Just Breathe

by Vincent Morrone

  “I don’t know anything about that,” Cassie said. “I just know what happened between us. And like I told Lisa, it was caught on video. Not very often that something like that happens, but it did. So if you don’t mind.”

  She tried to move, but Trent held her in place.

  “Hey look,” Trent said, obviously trying to sound reasonable. “All I’m saying is, overall, Tom’s a decent guy. He needs a little help with the drinking is all. And those cameras can’t catch everything. Maybe you could stop being such a hard ass and cut him a break. I know he didn’t hurt those girls.”

  “Yeah?” Cassie said. “For his sake, I hope you’re right. I really don’t know. Now, I’m going.”

  She tried to leave again, but Trent still gripped her arm.

  Trent leaned in, towering over her.

  Cassie felt the air sucked out of the room. She was paralyzed with fear and she couldn’t breathe.

  She looked into Trent’s eyes. The façade of niceness was gone, replaced by a contempt filled sneer.

  Trent leaned closer. “You’re going to—”

  Trent was airborne, flying across the hall. He slammed into a wall and slid to the floor. Almost instantly, a crowd gathered.

  Someone touched her arm gently and said, “Just breathe.”

  The tightness in Cassie’s chest loosened. She was safe. Noah was here.

  Ben was on her other side, looking furious.

  Tom got up from the floor with some help. Three other members of the football team had arrived, each bigger than the other.

  “What the fuck, dude,” one of them said. He was three feet taller than Noah, and twice as wide. “What’s your problem?”

  “He had his hands on her,” Noah said.

  “I just wanted to talk with her,” Trent said.

  “Maybe nobody ever told you,” Ben said as he stepped forward, “but you talk with your mouth, not your hands.”

  “Shut up, faggot,” Trent spat. “You and your boyfriend should just mind your own fucking business.”

  “Cassie is our business,” Noah said. “Keep your hands to yourself.”

  Noah turned back to Cassie. She’d stopped shaking since Noah had arrived.

  “You’re okay,” he said gently. “Do you want to go home?”

  She shook her head.

  “This is the second time that Lisa girl has harassed me on school property,” she said. “Let’s go see the dean.”

  Noah nodded.

  “Hey,” Lisa yelled. “You can’t let them go to the dean.”

  Noah and Ben positioned themselves on either side of Cassie, and the three of them started walking away.

  “Come back here,” Trent yelled. They ignored him.

  The crowd parted to let Cassie and her escorts pass.

  Cassie heard the murmurs of disappointment that the fireworks were over. When the whispered voiced grew in intensity and excitement, she realized what was coming.

  Cassie spun around to see Trent charging at them, swinging a fist toward Noah’s head.

  Noah pushed Cassie to the side and stepped forward to deal with Trent. Thanks to a quick pivot on Noah’s part, Trent’s fist missed his head by an inch. Noah’s fist came up quickly, smashing into Trent’s gut.

  The other three football players rushed forward. One smashed Ben into the wall. Ben blocked a blow and delivered one that sent his attacker stumbling back several steps. One more quick punch and Ben’s assailant hit the floor, nose gushing blood.

  Noah was rushed by the remaining two players. Both looked like linebackers. Instead of backing away, Noah moved into their attack. Noah’s right arm struck out like lightning at the smaller of the two players, striking his face. The assailant lost his footing and hit the floor with a thud, while the largest of Tom’s buddies overshot Noah.

  The giant spun and went for Noah’s throat. Noah grabbed his wrist, twisted and turned; shoving the oversized man face first into the wall. With a kick to the back of the knee, the giant slid to the floor.

  Trent came back at Noah and grabbed him in a chokehold. Noah slammed his foot down on Trent’s, gripped Trent’s arm and took a step back. Trent went sailing over Noah’s shoulder and crashed into the giant who had been making an effort to get up. They both crumpled to the floor.

  The other two, both with bloody noses, took a look at Ben and Noah, scrambled to their feet, and ran. Lisa was already gone.

  Noah walked over to Cassie. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded.

