Just Be True To Me

“Stop being so fu*king arrogant. My reputation is on the line. Not yours. I’ll probably end up going to jail if I leave you in charge.”

“What are you saying?”

He massaged his temples, his lips moving, but his words inaudible. “I’m not sure if this is working out. Maybe we should think about parting ways. We haven’t gotten that far, so my defense can still be salvaged. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”

Her response was half chuckle, half sneer. “Now I see why you have a problem with women.”

“Excuse me.”

“You’re so fickle. You’re a commitment-phobe. That would have probably been better to use than sleazebag.” After instructing the driver to stop, she pushed her door open.

“Where are you going?”

“I drove.” Climbing out, Mia stuck her head back inside. “I never thought of you as a quitter. I really thought it was always the lawyers’ fault when you fired them. Now I see that they never had a chance because you didn’t believe in them. We have one day before we have to go back to court. I’ll send an invoice tomorrow morning.”

***

“Mia I—” The door slammed in his face. He lost track of her as the paparazzi shark pool crowded around his car. Greeted with a busy signal when he attempted to call her, he hung up and called again. Three rejections later, he instructed his driver to pull off. Scanning the windows, he asked, “Do you see her?” Silver cars of all makes and models filled the parking lot, but he hadn’t seen hers. His heart dropped into his stomach at the thought of possibly never seeing her again. “Stop.” He hopped out. “I’ll find a way home.” He then jogged back towards the courthouse.

***

Mia welcomed the quiet of the office. Her steps were slow as she walked through the rows of desks, her fingertips gliding across the tops of the chairs. She was reminded of everything she’d been through and the countless hours she’d put in to rise to her current position. She knew that she was a damn good lawyer. Her record stated that. Anyone that worked with her would have said the same. Clifford firing her wasn’t technically a loss, so her record would remain intact. In spite of this logic, it still didn’t sit right with her. She’d only been fired once before, and that was when she’d still been in her teens.

Sitting in one of the chairs took her back to when she was still a fresh-faced recruit. It didn’t take long for her to realize that real law was nothing like the TV shows. The longer she sat, the more she remembered why she became a lawyer in the first place: to be a defender and a crusader for her clients. Removing her phone from her purse, she opened the recorder and tapped the newest recording.

Her voice ruptured the silence.

During this trial, I’ll show you how Mr. Knight, though he is a sleazebag, is not guilty. I remind you that this trial isn’t about his personality or lack of morals. My client didn’t hide money overseas. He’s cheated the system, but not in this way. Thank you.

She pressed her palms into her forehead, her groan warming her forearms. Listening to it again, she agreed with Clifford, she deserved to be fired.

Moving the mouse around brought the screen on the computer in front of her to life. Turning her brain off, she began to type.

Clifford,

You have every right to feel as you do. I bombed that opening statement. I don’t mean to make excuses, but my head wasn’t in the game. And because of that, you’re in a worse position than when you started. I won’t apologize because I know it’s not going to make up for what I’ve done, or rather, what I’ve failed to do. I won’t add any flowery words or beg you to take me back. We both know I have too much pride for that. What I will do is convince the best lawyer I know to take your case. I’m more than confident he’ll be able to fix it.

I want you to know that I didn’t mean anything I said. I don’t think you’re a sleazebag. And I know you’re not guilty. I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together. It su*ks because we were just finding our groove. Maybe now, if you ever forgive me, we can be friends. I’d like to get to know you more.

You’re a good man. You’ll beat this. Don’t ever doubt that. The lawyer’s business card is in the envelope. Wait a couple of days before calling so I can work my magic. If you decide to never speak to me again, which I totally understand, it was nice knowing you. Good luck on your business. I hope you get everything you’re after.

Your former partner,

Mia Bishop

The paper was warm after it came out of the printer. She took her time in folding it, slapping it in her hand as she searched for an envelope. She found the door to Milton’s office unlocked when she turned the knob. Rummaging through the drawers, her elbow hit the mouse, causing the computer screen to light up. Clifford’s picture stopped her in her tracks. Milton had been reading the same article about his past that she had read.

The stack of files crashed to the floor after she sat down.

“What the…”

She picked up and analyzed each photo one by one. They each featured Clifford and a man meeting in various locations, the proximity of their faces and the fact that they were watching over each other’s shoulders signaled that they didn’t want the conversation heard. There were notes scrawled on the backs.

“Possible M.F.H. M.H.F.? What does that mean?”

A bright white light streamed through the window.

Her knees thudded on the ground. Stuffing the photo through the top of her shirt, she crawled to the door. She watched as Milton conducted his imaginary symphony while waiting for the coffee machine to finish up. The gurgling stopped a minute later. With him walking toward her, she scooted closer to the wall, bumping into the floor lamp. Her eyes were wide with horror as she watched it teeter back and forth.

Milton’s humming grew louder as he got closer. He stopped at the awakened computer screen.

“Sh*t,” Mia hissed. She had forgotten to exit out of the letter. Her eyes suddenly dropped to her hip.

Milton was holding his phone to his ear. “Call me back ASAP. I found your letter. I know you feel bad about your opening statement, but remember what I taught. No case is unwinnable. And I don’t hire quitters. Call me.” Tripping over the desk leg caused the hot coffee to splatter across his chest.

Mia slipped out of the office as soon as he turned his back. Back on her hand and knees, she navigated the maze of desks, not stopping until she reached her own office. From there, she waited until she heard his door close to sneak out of the building.