Cordero and Alexandra met 47 days ago.

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A brief silence followed before Alexandra asked, "Are we a couple? Are we dating?"

Chuckling Cordero asked, "What did the ladies say?"

Hitting his arm, she said, "What makes you think we discussed that or that your name came up?"

His eyes met hers. "Look me in the eye and tell me my name never came up." When she glanced away, he continued, "Thought so. So did they think we're a couple?"

"I'm not interested in what they said. I'd like to know what you think."

His kiss lingered, a second, and a third followed. "That should answer your question."

She released a deep breath. "It does."

"To answer your next question, yes, in my opinion we're exclusive."

"We didn't get that far."

Shaking his head and chuckling, he said, "The next time you five talk, you can let them know, we're exclusive, if it's all right with you."

She gulped. "It is."

"It's amazing how a big city lawyer can be so innocent." When she started to answer, he interrupted, "Never mind. I know. Your parents and grandparents protected you."

She nodded. "They did."

Before turning in for the night Cordero and Alexandra shared ice cream and then he helped her to her room.

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 26

Wednesday morning, Dr. Barnes stood on the courthouse steps. When Cordero walked up carrying Alexandra, Bart pointed to a wheelchair. "I brought this. I thought it would work better today."

Alexandra gave Cordero a hug, as she said, "Thank you."

"So, my services are no longer needed," he teased.

As he set her in the seat, she pecked his cheek. "You're always needed." She exhaled and then asked, "Dr. Barnes, is he here?"

Nodding, Bart said, "Griffin arrived about five minutes ago." He glanced at her. "You're looking better. Come in Friday morning, I want to check your ribs and ankle.

After she nodded, Cordero hugged her shoulders. "Ready?"

"I hope so."

As they entered the courthouse, Lisa ran up and hugged Alexandra. "I'm glad I caught you. I can't stay but wanted to wish you luck."

"Thank you. I've received texts from the others. I'll let you know the outcome."

"Good." Lisa held the courtroom door for them.

After a gulp, Alexandra said, "I'm ready."

Cordero steered the wheelchair and parked it at a long rectangular table.

Alan Griffin glanced at her and rolled his eyes. "Please! I thought you being a fancy lawyer drama would be beneath you. I'm surprised you're not wearing a neck brace. I guess you're not as good as you think."

Heads turned when a deep male voice said, "Ali's one of the best lawyers I've ever met. As Abraham Lincoln said, 'He who represents himself has a fool for a client.' Since she's the plaintiff, I thought she should be represented by at least as good a lawyer as she is. I'll be representing my daughter, with her grandfather's help."

Alexandra attempted to stand. "Daddy!"

Brent hugged her. "Sit. I understand you're not supposed to put weight on that ankle." After the hug, he shook Cordero's hand. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter."

Their eyes met and Cordero nodded. "Anytime." He grinned as he watched Alexandra hug her grandpa and said to her dad, "They're close."

"You're right." Brent turned. "Cordero, do you remember Joseph Aaronson?"

He shook Joseph's hand. "I sure do."

Mr. Aaronson winked and whispered, "I have something for you. I'll show you later."

Cordero's eyes widened. "I just ordered it Monday. Thank you."

Grinning Joseph said, "For special customers things move fast." He moved closer to Alexandra, leaned over, and kissed her cheek. "Good luck."

The bailiff entered, "All rise." He glanced at Alexandra. "Ms. Black, you may remain seated."

After Judge Sean Pickett entered and sat, everyone did the same. Alexandra glanced around and saw Jorge, Rosa, Jim, Bob, Sheriff Baily, and Dr. Barnes. Cordero sat directly behind her. When she released a deep breath, her dad put his hand on her arm and whispered, "We've got this."

She nodded.

Judge Pickett glanced around the courtroom. "It appears everyone's here. Mr. Black Sr. and Mr. Black Jr., welcome to my courtroom. I'm sure we do things differently than they do in New York City. We're more informal than I'm sure you're used to, but we still maintain a certain amount of decorum." He grinned. "As in any courtroom the judge is the boss, and I enjoy that role." He studied a few papers. "Before we get started, I want to make sure, Mr. Griffin, you're not wanting a trial by jury, correct?"

Alan stood. "That's correct, Your Honor." As he sat, he muttered under his breath, "Like I'd get a fair trial in this hick town."

Sean frowned. "Then, let's get this started. Bailiff please read the charges rendered against Mr. Griffin."

The bailiff continued, "Mr. Alan Griffin is charged with third degree felony assault."

Judge Pickett faced Alan. "How do you plead?