  He looked to Ben, who gave a thumbs up.

  “Dude,” some guy said, “you just completely demolished them. They really pissed you off, calling your boyfriend a fag.”

  Cassie started to laugh.

  * * * *

  It was rare that Diana got a call from Noah. So when her phone chimed and she saw it was him, her gut clenched.

  “Noah,” she answered.

  “Diana,” he said. “There was a fight at school. I’m being brought to the police station. I hate to bother you…”

  “I’m on my way.”

  She told him not to talk to anyone until she got there.

  “What about Ben?” Noah said. “Could you help him, too?”

  She had no idea who Ben was, but she agreed to help Noah’s friend.

  Diana wasn’t sure what she’d find when she got to the station, but she knew her Noah. Something had to be wrong. Noah didn’t fight unless he had to.

  When she walked in, her eyes scanned the room. She saw Phil Stewart, one of the assistant district attorneys talking to a young woman. Actually, the young woman was talking to the ADA, and with a great deal of attitude.

  Diana realized she knew who that girl was.

  Noah’s Cassie.

  Diana made her way over to them.

  “Trent’s the one that should be under arrest,” Cassie was insisting.

  “Right now,” Phil said. “Trent and Little Stevie are in the hospital. And Trent Wilkins’ father is the one saying he wants to press charges.”

  “And because Gary Wilkins owns a half a dozen restaurants and bars, not to mention a couple of strip joints, the DA is willing to prosecute based on that alone?” Diana asked.

  Cassie looked at her, and Diana saw recognition in her eyes.

  “Diana,” Stewart said. “What are you doing here? Don’t tell me either of these two college kids can afford you or your firm.”

  “Doubtful,” Diana said. “But one of those college kids is my family. So you best tell the DA that he better have a rock solid case before he even thinks about bringing charges against them. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  She put a hand on Cassie’s back and led her to a quiet corner.

  “You’re Cassie, right?” she said.

  Cassie nodded. “You’re Diana.”

  “Now that we’ve met,” Diana said, “tell me what happened.”

  Cassie told Diana everything, starting with Lisa’s initial confrontation and ending with how Noah had completely trounced them.

  “But it was all self-defense,” Cassie insisted. “Noah and Ben were only there because my cell ran out of charge. My dad was trying to get a hold of me and when he couldn’t, he called Noah. Both and he and Ben came looking for me.”

  “Were there any witnesses?”

  “Tons,” Cassie said. “But Trent is really popular in school. He’s on the football team, you know.”

  “I’m sure,” Diana said. “But there’s got to be someone who will back up what really happened.”

  “That’s what my father thought,” Cassie added. “He’s at the college now.”

  “Good,” Diana said. “I’m going to go talk to Noah.”

  Diana was led to one of the interview rooms. When she looked in and saw Noah, sitting there like a criminal, it made her blood boil. But at the same time she was grateful that he was in an interview room and not a cell. He leapt up when Diana walked in.

  “Diana, they won’t let me talk to Cassie.”

  Diana
was taken aback. She wasn’t used to seeing the normally cool and collected Noah Hunt so worked up.

  “Relax,” she said. “She’s fine. She’s not in any trouble. She’s just worried about you.” Noah visibly relaxed. “Tell me what happened.”

  Noah sighed and sat down. “I got a call from Cassie’s father. He couldn’t reach her. I was just getting out of a class with Ben, Cassie’s friend.”

  Diana couldn’t help but notice Noah described Ben as Cassie’s friend, not his.

  “We went to look for her. I knew she had bio and would be making her way to the cafeteria.”

  “You have her schedule memorized?”

  Noah just shrugged.

  Diana nodded. “Go on.”

  “When I got there, that guy Trent had his hands on her. She was trying to walk away from him, but he wouldn’t let her. So I pushed him away.”

  “How hard?”

  “Hard enough,” Noah said. “He had his hands on Cassie, towering over her. I could see she was starting to have a panic attack.”

  “Has she had those before?”

