"MURDER OF THE INNOCENT..."

Judy drove to a nearby food cafe, Ethan quietly sat at the table while Judy placed their orders. She took frequent glances at him as though she was expecting him to sprint out anytime, for a killer he sure looked calm, but then again it wasn't her first time with composed criminals like Ethan, and for some reason, she felt sorry for him...no he's a killer Judy

"Get it together!!" She muttered out startling the waitress and Ethan...

"Sorry" A flush of embarrassment overwhelmed her as she placed her order

The silence between them was awkward; Ethan's head was down, and Judy tried to study him; one thing was certain: no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, her gut kept telling her something wasn't right. Their food arrived and Ethan wasted no time in digging in, the guy has been unlawfully jailed for a week now

"Slow down, you'll choke" Judy sipped her juice

Ethan slowed down, awkwardly eating and feeling the piercing gaze of Judy on him.

"You live around here?" Judy tried making small talk while he just nodded. "Where? I live at Hamstone Street"

" I do, too." he turned to the side and gulped down his orange juice.

"More juice over here, please," Judy beckoned a waiter before turning her attention to the stranger before her. She was surprised he lived in such a nice street, but then again, how could a mere employee afford a house at an expensive Hamstone? The wheels in her head turned.

"I'd like to go home now, freshen up if that's okay," Ethan said with a straight face, this time looking at her. What is his deal? First, his nervous, and next, his cold. Is there a personality disorder? It would explain a lot. The sound of a chair pulling away was enough to snap Judy into reality.

"Yes...yeah, I'll....I'll drop you off," she stammered, and Ethan nodded. After settling the bill, the pair headed to the parking lot and got into the car. The drive to Hamstone appeared long and awkward; with Ethan's directions, Judy pulled up to a luxury apartment...rose Garden, the place she had planned to move into once her judgeship was approved.

"You live here?" She asked almost immediately; she didn't expect a rich client; if he could afford this apartment, why couldn't he afford bail? Ethan got down, muttered a thank you and was about to leave when Judy called

"Let me have your cell!"

" My phone is being confiscated"

"Oh, we'll meet here tomorrow at the same time; let's talk about your case. Have a nice rest, Mr Carter"

He gave a slight nod and disappeared into the building; just then, her phone started buzzing; it was Monica. Judy sighed and drove off, ignoring the buzzing; the last thing she needed was extra pressure.

***

Back at the office, Monica is seen pacing around, her hair in a messy bun, and dark circles can be visible. Although she tried to hide it with some shady makeup, she tossed her phone on the table as though she dreaded it. Jordan, on the other hand, appeared calm as ever, periodically glancing at his watch.

"Stop pacing, You making me uneasy" his voice came through

" Ethan was supposed to be in jail till the trial; how the hell was he granted bail!!!" Monica yelled to no one in particular

"So he managed to get a hold of 200grand despite his frozen assets...I'm impressed" Jordan sipped his coffee

"A mere employee doesn't have that kind of money; we purposely made it above his pay grade." Monica collapsed on the chair.

"You think it's Judy?" Jordan looked up from his phone

"No, Judy doesn't know anything and I'm not sure she'll be willing to spend that much on a murderer"

"Then why isn't she picking up..."

There was a slight knock at the office door and a middle-aged man dressed in bright blue and black pants walked in

"Officer" Monica called as she and Jordan stood up

"Judy didn't post bail, she didn't even have to" the officer handed Monica an envelope

"What do you mean she didn't have to" Jordan asked

"A man called, he posted bail," the officer said as Monica glanced through the papers

"Can you track him?" Monica asked calmly

"We'll see what can be done " The officer took his leave

"Judy is a seasoned lawyer who believes facts over words...just a few more days and we can put this all behind us" Jordan glanced at his watch again

"And if Ethan talks..."