"Not guilty, Your Honor." Alan paused. "Your Honor, Mr. Brent Black Jr. and Mr. George Black Sr. are licensed in New York. I doubt they're licensed to practice law in Texas."

As Sean glanced at the plaintiff's table, Brent held up papers. "Your Honor, may I approach the bench?" After the judge nodded, he continued and handed Sean paperwork. "I think you'll find everything's in order."

When the judge finished reading, he set them down. "Both are eligible to practice law in Texas. They both have passed the Universal Bar Exam, with quite impressive scores, which allows them to practice law in any state that accepts it. Texas is a reciprocal state." He faced Brent. "Please begin?"

"Thank you, Your Honor." Brent stood in front of the table. "Third degree felony assault has three components. I'd like to address the easiest first, domestic violence. Mr. Griffin, do you acknowledge you and the plaintiff, Ms. Alexandra Black were once engaged?" Once Alan agreed, Brent continued, "So we're in agreement we're discussing domestic violence."

Mr. Black faced Judge Pickett. "I'd like to call Dr. Bart Barnes to the stand." After Bart was sworn in, Brent continued, "His testimony will show the second part of the felony charge, assault. Please describe Ms. Black's injuries."

Dr. Barnes described the bruises, swelling, fractured rib, and the badly sprained ankle. He presented photographs and x-rays marked as evidence.

After Mr. Black sat, Alan stood. "I heard on the day of Ms. Black's injuries that was Thursday, April 15th, if I'm not mistaken, she went horseback riding. I also heard the horse returned without her. Isn't it possible all of these injuries could've been caused by being thrown from a horse?"

Alexandra gasped and glanced at her dad. He put his hand on her arm. "It's okay."

Bart pointed to a photograph. "Mr. Griffin, this shows a clear handprint on the right side of Ms. Black's face with finger indentions. I've seen many horse accidents but as far as I know, horses don't have fingers." He held up another photograph and pointed. "Here shows a knuckle imprint and here is the imprint of the toe of a shoe." He studied Alan's shoes and pointed. "If I'm not mistaken, your shoes have the same type of toe design. I bet they match."

Alan glared at the doctor. "That's impossible. I've never been to Rancho de los Toros Salvajes." He stumbled over the pronunciation. "Anyway, I haven't seen Ms. Black since arriving. Beside I'm positive many men wear a similar shoe."

The doctor smiled. "Not around here. Everybody wears cowboy boots."

When Dr. Barnes stepped down, Brent called Alan Griffin to the stand. After he was sworn in, the questions began, "Mr. Griffin, my main question is why did you fly from New York City to Lobo, Texas? It's a beautiful town, but not normally a vacation resort."

"During your law firm's fiftieth birthday party, April 9th, I watched my fiancee, Ms. Black dance with," he pointed at Cordero, "That man. I decided to break off the engagement. He had no business attending this invitation-only party at the Rockefeller Center. He was out of his league."

"Please explain further."

"This was an exclusive party. Only high society attended. English isn't even his first language. I watched him put his hands all over my fiancee. I even suggested to you, Mr. Black that you have him removed."

"You did. How did I respond?"

Ignoring the question, Alan answered, "I'll get back to the original question. After seeing this man's hands all over Ms. Black and seeing how she disgraced herself by dancing with him, I knew she wasn't who I thought she was and came here to break off the engagement. But she was thrown from the horse, and I was arrested before I could."

Judge Pickett shook his head. "Excuse me, Mr. Black. I have my own questions. First Mr. Ortiz, were you invited to this party and by whom? Did you attend?"

Cordero stood. "I was invited by Mr. and Mrs. Black. I did attend."

"How did you get there?"

"Mr. Black sent his private jet."

"Why didn't you travel with Ms. Black and why didn't she invite you?"

"Sir, I didn't travel with Ms. Black because a mare struggled delivering and I waited until the foal arrived. I was actually a little late that night. As for why Ms. Black didn't invite me, you'll need to ask her."

"One more question, Mr. Ortiz. I don't notice an accent. What is your primary language?"

"Sir, I'm completely bilingual. I learned English and Spanish at the same time."

"Thank you." The judge pointed to Alexandra. "Ma'am, why didn't you invite Mr. Ortiz?"

"I wanted to but knew he didn't like cities and I didn't want him to feel obligated to attend."

"Makes sense." Judge Pickett faced Mr. Black. "Why did you invite Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Griffin knowing it could cause a potential problem?"

"Your Honor, Mr. Griffin was never invited. Matter-of-fact, when I learned he was present I had him removed. My daughter had already broken off the engagement, about two months prior. There wasn't any reason for him to be there."

