In fact, Douglas was now trying to supplant him.

I was known as a friend of Douglas'.

Perhaps I would be trying to involve the state's attorney in an unpopular prosecution.

If the prosecuting attorney refused to act that refusal would be known, and credit might be given to any reports that might arise that Zoe was mine before she was Lamborn's, if she ever was his.

And if I resented the prosecuting attorney's refusal to act, then I might be accused of acting with Douglas in his ambition to get the office.