*Two years later*
Miranda was called into her boss's office. "Ms. Veal, I have an important case I need to assign you."
"What is it sir?"
"I'm sure you're aware that Lance Bort hasn't arrived to work today."
"Yes. Everyone in the office has been talking about it. We don't know what happened to him."
Miranda's boss pointed to the door. "Please close it."
Miranda did as she was instructed. "Lance was found dead in his house this morning."
"H—he's…dead?"
"Yes, murdered. The police were quick to make an arrest too, saying they have decisive evidence and witnesses."
"So you want me to investigate it?"
"Yes. The defendant has already specifically requested you to defend her."
"I see…what's her name?"
"Leah Morritson. An eighteen year old girl."
"Okay then, I'll get started right away."
"Before you go, I also have some news to tell you. I just hired a new attorney and he will be accompanying you today."
Miranda shook her head. "What's his name?"
"Josh Evanson."
"When do I meet him?"
"He's not coming in for another fifteen minutes, but it's imperative that you start your investigation immediately. The police want the trial to be tomorrow."
"T—tomorrow?!"
"I don't know why, but that's when the trial is. Now, chop chop. I'll send Josh over to the jailhouse when he gets here."
Miranda shook her head. "One last thing, breathe not a word of this to anyone in the office. I'll let them know in a couple hours."
Miranda again shook her head and left the office. Gathering her belongings, she rushed to her car and went to the jailhouse to meet Leah.
Miranda's boss was still in his office when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in."
A brown-haired man walked into the room. "Ah, Josh, glad you could make it."
"I'm glad to be here sir."
"Anyways, you're going to be going with one of my best attorneys today investigating a case. She left for the jailhouse about ten minutes ago. Her name is Miranda Veal."
Josh shook his head. "Very well sir. I'll be going right away."
"Oh, and Josh, don't tell anyone in the office about the case when you learn what it's about."
"Yes sir."
Josh walked out of the office. Miranda's boss sighed. He's changed…
Miranda walked into an interview room. Soon, she saw a blonde female getting escorted into the room. "You must be Miranda Veal."
"I am."
"Thank you for representing me. My name is Leah Morritson. My father…is the victim…"
"They're charging you of killing your own father?"
"Yes. They said they had hard evidence when they entered our home. Apparently, a couple people from a play my father was directing was paying a house visit when they discovered the body."
Being a lawyer and directing a play…two different occupations…
"Were you anywhere near your house when they discovered the body."
"Yes…I was at a neighbor's house. I was pet sitting for my neighbors as they were on vacation. They discovered me there and arrested me."
"Alright, where's your house? The address, I mean?"
Leah told Miranda the address. "Alright. Can you tell me anything I should know before I head out?"
"Not really. I don't know of anyone who would kill my father. He was a kind man who always helped others."
"No one in the cast of the play he was directing held a grudge?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"Okay then. I'll be off to visit your house. I'll be back later today to let you know what I found out in my investigation."
"Thank you Ms. Veal…"
Miranda nodded her head and walked out of the room. Just as she was about to leave the building, a man walked in. Rushing up to the front desk, he asked, "Is Miranda Veal here?"
Miranda turned around. "I'm right here."
Josh turned around. "Ah, Miranda." Josh rushed up to her. "My name is…Josh Evanson."
Why the pause?
"I'm going to be your assistant for this case!"
Miranda nodded. "I heard. Do you have any prior courtroom experience?"
"Not as an attorney, no. I just passed the BAR exam and got a job at the agency."
"I see, so you're a rookie. Anyways, just watch what I do, and you'll learn quickly."
"Thank you Miranda."
"Just Ms. Veal will be fine."
"…yes, Ms. Veal."
Miranda walked to her car, Josh following. "Do you have your own car?"
"No, I rode a taxi here."
Miranda sighed. "Then come with me."
"Yes ma'am…"
Miranda started her car and went to the address Leah gave her. Stopping a few feet away from the crime scene tape, Miranda got out of the car. "Now, let me do the talking. I'm not trying to be rude, but you being a rookie won't help with talks to the police."
Josh nodded. "Alright…"
Miranda turned and walked to the crime scene. Soon, an officer walked up. "Sorry, this area is closed to the—"
Miranda stopped him mid-sentence. "I'm the defense attorney for the accused. I have a right to at least see the crime scene."
"You must be Miranda Veal then?"
"Yes I am."
"Can I see your I.D?"
Miranda took out her driver's license and handed it over. "Alright then. You may pass."
Miranda walked under the tape. Josh was about to follow when the officer stopped him. "I didn't say you could pass."
"He's my assistant."
"Oh, alright then. Just don't touch anything, or get in the way of the investigation."
Josh shook his head and followed Miranda. "So, what next?"
"We're going to investigate the crime scene. We're only allowed limited access though, but we do have a right to see the autopsy report and other things."
Soon they arrived at the front door. "Knock knock." Miranda entered the house. A detective came and met her. "Ah, Miranda, I see you're the defense attorney then?"
"Yes I am."
The detective looked past Miranda's shoulder. "And who is he?"
"Ah, his name is Josh Evanson, my new assistant. Josh, this is Sean Larim."
Josh extended his hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
Miranda started speaking. "So, can you tell me what you believe happened here?"
"Ah, right. Around eleven this morning, two actors for a play were coming to meet with the victim, the director. After not receiving a response from ringing the doorbell several times, they tried to open to door, finding it unlocked. After coming in, and calling out to the victim, they discovered his body, on the ground. He was shot two times. Once in the head, and once in the heart."
"Do you have the murder weapon?"
"Yes, it's a 9mm handgun. The defendant's fingerprints were found on the weapon."
"You found Leah's fingerprints?"
"Yes."
This makes it much harder. "Do you have the autopsy report?"
"Yes I do." Sean handed Miranda the autopsy report. Looking it over, she nodded. "So the shot to the chest was post-mortem?"
"Exactly. Also, the witnesses, before they called the police, saw the defendant running through the back yard, according to them, running as if she were trying to get away from something…or what I could understand…"
"You think she was escaping the scene of the crime?"
"Yes."
Miranda nodded her head. "Anything else?"
"Well…you should see this for yourself."
Sean escorted Miranda and Josh to the living room. "This is where we discovered the body."
Miranda looked where the tape marked the position of the body. "W—what?!"
There, written in blood, was Leah's name.
"How was this written? The victim was shot twice, and one of the shots was post-mortem!"
"…the timing of the shots."
"Timing?"
"Yes." Sean handed Miranda a piece of paper. "This is another report from the autopsy, separate from the one I gave you. The victim was shot a couple minutes after the first shot. That gave him plenty of time to write it."
I already see a hole, but I'll save it for the trial. "Alright…but I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Why is the trial tomorrow?"
"…the prosecutor of the case…is a busy man. He wants to prosecute the case, but has an engagement out of town in three days. Thus, the trial starts tomorrow."
"Who's the prosecutor?"
"Jack Inger."
Miranda's eyes widened. "The…"
"The undefeated prosecutor, yes."
