Twenty Nine
Mark took the documentation from Hollie then sighed, “Okay how
long do you intend to keep this up for?” he asked, Hollie smirked then took a
few paces away.
“As long as it takes”
“I said I were sorry Hol wont you forgive me, just a little bit?”
“I’ll think about
it”
“Okay”
Minutes later Hollie watched Mark’s
father pass by on his way to his son’s office and he didn’t look best pleased. “What the hell are you doing?” Mark glanced up to where his father now
stood.
“Well, were you
gonna tell me?”
Mark stared
blankly. “Tell you what?”
“Why you have
given some of our most important clients to Roger?”
“Ah I were just
gonna come and see you about that!”
“Oh you were,
well I saved you a trip”
“Well it’s like
this, I’m gonna be busy for the next couple of months”
“Oh is that so,
with what exactly?”
“I’m sorta
branching out”
“You’re what?”
“I’m gonna take a
criminal case”
His father almost
laughed, “You’re what? Well all I can
say is, she must be mighty pretty”
“He”
“What!”
“She’s a he”
“Mark it might
have escaped your notice but your deal in divorce”
“Yeah but the guy
came to me for help”
“Well why not get
Gary or Colin to do it?”
“What? Why?”
“Mark you know
jack shit about Criminal law, stick to what you know
huh, I’ll just go and give
“No Dad, I’m
taking this case”
“Mark”
“Please don’t
stop me”
“Okay fine take
it, but don’t be surprised when you lose”
Mark looked
crushed; his father never was able to hide the fact that he’d no faith in him.
Hollie smiled as the older man left, Mark
was sitting behind his desk shaking his head when she knocked on his door, he
looked up “Are you okay?” she asked, he nodded quickly.
“He doesn’t want me to take the case, doesn’t
think I’m good enough”
“I think you’re
good enough” Hollie said the words before she could stop herself.
“Yeah?” he
doubted himself.
“Mark, who holds
the record for the highest amount of divorce settlements both in and out of
court”
“Okay I’ll give
you that but I also hold the record in here for the biggest loses on criminal
cases”
“Mark you were
just out of law school then”
“True but, oh I
don’t know Hollie I just don’t know”
“I’ll help you,
well where I can”
“Thanks I
appreciate that”
Hollie smiled
suddenly, she’d seen the vulnerable side to Mark and decided she liked it.
“Does this mean
I’m forgiven?” he looked hopeful.
“Oh yeah, you’re
forgiven”
He flashed a
genuine smile then watched as she reached around.
“What are you
doing?”
“Just taking
these, I mean there’s a whole bunch of them, we don’t want you freaking out now
do we, you being afraid of bananas”
“Ha, you’re so
damn funny”
She stuck out her
tongue then went back to work.
Kate opened the door and was pushed
against the wall, Detective Lloyd pushing his badge into her face while King
yelled at the top of his voice, “Where is he, I know he’s here” he spat, Kate’s
eyes widened “He ain’t here”
“You listen to me
you little bitch, I know you were with him last night and so if you don’t want
me to haul your sorry little ass downtown, you’ll tell me where he is!”
“I don’t know”
“But you did see
him last night?” said Lloyd
“Briefly, but he
went”
“Where?
Where did he go?”
“I don’t know”
“Let’s go” King
barked.
“Get your hands
off her”
“Who the hell are
you?”
“I’m her
neighbour”
Kate glanced at
Roxi then King.
“Miss Harper has
to come down the precinct to answer some questions”
“As far as I’m
aware she already answered your questions”
“Fine, I’ll be
back”
“We’ll be
waiting” Roxi replied somewhat un-intimidated.
Kate closed the door then sank dejectedly
onto the couch, Roxi handed her a drink, “Thanks” Kate smiled, and then took a
few sips, Roxi sat down on the armchair, “Kate have you any idea where Chris
is?”
“No, but I wish I
did”
“Maybe it’s just
as well for you that you don’t”
“D’you think those two will come back?”
“Sure”
“Well I don’t
intend to be here”
Roxi opened her
mouth to speak but knew it was futile, Kate had already made up her mind and
nothing would change it.
“Where will you
go?”
“I’m not sure,
anywhere”
“D’you want some company?”
“Thanks, but it’d
be better if I go on my own, I don’t wanna drag you into my problems”
“Okay”
Kate suddenly rushed upstairs and threw
some clothes into an overnight bag, Roxi followed her to her car “Drive
carefully huh” Kate smiled then started the engine, “I will, I’ll see you soon
huh?” Roxi smiled down to where she sat. “Yeah, see you soon” Roxi answered;
then took a few steps back and watched as the little silver car disappeared
into the distance.
Shelby
Geddes stepped from her car that afternoon, clutching a number of
parcels. “Been shopping Shelb?” she
stopped dead on seeing him standing there, “I think you owe me an explanation,
don’t you?” she froze, “What?” she mouthed, he raised his eyebrows
questioningly. “Why the hell did you frame me?” inquired Christian, his
expression murderous.
“Not so fast
babe?”
“Let me go, let
me go?” she panicked.
“Not until you
give me some goddamn answers!”
“I’ll scream”
“No one will hear
you; your neighbours have gone out”
“Chris, please”
she begged.
“Start talking”
“I err, I em”
“Tell me!”
She looked behind
him, a sneer crossing her face. “Hello Chris” said a voice. He straightened and
slowly turned around; “You?” he said, his tone low and emotional, “Bet you
never thought you’d see me again?”
Christian flinched
as something hard came crashing down on his scull and everything went black……