Obscure Radiance

Chapter 2

   A few days had gone by since the arrival of the yellow envelope. Jerry had been stopping by my office, babbling on and on about how excited he was to go on his date with Denisse. It seemed a bit pathetic to me for him to be as joyful as he was, but then again; he'd probably never been on a real date before. Guys like him probably never had a good dating life, but who was I to shut him up? Let the boy be joyful. It may not last long.

I had looked into my client's case and was fully infromed on the matter, and the stories that were given on both sides. Crowden had ordered me to stop all my other cases, and work fully on this new one. Much of my work had been spent reading countless papers, but now it was time to speak to my client: the accused.

I had been appointed to her, since she could not pay for an attorney. Usually clients like these would get the shittiest lawyers out there, but not her. I still didn’t know the reason as to why this case was mine, but I couldn’t protest. Mrs.Crowden had assigned it to me, and I would get the job done; as always.

I looked up from my laptop as I heard knocking at the door. Clearing my throat, and fixing the tie around my neck, I spoke. “Come in.”

Two women walked in. “Mr.Styles.” the blonde greeted. She looked to be in her early twenties, her hair elegantly put into a side pony tail, curled. She wore a white pencil skirt, and a red blouse. The blouse ported ruffles at the chest, and she left the first couple of buttons undone. Trying to get some attention, I assumed. But I was not the kind of man to keep eyes at her cleavage.

“How may I help you?” was the first thing I said.

“I’ve got your client here.”

My eyes wandered over to the smaller girl standing beside her. This one was a brunette. Her eyes were fixed on the floor, and her bottom lip was between her teeth, and her hands rested at her groin: fingers interlocked. I couldn’t see much of her, for her face was tilted down. Her hair hung in loose waves, and was parted at the side.

“Come on in.” I was able to say, removing eyes from the girl, and bringing them back to her escort.

“As you already know, Mr.Styles.. This is Ashley Durrell.” the blonde spoke, leading the younger girl over to my desk.

I stood up, and stepped around my desk over to both of them, extending a hand out to Ashley. “Ah, yes.. Miss Durrell.”

Ashley’s POV.

    I looked up as the man held his hand out. Mr.Styles, as I now knew him, was younger than I had expected him to be. He looked to be only in his mid twenties. His long hair was pulled back, but curled at the sides of his head. Not very lawyer looking if you ask me, except for the fact he wore a black suit that molded around his body perfectly, and a tie. His eyes were narrow and the color of green emeralds, glistening as the light shone upon them. Mesmerizing. His lips were plump, and the color you would expect to find in a cherry flavored lip balm. Might I add, they were perfectly shaped. The way the curves met at the center, making a perfect cupid’s bow.

I blinked quickly, realizing I had stood frozen for longer than normal. “Uh, Hi.. Mr.Styles. I’m Ashley.” I extended my hand out as well, joining it with his. What soft hands this man had. Large and powerful, yet soft and his shake was gentle.

“Lovely to meet you.” his lips pulled up into a soft smile, as he slowly slid his hand away.

I nodded, unable to say a word more. I may have seemed rude to my lawer, but I couldn't help it. My mouth would not open to let me speak, to let me plead to my innocence. But after all, I was a criminal. Or so my accuser said. My mind was racing, letting me view memories of that night. The night I became Ashley Durrell, the criminal. The night where I ceded to be Ashley Durrell, the girl who wouldn't.. couldn't hurt a fly.

“I’ll be right outside, Mr.Styles.. in case you need me.” my escort said.

I watched Mr.Styles’ eyes switch to her. “I’ll be sure to fetch you if anything comes up.” he replied, smiling still.

My escort nodded, and exited the room. Here I was, left alone with a man I had only just met.. to talk about my case. I took in a deep breath, and fought the urge to run, to hide.. to vanish.

Harry’s POV.

As soon as the escort left, I looked back at the girl before me. “Now that she’s gone, let’s talk.” I turned slightly, and pulled open a chair by my desk for her. She was young, which meant ‘the corner’ wouldn’t comfort her any. Ashley nodded, and took a seat. I walked back around my desk, and sat at my spot. Reaching over into a file cabinet, I pulled out hers, and laid it out in front of me. The folder was thick, full of papers inside awaiting to be viewed. I opened it slowly, taking small glances of the fragile looking girl in front of me. Her eyes now met the papers. The grey of them had a sadness, sorrow even. Nothing you would find in a girl as young as she. No trace of joy was in them.

“I understand this may be hard.. Miss Durrell,” I finally looked fully up at her. “But do bare with me, I’ll do my best to make it as easy on you as I can.”

I tried to keep my voice steady, and calm. Surprised by her response a few moment later.

She nodded in response, and her voice was meek. “Thank you, Mr.Styles.”

She spoke a simple 'Thank you'. Someone with an accusation as big as hers would've broken down in tears, began to scream.. but not her.

A silence fell upon the room, as I prepared myself for what I had to say next. “Now tell me, what happened the night of September fifth?”