"It's his words against a mountain of evidence" Jordan reassured Monica and it worked, just then his phone buzzed

"Is it him?" She asked

"Yes, I'll go get this, try and relax Monica...stress doesn't suit you" with that Jordan left

Monica sighed and sank deeper into the sofa, before long she drifted off to sleep...it was no doubt going to be a long week

***

Judy arrived at Ethan's apartment the next day. She had dark sunglasses and appeared rather casual. Ethan stepped out of the building and Judy could swear she saw time stop. The raggedy-ass man of yesterday was gone and in his place was a handsome well, shaved young man. He had had his hair cut, had a nice bath, and looked good. He wore a pair of brown pants, a loosely buttoned cream shirt, rt, and white sneakers. Judy thanked the heavens her car glass was tinted else Ethan would have caught that stupid look on her face

"Get it together Judy, he's a killer....a gorgeous killer...kill me Daddy" she choked on her drool as Ethan jerked her to reality by tapping the glass

"You cleaned up nicely...get in," she said, as calm as ever. Ethan opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, ignoring Judy.

"O...Kay," she signed, started the ignition, and sped off.

They got to a cafe, Judy ordered her usual drink and donuts while Ethan got water. Judy reached into her bag to bring out her notebook, but Ethan made her pause by sliding a white envelope towards her; curiously, she opened it, revealing some money.

"For the food yesterday..." Ethan said, "I insist," he added, sensing her hesitation.

"Okay, I have to ask, how is Rose's estate? Is it everything you dreamed of?"

"You sound a little too excited"

"I'm just curious...been saving up" Judy cleared her throat awkwardly

"Let's start with when you first discovered Rhyan missing." She had a poker face now.

Ethan sighed "I never knew Rhyan was missing not less dead before I was arrested"

"I'm gonna need more than that buddy, describe your relationship" Judy tried not to sound frustrated

"Rhyan and I were more than just co-workers; we were brothers. He had my back and I had his. He was the one who introduced me to Senator Mark Deveraux. They needed a new communication officer and I just happened to be fresh out of college. I remember being so hyped and started working immediately; for some reason, I found favor in the eyes of my boss and got promoted to senior communication officer in less than two years..."

"I take it Rhyan wasn't too happy about that," she interrupted, predicting the all too familiar story of a friend turns foe; maybe he wants to argue self-defense, but blame it on the dead man...typical, she thought. Ethan ignored her remarks, which he thought were unprofessional.

"I got more promotions after that, so I decided to put in a good word for my friend, and in time, he was promoted..."

"Is this story going somewhere?"

"Are you this impatient or is it just me?" Ethan said

"Just get to the part where Rhyan was murdered"

Ethan was visibly angered at this point, the world already believed he was guilty so why try to prove otherwise

"I'm leaving," he said coldly

'why?"

"I'm wasting my time"

"I'm sorry for reading off as unprofessional... continue"

Ethan hesitant continued, "For years things were peaceful until Rhyan stumbled on something... something big"

Judy sat upright, it's about time she thought

"He found records of the party's illegal activities..." Like a flash, Judy scribbled in her book

"What kind?"

"He didn't say; all I know is he got greedy; he felt like he could use the information as a gateway to a fat paycheck. I tried to dissuade my friend, but his mind was made up. We had a big fight that night and he stormed out...I never heard from him again until I was arrested a few days later in my apartment for his murder....to think us fighting was the last thing I did with my friend," Ethan bowed, trying hard to fight back the tears in his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell the police..."

"Are you messing with me or just dumb?" Ethan asked. What was she playing at?

"You're right...they wouldn't believe you, based on what you told me and the evidence against you; it's just your words. I think our best bet is to strike a deal with the prosecutor; since this is your first offense, we can get your sentence reduced to manslaughter..."

"You don't believe me..."

"It's not a matter of if I believe you or not, it's your words against theirs. Unless you magically have proof, which, based on what you told me, he died with Ryan. Our best bet is to have your sentence reduced...I don't even have enough time to investigate what you told me..."

"Why do you think that is princess? If I'm right and Ryan went ahead with his plans and was killed, why do you think they are after me? To frame me thinking I may know something. Now, as powerful as TIC is, don't you think they have spies in the police or jail? If the plan was to silence me, why not kill me the same way they killed Rhyan? Why try to throw me in jail? Even when they know the sentence can be reduced? Or wait, maybe you do know, but you are just here is waste my time and pretend to care..."

"I do care, it's my job...things are just not in your favor right now and unless a miracle happens, my hands are tied"

"Then what am I even doing here?" Ethan got up angrily to leave. "I'm not surprised they sent a quack to represent me," he left, leaving Judy in a dilemma.