In Or Out

S1E11.

❝In: A Sense❞
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❝Extremism thrives amid ignorance and anger, intimidation and cowardice.❞

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Greenwell Springs Road, Fulcrum Law Firm

Harlowe sat at her desk, her frustration mounting as she glared at the papers scattered across the wooden surface. The files for the upcoming case lay open, filled with hastily scribbled notes and highlighted passages, but the words blurred together in her annoyance. No matter how hard she squinted at the evidence or tried to piece things together, she still felt shorthanded.

With a sigh, she brushed her fingers over the top of a file and shoved a few papers aside, watching them flutter to the floor. The weight of the evidence—or lack thereof—seemed insurmountable. In reality, Harlowe was on the brink of abandoning the case altogether. Every moment she spent searching for something that might not exist only made her frustrated.

The evidence pointed to a clear-cut guilty sentence; there were no witnesses, and the forensics led straight to Hampton. She couldn't fabricate evidence, and her client's silence made the case much more harder than it needed to be. Yet, something about Hampton's situation puzzled her. He refused to help, but also wouldn't admit his guilt. The headache that had settled in her temples for the past week felt unbearable.

A knock at her office door broke her concentration. She looked up to see Weslyn waving at her, a bright smile on her face and a slice of cake in hand—most likely from the joint promotion party happening in the office's conference room. Since Harlowe was being promoted to senior associate attorney and Weslyn to an equity partner, the office had decided to celebrate both milestones together.

Harlowe beckoned Weslyn in, sinking back into her chair with a deep sigh as her friend entered.

"Hey, Harly! Everyone's expecting to see you at the party," Weslyn greeted, placing the slice of cake on Harlowe's desk. "You need to celebrate a little! You're a senior associate now!"

Harlowe glanced up, her expression unchanged. "I'm well aware, Wes, but I can't right now. I need to figure this out." She gestured to the files scattered across her desk. "This case is going to be the end of me. I'm honestly ready to call it quits."

Weslyn stepped closer, peering over the mess of papers. She hummed in lost thought before wincing at a few of the sticky notes she could make out. "The longer you stress over this, the less effective you'll be. You need to take a breather. Join the party for a little while or step out of this office."

Harlowe rubbed her hands over her face, feeling the weight of it all.

Weslyn crossed her arms, concern creasing in her brow. "I get it, Harlowe but you won't be of any help to him if you run yourself into the ground," Weslyn sat in one of the chairs mirroring Harlowe's desk and scooting up, "Just take an hour and circle back later, and if all fails, I'm right here if you need help."

Harlowe shook her head, resolve hardening within her. "Yeah." The single word carried a dismissiveness that didn't go unnoticed.

Weslyn frowned. "Alright, I'll leave you to it." She glanced at the cake, then back at Harlowe, disappointment evident. "Just remember this is not your only case and it's not the end of the world. I'll be in the conference room if you change your mind about coming to the party."

With that, Weslyn turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her. Harlowe watched her go, a pang of guilt gnawing at her, but she quickly pushed it aside. She refocused on the files, determined to find something she could use.

In the midst of her contemplation, Harlowe's office phone rang, the caller ID showing the receptionist's desk. She clicked the answer button on the touchpad and lifted the receiver. "Harlowe Morrison."