Chapter Ten

Ashleigh chilled the moment Miles stepped away. As he crossed the fake dance floor and went to her sister, her heart skipped a beat. Holding her hands to her chest she watched as Sierra’s eyes lit up and he brought her to the dance floor. He was patient with her as they two stepped to George Strait singing, I Just Want to Dance With You.

Harper tapped her on her shoulder. “Hey, you wanna see my new house?”

“Yes,” Ashleigh exclaimed and got Miles’ attention as she pointed to outside while she stood next to Harper.

Miles gave her a thumbs up and a wink.

Ashleigh’s car was less blocked in than Harper’s, so they took it to go the half mile down the road to the almost finished house they’d seen when she passed.

“How are you doing?” she asked as they walked in and she saw the very open floor plan of the ranch style home. A beautiful picture window faced out to the open range. “This place is amazing.” Ashleigh rested her arms on the granite countertops of the island in the kitchen.

“Want to see the baby’s room?”

“Is that even a question?” The hallway had them passing a full bath and two bedrooms that were larger than the little nursery off of the master bedroom. “Well, you have room to expand here.”

“Right now, one of those rooms will be an office for us to share,” Harper said, but there was a little bit of giddy in her response. “Now before we go in, let me tell you there has been a shortage of little girls on the Long Ranch.”

Opening the door and flipping on the light, the room exploded with pinks and purples. All cowgirl stuff, but camo pink or with some sort of twist that made the ‘would be’ rough stuff soft.

“A girl, wow, this is crazy.”

“Since Melody was the first girl ever born to the Long’s, they went crazy. With Nessa, it was tamped down because Tina’s…”

“…A hippie not a girly-girly.”

“Exactly.”

“Are you living here yet?”

“No, just moving in stuff. The electrical was just hooked up a few days ago, same with the plumbing. Honestly, I’m enjoying living with my in-laws. Is that wrong?”

“No,” Ashleigh replied innocently as she peered into one of the extra bedrooms that were set up for guests.

“You’re thinking of something, aren’t you?’

“Of course not, it would be wrong anyway.”

“Why would it be wrong?” Harper asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s your new house.”

“And?”

Ashleigh waved her off.

“Oh my God, that is so wrong!” Harper exclaimed. “Or it would be if we hadn’t already christened every room in the house already.”

“I wasn’t asking that.”

“Weren’t you?” Harper asked as she dangled the keys on the end of her finger. “I heard Miles looking for a place for Sierra to crash tonight. That bullshit excuse he gave seemed iffy to me, but tell me something, are you two serious?”

Ashleigh knitted her fingers together and rocked back on her heels. “That job still available?”

“Hell yes, I’m buried so deep in paperwork most days, I can’t see the top of my desk. This whole being a lawyer is hard when you get a half hearted paraslave,” she teased.

“I’ve been miserable at work. You would have dropped this case when it hit your desk if it would have been any other family. I don’t get it.”

“How’s the new DA working out?”

“Weak. We need you there, but since you’re not coming there, I’m coming to you. By the way, is there any chance you need a basic gopher-clerk type person?”

“Miles can’t work there while under indictment.”

“Sierra, I hid her from the DA’s office, but she’s always wanted to help at my job.”

“Oh, well, I don’t know.”

“Minimum wage I swear. I’ve been taking baby steps and well, if I could supervise her at a more demanding job, I might find more faith in her.”

“I work from Loretta’s three days a week. That’s what I wanted for you too. I can see if there’s a work around. You know what? I’ll make it work. You’re a package deal and they already love me so much at the office, I get what I want.”

“They’re just afraid the pregnancy hormones have made you crazy. No reason to upset the balance.”

“Whatever gets you back on my team. What about Monday?”

“I guess I’m quitting.” The realization hit Ashleigh for the first time. Hormones had blocked her initial thoughts. A knock on the door made them both jump as the front door pushed open and Miles came through the door. The nursery’s door was a straight shot from the front door and she could make out the dark figure. “Monty’s looking for you Harp.”

“Okay, I’ll head back.” She passed her keys to Ashleigh. “Lock up in the morning.”

“Did she say morning?” Miles asked as he met Ashleigh halfway.

“I saw the spare room was mostly made up…” she confessed meekly as heat raced through her body and desire hooded Miles’ eye lids.

