Sneak Preview of A Lawyer in Fae Court

Elizabeth Stark's life as a deputy district attorney is fulfilling, if a bit predictable. Then a murder case lands on her desk, and she has to deal with John Moroz, a rich millionaire playboy. Here's an excerpt of their first interaction in A Lawyer in Fae Court.

I knew John Moroz would be trouble the instant I walked into the conference room.

Then again, everything I’d read about him before the meeting indicated he’d be a problem. Playboy millionaires, especially ones with heavy ties to government lobbying, rarely maintained a squeaky-clean record. He’d already skirted the law several times after being involved with environmental protests. Normally, I didn’t mind a little civil disobedience, especially for good causes, but his rallies had a tendency to turn violent.

I wouldn’t have known any of that, though, if I’d passed him walking on the street. And there was no way I’d miss him either. Even without the expensive dark gray suit and tie, he had classic high cheekbones and honey blond hair swept over his brow that could have graced magazine covers. His sapphire blue eyes pierced mine as I entered the room, a shade almost too brilliant to be real. He stood even while his lawyer, a grim-faced younger man with a shaved bald head, remained seated.

“I’m sorry for the wait,” I said as way of introduction.

Moroz scrutinized me with an amused smile. “Does it have anything to do with the mud on your clothes?”

I glanced down. Sure enough, a splash of brown blotched the hem of my pencil skirt. I must have missed it before. Leave it to a rich boy to zero in on it.

“My apologies again.” I leaned against the conference desk so the mud disappeared from his view. “There was a car accident on my way to work this morning.”

Moroz’s demeanor immediately melted into concern. “Is everyone all right?”

“Yes, everyone’s okay, even the person who caused the accident.” The memory of MacAllister in handcuffs filled me with immense satisfaction.

“Glad to hear it.” He extended his arm for a handshake, the gesture smooth and graceful despite reaching across the wide table. “John Moroz.”

His grip was warm and firm in mine. “Elizabeth Stark, deputy district attorney. Pleased to meet you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine.” Laugh lines appeared around his eyes, as if we were meeting on a first date.

I reminded myself not to smile back. By all reports, Moroz was a huge flirt, and there was zero chance he saw anything in a deputy district attorney working for a rural Oregon county.

To be continued in A Lawyer in Fae Court:

Until next time, happy adventuring!

-DM Fike