Russell Benson was the kind of guy who was late getting to bed, but always the first one up the next morning. There was no one else in his massive condo, and that was exactly the way he preferred it as he hopped out of bed and went to shower. Once he was cleaned up and shaved, Russell dressed up and left the apartment to get his day started. He got a bagel and a coffee from his favorite café on his way to the office, and kept to himself as he walked in and rode the lift up to his floor. Once in the lobby, he greeted Margaret on his way over to his office where he was having drinks with Willie less than twelve hours earlier. When he arrived to the office, Shaw was in there but was asleep on his couch. He probably dozed off while reading materials for their cases and clocking some serious OT. Russell walked over and gingerly kicked Shaw’s calf and startled him awake.

“Whoa!” Shaw said as he opened his eyes and sat up. “I’m awake!”

“You are now,” Russell said as he put his attaché and breakfast on his desk. “I don’t care how long you were asleep, but shower and change before Willie gets here. How you look and smell does reflect on me.”

“Sorry about that,” Shaw said, “I can hit the gym next door and shower up and change. I leave a spare suit in my locker there just in case. Wanna play racket ball?”

“As much as I would enjoy kicking your ass, I’m going to have to pass,” Russell answered as he huffed down into his office chair, “What were you working on just before you nodded off to never-never-land?”

“Mac asked me to look into something,” Shaw said, rubbing his eyes. “She’s suspicious about the person who held the party. She’s got a good gut for this kind of stuff so when she gets that feeling, I listen to it as well.”

“That’s the right answer,” Russell said, smiling at the thought. “That’s why we pushed hard to get Mac on our case. There is too much at stake not to have her onboard and sniffing around for us.”

“The fact that you’re willing to endure her wrath tells me how much you want to win this,” Shaw reminded him, “I’m not sure if I have the balls to cross her.”

“When you want something bad enough, you will.” Russell said, as he ate his bagel. “She might be the difference in whether we win this war or not. A little of Mac’s wrath is worth that, especially if Xander stays on with us as a client.”

“What about the fact that he’s innocent?” Shaw asked, “Doesn’t that make this case worth winning too?”

“It helps,” Russell admitted, “But we should defend every client as if they were guilty, regardless if they are or not. Don’t get me wrong, I believe Xander… but we need to give every client our very best so that when we do represent someone who is innocent, then we will by default give him or her our best no matter what. The moment we start letting our opinions dictate our efforts is the day innocent people might not get the best we have and spend time in prison for something they didn’t do. That’s not something I’m ready to accept, and will fight to my dying breath to make sure the system is as close to fair as it can possibly be.”

“Amen to that,” Shaw agreed.

“Go hit the gym and work out,” Russell ordered, “Clear your mind and then tackle this with new eyes afterwards after a long, hot shower. Trust me, it works.”

“Alright,” Shaw said, standing to leave. “I’ll still have my cell if there are any emergencies you need my help with.”

“I appreciate your enthusiasm,” Russell said, “But I can hold the fort down just fine. Get going before the partners smell you from the lobby.”

Shaw bolted off to head for the gym as ordered, and Russell took another deep breath and sighed. The thought of Mac smelling something and chasing it gave him a moment of relief. Despite being dragged off the case, he knew she would hit this one with her usual passion because that’s just how she was. She sniffed out the truth like a bloodhound and never let got of a case until it was seen through. That was just the kind of gumshoe that was going to get Xander out of this mess, that and a whole lot of luck. Russell wasn’t the kind of guy to believe in luck, but rather made his own with hard work, determination, and sheer will. Sometimes that was enough, and other times not so much. Russell couldn’t tell which was this was leaning but had a feeling things would get worse long before they got better. As if fate had heard his prayer to not have anything go wrong, Allister seemed to answer that call as he could be seen hurrying over to Russell’s office, with a rather concerned look on his face. Russell noticed him coming and didn’t like that look on his face.

“Allister,” He called out to his new guest, “Take a breath and just give it to me.”

“Alright,” Allister said, sucking in some air as if he had just run a marathon. “My contact at the DA just texted me, Dick Burgess is making a move.”

“When?” Russell asked.

“Right fucking now,” Allister huffed, “He’s forgoing the grand jury, and is going to risk a preliminary hearing.”

“Son of a bitch!” Russell said as he got up from his desk. “That piece of shit is going to ambush our client.”

Russell checked his watch and then pulled out his cell phone. He pulled out a card and dialed a number, but there as no answer. He quickly dialed another number, and got a pick up after two rings.

“Xander Hopkin’s office,” The secretary answered.

“This is Russell Benson,” Russell started, “I’m Xander’s new attorney, and I need to speak with him right now. This is an emergency.”

Allister stood there at the door and watched as Russell listened to the person on the other side.

“He hasn’t?” Russell asked, pausing again. “Alright. The moment he arrives, I want him to call me as soon as possible. Thank you.”

“He’s not there?” Allister asked.

“Didn’t show up yet,” Russell said, thinking for a moment. “We need to find him right now cause I can assure you a warrant has already been issued. Burgess is going to have the police charge our client in public, make him do a perp walk in front of every cell phone, and humiliate him in front of the entire city.”

“And in front of our potential jury pool,” Allister added, “In today’s political climate, Xander is pretty much guilty until proven innocent. We got to find him before they do.”

“I’m already ahead of you on that,” Russell said, calling another number.

