Tring… Tring… Tring…
The sound of the ringing echoed across the bedside table, accompanied by the rhythmic vibration of the phone.
Aron, still asleep, jolted awake and lifted his head slightly. Half dazed, his hand fumbled across the table.
He grabbed the phone. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the screen before answering in a hoarse voice.
"Hello?"
"Hello… is this lawyer James Aron?" A woman's voice sounded panicked, stammering at the other end.
"Yes, speaking. What's the matter?"
"My name is Amelia. My son was arrested last night for murder."
Aron slowly sat up, straightening his back. "How did you get my number?"
"A doctor gave it to me. I'm at the hospital now."
"Where is your son being held?"
"NYPD Downtown Precinct."
"What's your son's name?"
"Richard Cedric… he's a good boy. My only child. Please, defend him, sir." Amelia's voice cracked, filled with worry.
"Don't worry. I'll be there," Aron replied firmly.
"He called me last night, asking me to find a lawyer. When you see him, just tell him I sent you."
"Understood."
"Thank you," Amelia's voice trembled slightly.
"You're welcome," Aron said, ending the call.
He stared at the phone in his hand for a moment, his eyes sharp, focused on the time—7:45 a.m. Without hesitation, he moved to get ready and head to the precinct.
A few minutes later, Aron emerged from his room, dressed neatly in a black suit, a brown messenger bag slung over his shoulder. He paused at the door to bend down and slip on his shoes.
Unbidden, a shadow of Victoria slipped into his thoughts. He let out a low sigh.
"Do vampires even use phones these days?" he muttered softly.
He opened the door and stepped out.
Outside, the sky was overcast. Aron tilted his head, observing the clouds as he exited his apartment building. Thick, black clouds gathered above, heavy with the promise of rain.
Without wasting a moment, Aron walked to the curb and raised his hand, stopping a taxi gliding toward him.
That morning, traffic was heavy. Vehicles crowded the streets, their horns blaring in a constant, chaotic symphony. Inside the slowly moving taxi, the atmosphere felt tense—but not for Aron. The young lawyer was absorbed in scrolling through his phone. He hadn't expected so much news about Hayes, his former client, flooding social media. Sensational headlines flashed across the screen.
A faint smile tugged at Aron's lips when his eyes landed on one particular image. A well-known lawyer was clearly featured, said to be representing Hayes.
Without another reaction, Aron locked his phone and shifted his gaze to the window. Raindrops began to fall, one by one, before turning into a heavy downpour that blurred the city lights behind the glass.
His thoughts slowly drifted back to Victoria. His heart raced—not out of longing, but from an unfamiliar feeling he could hardly describe. Without her by his side, his confidence seemed to falter—as if something essential were missing just when he needed it most for the case ahead.
"I wish she were here with me right now…" Aron whispered, still staring out at the rain-streaked window.
After nearly forty minutes navigating the clogged streets, the taxi finally stopped near the NYPD Downtown Precinct, a short distance from the main entrance. Aron stepped out, hoisting his bag above his head in a futile attempt to shield himself from the relentless rain.
But as he neared the entrance, his steps froze. The confidence he had carried since leaving his apartment seemed to vanish. His mind swirled with possibilities—especially concerning Victoria.
What if she never came to see him again? How was he supposed to face this case alone?
Rain soaked through his black suit. In the middle of the increasing downpour, Aron's heart wavered, caught between stepping inside or turning away.
Before he could decide, suddenly, an umbrella opened above his head.
"Why are you standing out here?"
Aron's lips spread into a wide smile at the sound of her voice. He turned.
"I was waiting for you," he replied simply.
Victoria returned a small smile. "Enough. Come on inside."
"Let's go, baby."
Victoria shook her head gently, though her eyes betrayed the joy of seeing Aron again.
"What's the case this time?" Victoria asked, walking beside him.
"Murder. But I don't know the details yet. We need to meet the detective handling it first," Aron replied as they stopped in front of the counter to wait their turn.
