Easy peasy.

The sharply dressed man confidently walked away from the Judge’s bench. He directed a cocky smile towards the prosecuting party and returned to his seat next to the defendant.

Despite the Judge’s stony observation, Defence Attorney Benjamin Lee knows he had won the man’s empathy. The panel of jury were already sympathetically murmuring amongst themselves. The accused, Malcom Hillier, was charged for assault on a bank manager. His actions were in retaliation for the denial of his loan applications. The poor, single parent had been desperately pooling money for his sick little child’s operation. The rejection was the final nail on the child’s coffin, and the bereaved man had gone on a rampage in the branch manager’s office.

Benjamin smiled at his client, reassuringly holding his hand. The man did not respond, his gaze vacantly staring ahead.

~

“We hereby declare Mr Hillier... not guilty.”

Benjamin beamed happily. “What did I tell you, Malcom?” He patted the man’s shoulder, “You’re a free man now.”

The smile on Hillier’s face was ghastly.

“Thank you, Mr Benjamin.” He did not make eye contact, gaze still directed to the floor. His voice was hoarse from unuse. “I am sure there is some way I can repay you.”

Benjamin stepped back a little, holding his hands up, palms wide open. “Oh no, Malcom. I can’t do that to you.” His brows were furrowed; face dark now that the bright smile has vanished. “I told you, didn’t I? No strings attached.”

Hillier finally turned to face the man casually talking to him as if they were friends. This stranger had approached him in the detention centre when he heard that Hillier refused having a defence lawyer represent him. After hearing about his case, Benjamin had appointed himself as Malcom Hillier’s Attorney on his own whim. Despite Hillier’s rejection, Benjamin had persistently met up with him to discuss the case. He would also try to cheer him up, making light conversations, giving encouraging words and suchlike. Benjamin’s sincerity would have touched his heart if he weren’t hollowed out from grief. Hillier had given up trying to convince the man to leave him alone and instead sunk into sullen silence.

He hadn’t broken that silence till just now, till the judge passed the sentence. “You don’t mean that.” His voice cracked. His throat feels raw, as if he’s just learning how to speak again. Hillier turned away and swallowed.

Benjamin lowered his raised hands, studying Hillier’s face carefully. “You do not have to pay me a single cent.” He said slowly, making sure that Hillier catches every word. “You do not have to do anything for me. Trust me when I say this.” He reaches for the man’s shoulder, massaging it when Hillier didn’t shrug his hand off. “You owe me nothing.”

Hillier’s face was one of disbelief. “Why?”

Benjamin let his hand slip off and smiled, “I just wanted to help a friend in need.” He whips out a name card and puts it in Hillier’s hand. “And I know that you would still need help.” Hillier stared at the card uncomprehendingly before turning back to stare at Benjamin.

“This person can help you.”

~

He unpinned the Attorney’s badge from the lapel of his suit, and placed it carefully on the dressing table beside his glasses. The jacket was hung and the tie loosened. Nursing the crick in his neck, he wonders if it’s too late to call Madelyn. Their relationship had been getting colder recently, each preoccupied with their own jobs, putting the strain and distance between them. He sat down on his bed and sighed. He misses her.

The phone rings in his hands. He frowned, the caller isn’t supposed to contact him on this phone at all. But then again, this wasn’t the first time this happened. Some people just don’t listen.

He answered gruffly, “this better be urgent.”

“Do you wanna know? Answer yes or no~” A sing-song voice that sounded like a flirtatious woman, yet unmistakably masculine rang out into his ear. Benjamin rubbed the space between his eyes. “Just get to the point.” He could feel the smile spreading on the caller’s lips.

“Hehei~ this is incredibly important!” He couldn’t help but roll his eyes at that. “Someone’s been buying explosives recently, and guess where they are tonight?” The voice ended it seductively as if insinuating something. A flash of alarm went through his mind. There should be a party held at David’s now… could it be?

“Hey! Don’t tell me it’s at the mansion!”

“Bingo!” Benjamin cursed the caller for sounding so pleased. He ended the call and grabbed his other phone, dialling for David. He threw open his wardrobe and ripped off his shirt.

“Sup?”

David sounded so calm and at ease, contrasting to Benjamin who was panicking and tangled up in his pants, struggling to stay upright. He couldn’t help but scream, scream for his friend to escape. David received the message loud and clear. Benjamin could only hope that he got to him in time.

He rushed out of the apartment, all dressed and ready. The man who lived in that apartment was a clean shaven lawyer in a sleek suit, yet the man who exited the house looked like a ruffian, rough and hairy. Benjamin ran out onto the streets, he is Nick now. The Vultures need Nick now.