“What is it Russell?” Mac said on the other end, sounding rather annoyed.

“I need to know where our client is,” Russell said, “And I have a feeling you know where Xander might be right now.”

“And what gives you that idea?” Mac asked.

“Not the time to play around, Mac.” Russell said, “He’s about to be arrested. Richard Burgess is jettisoning the grand jury and that means Xander’s about to be taken by surprise in public.”

“Boss,” Russell’s secretary called from the door.

“What is it, Dawn?” Russell said, rather impatient.

“Jefferson Jones on line two,” Dawn replied, “He says it’s urgent.”

“Shit, hang on Mac.” Russell said as he picked up the phone on his desk. “Jefferson, what’s up?”

“Just got a call from Hopkins senior,” Jones replied, “He was having breakfast with Xander when two police detectives showed up and arrested him. They were dining out in public with a lady friend and it was in front of a lot of witnesses.”

“Thanks Jefferson,” Russell said, “I’ve got to go.”

“What’s going on?” Allister demanded.

“Hold on,” Russell said, as he put the cell back to his ear. “Mac, we’re too late. Xander was at a classy restaurant eating with his father and some girl when they were interrupted by police detectives whom promptly arrested him. He’s being taken to the station as we speak.”

“Damn it,” Mac replied, “You better get your ass to the station right now.”

“Already going, get back to work.” Russell disconnected the call and turned to his co-worker who was just as stunned. “Get your car, Allister. We need to get down to the station to see our client.”

“Meet me out front,” Allister said, as he sprinted off.

Russell turned his attention to his secretary as he exited his office.

“Do I have any court appearances today, Dawn?” he asked her.

“No, Mr. Benson.” Dawn answered.

“Alright, lucky break.” Russell said, taking a deep breath. “Cancel any appointments I have scheduled today and apologize for any inconvenience. Tell them it was an emergency and reschedule.”

“Yes, sir.” Dawn replied, “Right away.”

To Russell’s surprise, Allister was already out front in what appeared to be a classic car that was very old school. Russell hopped into the passenger side and Allister roared off towards the station.

“What the hell is this?” Russell asked.

“I had a lunch date,” Allister said, “And I like to show of whenever I can.”

“I am impressed, Allister.” Russell said, “But floor it.”

To Russell’s surprise, Allister was quite the river and it took him only fifteen minutes to get through traffic and to the station where Xander was being taken.

“I’m going to drop you off first to save time,” Allister said, as he pulled up to the station’s main doors. “Will save us time and I’ll catch up after I park.”

“Good man,” Russell said, as he bailed out the moment the car came to a stop, and ran right through the main doors into the police station.

While Russell was tempted to speak to the sergeant at the desk and make formal inquiries, that wasn’t entirely necessary and a waste of time. He knew the sergeant would try to stall and give detectives time to grill his client, and even give them a heads up a lawyer was there so they could crank up the pressure to squeeze him since their time was almost up. Russell didn’t need to ask for directions because he knew exactly where his client was based on the crime he was likely charged with. He ran up the stairs to save time and strolled into the detective lobby for the division that handled sexual offenses and he immediately saw someone that confirmed his instincts. A tall man with a very sharp suit was standing there in the middle of the room, speaking with two detectives, who were most likely the two men that arrested his client. The presence of the district attorney wasn’t a surprise to Russell, as Richard Burgess was the kind of man who wanted to watch and see how hard or easy it was for certain nuts to crack. Russell was all for breaking up the party, as he stormed into the room.

“Dick Burgess!” Russell called out, as if he found a long lost friend.

“Russell?” Burgess said, almost surprised to see him. “What are you doing here?”

“Xander Hopkins,” Russell said, “I know he’s here, and I wish to speak to my client right now.”

“So the rumors were true about Jefferson Jones,” Burgess said, grinning just a little bit. “This is an unexpected turn.”

“It is,” Russell agreed, “Especially considering your appalling record against me in preliminary hearings.”

“Do I look worried, Russell?” The DA asked him.

“You don’t,” Russell admitted, “Do I?”

“No,” Burgess said, “Hopkins is in interrogation four.”

“Thank you,” Russell said, turning right away and walking over to the room and opening the door without even knocking. There was only one detective in the room, a man in a decent looking suit, that was sitting at the table. On the other side of the room was Xander, leaning up against the wall with is arms crossed. Both occupants in the room turned to face Russell when he whipped the door open with zero notice.

“Good morning,” Russell said, glancing over at the detective. “Please vacate the room so that I may confer with my client.”

“Excuse me,” The detective asked.

“You heard my lawyer,” Xander answered for him, “The same lawyer I’ve been asking for the entire time I’ve been here.”

“Good man,” Russell said as he kept the door open and gestured. “Come on, pitter-patter.”

The detective stood up, “We’re not done here.”

“Oh, yes you are.” Russell said, “Now pretty please with sugar on top, get the fuck out of here!”

The detective had a sour look on his face, but complied and vacated the room. Once he was gone Russell slammed the door shut and deeply sighed. Xander was about to say something but Russell pointed at him, and stopped him from talking.

“Not one word,” Russell said, as he tapped on the two way glass that was on the wall in front of Xander. “Just because no one’s in here doesn’t mean it isn’t standing room only out there. Did you ask for me the moment you were detained?”

“Yes,” Xander answered.

“Alright,” Russell said, taking a deep breath. “Let’s get started.”