Rating: NC-17 - for sexual context between consenting adult women.
            UBER J/7

Thanks to my good friends Glynis and Snowolf for helping me out betareading, and to Jay for helping me plot. I always appreciate your efforts and encouragement.

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Back to "The Seven Women on Raven's Island" - part 9

The Seven Women of Raven’s Island

© GB

Part 10.

Janeway squeezed Seven’s hand as they retook their seats behind the banister at the end of the fourth day. This was the moment they had been waiting for after sitting through four days of testimonies. The CEO inhaled deeply and let the air out slowly, in an attempt to calm her thundering heart.

Adriana had filled three of the four days with people testifying for the prosecution. Max Darrell had then called the witnesses for the defence. Two people from Rey’Va Inc had taken the stand today and also two friends of Avery that Darrell had called as character witnesses. When it had been Adriana’s turn to cross examine, Janeway had watched the ADA literally pulverise their, challenging them from all angles.

The closing arguments had been brief. While Adriana had stated the facts and emphasised the suffering of the parties involved, Darrell had tried to minimize the damage by suggesting that Avery had not intended for things to occur the way they did, that he had not intended to actually hurt anyone.

Janeway briefly closed her eyes while waiting for Judge Gilmore to return after her fifteen minute recess before delivering her verdict. The CEO thought back on the previous day when she had begun to feel certain that Avery would be found guilty.  

*****

Cynthia Thorpe stepped down from the witness box, looking relieved to be out of Avery’s sight. Even if Max Darrell had delivered his best attempt to challenge her testimony, the woman had caused Avery a lot of damage. Now, Adriana de Leon was about to call the next witness, the man who had organised Seven’s kidnapping.  

Janeway shifted in her seat, glancing at the blonde next to her. Seven looked calm on the surface but the CEO realised that it must be hard for her to face the ones responsible for her abduction.

When the muscular and quite overwhelming Cynthia had taken the stand, Janeway had turned her head towards Marion and whispered, “This is the woman Seven and Julia chased?”

Marion had grinned but also given her own partner a look of surprised appreciation.

“Prosecution calls Stephen Harrison.” Adriana’s voice rang out loud and clear.

Janeway regarded the dark haired woman who stood behind the prosecutor’s desk, looking relaxed and confident. The ADA wore a black trouser suit over a crisp white blouse and her hair was tied back in a French braid, revealing white pearls gleaming in her earlobes as she moved. The CEO was impressed with the poise which Adriana had handled the difficult and emotional testimonies the previous day. She had been as compassionate then as she was relentless now.

On the second day of the trial, Jacob Henderson had testified how two men had come onboard his fishing boat, attacking him in order to get to Seven. Next, the police officers who were first on the scene in the stairwell, when Marion had held Avery at gunpoint had given their testimonies.

Amy Green had also taken the stand and her testimony had been difficult. Amy had broken down into tears during Max Darrell’s cross examination. The defence lawyer had done his job well, hammering away at Amy until she almost fell apart, questioning her motives for what she had done. He had brought up her alcoholism and the way she had acted in the past, as a way to discredit her. Janeway had clenched her teeth, feeling protective towards her employee who had to suffer through a public humiliation in this manner. She had made a mental not of talking to Marion about the legal secretary later in the day.

Now a bulky man in his early forties took the stand. Janeway was happy that Cynthia Thorpe had taken the DA’s offer of a plea bargain and surrendered information of his and the other two men’s identities and whereabouts. Seven had never seen their faces since she had been blindfolded in the car when the men transported her to Avery’s building. During the rescue in the stairwell, everything had happened so quickly, neither Janeway nor the other women had seen the faces of the men clearly to be able to make a positive identification.

The man identified himself as Stephen Harrison and stated his occupation as a contractor. Janeway huffed inaudibly, pressing her lips together as the man answered the ADA’s questions about what his latest ‘contract’ had entailed.

“A man approached me over the phone. I didn’t know him, but we had mutual friends, I guess you could say.”

“What did this man want?”

“He gave a name that I know well as a reference. He wanted me to deliver Annika Hansen to him as soon as possible. He had contacts in Stellar Corporation that kept him informed of Hansen’s comings and goings.”

Harrison studiously avoided looking in Avery’s direction. The man told the court how he had called two of his associates and carried out his end of the agreement. The callousness with which he told of the assault against Jacob Henderson made Seven gasp and Janeway reached out and patted the other woman’s arm. The older man had put up more of a fight than the two men had expected and Harrison claimed that his partner had panicked and hit the man in the head with the butt of his gun. Harrison continued by describing how the two men had chloroformed Seven and tied her hands and feet. After lowering the unconscious woman into the boat, they had sped out of the marina.

“The police found the boat on a beach not far from the marina. What happened after you reached the shore?”

“We had a van waiting with a driver. We put the woman on the floor in front of the backseat and made sure she couldn’t get up.”

“Describe to the court how you ensured this?”

“We kept our feet on her. She did wake up after a while and I guess she was a bit out of it. We had to subdue her.”

“How did you manage that?”

Harrison seemed at a loss for words for the first time. His voice was barely audible when he spoke again.

“My associate went too far, and against orders. He kicked her in the ribs.”

Janeway squeezed Seven’s hand and closed her eyes. She remembered the large bruise on Seven’s right side and the soreness her fiancée had had to endure for several weeks and a cold fury filled her. Mimicking Janeway’s gesture earlier, the blonde gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. It calmed the CEO to some degree to feel Seven’s hand on hers, but still she wanted to throttle the man in the witness box. She knew he had cut a deal with the prosecution; Harrison and his partners in crime had all agreed to testify against Avery in exchange for a reduced sentence. However, they would still serve several years in prison and so would Cynthia.