  Noah nodded. “Anyway, Ben and I told him to keep his hands to himself. Then Trent’s other friends started up. We were going to the dean when Trent attacked me. I defended myself. Then his buddies joined in.”

  “And you took them all on,” Diana said.

  “Ben took one,” Noah said. “That guy ended up with a bloody nose, but he ran. Can you make sure Ben is okay? I don’t want him to get in trouble.”

  “Relax,” Diana said. “I’ll see him next.”

  Noah jetted out a breath of relief.

  “I met Cassie,” Diana said. “I like her.”

  Noah couldn’t help but smile.

  “She was out there giving hell to the ADA,” Diana added. “Have you asked her out yet?”

  Noah shook his head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  Noah sighed. “Can this stay between us?”

  “Lawyer-client confidentiality.”

  Noah told her about Cassie’s mother. “I just don’t think it would be good for her to go out with someone like me.”

  “Stop it,” Diana said. “Why don’t you try talking with her? She told you about her past. Try telling her about yours.”

  Noah didn’t reply, he just crossed his arms.

  “You should consider it,” Diana said. “I think she’d understand.”

  Noah just shrugged.

  “Just so you know,” Diana said. “I talked to the McMillians. They’re ready.”

  Noah’s face lost all trace of emotion. He just nodded.

  “I’ve got to go see Ben,” she said as she stood up. “Don’t worry, this will be okay.”

  * * * *

  When Diana got to Ben, she found that he wasn’t alone.

  “We’re giving you one shot,” Phil Stewart said. “Give us your statement on how your boyfriend Noah attacked the others and we’ll drop the charges against you.”

  “Get out of here,” Ben said. “I told you we were attacked.”

  “Ben,” Steward said. “He put two guys in the hospital. How does that make any sense?”

  “They attacked the wrong guy,” Ben replied with a smile.

  “Excuse me,” Diana said. “Stewart, you know better. Get out, and no talking to Ben or Noah without me.”

  Stewart straightened up. “We’re just trying to get to the bottom of…”

  “Bullshit, Phil,” she said. “Out. I’ll talk to Ben. And don’t even think of going near Noah.”

  Stewart slinked out of the room.

  “Thanks,” Ben said. “I can’t believe this. These douchebags attack us and we’re the ones in trouble.”

  “Trent’s father is a business owner and plays golf with the ADA,” Diana said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he pays him in free lap dances, but don’t worry about that. Tell me what happened.”

  Ben told her same story Noah had.

  “If this should go to court,” Diana said, “you’ll need your own attorney, but I’ll have someone from my firm represent you pro bono. My firm will back me on this, I promise. And we have several partners that play golf with the DA, too. But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  Ben nodded. “I’m trying to remain calm. I figure between you and Cassie’s dad, not to the mention the truth, we should be okay.”

  “That’s a good way to think.”

  “So,” Ben said, sitting back and smiling. “You’re the mysterious Diana.”

  Diana raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know I was shrouded in mystery.”

  “You are among us,” Ben said. “Noah gets calls from you. Or from some of the other women like Amber or Pamela, and nobody knows anything about you. He’s not very talkative. Cassie really likes him, y’know.”

  “Good,” Diana said. “He really likes her, too. He’d be mad as hell if he knew I said anything. So don’t.”

  “Why doesn’t he simply ask her out?”

  “Because,” Diana said, “nothing is that simple with Noah. I hope you guys can be patient with him.”

  “I like Noah,” Ben said. “He seems like a stand-up guy.”

  “He is,” Diana said. “Wait, did you say Pamela? Has Noah been talking to her?”

  Ben nodded. “Cassie noticed whenever she calls, Noah seems to get sad.”

  “I’ll bet,” Diana said with a sigh. “It’s a long story and I shouldn’t go into it without Noah’s permission. Family stuff.”

  “I get that.”

  Diana sat back a moment and thought back to her conversation with Noah. “Do you consider yourself Noah’s friend?”

  “Sure. Why?”

  Diana smiled. “I’m just happy he has friends. It’s a good thing. Hang tight, Ben. I’m going to go see what they’ve got.”

