Around 8 a.m. the next day, Judy picked up Ethan at his apartment, and they headed for the station. The office was busy, officers were trooping in and out of the station. The hectic nature of the morning did not dissuade Judy, who held her head high as she walked into the office.
"Hello, my name is Judith Myers," she said, sliding her card to the officer at the front desk.
"I'm looking for Detective Laura Bennette. This is my client, Ethan."
The officer looked dryly at Ethan and then at the lawyer.
"Give me a sec," he said and whispered into his telecom.
"Go on in," he beckoned to the duo.
Judy cat-walked into the detective's office. The room was dull, with a strong stench of cigar in the air. A bowl filled with biscuits. The smell of coffee hung lazily in the air. Judy took out an air freshener and sprayed.
Just then, the detective appeared from nowhere.
"Good morning... oh, it's Princess," she scoffed.
Judy smirked.
"Do you sleep at all?" Judy, who was shocked by the ragged-looking detective, asked.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?...coffee?" the detective offered.
"No, thank you... We need your help."
"I don't see myself helping criminals. What do y'all want?" she asked dryly.
"Innocent until proven guilty," Ethan muttered.
"do you want my help or not?"
Judy cut in, "We do. We would like to look at the call log on the 27th of last month."
"Why?" The detective raised a brow.
"We believe there is a foul play and we want to be sure it's nothing more than a misunderstanding"
The detective looked at Judy, then at Ethan, before sighing.
"I'll see what I can do."
***
Monica came down from a black car. She had on a black suit and sunglasses.
Jordan stood in front of an abandoned warehouse. Monica stepped closer. Jordan came out of the warehouse with an officer. He was wiping his hands with a hankie.
"Tell me you got him to talk," Monica asked eagerly.
Earlier, they had tracked the man who posted bail. He had been trying to flee the country.
They dragged him into an abandoned warehouse and tortured him for information.
Jordan took off his face mask.
"He has no idea. The conversation was strictly online. The money was wired to his account from a fake account, and he just did as he was told. According to him…A passport arrived on Tuesday with a one-way ticket to the UK."
"Someone knew he was being targeted and wanted him gone… which means we have a mole or someone influential."
"You still don't think it's Judy?" Jordan drew a cigarette.
"Judy is not that rich… What are we going to do?" Monica asked.
"First, we take care of him. Then we figure out who is messing with us," he said. "I'll have—"
"I just received a tip from the office," the officer interrupted
"Judy requested the call log from the 27th"
"Why the 27th?" Monica asked.
"The day Rhyan was kidnapped… That means shes on to us."
Jordan threw away his cigarette.
"I'll take care of it."
"You better, or we will do this my way," Jordan said and left.
Monica pulled out her phone.
"Hello, Ellie! How are you? I think You should pay Judy a visit," she said and entered her car.
***
Judy sat at her office, lost in thought, her mind racing.
The call log she recalled yesterday clearly showed that indeed, Ethan had called for help on the day Rhyan was kidnapped.
"Why didn't the police do anything? Are they in on it too? Does it mean that Ethan is truly innocent?"
She was still lost in thought when Monica walked in. She snapped back to reality and stood up to greet her boss.
"Good morning, boss. What brings you by?"
"You are off the case," Monica snapped.
"What!" Judy said, wide-eyed.
"Elle will take over, but don't worry, the offer for vacation still stands. I think you should go… you need it."
Was she being silenced? Chased?
"Uh… why?" she stammered.
"Because I say so. Your paid leave is on Sunday, go have fun, Judy. You deserve it."
Not long after Monica left her office, Judy was still in shock when Elle entered.
"This case is complicated. I know how so devoted you are to your clients, but this is bigger than us. For your sake, just go for the vacation... it'll give you time to think. I'm just looking out for you, Judy. As lawyers, we can't do much, but as judges, stick to the plan," Ellie said and left.
Judy slumped in her chair, not only was she taken off the case, but is being shipped elsewhere. She couldn't believe it.She predicted that she might be laid off due to her involvement in the case, so she secretly drafted a legal contract stating that she would serve as his legal representative.
Armed with the document, Ethan got a judge involved. Monica had no choice but to let Judy continue with the case.
"How dare she go against me?" Monica shrieked in anger.
"We tried to play it safe... but now it's my turn," Jordan said as he sipped his coffee.
***
Elle met up with Ethan later that evening. He looked confused the moment he saw her.
"Where's Judy?" he asked, eyes scanning behind her.
Elle hesitated before speaking, her voice calm but firm.
"Judy has been removed from your case. I'll be representing you from now on."
Ethan's expression dropped. "What? Why?"
"They said it's for personal reasons," Elle replied, avoiding eye contact.
Ethan took a step back, hands clenched into fists. He shook his head, frustration boiling beneath the surface.
"She's the only one who actually listens. You people don't care. You just want to close the case!"
Without waiting for a response, Ethan stormed out.
Later that night, he called Judy. His voice trembled with urgency.
"Judy, what's happening?"
Judy's voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
"They pulled me off, Ethan. Said I needed a break. But... I think they're trying to silence the case."
That was all Ethan needed to hear.
The next morning, he filed an emergency appeal. He got a judge involved, someone outside the usual circle. He insisted that if he was going to be tried, it would be with Judy as his legal representative.
"She's my lawyer," he said. "And I'm not going anywhere without her."
Earlier Judy predicted that she might be laid off due to her involvement in the case, so she secretly drafted a legal contract stating that she would serve as his legal representative.
Armed with the document, Monica had no choice but to let Judy continue with the case.
"How dare she go against me?" Monica shrieked in anger.
"We tried to play it safe... but now it's my turn," Jordan said as he sipped his coffee.