Harrison continued to describe how Avery had let them into the apartment where he intended to hold Seven captive. This was also when they met Cynthia for the first time.

When Adriana handed the witness over to the defence, Max Darrell did his best to poke holes into Harrison’s testimony, challenging the man’s credibility.

Janeway kept her gaze on Judge Gilmore, trying to gauge the woman’s response. The judge sat listening intently and the CEO knew that she was seasoned enough to not let herself be fooled. Even from a layman’s point of view, the evidence was overwhelming.

Looking at Avery where he sat at the defence table, Janeway wondered what was going through his mind. There was something oddly confident about him that did not make sense. Had he not been caught red handed, the way he was, she would have understood that their case against him would have been harder to prove, but the way things were, his attitude was unsettling.

The other two men responsible for kidnapping Seven and delivering her into Avery’s hands gave concurring testimonies. There was little Max Darrell could do to challenge their testimony. He had, however, more to say to Marlon Davis’ when Janeway’s ex-employee from the IT department took the stand. After Adriana had led the man through his statement in how he aided Avery in the computer incursion, the defence lawyer had outdone himself and managed to make Davis contradict himself. Janeway had resisted the urge to groan out loud when she saw where it was going. Davis was probably worried about his own upcoming trial and afraid to incriminate himself further, but trying to withhold information had only made it worse.

When Marlon Davis was excused from the witness stand, Adriana gazed up towards the judge.

“This concludes the prosecution’s list of witnesses, Your Honour.”

“Very well, Ms de Leon,” Judge Gilmore replied. “As it is late in the afternoon, I suggest that we reconvene tomorrow morning, 9.00AM. Be ready to call your first witness by then, Mr Darrell. Court adjourned.”  

*****

After they had retaken their seats at the end of the fourth day in court, Seven watched them escort Avery back into the court room when the fifteen minute recess was almost over. She had opted to remain in her seat together with Kathryn and their friends, mostly to avoid the media circus waiting to pounce on them all at any given moment.  

Avery shot her glance and when their eyes met, he suddenly flashed a broad smile. Seven flinched, making Kathryn turn her head to look questioningly at her.

“Seven?”

“I am all right.”

Kathryn frowned, looking at Avery as he stood next to his lawyer.

“He is not looking very nervous, is he?” she murmured.

Seven had to agree. Instead, Avery seemed … confident?

Judge Gilmore entered, and the bailiff raised his voice, “Silence. All rise, please. The court is now back in session, the Honourable Judge Maryanne Gilmore presiding.”

They all rose as Judge Gilmore re-entered the court room. Judge Gilmore studied the man on trial for a moment before she nodded towards the bailiff.

“Will the defendant please rise,” the bailiff requested.

Avery and Max Darrell rose, facing the bench. 

“Mr Reymers, the prosecution has put together a strong case, with evidence beyond question against you. You have acted in a callous manner and subjected several women to a staggeringly inhumane treatment, culminating in the assault of Jacob Henderson and Annika Hansen’s kidnapping. There is no doubt in my mind that all your actions were carefully orchestrated and meant to cause as much harm as possible upon your victims.” The judge paused briefly. “Richard Eric Avery Reymers, due to the overwhelming evidence delivered by the prosecution against you, I hereby find you guilty of all charges.”

Seven had realised that it would come to this, but for a moment it was as if her heart stopped beating and landed in the pit of her stomach with a muted thud.

Glancing at Avery, Seven frowned. The tall, blonde man stood motionless, perhaps with a slightly less confident smile; in fact there was a barely noticeable furrow between his eyebrows that had not been there before. Seven wondered what was going through his mind. She had never seen him this restrained and in control before. When Kathryn had outsmarted him after he had blackmailed Marion, he had lost his temper completely. What did he know that the rest of them did not?

“Because of the serious nature of several of these charges I am going to take time to review them,” the judge continued. “We will reconvene one week from today, when I will pronounce sentencing. Counsels, please approach the bench.”  

Adriana and Avery’s lawyer walked up to the judge and engaged in a brief discussion. Judge Gilmore nodded and raised her head, focusing on Avery once more.

“Court is adjourned until 9.15AM next Wednesday. I will expect to see all parties present. Good afternoon.”

There was a rustle of people rising from their seats. Members of the press pulled up cellular phones from their pockets and pushed each other to get out of one of the two doors in the back of the room, leading to the hallway.

Max Darrell was standing close to Avery who seemed to be either stunned or totally composed. Avery, being the taller of the two, leaned forward and said something that made his lawyer press his lips to a thin line and then shake his head. This seemed to aggravate his client who attempted to fling his hands in the air, but was immediately restrained by two police officers. They put on handcuffs and began escorting him out of the court room.

Seven looked over to her left where Marion and Julia stood next to Jonathon Williams. The young woman reached over and gave Marion’s hand a quick squeeze. The sales manager was pale, but returned Seven’s glance with a crooked smile.

Adriana came around the banister, extending her hand towards Seven. The younger woman took it between both of hers, and took a step closer. “Is it appropriate to give you a hug?” Seven asked, not wanting to commit a faux pas within the court room.

“Of course it is,” Adriana smiled. “The court is in recess.”

Seven pulled the dark haired woman close in a warm embrace. “Thank you, for everything you have done.”

“You’re welcome, Seven. Gilmore will pronounce sentencing next week and with all the charges put together, he’s not going to be out in a long time, if ever.”