  * * * *

  When Diana got to the captain’s office, she wasn’t surprised to find Phil Stewart in there trying to convince him to officially place the two boys under arrest. Which would mean they would both be put through the system. And Noah would be locked up until she could get this sorted out.

  “Are you sure about that, Stewart?” Diana asked. “Right now, you don’t have much of a case. What you do have is one hell of a lawsuit.”

  Captain Fuller, who was a tall man with dark skin, nodded as she came in. Diana had dealt with him on only a few occasions. He had always seemed fair and honest.

  “Diana,” Captain Fuller said, “we’ve got two kids in the hospital.”

  “And an eye witness that says they attacked first,” Diana said. “And Mr. Stewart here went to question one of my clients without a lawyer present.”

  “You can’t represent both of them,” Stewart said. “It’s a conflict of interest. And I’d stake my reputation on the fact that those two attacked first.”

  “Your reputation?” Diana said. “That alone should be enough to exonerate them.”

  Stewart seethed, while the Captain stifled a laugh.

  Someone knocked on the door and Captain Fuller called out for them to enter. A man who looked like a marine came in. She tried not to flinch as he nodded to her.

  “Diana,” Captain Fuller said. “This is Detective Shaw. Cassie’s father. Shaw, this is Diana Riggs. She represents Noah Hunt and Ben Gilford.”

  Shaw, who came in carrying a laptop, offered his hand. “Diana Riggs? Don’t you work for Harding, Matthews, and Cervone?”

  Diana forced herself to accept his hand and nodded. “Yes, I do. And the partners are fully prepared to defend these two young men.”

  “I’ve been doing a little checking into your clients,” Stewart said. “Ben seems clean, which is why we’re willing to cut him a deal. Noah, on the other hand, has an interesting past.”

  “Noah’s past is completely irrelevant,” Diana snapped. “And if you even try to bring that into this or leak it, I promise I will bury you.”

  All three men were silenced by Diana’s ferocious words.

 
; “Maybe before we go any further,” Shaw said, “we should have a look at something.”

  He started to set up the laptop.

  “What’s this?” Stewart asked.

  “This is police work in the digital age,” Shaw said. “The assault happened at a college campus with about two dozen wits. I noticed you didn’t bother to interview any of them before you decided whose story to believe. Here’s the thing. These days, every kid seems to have one of those smart phones with video capability. And what makes them more dangerous than someone our age, they all know how to use them.”

  Shaw hit a few keys on the laptop and a blurry image on the screen started to move. It showed Trent Wilkins holding Cassie Shaw’s arm as she struggled to get away. He was towering over the girl when Noah and Ben arrived and Noah sent him flying. Shaw hit pause.

  “That was my daughter he was harassing,” Detective Shaw said. “She was nearly raped a few weeks ago and Noah helped her out. The attempted rapist is Trent’s buddy Tom Cottler. So that would be witness intimidation right there.”

  Stewart didn’t make eye contact. “The Hunt boy didn’t have to shove Trent so hard.”

  “Oh boo-fucking-hoo,” Shaw said. Diana decided that she liked Cassie’s father as the Detective hit play again.

  They watched as Noah and Ben didn’t respond to Trent or Little Stevie’s insults. The camera stayed on them as they started to escort Cassie to see the school dean. Trent went after Noah from behind. Much of the fight was a blur, but it was clear that Noah had responded to being attacked.

  “But wait,” Shaw said as he worked the laptop again. “There’s more.”

  Another video popped up, showing the same fight, but from another angle. This one managed to show Ben’s fight as well.

  “I’ve got five more loaded,” Shaw said. “Along with a dozen witness statements. Trent and his buddies attacked while Noah and Ben had their backs turned and were walking away. Noah and Ben defended themselves. Every shot they took was self-defense. Most people would have been pissed off enough to take at least one or two cheap shots. They didn’t.”

  He slapped the laptop closed.

  “Well,” Stewart said. “Um…”

  “Yeah,” Shaw said. “Um is right.”