The Missing Heir(105)

                Luca glanced at his watch. “She thinks it’s the best bet.”

                Cole didn’t think it was a huge strength. But they were running out of time and out of options. “I wish I had something better.”

                “So do I,” said Luca. “We have to go back.”

                “And after?” asked Cole.

                “Don’t think about it.”

                “I have to think about it.”

                “Let’s get through today. Whatever happens, we’ll face it tomorrow.”

                Cole gave a reluctant nod. The best thing he could do for Zachary was to remain focused for the rest of the afternoon. If they got a decision today, whichever way it went, they’d start working through their next options in the morning.

                * * *

                Though the courtroom was packed, it was surprisingly quiet. From the third row, Amber focused on Cole’s posture. His shoulders were tense, his body completely still as Roth’s lawyer gave his summation.

                “Samuel Henderson made his final wishes clear,” the man’s voice boomed with authority. “He named Roth Calvin as his son and heir’s legal guardian. Samuel Henderson has known Roth Calvin for over a decade. He has put his trust in Roth Calvin.” He made a half turn and pointed to Cole. “Nobody, not this man or anybody else, has the right to undermine Samuel Henderson’s wishes on such an important, intimate and fundamental decision of who would raise his son in the event of his death. There is no ambiguity here, Your Honor.”

                As his voice thundered on, Amber’s heart thudded harder. Sweat broke out on her palms. This was hopeless.

                They were going to lose.

                She was absolutely positive they were going to lose.

                The room seemed suddenly hot, and her stomach churned with nausea. She rose from her seat. She could feel Luca watching her as she rushed to the back of the gallery, bursting through the double doors and heading for the ladies’ room.

                The length of the lobby felt endless, but finally she made it into the cool quiet of the restroom. She gripped the counter, staring at her reflection in the mirror, tears stinging her eyes as she willed her stomach to calm down. She didn’t have time to fall apart.

                “Think,” she ordered herself. “Think!”

                The marble counter was cold and hard, and her hands started to ache from the pressure of her grip. She ran through every wild and crazy solution, including grabbing Zachary and making a run for it.

                Then, in a rush, it came to her fully formed. It was crazy. And it was a gamble, a huge gamble that might very well backfire on her. But at least it was something.

                She let go of the counter and retrieved her cell phone from her purse. Then she pressed the speed-dial button for the penthouse.

                It was silent, then it clicked, then silence again.

                “Come on, come on, come on.”

                Roth’s lawyer was probably finishing up, and there was only so much Destiny had to say.

                Finally, the call rang through.

                “Welsley-Henderson residence.”