Money Bunny

Three

Lorai

Monday morning rushed in before I even had the chance to welcome it.

I made my way to my office and sat down at my desk, turning my chair around to stare out into the city. I will never get tired of this view.

"Espinosa," Carlson, one of my colleagues, propped herself at my door, "I have a case for you." She walked in and plopped a file down onto my desk.

"Good morning to you too," I peered up at her before opening the file.

"Sorry," she crossed her arms, "this couldn't wait."

My eyes briefly scanned the documents. A murder trial? "Carlson you know I don't take on these kinds of cases..." I sighed.

"Lorai." She rarely used my first name, but when she did, I knew it was because she desperately needed my help. "I need you on this. No one else can do what you do."

"Where's the money here?" I flipped through the documents.

"I'm so happy you asked," Carlson reached over the table and pointed her finger down at a single line, "Their father owns Flora and Fire."

I almost choked, " the Flora and Fire? The perfume company?"

Carlson nodded her head.

"Beck Mallard... that makes so much sense," I looked up at her as I recalled the name, "this is big."

"I know," she smiled.

"Is it just you on this?"

"Just me."

I sucked on the inside of my cheek. "Fine, but I don't want to read through all of this right now so lay out the main points for me."

Carlson went on about the dead woman in question and her ex-husband, and how their father had promised them shares in the company. "So whosever plan it was, the idea was that if at least one of them were dead, it would increase their amount in shares?"

"Maybe," Carlson shrugged.

"Why would Mr. Beck Mallard, want to share any part of his company with his daughter's ex-husband and his brother?"

"I have no idea," she sighed.
The sister, Erika, is being convicted for Sofia's murder, she's currently out on bail, but she claims she's innocent, that her sisters ex-husband is responsible for her murder."

"Well of course it's the ex-husband. It's always the ex-husband." I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my chair.

"It's not that simple," Carlson sighed, "on the night of the murder, Erika Mallard, she was in the house. She claims that—"

"Woah," I raised my hand to keep her from moving on, "now what the hell do you mean by she was in the house?"

"The murder took place at night, she was asleep."

"Jesus Christ..."

"I know it looks bad, but she claims she was asleep."

"How was her sister murdered?" I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Sofia was beaten to death... and then her limbs were severed and scattered around the house."

"Carlson!"

"Listen Lorai, she says she was sleeping and I believe her! I'll show you the video transcript from our initial meeting."

"Don't bother," I shot her a glare.

"But Lorai—"

"Look, if I'm going to believe this girl I need to talk to her in person."

Carlson relaxed and nodded. "I'll set up a meeting for later today." She got up and began to head out the door.

"Melanie," I called out to her, "you better not be wrong about this."

"I wouldn't want your help if I didn't think she was innocent." She shrugged.