Page 169 of The Rules
“Fine,” she said. “Let’s not make it weird.”
Julian tapped the desk twice, sealing it like a pact onlyheunderstood.
Then he glanced up—eyes locking on Ben.
That smirk again. Not sharp. Not mocking. Just victorious in the quietest, most infuriating way.
Ben didn’t react. Outwardly.
But in his head?
“Snake.”
He looked away—slow, deliberate. Because if he kept watching…
???
It was later now. The building had quieted, offices emptied one by one. Only the hum of the overhead fluorescents and the distant creak of settling walls filled the silence. The hour—and the weight of the day—hung heavy.
Julian had just returned.
No announcement. No dramatics. Just the door swinging open and him stepping inside with that usual, effortless calm.
He dropped a file onto the center of the table like it was nothing. No grand gesture. No smirk. Just… a move.
His expression was unreadable. For once.
"This is what I've got," Julian said evenly.
He sat. Arms folded. Watching.
"It's all legal," he continued. "But it's not enough."
Ben reached for the file, his movements measured and precise. Flipped it open, eyes scanning the contents methodically. Depositions. Bank transfers. Names. Hints. Shadows.
Each page revealed another thread in Crawford's web, but nothing concrete enough to hang him with. Nothing that couldn't be explained away by a skilled attorney. And Crawford had those in abundance.
His posture tightened as he absorbed the information. Julian had been thorough—more thorough than he had expected. But it still wasn't what they needed. Not quite.
"It's a start," he said quietly.
He watched as Kath leaned forward, her hand brushing the edge of the folder. Her focus was absolute, eyes darting across the pages, absorbing everything with the same intensity she brought to every case. Ben found himself studying the furrowbetween her brows, the slight press of her lips as she concentrated.
"This proves Crawford's connected," Kath said, frustration evident in her voice. "But it's notsolid. Nothing admissible. Nothing that'll stick."
Julian leaned back in his chair, casual as ever—like he was waiting for the inevitable. The look in his eyes was knowing, almost expectant. Ben recognized it immediately. He had more. He was just waiting to be asked.
"I can get you more," he offered, confirming Ben's suspicion—then added with a cool smirk, "but you won’t like how."
Ben's head lifted. Tension coiling through his frame.
He knew exactly what Julian was suggesting.
"We're not doing anything illegal," he said sharply, immediately.
"Your call," Julian said, leaning back with casual confidence. "Just remember—Crawford doesn't play fair. You stick to the rules? You're gonna run out of optionsrealfast."
Ben exhaled slowly, tension coiling in his chest. He hated this. Hated how calm Julian was, perched there like he already knew the outcome. Hated, even more, the possibility that Julian might be right. Crawford had buried evidence before. He'd made witnesses disappear. He'd twisted the system to his advantage for years.
