by Karen Deen
“Shit, we didn’t think of cameras in his office. We were so focused on his blood samples, and his driving route once he left the office. I’m on it.” Greta’s fingers are madly typing away.
“Exactly, and if there are cameras, why hasn’t Jacinta used the footage? It’s not like her to miss a piece of evidence to prove her point. It leads me to think there’s something she doesn’t want me to see. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it. I’m not thinking clearly.” I’m pissed off with myself for missing this.
Greta tells her phone to call Blaine, the investigative security expert we use.
I’m almost finished the summary I’ve been working on of what things I want looked for in his office, so I can send it to Blaine after we speak.
“Morning, sexy lady. Where did you disappear to so early this morning? I was going to finish where we left off last night.” Her face goes bright red. I can’t help but start to laugh.
“Morning, Blaine. Something you need to share about my assistant lawyer?” I ask him as she just closes her eyes, shaking her head and still typing away.
“Yeah, Lex, tell my wife she needs to wake me up before she sneaks out to see the other man in her life that early in the morning.” Blaine chuckles to himself, knowing full well that Greta will be ready to kill him.
“Jealous much? That’s what happens when you’re second fiddle, man.” I try to keep a straight face and not laugh at her.
“Can you two both stop your bullshit and get on with work. We don’t have time to continue with you guys trying to one-up each other. Blaine, we have a job and it’s urgent. I’m getting the search warrant as we speak. Lex will get the detective handling the case on to executing it. But we need it this morning.” Both Blaine and I know the tone of her voice means we are no longer joking, and everyone switches to work mode.
“Sure thing, G, fill me in.”
Greta starts talking while I’m sending through the brief to Blaine. We quickly tell him what we’re looking for and the time frame we need the security tapes scanned.
He’s already running checks on the building and gathering intel as we speak, so he’s ready to go as soon as we have the warrant to get in there legally. I can’t afford anything to blow this case. This bastard needs to pay for what he has done.
Blaine and Greta met on the job and hit it off straight away. I told her at the time if I didn’t get invited to the wedding then I would fire them both. Must admit it makes it handy when you have your own investigator on standby. No matter what he’s working on, he won’t say no to his wife. They make a great team both professionally and in life. They make me think about the sort of life that hopefully awaits me somewhere down the track. Where I am right now with relationships is not even close to the happiness they share.
“Okay, so we’re all good to go, Blaine. As soon as we get the paperwork I’ll be in touch. David is standing at the judge’s chambers waiting to get it signed off.” I finish scanning over the message from David saying that the judge has arrived at the courthouse.
“Perfect. Talk soon.” With that he’s gone off the line, and Greta doesn’t even flinch that he didn’t say goodbye to her. Work is work and the rest is for out of the office, otherwise it can just get messy when it blurs the lines.
“Right, now let’s get ready for court and pray that Blaine works his magic and we have something to present to court this afternoon.” I take another sip of my coffee and look out to the day breaking outside. Let’s hope by nightfall we have the evidence that will have this case signed, sealed, and delivered, and Michelle will have the justice she deserves.
“You should thank that friend of yours, Lex. She gave you some clarity with her little visit.” Greta laughs as she continues working at the corner of my desk.
“More than you realize, Greta. Though I’m not sure she’ll be happy with either bits of clarity she left me with last night. Both epiphanies of how my life needs to change are likely to end both situations badly for her.” My eyes are still focused on the clear blue sky.
“That’s a little deep for this time of the morning, boss. Care to share?” Greta stops typing. I know I could tell her anything and it would never leave her lips if I asked her to keep a secret. It’s not fair to burden her with my troubled mind, though. When I’m ready, the boys will get that messed-up conversation. After a few drinks, I’m sure.
“Thanks, but nobody needs my complicated thoughts this early in the day. We have more important things to worry about.” Getting up and walking past her, I squeeze her shoulder to let her know I appreciate her friendship.
“Maybe so, but just know I’m here anytime you need.” Her fingers start typing again so I know she’s letting it go. Obviously, the guys aren’t the only ones to notice I’m not myself at the moment.
I can’t have my mind all cluttered with my own shit. I need to focus on work. People rely on me being at my peak in the courtroom.
Leaning on the window for a moment, I roll my shoulders around a few times and rotate my head once to just loosen my muscles.
“Talk to me, Greta, give me the points for my first argument today.”
Her work voice is back, and we click into the mode I need.
Black and white, cold hard facts.
“So, Mr. Digby, you were injured in the accident and taken to the hospital that night, where mandatory drug and alcohol testing took place, is that correct?”
“Yes,” he answers, looking smugly at me.
“However, those blood tests were lost, so they can’t confirm your levels the night of the accident, is that correct?”
“Yes.” Again, he looks at me like he holds all the power here. Well, I’ve got news for you, sunshine.
“Your blood, sample C, that was taken the morning after the accident. It shows in the report tendered to the court, traces of alcohol and cocaine in your body. Can you confirm that this is correct?” I stand very still in front of him. A copy of the report in my hand.
He nods his head, looking down.
