Guanxi

Chapter 6: Tyrone and...The Italian's Job?!

Tyrone did not feel fear. He knew he was the smartest in the courtroom, but he underplayed it. Arrogance was something that was best kept inside you, lest it get used to cloud your judgement. So while he present his evidence with confidence he kept himself checked, never made any passes at anyone. 

"As you can all see, Ms. Grave has never had any contact with Mr. Favella on any occasion besides being called, through her workplace, to Mr. Favella's office for a discreet delivery. A private hand delivery may suggest the contents of said delivery must be protected, but they are not suspicious in and of themselves. We've established that while she may have been in the building and gone to the office, but she came too late for him to have been the killer based on the age of the wounds."

"Yes, you have proven that conclusively today Mr. Temitope. However, Mr. Anderson here has also made a strong case for his client's innocence. If you've nothing to break through it, I believe your investigation must shift to someone else."

"I disagree, your honor. While I was looking for the cause of the mix-up with Ms. Grave I came across something rather interesting. You see, the office she works for is on the same street as our man's. While it is not conclusive, I do believe more investigation is warranted to clear up this coincidence."

Mr. Anderson opened his mouth to speak, but the judge spoke over him. "I'll grant that. Given that we've reached a wall I'll give us a 48 hour break. Court is adjourned for today."

With a bang of the gavel Tyrone was up and out like lightning, ignoring Mr. Anderson's advance toward him. He checked his watch to see if he could make the haircut appointment he'd set before the trial started, but his motion was interrupted.

Ms. Grave sped up to him. "Excuse me, Mr. Temitope!"

Now Tyrone wasn't the kind of person to leave a nice lady hanging. "Oh hm? What's happening?"

"I just wanted to thank you. Without your help I would've been fucked..." Ms. Grave responded as she put a hand to her forehead.

"Ah I get you. S'a stressful thing, being in the hot seat like that. Sorry you had to deal with it in the first place." 

Tyrone looked to the ceiling for a moment as he contemplated something, then slid a hand into his pocket and revealed a card. "Don't worry, this ain't my number. Punch in these digits and you'll get a free ride to an even freer night at a joint that owes me one."

"Ah, I could never accept--"

"Nah please do, I need someone to go so that they'll stop calling me. They cool, but I hop around a lot so timezones make em call me at the worst times."

"Oh, in that case..." Ms. Grave mumbled as she took the card.

"Thanks. I'll call you if I need you for the investigation, alright?"

"Wait! I just have one question."

"What's that?"

"You're that prosecutor who jumps around planets, right? I heard about you in the news once."

"Yeah that's me."

"Why do you do that?"

"Cause I can."

"That's not an answer."

"No, I literally mean because I have authorization to. I got friends in high places."

"You're not getting what I'm asking. I mean...Why would you want to constantly be hopping around like that? I've never understood people like that, so I just wanted to ask..."

Tyrone softened his tone. "I mean...I can't really tell you all the reasons. Some people are running from something, some people are running towards something. Me? I'm running towards something."