Seven pulled back a little, gazing down into the almost black eyes. They sparkled with an energy that she guessed came from being victorious. Suddenly, she could see what Phoebe saw in the other woman.

She let go and let Kathryn shake Adriana’s hand. “Thank you. You’ve done an outstanding job. You look quite relieved that it’s over.”

“I confess it’s been the major part of my workload for the last few months. With the last minute evidence that you uncovered, I had to work around the clock, but apparently it worked.”

Kathryn cocked her head. “This will be quite a scalp on your belt. It’s a high profile case that has been covered relentlessly by the media.”

Adriana did not deny it. “Yes, it’s been an important case for me on many levels.”

Phoebe walked up to them, her face serious. “Speaking of levels, the press is out there, on this one, ready for us to run a gauntlet that I don’t think any of us feels up to. Can you do your magic and get us out in a more inconspicuous way?”

“Of course,” Adriana nodded. “Follow me. I’ll take you out the back way. There might still be media people out there, but hopefully not anywhere near as many.”

After shaking hands with Max Darrell, the ADA motioned for them to follow her. She took them out through a door to the left of the one Judge Gilmore had used. As they left, Seven turned her head and looked at the now almost empty room.

“What is it, darling?” Kathryn asked. “Something wrong?”

Not sure if she would be able to explain how Avery’s expression had affected her, Seven mentally shrugged away the uneasy feeling in her midsection.

“No, I am sure everything is fine. Let us go home.”

Kathryn waited until they were out of the courtroom and standing in an empty hallway, surrounded by their family and friends. Slipping an arm around Seven’s waist, she hugged her briefly.

“We’ll be back here less than a week from now and then it will all be over.”

“I hope so.”  

*****

Julia looked up at the tall man that she had begun to reconnect with over the past week. Jonathon Williams had just gone through the check-in to his flight back to Michigan. He turned around, looking awkward in an odd sort of way when he walked up to her.  

“I’ll miss you, dad,” she said, barely able to hold her tears back. “I wish you could have stayed longer.” It was the morning after the trial and they had stayed up talking most of yesterday evening.

“I know.” Jonathon pulled into a hug. “I know, dear. I promise I’ll come back soon, if I may. I have some things to discuss with your mother when I get home. Our days have been very important to me, not to mention eye opening. Thank you for having me.”

“Will you be all right? I know mother wasn’t pleased that you extended your visit.”

Jonathon gave a lopsided smile. “As intimidating as you mother strives to be, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Julia swallowed. “I just don’t want to lose what we’ve begun to …” She bit her lower lip when her voice betrayed her.

Her father took a step back and brushed away the threatening tears from her eyelashes. With a familiar gesture from her childhood, he let his finger trail along her nose and then gently tap her chin.

“I give you my word that we won’t lose anything,” Jonathon vowed. “I didn’t fly here only to go back to how I’ve let it slide for years. You’re my first born.” He paused. “I love you, Julie-girl.”

Hearing the old nickname released the last grip she had of her emotions. Throwing her arms around her father, she sobbed against his shoulder. “I love you too, dad.”

After calming down a little, Julia felt Marion’s hand against her back and a tissue was pressed into the palm of her hand. Wiping her eyes, she gave her partner a grateful look.

“You have to go to your gate, dad,” she husked after a glance at the large clock on the wall behind them. “And we have to go to work.”

“I will call you tomorrow. Take care of each other now.” Jonathon turned to Marion. “Thank you for being so generous. I know it was for Julia’s sake, but I would like to think that we might become friends one day also.”

He extended a hand and to Julia’s surprise, Marion leaned forward as she took it in hers, and kissed the Jonathon on the cheek.

The two women stood still for a moment, watching Julia’s father walk through the security check. He turned twice to wave and smile before disappearing towards his gate.

Walking back to the car in the short term parking lot, Julia hooked her arm under Marion’s, needing the closeness.

“Are you okay, honey?” Marion asked.

“Yes, I am, now. I don’t know what came over me. It’s not like me to cause a scene in public …”

Marion stopped dead in her tracks and gave a resounding laughter, turning the heads of every person close by.

“What’s so funny?” Julia frowned.

“Run that by me one more time,” Marion managed between fits of laughter.

“It’s not like me to … “ Julia’s face fell. “Oh. That.” She smiled sheepishly.

Marion’s continued mirth was most unnerving.  

*****

Janeway closed her email software and logged off the computer. Feeling restless, she rose from the chair and walked over to the window. The city was bathed in golden sunlight, making her squint as it hit windows to the west everywhere, reflecting the light towards her.  

The CEO rubbed her temple, frowning as the headache she had battled all morning after a more or less sleepless night, seemed to escalate. She had already had two mugs of coffee while going through her morning routine; it could hardly be lack of caffeine.

Eager to get out of her office for a moment she pivoted and walked out to Martha.

“I’m going down to the IT department,” she informed her assistant. “I have my phone.”

“I’ll keep an eye on things. You don’t have anything until the lunch meeting at 12.30.”

Janeway shot Martha a brief smile and walked over to her private elevator. Punching in her code she rode it down to the IT floor. The CEO walked through the busy corridors, nodding to her employees as they went about their business.

Janeway wondered if she was imagining optimism she sensed in the air. Was this always the case? Was Stellar always filled with such enthusiasm? Stopping to chat with a couple of the programmers, Janeway thought that she had always tried to make her company into a people friendly work place, but she was not sure if she had really paid attention to the signs in this manner. She walked over to a young blonde, who reminded her a little bit of Seven.

