"...we the jury find the defendant, Not Guilty!"
A satisfying smile came across Jennifer's face as those words touched her ears. She looked over at her client, shook his hand, listened to his praise and gratitude before he brushed past her to hug his longtime girlfriend Natasha.
She watched and smiled as they embraced. Natasha made eye contact and mouthed the phrase "Thank you."
Jennifer nodded. Turned back toward the table, gathered her belongings, set them into her leather briefcase, looked toward the prosecutor, nodded and headed out of the courtroom.
She spent the afternoon answering emails and returning calls for other potential clients when her law partner knocked on her open office door.
"Hey nice job today." Mark Anderson said standing in the door way.
Jennifer looked up, "Thanks. Feel bad for those families though. I truly hope they find the guy that actually murdered those women. The prosecution had a good case and enough evidence. A lesser attorney probably would have lost."
"I agree. It was brilliant how you was able to prove that Zach couldn't have with his shoulder injury he suffered last year. He didn't have the strength to apply that amount of force to completely break their trachea when they were strangled."
Silence crept in as both were trying to picture what those women suffered. Mark broke the silence.
"Plans for the holiday weekend?" He asked. Relived he changed the subject.
"Leaving for the cabin shortly. Want to get there before this winter storm hits. Nothing but warm fires and books to read. You?" She answered.
"Beer and football." Mark said shrugging his shoulders.
"Have fun and enjoy. I should be back Tuesday if I don't get snowed in." Jennifer stated, turning off her computer and gathering her coat.
"You better not. Big case to investigate next week." Said Mark as he stepped out of the door way to let her out.
"Oh yeah the sex case. What's your take?" She asked closing her office door and putting on her coat.
"Interesting is my opinion. The man is caught using his massage business as a sex club after hours and charging people an entry fee. Then selling alcohol without a license."
"And let me guess he wants us to make it all go away?" She asked as they walked to the elevator.
"Unfortunately. Going to be a difficult task." Mark added.
"Maybe. Let me think on it. We might be able to make some of it disappear but some we may not. I'll let you know. Have a good weekend." She said stepping onto the elevator.
"Look forward to your insight. And you do the same."
The doors close and she takes a big sigh of relief. "My god he's a handful." She thought to herself.
Jennifer pulled up to the cabin. Taking a moment of relief that she made it safely. The storm had come in sooner then anticipated. Taking a deep breath she got out and grabbed her overnight bag from the back seat. Walked inside, set her bag down and turned on the lights. Silence. Pure silence.