With a gust, she was swept up in his arms as their lips fused and he walked her back to the spare room.

Knocking off his hat, it ticked as it bounced to the floor. With a fury, she took off his jacket and tossed it to the side and soon, they were kicking off shoes, unbuttoning buttons and unzipping anything that was keeping them from their end goal. Hungry kisses had them both gasping before rejoining and feeling every inch. Her dress pooled at her feet and she stood before him as he pushed gently and she fell back on the bed.

Shirtless with his pants unbuttoned and fly unzipped, he stood with the DiAngelo V perfectly cut on a set of abs he’d honed to perfection. He dug in his pocket to retrieve a condom and she watched as he dropped his pants and boxer briefs freeing himself. His hardness sprung forth with a few light pearls of white pre-cum contrasting the darkness of his skin.

Ashleigh bit at her bottom lip as he slowly teased her when he slid the latex over the shaft. At this point, she didn’t know which part of her wanted him more. There was a part that wanted to slide her lips over his delicate skin and taste every inch of him. Another ached to the point she feared she might curl into a ball if he didn’t satisfy her.

Like a panther, he climbed over her and slowly moved her panties down her legs. “Hey,” he said as he rested the head of his cock at her juncture and she dropped her head back. With a lick along the column of her neck, she let out a long moan. In response, she felt herself fill as he lifted her left leg, opened her wider and went deeper. This time, they both couldn’t control themselves as the sounds of release and pleasure filled the room.

Strokes against her body made every book she ever read seem like child’s play. Miles was the type of lover she’d dreamed off, but never imagined she would find. His lips explored her neck and her mouth as he kept a rhythm that had her tweaked and on the verge of orgasm.

“Not yet,” he whispered. “Hold onto it Ash.”

How does one do that? She thought as she let out a whimper and wrapped her arms tight around his body while her nails scored his back. He let out a hiss and gave her a look of satisfaction as his pace increased. Her right leg locked around his waist and they were more than one being. As his eyes peered into hers, she became transfixed. He owned her and not just in that moment. She prayed it was a mutual feeling as he captured her lips and they rolled in the bed, so she was on top of him. His hardness hadn’t diminished. In fact, it had grown longer and now was piercing her in the sweetest way imaginable.

Her hips rotated and she rode him slow at first as she attempted to fit him perfectly inside her. The pain dissipated and the sweet feel of release rippled against his shaft as she came apart above him. He groaned and thrust upwards as she rode him. Her fingers locked on his as she pinned them to the mattress to give herself a base.

“I thought I told you to wait.”

“I never said I like the tie ‘em down books,” she replied with a nip to his bottom lip. “But you are making me want a cowboy.”

“You do seem to know how to ride already,” he smirked and she continued to rotate her hips making the first orgasm roll into another and another. His eyes rolled back in his head and he pulled her down to him. Their mouths melted against each other and he pulsed inside her.

Every part of Ashleigh felt wanted and loved. Her skin was alive as she discovered a connection she never dreamed existed in the world. Miles reached for the duvet, and wrapped her up as she curled against his chest. His fingers played with her hair and she noticed his palms were torn up. Although his touch was soft, she could see deep gouges. Her thumb glided over the disfigured skin. These were new and fresh. Even with the softness of his skin, she knew something big had happened. Miles didn’t pull away, but he stayed silent as she snuggled closer and caressed his injury.

* * * *

Miles knew he needed to get back to the wedding, but if there were any better feeling in the world than Ashleigh’s naked flesh against his, he wouldn’t believe it. Her body feeling so soft and she fit with him. He didn’t want to go into the damage he’d been inflicting on his hands, but he could tell she wanted to know.

“Building houses is hard work,” he explained as he curled his fingers around her hand and brought it to his lips. “We shouldn’t have done this.”

She stiffened next to him and even with the heat from their bodies…he caught a chill.

“Not for that reason, it’s just I know my mother is going to be pissed if I’m not there to eat cake and dance for another few hours at least.” He brushed back her hair and laid a kiss on her lips. “Trust me this right here…is overdue, but I know my mom.”

“And the last thing I want is to be on her bad side. Especially, since starting Monday, I’ll be working out of her kitchen.”

“You took the job?” he asked and she rested her arm on his chest and began drawing circles on his chest. “When did you quit the DA’s office?”

