to take in the commotion in the lobby. Most of the upper floors had been cleared when the alarm had sounded, he figured. He had no idea if Mandy was on a lower or upper floor but he had every intention of finding out.

After scanning the lobby and not finding the face he was looking for, James strode toward the elevator. She wouldn't leave the building. She'd promised and he believed her.

One of the a.s.sembled security guards stepped in front of the elevator when he saw James approaching, blocking his path. "No one is allowed upstairs, sir."

"My girlfriend is up there," James replied, fighting to keep his temper in check. "She was in Judge MacIntosh's courtroom."

"You'll have to wait down here, sir."

Like h.e.l.l. "I need to get up to my girlfriend," James said. "I have to make sure she's all right."

"No major injuries were reported," the security guard said. "I'm sure she's fine."

"Well, I'd like to see her for myself to be sure," James said. "I'm funny like that."

"Sir, if you don't go and wait with the others, I'm going to have to take you into custody."

James bit his lower lip. He wanted to get to Mandy, although getting detained by a security guard didn't seem like a great way to spend the rest of his afternoon. "Can't you just call up there?"

"No."