Xander slept in that morning and preferred to rest and ignore the media that was standing outside their main gates and reporting on the alleged accusations worldwide and in all forums. He could see some of them from the dining room windows, but they were unable to see them from the other side. The Hopkins paid a lot to have glass that you couldn’t peek through, and also for glass that was completely bulletproof. While the police complained about some of the security features, the Hopkins didn’t care as they had their own security force that watched the house two-four-seven. Xander strolled around the big mansion, for the first time in quite some time. He was used to living in his own condo, so it felt weird to be in the big house this early in the morning. He hadn’t slept in his own room in many years, but the room hadn’t changed and was still his like it had been all those years before. Xander’s parents know he was living on his own, but that was their way of keeping the metaphorical light on for him. Everyone’s room were still kept up that way, as his mom and dad seemed unable to come to grips with the empty nest that had developed far too quickly for their liking. They were keeping the rooms almost like a memento of times past, something they could go back to and look at if they were feeling nostalgic. Part of Xander wanted to think of it as denial, a refusal to accept how things are now. Another part of him realized that it was two parents that loved their children too much to let anything go. It was something Xander knew he would never really understand as he didn’t have any kids of his own. Not yet, Xander thought to himself as he strolled down the stairwell and towards the dining hall where he assumed breakfast would already be served and on the table. He was correct in that assumption, but he was surprised to see that he was the only person that hadn’t arrived yet. Both of his parents and even Lauren were already at the table and talking amongst themselves about who knows what. They all stopped talking to greet Xander, which led him to believe the conversation was obviously about him. Hopefully they were just talking about good things and not the impending appearance in court. That’s the last thing he wanted to talk about this early in the day.

“Good morning,” Xander said, trying to put on a good smile for everyone.

“Good morning, son.” His father replied, smiling back. “How did you sleep?”

“I got a few good hours,” Xander confessed as he sat down. The chef already had food there waiting for him, as he knew everything Xander liked considering that he had been cooking for the family for well over a decade.

“Was I interrupting something?” Xander asked as he noticed the ladies had gone rather quiet when he arrived.

“Not really,” Lauren said, “We were just talking about you.”

“Nothing bad,” His father said, coming to her defense. “Just basic stuff like what kind of kid you were, what you were like in school, normal stuff.”

“That seems fair,” Xander said, as he started to eat.

“But speaking of your case,” his father continued, “Your lawyer called the house a short time ago. They want to speak to you and update you on their progress.”

“That sounds promising,” Xander said, eager to know more.

“Considering how much press is out there,” his father said, “Benson said he’d be coming to us later this morning to give the update. He sounded very upbeat about it, so I’m thinking it’s good news. Just a gut feeling.”

“Your gut is seldom wrong,” Xander said, as it was true. “I hope that it is today too.”

The rest of the meal was rather pleasant as the family remained at the table and enjoyed their food. Xander’s dad was eager to get to his own office, so he left after breakfast was over. While he was eager to remain behind and see the lawyers, the old man preferred to give Xander some space and not pry too much.

Xander’s mom led both of them to a room that looked like a fancy den. It had books stacked on the wall, a large table for people to work with. A good place to meet someone that you’re expecting to show up very soon.

“Whose room is this?” Xander asked.

“It used to be your sister’s den before she moved out,” his mother replied, “Now it’s a spare room to conduct business it when you father doesn’t want to use his den. I thought you and your lawyers could use this as a war room to prepare for your case.”

“That’s a good idea,” Lauren said, “Don’t you agree, Xander?”

“I like it,” Xander agreed, “A nice private place for going over all the details.”

Lauren and Xander remained in the room and waited for Russell to make his big entrance, which occurred about an hour later. Benson didn’t show up alone as he was there with who Xander recognized as his intern, along with the woman that interviewed him earlier in the week about the case. Benson said she was his best investigator.

“It’s nice to hear from you so soon,” Xander said, walking over to shake his lawyer’s hand. Benson appeared to be in a good mood as they shook hands, giving Xander the impression that it might be good news.

“What’s the update?” Lauren asked.

Russell paused for a moment considering who was asking the question.

“It’s alright,” Xander said, “She knows everything, and I trust her.”

“Fair enough,” Russell said, as he went to take a seat. “We’ve managed to dig up a lot of information about the people who are the foundation of the DA’s case. We’ve done a lot of digging and lot of what we found do not gel with the story that we’ve been hearing and that creates a lot of doubt. It gives me what I need to tear their story apart, and if I do enough of a good job during the prelim, the judge might just dismiss on the spot.”

“Is that possible?” Xander asked.

“It’s not impossible,” Russell answered, “But it doesn’t happen that often. If they just present a mediocre case, that will be enough for a judge to send it to a jury. But the weaker the case, the most likely twelve people are going to take my side. I’ve been known to sweet talk a jury to go my way quite often, that’s not what Dick wants. He’s hoping we see his case and try to settle before it even reaches a jury. That’s the path of least resistance to him, but that also might confirm what I’ve been hearing.”

