Dabbling in Danger

Last Chance

"This is asinine! How the hell do you people have the right to hold this man accountable for a crime not even reported! You wouldn't even know of this girl's existence had it not been for him!"

Harris, a smug smile on her lips she looks at me, "yeah had he not been such a slick and sly big mouth, we wouldn't even be here. But now that I do know, why am I to believe he had nothing to do with it?"

Francis looks at her, a tinge of disgust in his eye, "lucky for everyone, the only one that needs convincing is judge Garth."

Harris snorts as Francis leads down the hall, "yeah," she hollers, "if I recall, Garth isn't one of your railing buds, you're going to have to do more than sprinkle a little powdered sugar in front of him."

Francis' stride picks up and he's at the door, waiting with his back to me.

Hm, I didn't suspect Francis played that way... Another reason to have him on my side.

We step into the office of Harris' partner. Sitting behind his oak desk the stone faced man looks to us and I can't remember his name.

"Have a seat," he says. "Wait along with me."

We sit down, Francis makes a comment on Hank's punctuality, the other lawyer. Man behind the desk waves it off saying we aren't in the ring yet so simmer down.

Francis' demanding attitude puts me at ease, he's not gonna let shit fly.

Twenty minutes of waiting and the door swings open.

In walks a man, graying short fro with a receding hairline and lines in his forehead from furrowing his brow.

He glances at me, stops short and reaches a hand back. Behind him, she steps in, my sweet Malina. Hiding behind the curtain of her ploomed out hair, all I can see of her are those long eyelashes and a chocolate colored hand.

Why won't this man get out of her way, she should be sitting by my side.

I watch as her head bobs with a nod and she proceeds to sit in the chair furthest from me. Out of touch, out of view.

I feel the glare and sneer on my face, the heat in my throat builds as I watch the man gaurding my beautiful girl, like some god damn watch dog.

Just as I open my mouth, Francis clears his throat and scoots his chair back to stand.

"About time you grace us with your presence, Sir."

Francis folds himself in half, bowing.

The man chuckles, unamused and takes his seat between Malina and Francis.

"I'm sorry," Hank is the lawyer's name. "We had to take a detour, we managed to run into a pack of wild photographers who have been miraculously tipped off on our case."

He slowly turns to Francis, "wouldn't know anything about that now would you France?"

"If you're alluding that I would waste my time hyping up the press, I must say I'm offended you'd think I'd stoop so low."

"I wouldn't put it past you, no. Even George Michael had fame and fortune, that didn't stop him from sucking dick in the bathroom for dope."

"What- what the hell di-"

The detective leans back in his chair, "alright, alright you two stop cackling like chickens and lets get on with this."

They both readjust in their seats, I try to glance at Malina again, but she won't look my way.

"Well after our two day investigation-"

I can't focus on every word that comes out of the unnamed detective's mouth. Frankly, the man reminds me of a puppet and all I can focus on is Malina's presence.

To feel her skin against mine again...

"Look we've searched everything we could top to bottom, we've got you pinned. Now either, one of you will speak up or you'll be facing a much more serious charge."

"Well considering you haven't mentioned your findings of this missing persons, I have reason to believe you haven't found a thing against Mr. Hutchinson."

The man smiles smugly, "I wouldn't be so sure if I were you Francis. We have enough evidence to bury the both of them."

My ears perk at the familiar whimper coming from Malina. I lean into her direction, desperate to feel the warmth of her breath.

The detective looks to her, I lean forward to get a glance but she remains behind her curtain of hair.

"Something to say Malina?" Detective Dickhead asks.

"I- I," she hiccups. "I didn't-"

Her voice is hoarse, I close my eyes and drink up her fright.

It's okay babygirl, I'll take care of this.

"Adeen? Anything to say?"

My eyes flutter open and land on the man behind the desk. Wanting to appear as calm and collected as possible, I smile politely and nod at he who thinks he has me by the balls.

"I would like to assure you, that Malina and I, our bond will never be broken. No matter what you do to try and pull us apart, we're in this together."

The detective's face hardens once again, he clasps his hands together and nods once.

"Fine, I'll see you all on the stands."

Malina's whines tug at my heart, but I must remain strong.

This is for us my sweet Malina, I'll get us out of this.