“Technically I haven’t, I will on Monday. Even if they want me for the next two weeks, I can’t now.”

“Because you slept with the accused?” he asked right as her leg slid up and down his leg then froze as she touched his ankle monitor. “Well, that brought us back to the here and now didn’t it?”

“Yeah,” she said as she sat up and kept her chest covered.

His fingers traced up her spine as he promised something he hoped he could deliver on, “This is temporary. We can be forever.”

“Can we?” she asked.

He sat up and wrapped his arm around her belly. “You’re the first woman that made me want forever. As long as you want me, I will be yours.”

“I feel safe when your arms are around me.”

“You’ll always be protected when you are with me.” The lovers stayed locked together for a few more minutes until Miles knew he needed to get moving. With a kiss to the crown of her head, he let her go and began dressing.

She stretched out on the bed and watched him.

“Didn’t get enough huh?” he teased.

She laughed and reached over the side of the bed to retrieve her dress. When she lifted her head, it hit right at crotch level. Her eyes turned up to see they were both thinking the same thing. A few more minutes might not hurt and lord knows a blow job not behind the Hard Root would be a nice change of pace.

“Later,” she said as she kissed along the trail of hair up to his belly button.

He reached down and lifted her up, so they were standing. Her still naked and him without a shirt as he dipped down for a quick kiss.

“Any chance you know where my panties went to?”

He pointed to the far side of the room and she went to fetch. The room had darkened and he wondered how long they’d been gone. Had the sun set? If so, he had some explaining to do. Taking her hand in his, she wrapped her other hand around his bicep as they made their way to his pickup. They sat in silence for the short ride and reentered the party without incident.

Finding their way back on the dance floor as if they’d never left and the song had been requested for just them. He sang along with Garth Brooks to If Tomorrow Never Comes.

Ashleigh was panting by the time they stepped off of the dance floor, four songs later. They found their way to the cake table and back to the one Sierra was sitting at with Nessa. Both looked exhausted.

“How’s my favorite horsewoman?” Miles asked as he sat down. “I have a feeling you are going to get more time on the horses soon.”

“Why?” Sierra asked.

“Because your sister is going to start working with Harper down here a few days a week.”

“Really?” Sierra asked. “Why? You have a job.”

“I do, but Harper and I are a team.”

“I’ll be at home alone more.” Sierra perked up a bit at that thought.

“That’s not going to work for me,” Ashleigh admonished.

“I have a job, I have responsibilities.” Even with Sierra’s disability, mumbling her words she had a tone that was unwavering.

“You’re going to have to quit.” Ashleigh crossed her arms. “I’m sorry, I’m not budging.”

“What am I supposed to do, just sit around the farm while you work all the time?”

“No you’re going to get off your ass and stop making minimum wage.”

Miles could tell Ashleigh was trying to get her sister going and he had to say as an older sibling himself, he liked her tactics.

“I’m not going to just be carrying you the rest of my life.”

“Carrying me?” her sister blanched. “You haven’t let me go once. You treat me like I’m a baby.”

“Would a baby be working for the federal court system?” Ashleigh asked as she took Sierra’s hands in hers.

Sierra’s eyes lit up like Christmas as she started to process what was going on. “I don’t work for them.”

“Well, Harper does and we’re both going to turn in our resignations on Monday. I’m sure there’s tons of paperwork to fill out, but in two weeks, I know we both will be working for them.”

“I get to be like Benny!” Sierra screeched as she wrapped her arms around Ashleigh’s neck, squeezing her to the point she had to tap Sierra’s arms to get her to release. “Thank you, thank you, thank you Ashleigh. You’re the best big sister in the whole world!”

“Go thank Harper. She arranged it all.”

Sierra took off in search of Harper.

Miles leaned in for another kiss. “Tell me something.”

“Okay,” Ashleigh said as she took a small bite of cake.

“Do you want Sierra to live independent of you?”

“Wow, um…” Ashleigh inhaled deeply and let her breath out. “I’ve never really thought about who needed who more. Marriage, kids, those just aren’t in the cards for me.” She looked at Miles then scanned the room and her eyes landed on Melody and Sunshine dancing in the center of the floor. “Or, it was a distant thought. I’ve gotten baby fever a few times, but never bad enough I actively sought out a man.

“What if one sought you out?” he asked as his thumb grazed the top of her hand.