“Ms Janeway, I wasn’t aware that …” The young woman blushed. “I’m Paula Dennison.”

“Nice to meet you, Paula. I don’t believe we’ve ever spoken in person before?”

“No, ma’am,” Paula gushed. “I did attend an introductory meeting where you were present, though..”

“How long have you worked at Stellar?” Janeway hid a smile as she noticed that the other young people working in close proximity to Paula were listening intently.

“A little more than six months, Ms Janeway. I really like it here.”

“I’m delighted to hear this.” Out of the corner of her eye, Janeway saw the manager of the IT department approach them. “I won’t take up more of your time, Paula. It was nice to meet you.”

“Thank you, ma’am. It was my pleasure.”

Pleased with the well mannered programmer’s response, Janeway walked with the IT manager through the corridors as he informed her of how the recently implemented security measures were working out. She could see that it had taken the middle age man hard, that one of his most trusted employees had sold out to Avery.

“Oliver,” she rounded off their impromptu conversation, “the last few weeks has been hell, I know. You still have my confidence and with the help of the firm I hired to clean up the mess after Avery and Davis, your department will recuperate. I’ve seen a lot of happy faces today.”

The IT manager stroked his greying beard. “Now, when everything is out in the open, a lot of people are relieved that they are no longer under suspicion.”

“Yes, it must have been devastating to feel scrutinised.”

“It was. When Lindstrom and his crew’s evidence pointed only to Davis, people were both shocked and relieved. He’s a quiet fellow, not the one you’d think would do such a thing.”

“Apparently, he’s a quiet fellow in serious debt,” Janeway sighed. “I will let you get back to work now.”

They said goodbye and Janeway took the elevator up a few floors, to the legal department. The brief talk with Paula had reminded her that she wanted to check on Amy Green.

If the IT department was buzzing with activity and filled with enthusiasm, the legal department was the exact opposite. Janeway’s greeting was met with polite, but less energetic replies when she walked through the corridors. Approaching the part of the floor that hosted the lawyer’s offices, Janeway stopped outside Amy’s room.

Looking inside, she saw the younger woman huddling over a stack of files, browsing through them.

Tapping her fingertips on the doorframe, Janeway announced her presence.

“Amy? Do you have a moment?”

The legal secretary jumped and pivoted on her chair. “Ms Janeway! Of course …” She rose, motioning for Janeway to take a seat on the opposite side of the desk. “Please.”

“Thank you, but I thought you might be able to treat me to a cup of coffee in the staff cafeteria, perhaps?” Janeway said with a smile.

Amy’s eyes grew wide. Blinking rapidly as if trying to hold back tears, she rounded the desk. “Yes, of course. This way, ma’am, it’s further down the hallway. They have installed a new espresso machine that we’re getting very fond of.”

The two women walked down the long corridor, passing several members of the legal staff who looked quite stunned at the sight of the CEO and Amy together. As they entered the cafeteria, Janeway noticed the department manager and his deputies sitting at a table by the large panoramic window. She nodded toward them but walked with Amy to the counter where the pastries were on display.

“Think we should go for one of those?” Janeway asked in a friendly tone of voice. “I really shouldn’t have something sweet this early in the day, but I think we both deserve it, don’t you agree?”

“Yes, perhaps we do,” Amy managed, sounding a bit dazed as she looked down at the Danishes covered with dark chocolate. “Here, allow me.”

The legal assistant pulled out a tray and two plates with pastries and walked over to the young man in charge of the coffee machines. “Hello, Terence,” she greeted him. “You know Ms Janeway, our CEO?”

Janeway almost felt sorry for the boy. He lost all colour only to have it rush back to his cheeks at record speed. Blushing profusely, Terence still managed to ask what he could do for them.

“I’ll have a double espresso, thank you, Terence,” Janeway decided, hoping that the massive shock of caffeine would take care of her headache.

“I’ll have a café latte, thank you,” Amy said.

“It will be ready ASAP,” Terence assured them and threw himself into his task full of young eagerness. “Please, take a seat and I’ll bring it out to you.”

The two women walked out among the tables and took their seats two tables from where the department manager sat.

“How are you doing, Amy?” Janeway asked as they made themselves comfortable. “Have you begun to get things in perspective yet?”

The other woman studied her Danish for a moment and then shook her head as she met Janeway’s eyes. “Not quite yet, ma’am. I think it’s too early for that.”

The CEO considered this. She was just about to comment on it when several men and women entered the small cafeteria for some morning coffee. When Janeway noticed them all giving Amy furtive looks, she suddenly understood.

“It is not so much you putting things behind you, as your colleagues being able to do so, or not?” she guessed. “Am I right? Have they been giving you a hard time since your testimony?”  

The newspapers had published transcripts of the trial in great detail.  

“It has been hard. I know Ms de Leon tried to keep me off the stand, but I realised that it was important that I’d testify to ensure Avery’s conviction.”

“And now?” Janeway looked around the cafeteria, noticing that nobody met her gaze.

“Everybody knows.” The simple words were heartbreaking.

Thinking quickly, Janeway pulled out her phone. Pressing the speed dial she spoke rapidly to the person at the other end.

“Marion? Are you back at the office? Oh, he did? Good. Now, do you remember what we talked about the other day? I think now is a good a time as any. Why don’t you join me in the legal department’s cafeteria?"  She turned her attention back to Amy.

“You did something incredibly courageous,” she emphasised. “I realise that you must feel naked to the world, having to go through Darrell’s cross examination like that. He was only doing his job, though.”

“I know that,” Amy said, her cheeks colouring. “In fact, he called me later in the evening, to check on me.”

