Page 1 of One Night Collision

Chapter

One

Damien

"Your honor, for lack of a better term, this is crazy," I argue as I look up at the woman behind the bench. It's not often I use my looks to get my way, but I give her a slight grin, showcasing what I know is a dimple in my left cheek. "There's absolutely no reason my client would've purposely not paid her employee."

"Are you sure about that?" the opposing attorney interrupts. "Because I can provide text messages."

"Then why don't you?" I snap over at her. "We're waiting, counselor."

From where I stand, I see her nervously looking back and forth between the judge and me. She swallows reflexively. "I can get it, but it'll take me a couple of days."

"Thought you could provide it. Not that you'd have to go looking for it."

She opens her mouth, and I cross my arms over my chest, waiting for what she's going to say. It's at that point the judge begins speaking. "I'll give you twenty-four hours, counselor. At that point, if you can't provide them? I'm dismissing the case. Twenty-four hours."

It takes a lot, but I hold back the grin threatening to spread across my face. This is exactly how I imagined this going, and I'm thankful the judge saw it my way.

"Court is adjourned until noon tomorrow."

Her gavel makes a sound of finality, and I turn to my client. "We've got this. She's got nothing, which is why she's stalling. Chances are we won't have to come back tomorrow. I'll be in touch."

"Thanks, Damien, I appreciate it."

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Fuck, it's been a long day. Three appearances and two phone calls. It's rough getting a practice going, but I'm doing the best I can. For years after graduating, I worked for someone else. After they pissed me off, I came back to Bellehaven, and went to work for someone else. Last year, I finally decided to strike out on my own.

"Damien..."

Glancing up at the voice coming through my front door, I sigh. It's Troy Lee. He always brings me a bleeding-heart case, and it typically is more trouble than it's worth. "What do you want?" He's used to me. To my grumpiness, and the way I never want to help him. Unfortunately, that never seems to prevent me from offering the very help he's typically here for.

"Good to see you too, Damien. You act like I didn't pull your ass out of a couple sticky situations when we were in high school."

Inhaling deeply, I count to five in my head. “Thank you, Troy. My brother thanks you, too. How long are you going to hold that over my head, by the way? I haven't been in high school in almost twenty years, but please keep bringing it up."

"I will." He smiles brightly as he has a seat across from my desk.

"Have a seat," I grumble. This is one of the parts that sucks about working in the town where you grew up. Everyone still thinks of you as the kid running the streets you started out as. "What can I help you with, Officer?"

"Normally I wouldn't get involved in this, but my wife is involved in it."

Shit a brick. "Please, go on. This gets better and better."

"Lizzie's become pretty good friends with a new business owner in town. They've been working with the Women's Small Business Council, and the new owner is getting seriously fucked over by her landlord. Obviously, I can't get involved because it's a civil matter."

"Obviously." I huff out a breath. Landlord/tenant disputes are the fucking worst. "Do you have the name of the person? Can you give it to me, or can you have her swing by here? I was about to leave for the day..." I let my words trail off.

"Far be it from me to keep you longer than you'd like to. Her name is Maggie. I can give you her info, or have her stop in. Her place isn't far from here. Is there a better time than any other?"

God, I'm never going to get out of here if I don't just give him something. "I have time in the morning. I don't have to be in court until noon. Tell her to be here between ten and eleven. I'll make sure I'm here and ready to meet a new client. Good enough for you, Troy?"

"Perfect. Thanks for your help, Damien."

"Yup," I answer, not adding that I really didn't have any other choice.

As he leaves, I follow behind, closing the door and heading for my truck. When I get there, I take off my suit jacket and roll up the sleeves of my button-down shirt. If there's one thing I look forward to at the end of the day, it's being the country guy I am at heart. With the windows rolled down and Luke Combscranked up, I leave behind the city of Bellehaven and head out into the county.

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