Her focus returned to him as they both sat forward and their eyes locked. “That’s kinda been my problem the last few months. I really want this one cowboy.”

“Does he wear a white hat?” Miles teased. “Cuz I heard that’s the only way you can trust a man.”

“He does when it counts,” she replied. “Sierra could live independent of me, but I know I’d have to be close to her.”

“Then when I build our house, I’ll make sure to have enough rooms.”

“Our house?” Ashleigh smiled as she flipped his hands over. “I don’t think these hands will survive another home.”

Miles’ heart sped up as he saw the hope in her eyes. Was he promising something he couldn’t deliver? He’d been pulling away from his family and friends because he saw no hope. Yet with Ashleigh, all he could see was her in a white dress with him serenading her. She made him want forever. He’d thought he had lost it when she refused to come back to the ranch. Now he knew better and suddenly, the weight of Monday morning became heavy on his back.

“I want to give you everything you’ve ever wanted. I was ready to go in on Monday and take the whole charge, so my dad and uncle could move on with the ranch. I’ve always been part of this family, but I feared I’d end up just being the old bachelor uncle everyone felt sorry for at Thanksgiving.” Miles held Ashleigh’s face in his hands, so he could get lost in her and find the strength he needed to hold on. “I love you, Ash.”

* * * *

There was a time when having a man tell her he was hopelessly in love with her, would have sent Ashleigh to the moon. Now, the words haunted her sleep as she tried to prepare for the day ahead of her. Tossing and turning until she saw her clock’s red digits cutting into her soul. Five a.m. with no chance of getting another second of sleep. To Miles’ credit, they had slept a little bit on Saturday night and did crash on Sunday after church. She’d gone to church! A requirement that even a wedding couldn’t stop. Sierra had been fine on the ranch with the Longs. She’d hung out, played and ate all without giving Ashleigh’s scarcity a second thought.

When she and Sierra got home on Sunday evening, they both sat down and wrote up their resignations. Her sister’s excitement over the maturity involved in a formal resignation even got her a bit excited.

Now Ashleigh had to stumble to the kitchen to get the coffee to start before the timer. Yep, it would be a long day requiring multiple cups of coffee. As the scent filled the kitchen, she smiled wide and put her mug where the pot should be to get a fresh cup. The warmth of the ceramic in her hand as she slowly sipped on her first of many for the day.

Memories of Miles exploring her body had her giggling at the ache between her thighs. Only this time, the ache wasn’t from wanting. It was a workout type of ache around a day spent in bed.

“Why are you awake?” Sierra asked with a yawn.

“I’d ask you the same question.”

“You’re noisy.”

“Am not,” Ashleigh denied as if it mattered. “I bet it was the coffee.”

“Probably, makes me think I’m at work already.”

“Two weeks Sierra and you’ll be in the big leagues.”

“Can I drive some more?” she asked.

“More? When did you get behind a wheel?”

Sierra’s face turned down. This was common when she had a hard truth to face and was hoping she could manage a lie. Ashleigh loved the fact her sister never could.

“Miles came by after church. He said you were taking a nap and he was checking in on the horses.”

“And he let you drive?”

“In the pasture.” Her sister’s head shot up. “Nowhere near where they are building stuff or any houses. It’s empty land. Worst I could do would be to run over a bush.”

“And did you?”

“It came out of nowhere,” she said with her palms upturned. “Even Miles was surprised.”

“I bet.” Ashleigh drank from her cup that had finally cooled.

“You gonna marry him?” she asked. “Because the ranch is fun.”

“The ranch is dangerous,” Ashleigh warned. “There are poisonous snakes, scorpions and coyotes.”

“So? They have them here too.”

“Yeah, well not as many.”

“If you marry him would I still live with you?”

“Where did all this marriage talk come from?”

“Nessa said she hopes all of her cousins get married soon before she’s too old to be the flower girl. If I’m not the flower girl at your wedding, what would I be?”

“Pump your breaks there Sierra. Let’s get through today before you start marrying off your old maid of a sister.”

Ashleigh went back to her bedroom to get dressed. No reason not to be a little early. It would give her time to drop off her resignation and let Hamilton know she wouldn’t be in court with him at nine.