Janeway’s jaw was close to dropping. “He did what?”

“Yes. He told me that he did not regret having to cross examining me the way he did, but he was sorry that it had to be done in the first place.”

“Amazing,” Janeway murmured.

Terence arrived with their coffee and Janeway sipped it with obvious pleasure. She looked over at Amy, thinking that the other woman held a certain fragile beauty. Amy Green was a petite woman, ivory combs held her long, honey blonde hair back, accentuating the triangular face that was sprinkled with light freckles.

“Here you are! Mind if I join you?” a voice interrupted Janeway’s trail of thought. Looking up, she saw Marion standing there.

“Of course not. I called you, remember, so quit trying to be funny and pull up a chair.”

Amy looked stunned when the woman who worked close to Janeway on a regular basis and also were a personal friend of the CEO sat down next to her.

“Hello, Amy, nice seeing you under more casual circumstances,” the sales manager greeted her. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine, Ms McDunn,” Amy managed.

“Ah, call me Marion; after all, we’re on a break.”

“Thank you, Marion.”

Janeway regarded her friend fondly. She had done the right thing to call her to join Amy and herself.

“Amy just told me that Darrell called her to make sure she was all right,” the CEO offered. “I thought that was rather interesting.”

“Indeed,” Marion agreed, raising an eyebrow. “He’s probably well aware what kind of scumbag he’s representing.”

“I’m sure of it.”

Amy had begun to relax again. The other two women kept up an easygoing conversation and soon the legal secretary was able to smile and join in.

“So how are things on the executive floor working out for you?” Janeway ribbed Marion. “Getting settled yet?”

“I would settle much faster if Celia hadn’t left a week earlier than planned. Celia was my assistant,” Marion explained to Amy.

“Oh, I can imagine that’s driving you crazy,” Janeway offered, sipping her espresso with delight.

“Yes, I have a lot of work piled up that needs to get done. Celia has conducted interviews but so far there has not been anyone who I …” The sales manager suddenly stopped talking and looked at Amy with narrowing eyes. “Hmmm …”

Janeway smirked and changed the subject.

“So, Amy, what are your immediate plans?”

The legal secretary clasped her hands together. “To be honest, I have been living in a vacuum for quite some time, all the time expecting every day here at Stellar to be my last. I was sure I would be asked to leave any day. Now I know this won’t happen, I guess I will try to find my bearings and learn how to get through the days.”

“What if we asked you to leave the legal department?” Marion asked, making Amy pale considerably. “And move up to the executive floor and work for me?”

Amy seemed to stop breathing as she stared at Marion.

“Is that a serious offer, Ms McDunn?”

“Marion. And yes, of course it is. I know some of the work load you legal secretaries pull and I think you’d be happy on the 79^th. It’s still hard work, but it will pay better. Will you think about it?”

Janeway admired how Marion cut to the chase and still made it sound casual.

Amy looked around the cafeteria, as if looking for answers in the faces of her colleagues.

“I think I’m ready for a change,” she decided. “I’m overwhelmed that you would think to promote me after all that’s happened.”

Marion gave a crooked smile.

“Amy, you have gone through hell and in a way so have I. All our secrets are now out there, for anyone to read about, gossip about. I know you and I will have a certain understanding for each other that will make a good basis for a working relationship. I know you have learned that you can always come to us, no matter what. You’ve been loyal to the company and that’s the key word. Loyalty.”

“Now, listen to me, Amy” Janeway emphasised. “I want you to know that my door is always open, and so is Marion’s.”

Amy looked at them with tears welling up in her eyes. “Thank you. I appreciate that. These last few days haven’t been … easy.”

“It will get better,” Janeway assured her. “I promise.”

“I hope so. When do you want me to start?”

Marion’s face brightened. “Can you move up on Monday? I have a ton of work piled up and …”

Janeway tuned out her sales manager’s enthusiastic voice and instead scanned the cafeteria, studying her employees at the legal department. Some people nodded towards her, other’s quickly lowered their gaze. The CEO had hoped that her visit would strengthen Amy and her position among her colleagues. It was also her intention that it would send the message that she would do the same for anyone with similar problems as long as they were loyal to her and the company.

“Then it’s settled!” Marion’s enthusiastic voice broke Janeway of her reverie. She watched the other two women shake hands; Amy looking slightly flustered but with a bright smile on her face.

“I’m glad.” Janeway nodded her approval. “Then welcome to the executive floor. I know several people who will be happy to have you there. Martha will be thrilled, and so will Seven.”

“Then you are sure this is not a mistake, ma’am?” Amy asked, several contradictive feelings flickering over her face.

The CEO reached over and patted the younger woman’s clasped hands.  “I’m certain it’s not.”

*****

Janeway and Marion stepped off the elevator on the executive floor. Still smiling at one of Marion’s more outrageous comments, the CEO jumped when Martha was suddenly at her elbow.

“Kathryn, you have a visitor in the VIP lounge.”

“I thought you said I had nothing until 12.30.” She checked her watch. “It’s not even noon yet.”

“I know, but he just showed up and …”

“Well, I have a bunch of documents to go over before my next meeting so I would suggest that he makes an appointment …”

“Kathryn, it’s Sebastian Reymers.”

Marion had waved and begun to walk down the hall towards her office but now she stopped in her tracks. “Avery’s father?” she croaked.

“Yes.”

“I guess I should go and see what he wants, then,” Janeway decided.

“Want me to join you?” Marion asked.

“No, I’m fine. If I need you, I’ll give you a call.”

