“And for the punitive damages?"

The forewoman raised her head from the paper she was reading from. Her eyes were cold as she looked at the defense. Below the table, Rachel gripped Donny's hand tightly.

“In the question of punitive damages, we also find for the plaintiffs, and assess the defendants a penalty of one hundred and twenty million dollars.”

The courtroom seemed to gasp. Then, wild cheers broke loose, as those members of the property-owners who had been close enough to arrive in time for the verdict let loose with their joy. Cameras from the press flashed brightly, sending strobes of light across Rachel's vision. She blinked, stunned by the verdict. She had not dared dream of such an outcome.

Neither, it seemed, had the executives at Antioch. They sat in a row, stiff and colorless as mannequins. Slowly, the president leaned forward, the palms of his hands pressed into his eye sockets. He looked, Rachel thought, Like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

After repeated bangs of her gavel, Judge McKittrick was finally able to bring the court to order. She dismissed the jury and closed the case.

Rachel sat for a moment, letting the babble wash over her.

“One hundred twenty million," Donny was saying wonderingly. He shook his head. "And a third of that goes to the firm. What do you think our bonuses will be, Rachel? I might be able to retire a couple of years early. Or me and Beth might want to buy that cabin up in Door County. or-"

Rachel cut him off with a raised hand.

“Didn't your mom ever give you a warning about counting chickens?" she asked.

“They haven't hatched yet.

And if these guys don't appeal I'LL..."

“Speaking of which," Donny muttered as the lead counsel for Antioch approached their table.

“Counselors," he said politely. But by the twist of his mouth, he might have been tasting acid.

This is an enemy. Be careful.~ She blinked, having the sense of something in her mind pulling away, trying to hide from the man in front of her.

“Mr. Kincaid," she replied, matching his tone. She raised her eyebrows, inviting him to continue.

“I'd Like to set up a meeting with you to discuss the appeal," he said with a faint sneer.

“The punitive damages are precisely that; more punitive than the events warrant. Antioch, will, of course, take this to the Illinois appellate court."

“Of course you will," she said, her voice tinged with disgust.

“Anything that allows you to bill more hours, right? Oh, to hell with it," she finished.