Sierra’s boss said he understood, but would miss her when Ashleigh went in with her. “You’re still going to give me a good two weeks right? No skimping because you’re heading out the door,” he said as Ashleigh got a pastry and another boost of caffeine.

“No sir.” She beamed as she tied her apron and scampered off to the back.

“I’m gonna miss her around here,” he admitted, the confession stopped Ashleigh from cutting and running. “She’ll always have a place for her here, if things don’t work out at the new job.”

“Thanks that will help take some of the worry off of me. It’s an experiment I’m not sure I’m ready for.”

“She’s overdue. Especially, since she’ll be able to drive to work.”

“Did she say that?” Ashleigh let out a laugh. “Now that’s not the way I heard it, but I’ve got to stop babying her, that’s for sure.”

Ashleigh sat in the parking lot of her office and counted back from ten. Officially, the office didn’t open until eight, but that was the public doors. She could go in at any time and saw the Hamilton’s car was parked a few spots away. He was in there. She hadn’t learned what Paul Truman, the new DA drove. In the cup holder for her car was a wilting pale purple rose. Cradling it in her hand, she brought it to her nose and inhaled the scent that had surrounded her for the weekend. It was from Miles’ boutonnière.

With a smile and blush, she remembered the feel of it as he traced her belly and brought it to her hardened nipples. Twirling the petals as she arched her back. His lips surrounded the other one and she groaned. His free hand had been on her hip, but soon it was between her thighs probing and circling her core. She called out with too many parts of her being teased all at once.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Hamilton’s loud knocks on her window made her jump out of an orgasmic memory. Turning her car back on, she lowered the window. “Can I help you?”

“Are you driving?” he asked and she looked at the clock. Nerves and too much time in la-la land had her ticking off the minutes she should have used for her resignation. “No, I need to go speak to Mr. Truman I won’t be able to help you with the trial.”

“That’s not funny,” Hamilton said as she put her window back up and shut off her car. When she started walking to the office, Hamilton was on her tail like he was a puppy and she had a porterhouse. “Ashleigh, I know you’ve been saying I don’t have a case, but it’s not like it’s a reflection of you if I lose. And I’m not going to lose. You just don’t understand the law fully.”

Turning on her heel, she came to a full stop making Hamilton run into her. “I’ve been working in the field of law for over a decade, which if I do the math right, is more than half what you have.”

“But you’re not a lawyer, see there are nuances—”

“Good thing, the Longs demanded a jury trial then, because what ever made up laws you’ve concocted in your brain, no sane human would see or comprehend.”

“Okay, that is a battle I think I can win.”

“Can you? If I can’t see it, no one else will.”

“Miles Long killed someone and either Henry or Clevon Long killed the other man.”

“Not necessarily and if the defense is smart enough to see one of the guns dropped on the floorboard was the kill shot for Yahir, they won’t be convicted either.”

“What is with you and this family?”

Ashleigh held her hands up. “Look, I didn’t want to tell you this until after I talked to Mr. Truman, but I need to recuse myself from this case. When I was working with you I didn’t have a personal relationship with the Longs outside of Harper, but even we stopped talking. I spent the weekend at the Long ranch and I can no longer be unbiased.”

“You haven’t been unbiased this whole time,” Hamilton snarled. “From the first day, you’ve been saying to drop this.”

“I helped you,” Ashleigh countered. “I got the confession to stay. Without me, you wouldn’t even have a case. We’re in a state that was formed around vigilante justice. Every few days, gunshots are fired at the Longs from the road. It’s to the point they had armed guards at Melody’s wedding to keep the thugs Federated keeps sending away from them. You can’t tell me that is okay.”

“Have you ever wondered what these people do to piss off their neighbors, so much?”

“They win, something most people can’t do and that makes them hateful. They don’t look at the work that is put in to the win, they hate because they only see the end result. You know that feeling all too well, don’t you Hamilton.”

“Winning,” he mocked. “I plan on it. And if I find out you leaked privileged documents—”

“I lost my best friend for two months to make sure I didn’t leak anything. If anything, you’re to blame for me quitting today. Dig up dirt on the Longs,” she huffed. “All I did was discover a family anyone would be proud to be a part of. Now if you don’t mind, I need to turn in my resignation.”

“You’re leaving too now, so maybe I need to have the Longs investigated for having a cult down there. It’s kinda weird they all live on the same property. How many guns do they have?”

