"You can taste the dishonesty
It's all over your breath"
< g i s e l l e >
The voice on the phone still echoed in my mind, each word twisting into questions I couldn't shake. The photo they mentioned—it had to mean something. But when I brought it up to Dany again the next morning, he dismissed me with barely a glance.
"Giselle, it's not your case anymore," he said curtly. "Let Terrence handle it."
"But the call—"
"Drop it," he snapped, his hand gesturing toward the stack of files on his desk. "We've got enough on our plates without chasing baseless claims. Focus on what's in front of you."
I walked out of his office, my frustration simmering. If he wasn't going to listen, then I'd find someone who would.
I found Terrence in his office later that afternoon, leaning over a legal brief. He looked up as I knocked, his usual easy smile spreading across his face.
"Giselle," he greeted, straightening in his chair. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"It's about Corey Carter," I began, stepping inside.
His smile faltered slightly. "Dany said the case is mine now."
"I know," I said, closing the door behind me. "But I got a call last night. Someone claiming Corey's alibi isn't real. They mentioned a photo."
Terrence leaned back, studying me. "Did you tell Dany?"
I nodded. "He doesn't think it's worth pursuing. But I do."
Terrence rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "You think there's something we missed?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "But I want to find out. I need to talk to Corey."
"Alone?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I hesitated. "Unless you're offering to come with me."
He chuckled. "I guess I can't let you take all the credit if this leads somewhere."
The next day, Terrence and I drove to the prison together. The car ride was filled with legal chatter and a surprising ease between us. Terrence always had a knack for making even the most tense moments seem manageable, and I found myself appreciating his steady presence.
When we arrived, Corey was already waiting in the visiting room. His expression darkened as his eyes flicked between Terrence and me.
"Didn't expect to see you again," Corey said, his tone clipped as he addressed me. His gaze lingered on Terrence. "And who's this?"
"This is Terrence," I said, keeping my voice professional. "He's taken over your case."
Terrence extended a hand, but Corey didn't move to shake it.
"Great," Corey said flatly, leaning back in his chair. "What do you want?"
"We have a few questions," I said, sitting across from him. Terrence took the seat beside me, placing his notebook on the table.
Corey's eyes narrowed at the proximity, his jaw tightening. "Didn't realize I needed two lawyers for this."
"Corey," I said, steering the conversation back. "I got a call. Someone said your alibi might not be what we think it is. They mentioned a photo."
Corey's expression shifted, but he covered it quickly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Terrence leaned forward. "If there's something you're not telling us, now's the time. We can't help you if you're not honest with us."
