Chapter 9
Enemies Are Closer Than You Think
Gale Fears
Iwish I could say I was happy. I wish I could say that getting all those girls to agree to testify had been a success. But Katie had made me realize exactly what my promise entailed. I had meant it when I said it, and I planned on seeing it through, but I felt as if the entire world was on my shoulders.
“Since we are representing five more clients now,” I said, rubbing my tired eyes. “We need to work on every single case. Everyone, grab a case and start going through it. I want every single detail, from the client's own account to every witness we can possibly present. If we lose this, we are letting down a whole group of people now. This will be a traumatic experience for them all. We can’t let it be in vain. We have to get them justice.”
Seth nodded and distributed the cases among my small team. As they all left my office, I got up from my chair and headed towards my cabinet. My whiskey sat there in a decanter, tempting me. Suddenly, I had all the pressure on my shoulders. I felt burdened by my own promise, especially because I wasn’t sure I could fulfill it. I reached forward for the whiskey, but my hand stopped just an inch away. My hand trembled as I debated my own emotions. I had to concentrate on the case. There was far too much at stake now. And yet, the burden on me shook me to my core. I felt the need to drink, to let my worries go, and forget about it all. Like I had always done.
“Don’t,” her voice was like comfort as it echoed through the room. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t even realize that she had come in.
I pulled my hand away and tucked it into my pants pocket, still staring at the whiskey.
“Do you regret it?” she whispered. “The promise?”
I turned around and let myself observe her. Her face was illuminated by the soft light. Her eyes were bright and shining, her lips luscious and pink. Her outfit was so simple, and her hair in a plain bun, yet she was the most enticing woman I had ever seen.
“No,” I said, “I don’t. And I intend on keeping it. Even if the weight of it wears me down.”
She looked at me, an intense look in her eyes.
“Why?” she whispered. “Why are you doing all this?”
“Because I made a promise,” I said. “A promise to you and all those other girls. I am going to do everything in my power to keep all of you safe.”
∞∞∞
I walked down the street, a small smile on my lips. Did Gale really think he could escape me? Did he really think I didn’t know every single thing that happened in his office? He was going to rue the day he decided to break up with me. He was going to suffer in the most gruesome and most horrible way. After all, I had made it my personal mission to make it so. I was determined to give him a lesson that he wouldn’t soon forget.
I looked around the restaurant and spotted the man I was supposed to meet. I walked over to him and sat down at the table, smiling.
“I believe you and I can help each other,” I said.
“Oh, really?” the man said. “Is that why you called me here?”
“Yes,” I answered simply. “You are up against Gale in the Avery case, aren’t you? And you are starting to get worried. If Gale convinces the previous victims to testify against your client, the Mavericks, it could spell trouble.”
“And what can you do about that?” he asked.
“I can provide you with all the information you need,” I said. “I can give you inside information about his plans and strategies, so you can neutralize them before he can put them into action.”
“And what exactly do you want in return for all this help?” he asked.
“I want you to help me destroy Gale Fears,” I said with a laugh. “Once and for all!”