Janeway walked to the VIP lounge, two doors down the hall, and stopped briefly to find her bearings before she entered. She turned the door knob and entered the luxurious room.

Sebastian Reymers stood over by the window, stirring a mug of coffee. An exclusive coat lay across a chair and partly covered a briefcase.

“Mr Reymers, I’m Kathryn Janeway.” She walked up to him, extending a hand.

She had seen him before, at different functions in the city, but they had never been formally introduced.

“My pleasure, Ms Janeway,” the tall man now said. “I apologise for showing up unannounced like this. I’m glad you can spare me a moment.”

“Of course.” Janeway motioned for her guest to take a seat, noting that he remained standing until she was sitting down. “Forgive me for being blunt, but why are you here?”

“I like someone who’s direct. I’m here to try to undo some of the damage my son has done to your company.”

Janeway resisted the urge to raise her eyebrows.

“And how are you going to manage that?”

There was a gleam of annoyance in Reymers’ eyes that did not escape her. Had he expected her to fall onto her knees in gratitude for his valiant offer?

“I learned only recently of my son’s fraudulent behaviour towards Stellar Corporation and I want to make sure you don’t suffer financially from it.”

Janeway bit her tongue as she considered his statement.

“I don’t hold you responsible for what your son has done. He worked for me for several years using his mother’s maiden name. I would never have made the connection between him and you if he had not kidnapped Annika Hansen.”

Reymers clenched his teeth, putting down the coffee mug. He leaned back into his chair and Janeway got the feeling that he wanted more distance between them.

“That was an unfortunate act on his part. I hope Ms Hansen is getting over her ordeal.”

Astonished at his way of phrasing it, Janeway could feel her eyes turn a stormy grey, but she was not about to lose control of her temper. “Yes, she is,” she merely replied.

“Well, as of yesterday Rey’Va is under my control. All the company’s assets have been frozen by the state. I have instructed my employees to release any illegally obtained Stellar shares as soon as possible. I have also asked an impartial auditing company to evaluate any deals that have been made.”

Janeway laced her fingers together and regarded the powerful man sitting across the table from her.

“Eric used this company as a diversion to obtain his objectives, Mr Reymers. I know I don’t need to explain why we now are reluctant to do business with Rey’Va Inc. I am pleased to hear that you will make sure we will not be held responsible for what your son did. The strain he has put this company under has been difficult to rectify.”

“I understand that.”

“I hope so. My lawyers are working around the clock to be make sure we’re prepared if there are damages not met when it’s time for the sentencing.”

“A wise course of action. I expect that my son will be incarcerated for a long time.”

Reymers’ voice was completely emotionless and Janeway wondered what strange relationship existed between Avery and his father. Not about to prolong the impromptu meeting by asking, she simply nodded. “I believe so.”

“I have taken up enough of your time already, Ms Janeway. Thank you, again for taking the time to talk to me.” Reymers’ rose and reached for his coat and briefcase.

Janeway followed his example and walked him to the main elevator.

“Will you be in court for the sentencing?” Janeway could not refrain from asking.

“I don’t think so.” Reymers answered evenly. “Good bye, Ms Janeway.” He shook hands with her and stepped into the elevator.

After the door had closed behind him, Janeway started walking back to her office. Marion poked her head out of her office and quickly walked up to her.

“What did he want?”

“Oh, I think this was just one of his stops today,” the CEO mused. “He informed me that Stellar would be reimbursed for any financial damages his son might have caused.”

“He’s in damage control mode, then,” Marion deducted.

“Yes, he’s obviously covering his bases. He is the head of a multinational conglomerate of companies and he moves in circles you and I can only dream about. To think that he would show up here makes you wonder what’s at stake for him.”

“His son is going to spend a long time in prison. That would be hard on anyone.”

Janeway nodded at Martha as they passed her, before entering her office.

“I’m not sure about Reymers.” She sat down behind her desk and leaned back, watching Marion take a seat in one of the visitor’s chairs. “He came across as very cold. I’m not sure why he’s not been to the Justice building. He practically admitted that he’s not going to be there when they sentence Avery either.”

“His own son? Well, who knows what their relationship has been like? Could be the chicken and the egg all over,” Marion stated.

Janeway’s eye widened. “What are you talking about?”

“If Avery’s evil, calculating nature was caused by his father’s cold nature – or if his father’s cold nature was caused by his son’s evil, calculating nature.”

“I see. Well, we will never know. I’m glad this is moving towards its end, though. It’s been hard on all of us, Marion.”

The sales manager leaned over the desk and took Janeway’s hand.

“Amen to that.”

*****

The doorbell rang and Adriana straightened her long, black silk shirt that she wore over faded black jeans. Walking into the hallway, she checked the door viewer, a smile stretching her lips as she saw the familiar form outside.

She fumbled with the lock, sighing in exasperation as she finally managed to unlock the deadbolt. Flinging the door open, she startled the woman outside, making her jump.

“Phoebe, welcome.”

“Goodness, you scared me!” Phoebe huffed, giving Adriana a lopsided grin as she stepped inside. “Oh, nice.” She motioned around the hallway to indicate the overall impression of Adriana’s apartment.

“Glad you approve and sorry that I startled you.” The dark haired woman was oddly out of breath. She took Phoebe’s jacket and hung it next to her own coats just inside the door. “Here, let me give you the grand tour.”

Phoebe surprised her by taking her hand. “Lead the way.”

Adriana took Phoebe through her carefully planned apartment, consisting of two bedrooms, a living room combined with a kitchen and a study. There were one large bathroom with a Jacuzzi and a smaller one with a shower stall. The colours ranged from golden to brown, from azure blue to dark midnight sky.  The ADA looked at Phoebe as the artist moved through the rooms, her hand firmly holding on to Adriana’s.