“Now you’re just a moron,” Ashleigh pushed past him as she found her way to June’s desk. “Is Mr. Truman in yet?”

“He’s with a Sam Trunket about some sort of matter.”

“Campaign finance?” Ashleigh asked as she shook her head.

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Like you didn’t know with Art? Come on June, you’re not stupid.”

The older secretary leaned forward causing her ample bosom to be smushed against the wood. “He was a friend of the victim for Hamilton’s case. That’s all I know.”

June sat back quickly when the door opened and Mr. Truman stood with Sam Trunket in all his glory. The killer smile, charisma and honed people skills most would kill for.

Maybe Sam had killed before. She had no way of knowing.

“Tell me something, how do you get so many beautiful women to work in your office,” Sam beamed as he shook Mr. Truman’s hand.

“They came with it thankfully.” He looked directly at Ashleigh. “Is there something I can help you with Ms. Wood? Aren’t you supposed to be leaving for the courthouse soon?”

“That’s why I’m here can I have a minute?”

“Hope it’s nothing too bad,” Sam asked as he gave her a look that made a chill run down her spine.

Pulling out her phone when they got into the office, she scanned hoping to see if there was something she’d missed. With no notifications, she had to calm herself and let the gooseflesh go down on its own, still something picked at the back of her brain.

“Can I help you?” Mr. Turner asked and she came back from her conspiracy stacking brain.

“I need to turn in my resignation,” she said absently as she sent a text to Miles.

“Please look at me when you talk. You know I hate those necessities. There was a time when people talked to each other and looked them in the eye.”

“I’m sorry it’s just something Sam said,” she explained as she tucked her phone away.

“Mr. Trunket?”

“He said what we were going to talk about, he hoped it wasn’t too bad.”

“And?”

“What was he talking to you about?” she asked.

“I don’t see how that is any of your business.”

“What did he say?”

“He brought up the Long property and wanted to know how his company might acquire it to help the family out, since they’d had so much loss lately.”

“And what exactly did you tell him?” she asked knowing Sam’s plans had nothing to do with helping the Longs. With a fourth of the solar panels up, they’d already started to drain Federated Gas’s income. Tender Root’s local electric company contracted to purchase their power from DEC and would be for years to come.

“Sit down Ashleigh, I think I need to play catch up with you. Before Hamilton, you were Harper Maxwell-Long’s paralegal almost exclusively weren’t you?”

“Almost, not totally,” she admitted as she sat in one of the two chairs opposite his desk.

“Did you help with the federal charges?” he questioned.

Now Ashleigh wished she knew him better. Two minutes ago, Sam Trunket had been sitting in this chair more than likely. There’s no way Winnie Lasiture wanted to appoint a DA that might be corrupt into a seat recently vacated by indictment. “I like to follow trails. I see breadcrumbs where they might not be sometimes.”

“And Sam just dropped a loaf of bread at my front door.”

“Why was he really here?”

“Land, he represents a company that is interested in trying to help the rancher’s effected by the recent environmental damage.”

“He works for Federated Gas.”

“What makes you think that?”

“When Harper was in Mexico she met him trying to stop the cops from extraditing Julio Vasquez. Then he came here trying to get him off saying he wasn’t a lawyer, but a concerned party. And he’s the one that claimed the two bodies after the courthouse shooting.”

“Every time I speak to Hamilton, he says his case is solid.”

“He tends to live on a loop. The case is crap.”

“The ballistics prove they were shot by the Longs, right?”

“Yes, and no.”

“No?”

“The coroner can’t exclude a bullet that appears to of come from the driver on the passenger Yahir. It was under the rib cage and would have caused him to bleed out quickly. That’s what Yahir did when they tried to kill Harper. A body was found and it wasn’t his.” Ashleigh’s leg was bouncing up and down as she looked down at her still blank phone. “I need to get to the courthouse. Something is wrong.”

“I’m sure Hamilton is probably fine by himself.”

“Not for Hamilton. I told him on the way in I had to recuse myself for personal reasons.”

Mr. Truman waved his hands in front of his face. “Wait a minute. Has this whole office lost it?”

“This case should have never come to trial. And now that it is, the good guys being targeted.”

“I thought we were the good guys?”

“We can be,” she challenged. “But not on this case. It reeks of Art Connelly and we both know that is not a good thing.”