Checkmate

2

"I don't understand."

"Just look through the file and maybe you will."

I rolled my eyes at his comment but nonchalantly picked up the file and began to look through it.

"Nickolai Pavelka," I said out loud as I read through the report.

My brows furrowed in confusion before looking at Colton, "What exactly do you expect me to do with this?"

"Nick is a really good friend of mine, and I also happen to be his stock manager. We recently found out that his last attorney had been leaking false information to the press. We're still in the middle of a trial, so asked me to find someone else to defend him ASAP and word on the street leads me to believe that you're the best."

I laughed hysterically. Colton had barely changed after all these years. Once he had some facts, he was quick to call himself a genius, amazing.

"You've got some nerve," I whispered, fake wiping my tears, "I'm not taking it."

"What do you mean?"

"This case, I'm not taking it. Your guy is clearly guilty, all the evidence leads to him. That jury won't think twice about locking him up."

"He's innocent! That bitch is lying and is ruining his life in the process. He's my friend, Kimberly. I know him."

"And that is most definitely obstructing your judgment."

   He sighed and stood while running his hands through his hair. Now that he was standing at full height, I noticed how much he'd changed. He had gained a lot of muscle mass since we used to live together. His face was clear of all pimples and his tan skin almost had a golden glow to it. He's no longer the tall, lean, junky, college dropout wasting away his life.

"How much?"

I frowned, "Excuse me?" leaning forward, intrigued.

"How much do you want to take this case?"

I leaned back into my chair, shaking my head in disbelief, "I became an attorney to be the voice of the innocent, not to represent the oppressors. This guy's a criminal who deserves to be behind bars where he belongs. There's no amount of money that would make me defend him."

He groaned, irritated. While he just stood there staring at the ceiling with his hands on his hips, I rose from my chair, "If that'll be all Mr. Luther, you may leave."

He huffed while putting on his coat, still glaring daggers at me as he did so. He then dug into his briefcase and pulled out a cassette.

"Please view this before you make up your mind. I'm sorry if I offended your values but, you'll wonder who the real victim is after watching this."

Without a word, I took the cassette from him.

"You'll have my answer by tomorrow."

"Thank you."

As he pulled the door open, he froze for a moment before looking back at me, "Do you uhm... Do you think I could maybe come by for dinner this Friday? You know to... reconnect with-"

"Be there at seven."

With a small smile, he nodded to himself before walking out.

   After watching him walk away for far too long, I picked up the folder before me and sat back down. Nickolai Pavelka is a very handsome man from what I can tell. He's a six-footer. Originally from South Africa, he moved to the United States at fourteen years old. He turned thirty-six last month and father of a sixteen-year-old son. I hummed to myself as I read over the occupation section of this document. I knew the name sounded familiar. He's the owner of the brand Uncle Pea's Greens. All their products are one hundred percent organic and they produce everything from fruits to nuts. Shit, even I bought his products.