“You need to speak for the court, Mr. Digby,” I instruct him. “Care to explain why this is the case? When did you consume these drugs?”
He looks sheepishly at the court like he’s unsure how to respond. “I was in shock and needed something to calm my nerves after the accident. I couldn’t sleep so I had a drink and a little something extra to help relax,” he talks, now looking down.
“I need you to be more specific, Mr. Digby. What exactly was the little something extra you had to help relax?” Yeah, come on, asshole, keep squirming.
“Um, a little cocaine that a friend gave me. They said it would help,” he mumbles.
“So, you admit you took an illegal substance, Mr. Digby?”
“Yes, but it was the first time. I’ve never done it before. It was a mistake I made when I was in shock. It was a tiny amount.” Oh yes, play the victim, that will just make you look more of a fool when I’m finished with you.
“Objection, Your Honor. What Mr. Digby did after the accident is irrelevant in this case,” Jacinta voices from behind me.
“Sustained, Counselor. Get to the point, Mr. Jefferson.” Oh, I am, don’t you worry.
“Yes, Your Honor.” I turn back to the accused. “Mr. Digby, at any time during the day or night before the accident occurred did you consume alcohol or any illegal substances?”
“No.” He tries to be quite adamant in his answer.
“So, if the blood sample was not ruined it would have shown that there was nothing in your system?” Keep digging that hole, jerk, tell me you were clean.
“Objection, the question is irrelevant as we don’t have the results of the samples,” Jacinta calls from behind me.
“Overruled. However there better be a point to this question, Counselor. Please answer the question, Mr. Digby.” The judge looks at him, awaiting his response.
“Sure, the samples would have been clean. I promise. I didn’t have anything.”
I walk back to my desk where Greta
is sitting with the documents I need, and Blaine sits behind her with his smug look on his face.
It hadn’t taken long for him to find what we wanted. As soon as he gained the footage from the building security company, he had the report and footage to us at the court by eleven am. Just before morning recess, so I’ve had time to view it and review the report. Now time to deliver the little bombshell to the court.
Giving Jacinta my best self-assured look, I turn back to the court and walk towards the bench.
“Your Honor, I would like to submit exhibit K to the court. Contained is security footage and reports on the footage from the building where Mr. Digby’s business is located. The footage is time and date stamped from the four hours before he left the building and drove towards his ex-wife’s house when the accident occurred.” Placing the file on her desk I turn and walk back to the center of the room, facing Mr. Digby while the television screen on the wall turns on.
“As you can see on the video, the accused is meeting the unknown man at the back door and handing over cash for that package of a white powdery substance.” I pause as the video rolls on. “And now in the kitchen with the same bag and snorting it through a straw. Picking up what can be seen as a half-empty whiskey bottle. Please notice all the time stamps on the video as we progress.” The video now cuts to later in the night. “Now we have the empty bottle of whiskey and a half-full glass of an amber liquid. Mr. Digby now struggling with his keys in the door and later dropping them several times while approaching the car. Time stamp showing us all eight forty-two pm.”
The video stops, and I listen to all the whispers from the people in the court. Digby’s face drops into his hands, and defeat is evident in his slumped shoulders. Time for my final move. I take a few steps to the side so I can see Jacinta as well as Mr. Digby.
“Now, Mr. Digby, I’ll ask you again. Had you consumed any alcohol or illegal drugs before leaving your office the night of the accident and driving your vehicle?”
The look on Jacinta’s face doesn’t change but her tell sign of leaning back against her chair instead of sitting up tall, shows her frustration of not knowing I had any of this.
“Yes,” he whispers, looking into his lap.
And there it is – checkmate! Got you, asshole.
“No further questions, Your Honor.” I walk back and take a seat next to Greta and Michelle. I place my hand over Michelle’s and give it a squeeze.
“You may stand down, Mr. Digby. Court will take a ten-minute recess to allow for the accused to consult with his legal team while I review this evidence and then we will convene back here at two fifteen pm.” Banging her gavel onto the desk, the judge stands and leaves the courtroom.
“What’s happening now?” Michelle whispers to me in between silent sobs.
“His legal team will talk to him about changing his plea to guilty, and then we will come back, and the judge will bring down her verdict of guilty. Another date will be set for the sentencing.” She turns to look at her husband behind her who reaches out to hold her hand. Sharing his strength, the only way he can in the courtroom with a barrier between them.
I look across and see Jacinta talking with her client and looking quite forceful and probably on the inside mad as hell for being blindsided by me. She was obviously counting on the fact that up until now I hadn’t sourced the footage.
Before long, the bailiff announces the judge back into the court, and within five minutes the guilty verdict is handed down and we all walk out of the courtroom. Guiding everyone into one of the meeting rooms so we can talk on our own, I only make it two steps in before Michelle jumps into my arms, crying and hugging me.
“Thank you, Alexander. Thank you so much. I feel like my parents’ lives have been given value. You cared and you fought for my father’s name to be cleared of any wrongdoing. It won’t bring them back, but at least they can rest easy knowing that there has been justice.” Her husband pulling her back and into his arms is a relief, and also, I can see he isn’t overly comfortable with her hugging another man. I totally get that.