"Ms. Black, why did you break off the engagement?" ask Judge Pickett.

"On Valentines' Day, Mr. Griffin told me he couldn't take me to dinner because he had to prepare for trial the following day. I decided to surprise him at his office with dinner. When I opened the door, he was with another woman. They were both naked on the couch having sex. I broke off the engagement and left."

The judge studied Mr. Griffin. "Would you like to revise any of your testimony?"

Mr. Black Sr. stood. "If I may, Your Honor, I'd still like a reasonable answer as to why he's in Lobo?"

Sean grinned. "So would I, but I doubt he has one."

George said, "Sir, I'd like to call Mr. Joseph Aaronson to the witness stand. He knows that answer."

Joseph came forward and was sworn in. When the judge asked him what he knew, he said, "A week ago today, April 14th, Ms. Black and I had scheduled a Zoom call, during the time Mr. Griffin had a scheduled meeting. He entered my office stating I needed to send my monthly retainer fee directly to him, because once he and Alexandra were married, he'd become a full partner in her family's law firm."

He paused. "I explained I was one of the original clients and have always mailed my payment to the firm, no matter who my lawyer was."

Alan stood. "He's lying."

Alexandra raised her hand. "Excuse me, Your Honor, I recorded that Zoom call."

Alan sat.

After watching and listening to the recording, Judge Pickett said, "Let's continue. Since he maintains he was never at the ranch or talked with Ms. Black, I think it's time we view the video. Sheriff Baily?"

Alan jumped up. "I wasn't aware of a video. What about chain of custody? How do we know it hasn't been doctored?"

Sam stood in front of Alan. "Because I took the video from the security cameras myself and it's been in my safe until today."

As they watched, Sam stopped it at various places to show the hand slaps, the repeated slugs, and the toe kicks. All also documented with the photographs.

Brent stood. "Your Honor, for time's sake could we go back to Mr. Griffin pulling my daughter's hair and dragging her toward the car until the German shepherds showed up. That's the third part of the felony charge, attempted kidnapping."

After viewing the video, Sheriff Baily held up an evidence bag holding a piece of cloth. "Mr. Griffin, please raise your left pant leg." When Alan glared at him, he continued, "Judge Pickett, I'm betting there's a bite mark where Klaus bit him, tearing his pant leg."

Judge Pickett shook his head. "I find what you did to this young lady reprehensible. From Mr. Aaronson, I understand you're also being reviewed by the bar association because of your behavior. I honestly believe that's why you attempted to kidnap Ms. Black. I know the sound on the video isn't perfect, but I could make out a reference to her ruining your reputation. A third-degree felony carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of $10,000." His gavel banged loudly. "Next case. Which is also against Mr. Griffin. I see you were busy in Lobo."

Sean smiled as he watched until Cordero and Alexandra hugged and then he moved her, before Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz sat at the prosecution table.

Brent said, "Your Honor, I plan on representing this wonderful couple, if it's all right."


~~~~~
I intentionally left off the accents on fiance and fiancee. I also intentionally left off the trema or dieresis on naive. I didn't want Evil Eddie adding all sorts of strange characters in my post. Thank you for understanding.
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Hola is Spanish for hello.

Mi hijo & Mijo are Spanish for son. Jorge uses them often.

Bendecido is Spanish for blessed.

Querido is Spanish for dear or sweetheart.

De nada is Spanish for no problem or you're welcome.

Rancho de los Toros Salvajes is Spanish for Wild Bull Ranch.
~~~~~

CHARACTER LIST:

Cordero Ortiz: 'Cord' runs his parents' Texas ranch

Alexandra Black: 'Ali' is a New York City corporate lawyer, is a junior partner in huge family law firm

Jorge and Rosa Ortiz: Cordero's parents who own a large West Texas Ranch

Jim: One of the ranch foremen and best friend of Cordero. He takes care of the main house and surrounding ranch area.

Bob: One of the ranch foremen and good friend of Cordero. He works the entire ranch.

Pat Rogers: Bank owner, not a good person

Lester Brown: Pat Rogers lawyer

Sam Bailey: Lobo's Sheriff.

Dr. Bart Barnes: Town doctor

Judge Sean Pickett: County Judge

Tonia and Brent Black: Alexandra's parents

George Black Alexandra's grandpa

Gary Hart: A young ranch hand

Luke: All around bad guy

Amy Harding: A lady who Pat Rogers raped during High School Prom, her son, Matthew

Alan Griffin Alexandra's ex-fiance

Joseph and Ruth Aaronson One of the first clients, family friends, owner of a prestige jewelry shop