Teacher with Benefits (18+)

Chapter 38

In the middle of the night, Nathan's phone began to ring. Nathan didn't hear it and stayed asleep while Jacqueline went to check who it was.

Before the call went to voicemail, Jacqueline saw the name "Jimmy Peters" on the screen. She knew he was Nathan's lawyer, but why was he calling at 2 in the morning?

She shook Nathan, nudging him to wake up. Nathan woke up slightly spooked, his deep morning voice rumbling, "What time is it? Why are you awake?"

Jacqueline glanced at the clock, the dim glow reading 2:03 AM. The room was shrouded in darkness, the only light coming from Nathan's phone screen casting an eerie glow on Jacqueline's concerned face.

"It's two in the morning," she whispered urgently, her voice barely masking her anxiety. "It's Jimmy Peters. Why would he be calling now?"

Nathan rubbed his eyes, groaning as he reached for the phone. "This better be good," he muttered, answering the call.

"Jimmy, what's going on? It's the middle of the night," Nathan said, his voice still groggy but now laced with curiosity.

"Hey, Nathan, my man!" Jimmy's voice burst through the speaker, way too energetic for the hour. "Sorry for the late call, but we've got a situation that can't wait. Your strand of hair was found at Claire's murder scene. This could ruin everything if we don't act fast."

Nathan sat up straighter, the weight of Jimmy's words waking him fully. "What do you mean, my hair? And wasn't the case closed?"

"Yeah, it was closed. But this new evidence reopened it. The cops are all over it. Look, we both know Jacqueline is behind this, but they don't. If they connect you to the scene, you're going down for it. Meet me at the office in thirty minutes. We've got a lot to discuss and not much time."

Nathan glanced at Jacqueline, who was watching him with wide eyes. He nodded, even though she couldn't see it clearly in the dim light. "Alright, I'll be there. Thirty minutes."

As he hung up, Jacqueline's worried expression became more pronounced. "What's going on, Nathan?"

He swung his legs out of bed and started pulling on clothes hastily. "Jimmy says they found a strand of my hair at Claire's murder scene. This could get bad really fast. I need to meet him at the office."

Jacqueline sighed, her anxiety palpable. "I'm coming with you."

Nathan hesitated, then nodded. They headed out into the cool night air, the city eerily quiet at this hour. As they drove through the empty streets, Nathan's mind raced. He knew the truth—that he had been present when Claire was killed. Jacqueline had acted in what could be construed as self-defense, but the fear and shock of the moment had paralyzed Nathan into inaction.

When they arrived at the office, Jimmy was already there, pacing in the lobby with his usual unflappable demeanor. He was dressed impeccably, as if he'd just come from a meeting rather than being roused in the middle of the night.

"Jimmy, what's this all about?" Nathan asked as he approached, Jacqueline nervously beside him.

Jimmy's expression turned serious. "Nathan, Jacqueline, we've got a major problem. Your hair being at the scene reopens the case, and we can't use the old alibi anymore."

Nathan shifted uncomfortably. "What do we do now? They'll find out everything."

Jimmy nodded grimly. "Here's what we can try. Nathan, you were on a business trip during the time of the murder. Jacqueline, you were grounded at home. We stick to that story. But Nathan, we need to find a way to explain your hair."

Nathan took a deep breath, knowing the precariousness of their situation. "Jimmy, Jacqueline acted in self-defense. I was there. But it's too late to bring that up now."

Jimmy sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, we can't use that defense without raising suspicion. We need a different angle. Did you ever visit Claire's place recently, Nathan? Even just to drop something off?"

Nathan shook his head. "No, I haven't been there in two years."

Jacqueline spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "What if Nathan dropped by to discuss a business matter with Claire? It's plausible he could have left a hair behind unknowingly."

Jimmy considered this for a moment. "It's risky, but it might be our best shot. Nathan, we need to stick to this story and be prepared for intense scrutiny. Jacqueline, you need to stay quiet unless asked directly. This is going to be tough, but we'll do our best."

Nathan nodded, feeling the weight of their fabricated story settle heavily on his shoulders. "Okay, Jimmy. Let's do it."

After hours of tense discussion in Jimmy's office, Nathan and Jacqueline were on edge as Jimmy formulated their defense strategy. Despite the gravity of the situation, Jimmy remained confident that he could manage the crisis.

"Nathan, Jacqueline," Jimmy said, his voice reassuring yet serious, "I understand this is a difficult situation, but I believe we can navigate through this. Here's what we're going to do: Nathan, we'll present your business trip alibi firmly. We'll emphasize that you had no reason to harm Claire and that any hair found at the scene was incidental."

Nathan nodded, his mind racing with worry. "What about Jacqueline? They might suspect her."

Jimmy nodded thoughtfully. "Jacqueline, you will maintain that you were grounded at home during the time of the murder. We'll need to prepare for intense scrutiny, but if we stick to our story and present a united front, we can weather this storm."

As the night wore on, Jimmy made several calls and arranged a meeting with the police early the next morning. He assured Nathan and Jacqueline that he would handle the initial discussions to buy them time to gather their thoughts and prepare mentally for what lay ahead.

The following morning, they accompanied Jimmy to the police station. Nathan and Jacqueline sat nervously in the waiting room while Jimmy spoke with the detectives. After what seemed like an eternity, Jimmy returned with a solemn expression.

"They're willing to hear us out," Jimmy said quietly. "They've agreed to review the evidence with an open mind. We have a window of opportunity to explain Nathan's presence at Claire's place and address any concerns they have."

Nathan felt a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. "What's the next step?"

"We'll need to provide a detailed timeline of Nathan's business trip and gather any corroborating evidence," Jimmy explained. "We must also prepare for the possibility of a court appearance if they decide to pursue charges."

Over the coming days, Jimmy worked tirelessly to gather supporting documents and statements from Nathan's colleagues to validate his alibi. Jacqueline remained under strict instructions to refrain from discussing the case publicly and to trust Jimmy's handling of their defense.

As the investigation progressed, Jimmy's efforts paid off. The police were satisfied with the alibi and the explanations provided. They eventually concluded that Nathan's hair at the scene was indeed incidental, possibly transferred unknowingly during a previous visit.

With Jimmy's adept negotiation skills and strategic maneuvering, the charges against Nathan and any suspicion towards Jacqueline gradually dissipated. The case against them was eventually dropped, bringing a profound sense of relief and gratitude.

In the aftermath, Nathan and Jacqueline vowed never to speak of that night again, carrying the weight of their shared secret as a constant reminder of the fragility of trust and the lengths they had gone to protect themselves.

Jimmy Peters continued to be their lawyer, trusted not only for his legal expertise but also for his unwavering support during their darkest hour.