Beyond A Reasonable Doubt (2012 Watty Winner)

Right and Wrong Choices

Everything you do in life leads you to another moment. Whether it's the right or wrong thing well... who really knows that?

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"You finally hit that didn't you?" Jackson asks me as I pour myself another glass of wine. I called him after leaving Margret's house, needing a friend to confide in. I purse my lips and nod. "I knew it!" He shouts and takes another gulp of his wine. "So how was it?" He asks and I shake my head.

"I'm not doing this with you, Jack." I get up from my seat on the stool at my bar, picking up my wine glass and walking over to the couch.

"Seriously, Ash? She's been trying to get in your pants for what like two years now and you're not gonna tell me how it was?" He asks as he takes a seat next to me on the couch.

"You were looking forward to this conversation?" I ask him and he nods.

"Ew, Jack." I make a disgusted face at him.

"Well, she's hot, you're hot... what's the problem?" He asks seriously and I can't help but laugh at him.

"You're a doucebag." I spit out and he chuckles.

"So how's the case coming along?" He asks. I take another sip of wine before placing my glass on the table and getting up to go fetch my briefcase.

"I was wondering if you could do me a favor." I ask him as I come back into the living room.

"I have a feeling I have no choice in the matter." He says with a smile, placing his glass next to mine. "What is it?"

"Well..." I start, taking a file from my briefcase. "I was wondering if you could get me any information you can on this phone number." I have friends in high places in the courtroom, he has friends in high places in Law Enforcement. See why our friendship flourishes although he's a doucebag? I hand him a file with the number written on it.

"And why exactly am I doing this?" He asks, raising a brow.

"Well when I was going over Aiden Dennison's phone records this number was on there twice a day everyday at the same time. And it was never an incoming call, always outgoing." I tell him and he nods, picking up his wine glass again.
"You think this number will help you with this case?" He asks after taking another sip of wine.

"Not sure yet." I shrug.

"I'll see what I can do." He tells me placing the file on the table. "Ash, I gotta ask..." He trails off. I roll my eyes already knowing what he's about to say. "What are you doing? I mean, I get that the chick is hot, I saw pictures of her on the news, but come on. She did this and you know it. There's no way you can win this case." He shakes his head for emphasis.

He's probably right. I probably won't win. But it won't be from lack of trying.

"You weren't there, Jack. You didn't see her face." I shake my head at the thought of Spencer in cuffs. "She's so convincing. I mean hell, she has me convinced she didn't do it and I'm definitely not easily convinced. Maybe she can convince a jury too." I say and get up. "Jack." I say and look away from him.

"Ash, I-" He starts, knowing what I was going to ask him.

"I need you here, Jack. I need you on my team." I nod and plead with my eyes.

"Don't you do this to me, Ashley. Don't give me those eyes." He says standing up.

"I can't win this case without you." I tell him honestly. Don't get me wrong I'm a great lawyer, but a great lawyer can only become great by admitting when they need help.

"Ugh!" He groans out. "Fine." He says after a moment. "But only if you promise to sleep with me." He says and looks at me expectantly.

"In your dreams." I tell him and playfully punch him in the arm.