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“Where did you hear that name?”
“You and I both know the answer to that.”
For a fleeting moment, the look in her eyes made me feel a twinge of remorse, then I reminded myself of my purpose, and I knew that if the tables were turned, she would hang me out to dry. Despite her conservative appearance, she was a woman willing to do anything to get to the top.
“So you’re blackmailing me now?”
“No. I’m going to ask again for your support, and you will either decide to get rid of me quickly, because I know that you’ve been stripping your way through law school, or you’re going to realize that having me for an enemy serves to your disadvantage. I would never use something like that against you, and I respect the fact that you want this that badly. Be in my corner, and I will be in yours. Like I said, we’re the last women standing, and do you really think that those asshats are going to have your back if they ever find out? Believe me, you want to be on my team.”
I had her by the balls, figuratively speaking, and there was nothing left for me to say. I headed back to the classroom, thrilled that my plan was going my way, so far.
Vivian Vega was a first generation Puerto Rican. Her mother worked as a seamstress, and her father was a taxi driver. She was the first in her family to graduate from college, and get into law school… Harvard Law School at that. The only problem was, she couldn’t afford the cost of the institution, and financial aid only covered about half of her tuition. So with no viable alternative, she got a job working at strip club two hours away, just to make ends meet.
“Well?” Atticus asked as I took a seat next to him. Levi—Professor Black –would be here any second, and I knew that she wouldn’t risk being late.
“Wait for it,” I told him, and right on cue, she came in and sat down to my left.
Atticus snickered, leaning over me to shake her hand. “Atticus Logan, what’s she got on you?”
“Vivian Vega, and none of your damn business.”
“Let the games begin,” Atticus whispered as Levi—Professor Black I had to keep reminding myself—entered the room.
I hated the fact that just the sight of him made my heart slam against my chest. I hadn’t seen or heard from him since last week Friday. It had only been three days, and yet, it felt like forever.
I half expected him to walk up to the board and erase my name, but he didn’t. Instead, he dropped a folder onto his desk, and turned back to us. He tilted his head to the side and that’s when I noticed the small red mark on his neck. His collar obscured most of it, and no one else seemed to notice it, but I did.
It could be a bug bite.
“I’ve recently taken up another case of interest,” Lev— Professor Black said, and Vivian passed me her notebook. Atticus leaned in as well, reading over the news clipping.
How had she known?
“Mariah Nash,” Atticus called out, before Professor Black could.
“Age 29, charged with first degree murder of her husband, Senator Tyler Nash. Age: 66. Paramedics were called to the Nash family home on July 27th after receiving a 911 call. He was pronounced dead at the scene,” I added.
“Mrs. Nash was charged the following Saturday at 9:09am. Last night you officially took on her case,” Vivian finished off.
Lev— Professor Black’s eyebrow raised, before he looked at the rest of the students— “It seems an alliance has been formed. Congratulations, Mr. Logan, Ms. Vega, and Ms. Cunning, you are now on this case. The rest of you will remain here with another professor, until I get back. You’re dismissed for the day. Hopefully by the time you all see me again, you too will have stepped up your game.”
I couldn’t help it, I fist pumped into the air.
“So lame,” Logan whispered.
“I second that,” Vivian added.
“Shut up.”
“Logan. Vega. Cunning. Why aren’t you walking?” Levi—Urgh! Professor Black! Professor Black! Professor Black!—called to us.
Following him, we walked quickly, trying to match his pace. He was walking as though his feet were on fire.
“Logan, Cunning, you both remember the Archibald Case?” he asked, as his car pulled up. “This is nothing like that, and one of you will need a cab.”
The moment he said it, I was in motion, and I gingerly stepped into the back seat. Following my lead as fast as she could, Vivian hoped into the front seat.
“You lose,” Professor Black said to Atticus, before stepping inside the car and taking his seat next to me.
