- Beatrice McArdle: You know, I've always found your inflexibility truly irritating, James.
- James Steel: Then please don't let me keep you.
- Beatrice McArdle: Manslaughter - provocation, have we got ourselves a deal?
- James Steel: [scoffs] This was a straight-up revenge killing, Bea, you know it.
- Beatrice McArdle: Wha- you think she wasn't provoked? He-he kidnapped and murdered her only child!
- James Steel: No, that hadn't been proved. Nick Carlton died an innocent man.
- Beatrice McArdle: Well, why don't you tell that to the jury. We are on the side of the angels, James. You force a murder trial, and you are the one who's going to end up with egg on his face.