The Shadow Man

                           PROLOGUE

"Your honour," Richard began, "there is no proof of claim that my client was actually involved in the murder. These allegations are mainly based on hearsay and are inadmissible due to the fact that my client has an alibi on the night the murder took place. With your permission, I'd like to call forth my witness to the stand." He said and paused while he waited for the judge to speak. "Proceed," the judge gave his permission.

He went on and called his witness, who came up and a guard helped her get into the witness box. She was further asked to place her right hand on a Bible and instructed to repeat the oath. "I, Margaret Jones," she began, "promise to tell the truth and only the truth, so help me God." She finished reciting the oath while the stenographer inscribed her speech. Richard got up from his seat and approached the witness stand, "Ms. Jones, are you aware that perjury is a crime punishable by law?" "Yes, I am fully aware that oath breach is a crime," "Splendid, with that knowledge in mind, could you kindly tell the members of the jury what you told me concerning Mr. Wesley Smith on the twelve of August, 2022." "Yes, of course," she agreed and went on. She introduced herself as a receptionist at the Apex Hotel and on the night of the murder, she testified that in deed, she did see Wesley check in at the hotel as she was on duty that night.

"Thank you Ms. Jones," Richard said and continued, "your honour, I stand firm on my previous statement that my client is free from any conviction and this has been further proved by Ms. Margaret Jones, my witness. And with that, I rest my case." He went and sat down next to Wesley amidst all the murmurs from the members of the jury in conjunction with the audience.

"What happens now?" Wesley asked him. He lowered himself and whispered, "Now, we wait." He was confused, "Wait for what, man I want to know whether I'm guilty or not. I've paid you a lot..."

"Silence!" The judge ordered. "After careful consideration and evaluation of the evidence presented to the jury, we have come to a conclusion and settled on a unanimous decision, and that is that the jury has found Wesley Smith, not guilty!"

Richard looked at Wesley and mockingly asked, "What is it that you were saying about paying a lot of money?" Wesley chuckled and said, It's cool man, my bad."

Wesley and his friends wasted no time in showing how they felt as the laughs and cheers were echoing throughout the courtroom. It was yet another triumph for Richard, he was the poster boy of law, the hot topic in town and at this rate, there seemed like there was no stopping Richard Johnson.

The trial could not have happened on a better day. A victory on a Friday? That was a double win and Richard was in a celebratory mood. He and a couple of his friends were going out to celebrate his victory at a newly opened nightclub. But first he needed to stop at his house briefly, for a quick shower and change of clothes. When he arrived ,he picked up a glass, threw some ice, and poured himself some whiskey. "Alexa," he called then sipped some whiskey, "Yes, Richard," he went on, "play 'Armed and Dangerous' by Juice Wrld." "Playing 'Armed and Dangerous' by Juice Wrld."

He then walked towards the bedroom while repeating the lyrics of the song and humming at the same time. He had barely made it past his bedroom door when his wire line rang. "Alexa, pause," he walked over to the landline and picked it up.

"You've reached the Richard residence, how can I help you?" "Hello Richard," "Yes, this is he, what's with your voice?" "Congratulations on winning the case today, I for one, was very impressed," "I don't doubt that you were, who am I speaking to again?" "That's the thing Richard, you don't know me but I do know you. But since you asked, think of me as a concerned citizen," "Okay 'concerned citizen'," he smirked, "what are you concerned about?" "You see, to the world Richard Johnson is an exceptional lawyer with a track record every aspiring lawyer out their deeply envies, a record so clean that rival lawyers dread an encounter with the poster boy of law. But beneath that exterior we both know what lies there." "And what's that?" "Don't play dumb, I know about your criminal history, how you've been bribed so many times and set dozens of criminals free. Your involvement in felonious acts such as kidnapping and human trafficking, need I say more?" The actual fuck? How on earth did he know about that? That was a secret he had guarded so heavily and now it was out there in the hands of God-knows-who. "I mean from where I'm standing, this all sounds like a mere accusation, don't you agree?" "I understand your need for proof, for someone in your line of profession it's only natural."