The Toxic Wasters

18. Bad Idea

Trigger Warning

-Present Day-

Erwin drove his wife to her job the next day after dropping their daughter off at school. Now that their backseat was empty, Hanji took the opportunity to push her seat and lounge back, keeping her eyes closed and took in shallow breaths.

"You doing alright honey?" he asked faintly.

One eye opened to peek at her husband before sealing closed again. "'M doing fine," she shifted in her position and crossed her arms over her chest. "Just thinking."

"About...," Erwin urged. He already knew her answer, his work was beginning to cause her stress. Always worrying for their safety was beginning to eat away at her.

A sigh came from Hanji as she settled further into her seat. "Everything."

She sat up stretching her arms out in front of her. "I just hope your case ends soon and quickly....and everything returns to something somewhat normal."

Erwin couldn't agree more, he had bitten off more than he could chew. Normally he was a prosecutor for assault and domestic violence, but he was the only lawyer willing to defend the couple. He should stop being empathetic, he was a lawyer after all.

"I know, honey...the trial is in two weeks."

And this will all be over.

That was what Erwin hoped. Hoped he could return to his fairly mundane life.

"Let me ask you a question," she started as she adjusted her seat to its regular position. Erwin hummed, urging her to continue.

"What are you trying to prove? They already confessed, are you hoping to find something?" she questioned.

Erwin wasn't sure of the answer himself. Everything was laid out in front of him from the beginning, the couple had confessed to disclosing more than enough details and Levi showed signs of schizophrenia. There was no need to dig deeper. But all he could narrow his doubts down to were minor inconsistencies...and a gut feeling.

"I don't know...something.....something doesn't feel right. If they are telling the truth it isn't the full truth," Erwin responded.

"I can't consciously let these two rot in a cell for the rest of their lives until I am certain, without a doubt, they are guilty," he continued before shrugging, "...and you know how I am, can never do anything half-assed."

He attempted to lighten the mood and Hanji did crack a smile. "I know all too well," she commented.

"But promise me....you'll be extremely cautious. We don't need any more stalkers or a potential...." she trailed off, but Erwin knew what thought ran through her head. If he wasn't careful, he or his family could fall victim.

He took his wife's hand in his and squeezed it firmly. "I won't let anything happen to us, honey," he reassured even if there was a doubtful part ebbing at his gut.

"I'll hold you to it."

The one-story brick building that was Hanji's place of work appeared and Erwin pulled into the parking lot, finding a spot close to her office. Her name was printed in gold over the glass pane of the door.