“I love it. I love the way you’ve decorated it. Very calm and tasteful, which I enjoy since I work with colours all day long.”

“I’m glad.” In fact, Adriana was more than glad. It was surprisingly important to her how Phoebe felt about her home.

“I have a casserole on the stove,” Adriana continued. “I hope you’re hungry.”

Phoebe stopped and turned to face her, the artist raising their joined hands between them. She lifted her other hand and softly caressed Adriana’s cheek. “Oh, you bet I’m hungry.”

The dark haired woman inhaled and held her breath, looking into the sparkling blue-grey eyes before her. Phoebe was wearing clothes similar to her own, blue jeans and a soft, thin suede-like shirt. Adriana’s mouth went dry.

“So, shall we go out to the kitchen and eat?” she managed.

“Yes, I better gather some energy before you claim your reward,” the artist agreed.

Adriana raised her eyebrows. “My reward?”

“Don’t you remember?” Phoebe gave a soft smile. “In the elevator, you said … that after the trial was over, I’d be your reward.”

Adriana had to laugh. Suddenly feeling very happy, mostly because Phoebe felt secure enough to joke about what had taken place in the elevator. They had not had a chance to discuss it, or where to take their mutual attraction until tonight.

Adriana led Phoebe back to the kitchen where she had set the table. Phoebe sat down and Adriana fetched the salad she had prepared from the counter and then put the cast iron pot containing the casserole on the table.

“Careful, it’s hot,” she admonished the other woman.

“Yes, ‘mom’.” Phoebe stuck her tongue out. “It smells wonderful.”

“It’s my abuela’s recipe. There is steak, onions, garlic, green peppers, olives … and then the secret ingredient.” Adriana lowered her voice for effect. “Grape juice.”

Phoebe’s eyebrows went up. “Really? Grape juice?” She eyed her plate as Adriana served her. “Sound’s interesting.”

“It is. Try it.”

Phoebe carefully tried the casserole and apparently it met with her approval because she closed her eyes, tipped her head back and moaned. “Oh, this is wonderful. You’re abuela can be proud. Are you close to your grandmother?”

“Thank you. And yes, I was, she passed away six years ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. She always said she had lived a long, happy and blessed life.”

Adriana could not take her eyes off Phoebe as the artist devoured the food, looking more sensual than she ever had before. Suddenly the other woman looked right at her, making Adriana blush when she was caught red handed ogling her guest.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Phoebe pointed at Adriana’s plate with her fork.

“Yes. No. Not really.” The ADA sighed and then laughed. “I guess I was distracted.”

“Hmmm … weird how that happens,” Phoebe concurred. “Well, now that I’ve finished, I can observe you as you eat.” She smiled broadly.

Squirming in her seat, Adriana raised the fork to her mouth. Chewing and swallowing proved to be almost impossible as the other woman was leaning back into her chair, cocking her head as she studied her hostess closely. Forcing herself to act casual, and also fighting the laughter that bubbled under the surface, Adriana finished her meal in record time.

“There. Would you like some ice cream?” she asked as she put her fork down. “Coffee?”

Phoebe considered this. “I would love some ice cream, but no coffee for me.”

“Ice cream coming up then.”

Together they cleared the table before Adriana pulled out some chocolate ice cream from the freezer, scooping it up into dessert bowls. “Should we move into the living room? I’m dying to put my feet up.”

“Good idea.”

There was a large, comfortable couch in the living room and Phoebe immediately occupied one corner of it. Adriana hesitated for a moment and then sat down next to her guest, instead of choosing the other corner. She put her bowl of ice cream down on the coffee table, to let it become creamier as it thawed some. Phoebe followed her example.

Adriana pulled her left leg up under her and sat facing Phoebe, her elbow on the backrest of the couch. Resting her head in her hand, she carefully raised the other and traced Phoebe’s auburn eyebrow.

“Undo your hair?” Adriana husked. “Please?”

Phoebe did not hesitate; she pulled her braid forward over her shoulder and untied the ribbon holding it in place. With slow movements she untangled it, spreading it over her shoulders. “There. You like it like this?”

“Oh, yes.”

Content just to look, Adriana rested her chin in her hand, basking in the view of the beautiful woman sitting next to her. The soft light from the small lamps in the window cast a special glow over them, reflecting in the red highlights of Phoebe’s hair.

“Would you do the same?” Phoebe whispered. “Undo your hair?”

Adriana gave a slow smile and shifted on the couch, turning her back towards the other woman. “Please, help me.” Her jet black hair was still put up in an intricate French twist with a generous amount of hairpins.

Soft fingers touched the back of her neck and head, feeling around the hairpins. One by one, Phoebe pulled them out, loosening the strict hairdo. Finally the thick tresses fell loose and the artist gently combed through them, smoothing the hair down.

Adriana turned around, facing Phoebe again. Her hair was not as long as the other woman’s, but it reached almost to her breasts. Phoebe reached out and caressed the black tress, tracing down to the soft orb just beneath. Adriana’s breath caught in her throat, making her gasp. The other woman kept looking into her eyes as her fingers carried out their examination, barely touching her.

Adriana’s nipple hardened almost painfully, as if striving for contact with the elusive fingertips. Phoebe circled the puckering surface, and then moved away from it, towards the buttons. Just using one hand, the artist unbuttoned the black shirt all the way down. It fell open, revealing a black satin bra and olive skin.