"Hayes hired a famous lawyer," Aron continued.
"And he still didn't choose you."
"That's how rich people are. If he picked me, his reputation could take a hit."
"You don't mind?"
"No." Aron looked at Victoria. "I'm very happy."
"Happy?"
"Because of you."
Victoria smiled, then averted her gaze. Aron chuckled at her reaction.
"Yes? How can I help you?" a police officer asked from behind the counter.
Aron showed his lawyer ID. "I'm Richard Cedric's attorney. I'd like to speak with the detective investigating his case."
"One moment." The officer typed quickly on the computer before looking up. "You can go to the second floor. Ask for Craig or Harper."
"Thank you." Aron gestured for Victoria to follow him. "I know the detective."
"You've been here before?" Victoria asked as they climbed the stairs.
"Yes. Once. Handling a bar fight case."
"And you lost?"
Aron nodded, smiling. "Yeah."
"With that woman?" Victoria asked again.
"Don't underestimate her. She's a great prosecutor. But my client started the fight first," Aron chuckled.
"So… who's better, me or her?"
"Of course… you."
Victoria, walking just behind him, grinned widely at his answer.
*
"James Aron!"
The voice called out as Aron and Victoria arrived on the second floor.
They turned to their left. A man in a checkered shirt was walking toward them, holding a glass of drink.
"Hey, hello, Detective Craig," Aron greeted, extending his hand.
Craig chuckled as he shook it. "I've heard about the judge's son case. You made Roland and Jorydn uneasy, huh?"
"How did you know?"
"We're detectives too, just assigned elsewhere. Big cases like that don't stay secret from us," Craig replied as he walked alongside them toward the Homicide & Major Crimes office. "So… how did you get that evidence?"
"I didn't find it. My assistant did."
"Your assistant?" Craig glanced back at Victoria.
"Meet my assistant—Victoria. A criminal analysis expert."
"Wow." Craig raised his eyebrows. "Looks like you can afford experts now."
"We're more like partners," Aron clarified briefly.
"Alright. And your partner… is beautiful," Craig added with a smile as he opened the office door.
Aron looked at Victoria, giving a subtle wink with his left eye. Victoria smiled in response.
Inside, the office buzzed with activity. Phones rang constantly, voices of detectives and officers mingling in the air. People walked past carrying files, each face tense with the weight of their work.
The moment Aron and Victoria stepped in, all attention turned toward them—especially Victoria, whose presence clearly drew eyes amid the busy office.
"Who are you here to see?" Craig asked, placing his drink on the desk.
"Richard Cedric's mother contacted me," Aron replied calmly. "She wants me to be her son's lawyer."
Craig exhaled sharply. "He was arrested last night. The case is still under my investigation. The autopsy report isn't fully out yet, but there are signs of strangulation on the victim's neck, using hands."
"Where was he arrested?"
"In his employer's office, around 12:20 a.m."
"Who called the police?"
"A cleaner. She's also the witness." Craig paused for a moment before continuing, his tone more cautious. "She saw Richard sitting on top of his employer's lifeless body. But I can't reveal everything. You understand, right?"
Aron nodded slowly.
"Do you still remember the interrogation room?"
"Yes. I remember."
"Go there first. I'll instruct the officers downstairs to bring Richard to you."
"Alright. Thank you, Craig."
"You're welcome."
Aron turned to Victoria. "Shall we?"
Victoria followed him toward the office door, drawing the gaze of nearly everyone inside.
"Looks like the actor from earlier," one of the detectives muttered as Aron and Victoria stepped out.
Craig chuckled and shook his head.
"What do you think, Victoria?" Aron asked as he walked ahead.
"As usual," Victoria replied calmly. "I only need their blood to uncover the truth."
"But if the death was caused by strangulation, there wouldn't be any blood," Aron pointed out.
"If there's no blood," Victoria continued without hesitation, "even a single strand of hair is enough."
Aron stopped in front of a door.
"And if there's neither?"
"Then," Victoria said slowly, "we'll have to see the body ourselves."