Little Girl Lost (The 29th Year)

Chapter 1 - The Clock Strikes

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"Make sure you enjoy yourself this weekend. It may be the last free one you have in awhile. "

"What do you mean? Is something big coming up?" James asked as Mr Watson layed the large folder on the desk in front of him and gave him the serious but excited face he liked to give when he had something big on the line.

"Very big. That even may be an understatement. I don't want you looking at this until Monday though. Go enjoy your birthday this weekend and thenwe will really focus on work. You've earned it after the last few cases you closed. I don't know how you do it James even with such little support you manage to get it done. Very nice work." Mr Watson smiled at me confifidently.

"Thanks boss" James spoke as his boss, one of the partners at the firm, left the room. He didn't feel worried at all. The last few cases had been pieces of cake and the jury ate up his performance like they were starving. It was slightly tempting to take a peak at the case. It was a large file so it must be a big one. He was ready for something more. James always did love a challenge and his work excited him. He knew how to get the job done and that's what he did even if it didn't seem like it should favor the clients he served. The firm he worked for Watson and Wheeler mostly catered to clients of a questionable nature. Probably deserving of being put away but that wasn't the job. He never really knew if they did what they were accused of or not but his job was to convince the jury they didn't so that's what he did without fail. If anything it could be because their clients were so well off that people tried to get to them most people hated when someone else was on top.

James didn't try to think to much on that. He just knew he was good at what he did and his bosses were starting to take big notice. He was certain that if this next case wad a big enough win that they might consider making him a partner. After all his name would sound so good next to their. Watson, Wheeler, and White. It wouldn't be more perfect. That large W outside he knew it to stand for winning and that's what he would do.

His phone began to ring and he fished it out of his briefcase. He was supposed to be leaving his work at the office for this weekend but after he was all partied out with his friends he didn't see the harm in getting a Jumpstart on the case. It would give him time to do some research. " Hello?" he answered the call his tone a little on edge after taking a moment to find it and he could feel the loud rings echoing through the now empty office.

"where are you at? You better not still be at work?" His friend Scott sounded already tippy through the phone. "Its your birthday weekend and we're already at Kitty's celebrating without you."

" Take it easy. lol be there within the hour. Its not even.." He glanced at his watch realizing he had already stayed longer than he meant to. it was well after nine but he couldn't exactly just walk out on a conversation with the boss. " I lost track of time"

"Of course you did" Scott spoke loudly likely trying to out talk the music in the background.

"Slow down so you don't pass out before I get there and I'll be there soon." He hung up the phone and when to the armoire in his office. He kept a few extra things in there for emergency. He had showered this morning thankfully so didn't need to worry about running all the way back to his home to do that. He dressed in jeans and a lilac button up shirt. The color looked good against his skin tone. A compliment he often got from women so he bought a couple in that shade and left one here just in case. It had been awhile so he hoped to gain so attention tonight . Would be a great way to release the tension before the next big case.

It took about twenty minutes to arrive at Kitty's from the office downtown. This was where he and his friends usually liked to start their nights. The ladies here always provided a good ego boost for the right price. It was usually well worth it. After getting hyped up they then would usually be relaxed enough to smooth talk women that weren't on the clock. James may have been able to smooth talk a jury but he had been out of practice in other areas of life for a bit. That was the downside of working so much he supposed.