3. Three

three

Charlotte

"You look hot today," Blaire said from the doorway, making my gaze jerk away from the paperwork spread along my desk. She stepped inside my office and took it upon herself to sit down in the chair in front of me, crossing her legs with a huge smile on her face. "Special occasion?"

I gave her a blank look and then stared down at my wardrobe. I'd chosen a white button-down and a black pencil skirt with matching heels. My jacket was draped across the back of my chair. My hair was up, wrapped tightly in a neat bun, and of course, I'd done my makeup.

"I always look like this."

"No," she said with a deep chuckle. "You don't. At least not like this, anyway."

I scoffed and offered her a tight glare. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

She gave me a watery smile in return. "All I'm saying is that you look good, Charlotte. Damn good. I know you've been through hell with the divorce. Now that it's finally over and done with, you just look… I don't know… Better. Happier."

"Oh." I leaned back in my seat, feeling bad for getting snappy with her. "Things have been hard, yes, but you're right, I suppose I am somewhat happier."

"Hey, Char," Perry, our colleague whose office was right next to mine, said as he stuck his head in the door. "Boss wants to see you."

I swallowed.

Oh, shit.

"Tell her I'll be right there."

A worried look flashed in Blaire"s brown eyes as we both rose to our feet. She nervously ran her hands down her grey skirt to smooth out the wrinkles there. "Is everything okay?"

"I think so," I answered, albeit I hadn't the slightest fucking clue why the head honcho wanted to speak with me. This had really taken me by surprise. "Go on and go before you get in trouble. I'll fill you in when we're done."

"Good luck." Blaire turned away, pausing to stare back at me when she made it to the door. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you Peter called."

Shit.

I forgot he was coming to see me today.

"What did he say?"

"He said he had a few things to take care of but that he'd be here around 4-ish to see you."

I nodded to that, and she gave me a look. Instantly I could sense her next words without needing to hear them.

"He's my lawyer, Blaire. We're not seeing each other."

Blaire pursed her lips and lifted her chin at me like she wasn't buying it, but instead of speaking her mind, she just turned away and left, leaving me standing there with knots in my stomach.

I drew in a deep breath and walked out the room, my hands sweating as I stalked toward Harley's office. I knocked twice on the door and as her soft voice instructed me to enter, I complied and closed the door behind me. She stretched her hand to the chair in front of me as an invitation to sit.

This was unnerving. I hated how my muscles locked up and how I instantly felt like a baby doe coming eye to eye with a tiger in her presence. Harley Ford just had that effect on people. I may have been one of the best defense attorneys in Seaview Pines, but this woman practically ate, shit, and breathed her job. She was the best of the best, had won more cases than I could ever dream of winning, and most importantly, Harley did not fuck around. It was truly an honor to work under her wing and I'd learned a lot from her over the years. She rarely called me or any of the other attorneys to her office unless it was dire, so I couldn't help but wonder what she wanted. Hopefully it didn't have anything to do with Karl.

"So," she started, shuffling through a few papers on her desk before she looked up and gave me a smile. "How have you been, Charlotte?"

"I"m doing okay," I replied, trying awfully hard not to appear as nervous as I felt. "Can't really complain."

"I understand you're working the Hamilton case?"

I nodded. It wasn't anything big or special, just a simple DUI case I'd taken out of Blaire's hands since she was hassling three other cases at once.

"I am."

"I'm afraid it will have to be transferred back to Blaire, or perhaps Perry, if he's willing. A big case has just fallen in my lap, and I'd like for you, Charlotte, to work it."

"Oh, of course." I straightened in my chair, allowing the tension to die from my shoulders. "What are we looking at?"

"A young girl, eighteen, was sexually assaulted last night. Her name is Delilah Fields and she's currently being treated at the hospital. Are you familiar with Rhodes and Hutch?"

"Uh," I started, shaking my head after a moment. "Their names sound familiar, but I don't think I've met them in person."

"Rhodes and Hutch are the lead detectives working the case."

Harley reached across her desk and grabbed a pen, writing two sets of numbers down on a small pad. She ripped off the page and offered it to me.

"These are their numbers. I just got off the phone with Rhodes and they're currently leaving the hospital as we speak. They're trying to track down the girl's boyfriend. I'd like you to meet with them, gather what intel you can, and then report back to me as soon as possible."

"You… You're sending me to do field work, ma'am?"

I wasn't trying to sound ungrateful for the opportunity. This was just completely unexpected. I always met the detectives I had to work with at the precinct, not out in the open during an ongoing investigation.

"In a sense, yes," Harley nodded, her features surprisingly calm. "I'll be honest with you, Charlotte. I don't have the full report in my hands yet, which is why I'd like you to temporarily overlook the investigation. It may seem like an odd request, and I know it's not exactly considered protocol, but I want you to be prepared so that we both have a better understanding of what you're dealing with. From what the detective told me, this case is far more barbarous than what you've been assigned in the past. I hope that's not going to be a problem?"

"I can handle it," I promised, fighting like hell not to jump up and unleash the excitement breakdancing through my veins. I'd handled big cases before, maybe not as horrific as this one, but still, this was a huge opportunity that could significantly impact my career and maybe even earn me the promotion I'd been fighting so hard for. There was an open ADA position that hadn't been filled yet and I wanted it, desperately. If I did well enough and the case managed to go to trial, and I win…

There was no way in hell I was turning this down.

Harley grinned at me. "I was hoping you'd say that. You're a great attorney, Charlotte, and well, aside from myself, you're the only person I trust to take the lead on this. I should have everything you'll need by no later than this afternoon. Take what notes you can, and then we'll compare them with the file once you're back."

"Yes, Harley, of course." I rose to my feet when she did and firmly shook her hand. "I won't let you down."

I took my leave and when I made it back to my office, I shut the door fast, letting my enthusiasm ooze out in the form of a jubilant squeal.