“You are welcome. I’m just glad we managed to get it worked out quickly for you and you weren’t dragged through a long court case. You need to thank Blaine here who came up with the goods as quickly as he did. I’m lucky to have such a great team to work with.” I can see Greta smiling with pride for herself and having her husband acknowledged too.
We spend the next little while all talking and just coming down of the euphoria of a successful result. I don’t say anything, but in my heart, I also have the weight of knowing my actions have just put the wheels in motion for another person to end up in prison. I’m okay with the process of sending people who break the law and do the wrong thing to jail. I just struggle with it being me putting people there. Which is a ridiculous thing to feel as a lawyer, but it’s just who I am. I’ve never shared that with anyone, and I know if my mother had even an inkling, she would lecture that out of me over and over again. Mother is telling everyone I will become a judge; how could I possibly have a hidden moral weakness? It would never be good enough in her eyes. She’d tell me to ignore such nonsense and just do my job which is putting the bad people in jail. I hate to tell her, but it’s not always the bad people that are the ones sent to jail. Money and power talk in this system. Justice can be bought, and that infuriates me.
Tonight calls for a celebration, though. After Michelle and her husband leave, I turn to Greta and Blaine.
“Dinner and drinks on me, we’ve earned it,” I say, picking up my bag and files.
“Anytime the boss is footing the bill, who am I to say no?” Greta laughs as she also picks up all her files.
“Well, I’ll be there because I need to watch the shifty guy that just asked my wife on a date. Plus, it’ll be even funnier having him pay for my dinner while he tries to hit on her in front of me.” Blaine slaps me on the back of the shoulder.
“See, that’s where you are wrong. I’m trying to teach you how to treat her right, so you stop being the second fiddle in this situation.” Greta just rolls her eyes at both of us and walks out. She knows it’s all in good fun, and she just ignores us both.
Another day over, and after dinner I’m again sitting on my balcony watching the city wind down at the end of a week. Friday night is where you finally take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Ridding yourself of all the crap from the week with it. I’m not even bothering with a drink tonight. After a few red wines with dinner, I just feel like sitting and relaxing. Today was intense, and my mind is still hanging on the uneasy feelings that keep crawling under my skin.
I think I need a vacation. Somewhere far away from here. Sunshine, a beach, beautiful ladies, and not one lawyer in sight. Actually, maybe we need a boys’ trip. We haven’t had one in a long time. This adulting takes away all the fun. Either way, I think I need a break from reality for a while. It’s been too long since I didn’t have to worry about being anywhere on time or fulfilling my duties as the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Dustin Jefferson II. I want a day where I get out of bed and think, What am I going to do today? Oh, actually maybe nothing. Yeah, like that’s ever going to happen. Even on my weekends there’s work stuck in my head. It’s hard to switch it off.
My phone starts buzzing on the table. I ignore it.
I know it’s her.
I just can’t tonight.
It rings next. As it goes unanswered, several messages come through, then another call. Since I’m not replying, then my intercom phone from the front desk is ringing. She’s really not taking no for an answer tonight. I’m sorry, Austin. You will just have to deal with her crap tonight, because I don’t have the energy to.
I leave it an hour and open her messages but don’t read them. I just type what I need to say.
Lex: We need to talk. Meet me at the grower’s market tomorrow morning. Pick a time.
Jacinta: 10am sharp and don’t be late. You pissed me off tonight.
Lex: 10am. See you then.
> I don’t even enter into her baiting me, so she can start her rant. As I stand and lock up on my way inside, turning everything off as I walk upstairs to my room, I know what I need.
Throwing my phone onto my bed, stripping my clothes off, I step into my en suite and my huge shower that is big enough for four people easily. The hot water starts to pound down on my shoulders, and I stand under the stream with my head dropped forward. I wash the day away and try to clear the fog that is stuck there. The problem is I don’t really know what the fog is from, just that it’s there and it’s making me feel like shit.
Dragging my weary body from the shower, drying off, I crawl into my large king-size bed. I can’t help but laugh to myself. The huge and very expensive bed has only ever had me sleep in it. I’ve never shared it with a woman. I’ve always used one of the other rooms. I like my space to be perfect and untouched by chaos. I could roll over three times and still not fall out the other side.
I’m lying here thinking stupid facts. It’s definitely time to close my eyes and get some sleep. Before I become even crazier than I feel already. I need sleep to deal with seeing Jacinta at the market in the morning. I’ve got a feeling it won’t end well.
The sound of the market is getting louder as I walk up the sidewalk. Getting close to the entrance to the park. Watching all the people coming and going with their bags of fresh produce. As the crowd parts, I see Bella, Grayson’s sister, just in front of me walking towards the road with her head down.
Shit.
She’s not looking at the car coming towards her. Panicking, I lunge out and grab her. Pulling her backwards, we fall on to the footpath with a thud. She scrambles quickly to her feet.
“Lex, oh god, thank you.” She looks shocked as to what just happened.