Chapter 8: Two Cases, One Lawyer
“Have you lost your mind?”
Tom’s voice bounced off the station walls.
Elijah didn’t flinch. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m the only one here who hasn’t.”
“You can’t defend both,” Tom said. “Matthew Cole and Noah Blackwood are on opposite sides of this mess. You’ll get eaten alive.”
“I’ve been eaten alive before.” Elijah leaned against the desk. “I’m still here.”
“This isn’t New York. This is Briar Ridge. You take both, and the town will turn on you before you even step into court.”
“Let them.”
Tom threw his hands up. “It’s unethical!”
“It’s not unethical if I can prove they didn’t do it,” Elijah shot back. “Both of them.”
Across the room, Hank the janitor poked his head in. “You’re about to be the most hated man in town. Just sayin’.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Elijah said.
By afternoon, the newsroom was buzzing.
LOCAL LAWYER TAKES ON TWO HIGH-PROFILE CASES—IS IT JUSTICE OR A JOKE?
Reporters cornered him outside the courthouse.
“Mr. Ward! Are you defending both suspects in the fire and the murder?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that a conflict of interest?”
“No. It’s a conflict of convenience—for whoever actually committed these crimes.”
“Why do it?”
“Because the truth doesn’t care about your outrage.”
The cameras flashed. Shouts followed him up the courthouse steps.
Inside, he met Matthew first.
“You’re gonna help me?” the boy asked, eyes wide.
“I’m your lawyer now.”
Matthew swallowed. “But… you’re also helping the rich kid?”
“Yes.”
Matthew frowned. “People are gonna hate you.”
“They’ll hate me until they need me.”
Later, in the holding cell next door, Noah sat on the bench, calm as ever.
“You?” Noah said with a smirk. “They sent me you?”
“I volunteered.”
“Why?”
“Because I think you’re innocent.”
“That’s funny. Nobody else does.”
“I don’t care what they think. I care what I can prove.”
Noah leaned back. “You think you can save both of us?”
“I don’t think. I know.”
“Then you’re either a genius…” Noah smiled faintly. “…or suicidal.”
By nightfall, the diner was full of whispers.
“He’s defending both?”
“Can he even do that?”
“Guess we’ll find out.”
Elijah sat in the corner booth, coffee going cold, reading the headlines over and over. Every word painted him as reckless.
Tom slid into the booth without asking. “This town’s about to chew you up.”
Elijah didn’t look up. “Then I hope they choke.”