“What is that?” Lauren asked.

“The alleged victim,” Mac said, finally speaking up. “We have a feeling she doesn’t want to testify, and that’s why they may have skipped the grand jury.”

“What does that mean?” Xander asked.

“Could mean a whole lot of things,” Shaw said, also speaking for the first time. “Could be not want to relive the trauma.”

“What trauma?” Xander said, sounding a tad hostile.

“What he meant,” Mac said, sensing the hostility, “Is that one of the possibilities we have to consider is that the assault happened, but was perpetrated by someone else. We have no idea why she’s pointing a finger at you, but we can’t assume that what she’s describing never happened. It may have.”

“Or it could be total bullshit,” Russell said, feeling the need to take his client’s side.

“Or it could be bullshit,” Mac said, conceding the point.

“That’s fair,” Xander said, “We have to examine all possibilities.”

“If it is bullshit,” Russell said, refusing to let the bone go. “Her refusal to take the stand might just be her lawyers attempting not to suborn perjury. That would certainly explain the shakedown before your arrest. They all know the accusation is bullshit and are doing everything they can to keep that lying bitch off the stand.”

“So, if she’s not taking the stand, who is?” Xander asked.

“My guess would be the guy who she told first,” Russell answered, “That being the host of the party, the guy who also invited you to the little shindig.”

“You mean Marcus?” Xander said, “The party was to celebrate someone’s birthday, but the party was held at his house.”

“Yes, that’s who I’m talking about.” Russell confirmed, “Odds are that’s who the DA is going to call on to testify at the prelim. Based on what I’ve heard he sounds like a solid witness, but we’ll be ready for him when the time comes.”

“What does that mean?” Xander asked.

“It means we’re digging into the man,” Russell said, “And Mac has found a lot of dirt that is going to make Marcus’ cross examination rather painful, especially when I do it.”

“But he’s my friend,” Xander said, sounding concerned.

“No, he’s not.” Mac corrected him, “Based on what we’ve found, whatever friendship you had is suspect at best.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Lauren said, “What did you find?”

“He’s done this kind of racket before,” Russell said, “We even thing he and the victim are working together but haven’t found proof of it yet.”

“Seriously?” Xander said, “That prick set me up??”

“Sure looks like it,” Russell said, aware of why his client was upset. Someone he thought was a friend was the enemy all along.

“We’re trying to find out how many times he’s done this,” Mac added, “But many of the cases are sealed, and we can’t get anyone to come forward.”

“Because the other people who were in my situation paid up,” Xander concluded.

“Exactly,” Russell said, “And usually when cases like this are settled, both sides are required to sign a non-disclosure. Usually that is made to protect the accused but, in this case, it was also protecting their lying asses. We’re going to keep digging, now that we have an idea of what might be going on.”

“This is good,” Lauren said, taking his arm and hugging it. “This means you didn’t do anything and were set up just like the others who paid out. Let them keep digging, and I’m sure they’ll find something to use in court.”

“She’s right,” Russell said, appreciating the assist, “We have a lot of time before we have to go to court, plenty of time to find more dirt.”

“Especially when I’m the one doing the looking,” Mac added.

“Alright,” Xander said, as he appreciated their confidence, “So, what do I do now?”

“You sit back and wait,” Russell said, “Say nothing to the press, as I’ll handle those wolves. Just stay here and bunker in for the time being and give us the space and time to do our jobs. We’ve got your back, so sit tight and relax. We’re on it.”

“Okay,” Xander says, “It sounds like we have a good plan. Thank you for coming and updating us on where we stand.”

“We are going to take care of this,” Russell said, “And I’ve kicked some serious ass with less to work with. I’m going to take those pricks to the shed and take care of business.”

“Thank you,” Xander said, shaking his lawyer’s hand.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Russell said, “I’m going to feed the trolls.”

It was at this point where Russell and his people left the mansion after what was a very productive meeting with his client. Mac was walking behind him as they made their way to the main doors.

“What are you thinking?” Mac asked him.

“I like our chances,” Russell said, “Now let’s tell the press that.”

Mac stopped at the door and watched as Russell emerged from them and walked all the way to the main gates where hordes of press were flashing pictured and holding up mics to get any kind of statement for their editors. Russell straightened out his tie and smiled as he walked up to the gate to speak with the reporters.

“I’m here to make a statement on behalf of Xander Hopkins.” Russell started.

“Who are you?” One of the reporters asked.

“My name is Russell Benson,” Russell answered with pride, “And I am lead council representing Xander Hopkins and I’m here to let you know that my client is innocent of all charges being laid against him. We have no intention of taking any deals being offered and are eager to have our day in court to fight these absurd allegations and the frauds who are making them. We are going to fight with every fiber of our being and my firm will not rest until Xander’s name is washed clean of these preposterous charges.”