“Beautiful,” Phoebe murmured, lowering her eyes. “Clasp in the front?”

“In the back,” Adriana breathed. “Sorry.”

“I’m not.”

Phoebe scooted closer, embracing Adriana with her hands under the open shirt. Hugging the other woman close, she reached for the clasp and unhooked it. She let go, and then surprised Adriana by reaching all the way up one of her sleeves, hooking a finger into the shoulder strap of the bra and pulling down her arm. Slipping over the dark haired woman’s hand, she then repeated the procedure; softly sliding her hand up Adriana’s other sleeve, but this time pulling at the shoulder strap, making the bra slide off completely.

“Clever.”

“That’s me, counsellor; clever,” Phoebe agreed with a smile. “I like you in that shirt.” She raised her hand, brushing it over the erect nipple that extended the fabric.

Adriana felt her cheeks turn red; it was so obvious that she was aroused. She was not embarrassed, but definitely self conscious. Would Phoebe like her large dark nipples? She was well aware that the other woman had no experience making love with someone of her own sex. Still, Phoebe was an artist, and as such, she ought to be familiar with the human body, regardless of gender.

“You look nervous,” Phoebe interrupted her thoughts. “What are you thinking?” As she spoke, Phoebe moved closer, letting her hand trace a line from the base of Adriana’s neck to the button of her jeans. The soft touch left a blazing trail in its wake, making her shiver.

“I can’t think at all …”

“You have to tell me if I do something you don’t like.” Phoebe flicked her nails over the erect nipples through the silk.

Adriana moaned as shivers went down her spine. “Oh, I like …” she breathed.

“Lie back,” Phoebe instructed, gently pushing the other woman back against the armrest. “That’s it.”

Adriana felt the silk shirt fall back, revealing her breasts to the artist leaning over her. Phoebe looked down at her and then grabbed a handful of her own hair. Slowly she brushed it over the stiff nipples, caressed them until they ached for a firmer touch. Adriana arched, whimpering as Phoebe’s scent flooded her senses.

“Please …”

As if the artist had read her mind, she leaned down, nuzzling the twin orbs, humming against them. “Mmm … you feel wonderful.” Opening her mouth, she closed her lips around one of the nipples, sucking it into her mouth.

Raising her hands, Adriana held Phoebe’s head close to her chest, wordlessly encouraging her to continue. When sharp teeth grazed the nipple, she twitched and pulled Phoebe closer, making the other woman lay on top of her. “Yes, oh, yes …”

Phoebe turned out to be a greedy lover. Her mouth assaulted the dark haired woman, nibbling, biting and sucking her nipples until they burned with an intensity that left Adriana completely out of breath, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She had spread her legs to accommodate Phoebe and the feeling of the artist’s taut stomach against her through the jeans, added to the fire. Adriana could hardly believe that she was getting close to the precipice merely from the attention Phoebe was paying to her breasts.

Again, acting like a mind reader, the other woman pushed Adriana’s breasts close together, making it possible to lick them simultaneously. A twitching sensation began between Adriana’s legs, and she wrapped them around Phoebe, undulating beneath her.

“Now … Phoebe, now … oh …” She inhaled deeply and whimpered as the sensation spread down her thighs and up her stomach where it was fuelled by the assault on her nipples. Adriana convulsed over and over, unable to speak or breathe. Tendrils of fire swept through her body, causing it to break out in a sweat.

As everything slowed down, so did Phoebe. Placing soft kisses on the tormented skin, the artist, pulled back to look at the now tousled and blushing woman beneath her.

“Are you okay?” she whispered, looking worried. “I … I became caught up in the moment and …”

“Shhh …” Adriana pulled her into a long kiss. She was still feeling the aftershocks. “You made wonderful love to me.”

Phoebe’s eyes lit up. “Not too rough?” She looked down at the nipples. “You’re pretty red … I was afraid that I might’ve hurt you.”

“Just rough enough,” the dark haired woman smiled weakly. “You knew just what I needed, apparently. Trust your instincts, Phoebe.”

The two women shifted so they could lie side by side. Reaching for a wool blanket that had fallen onto the floor, Phoebe tucked them in.

“There is one concern,” Adriana said, looking at her lover between her eyelashes.

“What?” The artist eyes widened.

“If you can make me come this hard just by stimulating my nipples, then will I survive it when you gain access to all of me?”

Phoebe laughed, a low sound that was little more than a purr deep in her throat. “I think it won’t be long until we find out.”

Snuggling closer, Adriana could not remember knowing such peace. Phoebe fit so well in her arms and the free spirited woman was quickly getting under her skin. Adriana refused to let the thoughts of Phoebe going back to Indiana enter her mind. Sooner or later they would have to talk openly about what was going on between them, but not now. She wanted to just enjoy this evening, this night.

Rolling Phoebe beneath her on the couch, she smiled as she began to unbutton her shirt.

“Speaking of access … You’re right, it won’t be long we find out.”

*****

The courtroom was again filled with people interested in the case. Seven shared the first row on the prosecution side behind the banister with Kathryn, Marion, Julia, Gretchen, and Phoebe. Martha and Amy were sitting behind them with several other Stellar managers and employees. The press, of course, took up a lot of the space

The sentencing had been harder than any of them could have imagined.

When the judge read the charges one by one, starting with the kidnapping and moving on from there, it was clear to everyone that Richard Eric Avery Reymers would never again be a free man. The sentences were to be served in consecutive order and the kidnapping charge alone made up for life in prison. The rest of the charges added another thirty-five years to the life sentence.

It was at this point that Avery lost control.