Blood and Motive

3

I wake up the next morning and I can't get out of bed. I just stare at the ceiling, my hands behind my head, thinking of my next move, and that's when I decide I'm going to look for Jill Baker and convince her to be my lawyer.

I get out of bed and make my way to the bathroom. I see my reflection in the mirror. I look like I've aged 5 years in the past few days.

I take a nice long hot shower to calm my nerves, brush my teeth, and comb my hair.

I get ready, putting on jeans, a black sweatshirt, a black cap, and dark sunglasses so no one recognizes me. My picture is all over the news. I don't want to draw attention to myself.

I type Jill Baker into the search bar on my phone, and I see she works at a firm called Ross & Baker. I copy the address, and I'm on my way.

I take the train, and on the train ride to upper Manhattan, I go through articles about Cassidy's death saying all sorts of things about me.

~Manwhore kills client after she refuses to pay.~

~Sex went wrong as woman dies in hand of male prostitute ~

I get off the train and head into the building; her office is on the fifth floor. I walk to the elevator, keeping my head down and focusing on the ground.

“Good afternoon, sir. How can I help?” the receptionist asks

“I'm looking for Jill Baker; is she in? it's urgent." I insisted

She inclines her head, trying to see my face, and gives me a lackluster smile and replies

“Miss Baker isn't around right now, but if you drop your contact information, she'll get back to you, she added.

“Do you know when she'll be in? I asked.

"No, I can't tell, but you can give me your name and phone number; she'll get back to you,” she insisted.

Taking a few deep breaths, I check the time on my phone, thank the receptionist, and make my way to the elevator.

I need to see Jill today. I don't know how much time I have before the police come knocking on my door again.

I search for Jill on I*******m, and after going through what seems to be a thousand pictures, I come across a picture of her on a porch, which I assume is her house. I hope so.

I recognized the neighborhood I'd been there before when a client invited me over.

I take a cab this time. I'm running out of time. I hope she's there. This is a long shot, but I'm willing to try.

I alight the cab a few streets over and make my way down. I don't know what I'm looking for, but I keep looking at the picture and at the houses as I walk by.

My hands start to sweat as I walk down the last street, and my face is red and hot. I would have blamed it on the weather, but it's 15° today.

And that's when I saw the house in the picture and the same red car.

I walk up the driveway, and that's when I see a woman unloading groceries from her car. I assume it's her.

I make my way behind her and reach out to touch her shoulder, and at speed, she elbows me in the stomach.

I wince at the pain. She then twists my hand behind my back. It happened so fast, I didn't expect it.

She's holding my wrist in her hand when I use my other hand to tap her car.

“Tap out; please don't hurt me." I groaned, tapping her car twice.

She lets go of my hand, and I try to stand straight. I remove my glasses and my cap.

Realization dawned on her. She knows who I am. She had this unreadable expression on her face. I couldn't tell what she was thinking.

She was wearing trainers, leggings, and a baggy shirt. She looks like she's just coming from the gym.

“I've been expecting you,” she confesses.

“But I didn't know you would show up at my house,” she admitted.

“I'm sorry about that,” she gestured to her car.

She was apologizing for almost breaking my hand.

And almost dislocating my shoulder.

“I went to your office, but you weren't there. I'm sorry to show up like this, but I need your help.”

“I know. Meet me at my office tomorrow,” she replied.

“So you'll take my case !” the corner of her mouth quirked up.

“We’ll hash out the details tomorrow at my office, “she stated.

Taking her grocery bags from her car and shutting the door, I took that as my queue to leave, but then she says

"Manuel, if you ever show up to my house uninvited, I won't only break your hand; I will call the police.” My eyes popped out.

She turned and went into her house, closing the door. I stood there for a few seconds before I decided to leave, I fist-bumped the air.

I felt warmth in my chest, my face beaming as I walked down the street towards the main road.

That was the type of lawyer I wanted to fight for me—the one who wouldn't let anyone push her around—that was the type of lawyer Jill was.

And for the first time since this whole thing started, I felt relieved. I had hope.