I'm getting ready to meet with Jason in his luxurious, I'm-a-senior-partner office. Man, if I kill in court enough maybe I could rise in the ranks and be a partner like Jason, a senior partner. The guy appears to have it all—rank, prestige, power, charisma, and about a million sports cars. Despite our mutual interest in Jacqueline, I'm starting to really become fond of Jason. He's a good guy and he's actually someone I aspire to be like, but I will, of course, keep that information to myself. No need to fluff his feathers, peacock that he is.

I knock on the door and he says to come in. I do and I'm armed in my Armani suit and various files for us to go over concerning the Cain case.

"Ahh, Marcus, there you are. Just the man I want to see. So I presume you're here about Cain? Anything more for us to go on?"

I take a seat in one of his tufted leather armchairs that face his massive desk.

"Well, I'm sorry to say it but the security footage came up negative. We just can't find anything there worth using."

A look of consternation crosses Jason's face. He's my boss and I know he's deeply concerned about this case, not just for the company's image, but because he has a vested interest in the truth. I'm hoping to deliver that to him on a silver platter so that he will know he can always trust me. I'd like to be his right-hand man in a way, the person he comes to rely on. I want this because I know I'm good at law and I know that working together Jason and I could achieve a lot.

"Don't be concerned just yet, because I have a another lead."

"You do?" His face perks up and he's looking at me expectantly. Hope he finds this news as good as I did.

"Emma had a friend. A co-worker. And I'm going to talk to her because something's off there. She told the cops that she and Emma didn't have a relationship outside of work. The girl who gave me the security footage, however, proves otherwise because she says this co-worker has been seen going in and out of Emma's building."

"Hmm, this is interesting. Why would she lie?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to get to the bottom of it. Just give me a little more time."

Jason walks to his window that has a view of the city. He's thinking about Emma I know, but then a part of me wonders if he's thinking about Jacqueline. Does he see me as a threat? He's never indicated such, but I did kind of come in on his turf. Jacqueline is of course not a prize or a trophy, but damn, I can't let her go now that I've met here. Jason's probably thinking the same thing. We both want this one goddess, this dream girl. But he's known her for years and never made a move. I mean, I get that he was her boss and everything and that he didn't want to jeopardize her career, but come on. If I had met Jacqueline that long ago, I would have made her mine no matter what the situation. She's too good, and she's too rare, like a mystical; unicorn or some shit. You have to jump on that. You have to make her yours and close it down, otherwise, you end up in a situation like we are in . . . having to share. My timing was just so that I happened to meet her when she was interested in two other people. If I had met her at another time she would be all mine, no sharing. But as it is I can see that both Jason and I resigned to the situation. We will both make do with what we have. We don't each other or anything, in fact, like I said I respect him. But no one really wants to share, right? The thing is, I admire Jason, and Xavier, so much that I actually kind of don’t give a fuck. I just want Jacqueline happy.

"Marcus, you have done such a good job on this case. This is only your first trial with us and already I can see that you bring new and interesting ways of doing things to this firm. So far I have been able to count on you to squirrel up evidence when it seems like there is none. I want you to know that I appreciate, I appreciate your work, and I'm excited to move forward in the future. In such a short amount of time you have become an invaluable asset to us."

Wow, I was not expecting such genuine praise from him. It shows that really is a professional guy and he would never let a personal issue stand in the way of anything at work. I so appreciate that. I mean, he could be a total dick to me if he wanted and he hasn't been that at all. If anything, he's been the opposite. He's been a really great boss.

"You know what Jason, I appreciate that so much. You've been an outstanding boss to me and I'm really grateful to work for you. I feel privileged that you allowed me to work on this, my first case, with you. It's such a big one and I'm really honored that you let me onto such a prestigious case that could bring a lot to this firm."

"You're a good guy Marcus."

"Thanks, man."

"Now, let's find this motherfucker who messed with us. We will find the criminal and he's gonna go away for a very long time. This I know for sure."