Page 83 of Hard To Love

Countering almost immediately, Nick jumped to his feet and pointed his finger directly at Brad. “True, but I find it quite disturbing that the accused in this case just happens to be the man that has taken the heart of your intended fiancée for his own. Chase Newman is a standup guy and there is a 0 percent chance he is involved in this crime. I would think a seasoned detective like you would be able to figure this out without much effort. That is until you figured that sending my client to prison would pave the way to reconciliation with Emily. I can’t prove this but I’m pretty sure your hands are dirty in the case against Chase and his brother.” The muscles in Brad’s neck immediately tightened as he jumped up from behind his desk and got into Nick’s face.

“Are you implying that I am fucking setting up your client? You have some pretty big balls to take my time and come into my office with that crock of shit. You want to discuss this outside my office after hours, you know, you and me…face to fist?

“Did you plant the drugs?” Nick asked rhetorically. “Detective, I just call them as I see them. I think I’ll decline your invitation to add felony assault of an officer to my list of accomplishments. I’m here because my client has asked me to come to you to make you an offer. One we believe you can’t refuse.” Nick had Brad’s attention, as he retreated a bit to create some space between the two of them.

Nick continued, “I think we both know how much Emily loves Chase and I can assure you that my client loves her every bit as much in return. As I mentioned before, I call them like I see them and unfortunately, neither my clients nor myself can prove that this is a set up. And unless some new evidence pops up, we are expecting that this will end poorly for both Newman brothers, so I have an offer for you to consider.”

“I’m still listening,” said Brad.

“Chase has offered to walk away from Emily for good, if you can make the drug charges go away.”

“Really?” Brad retorted. “I’m supposed to believe Chase is simply going to walk away when the charges are gone? I sure as hell wouldn’t. Do you think I’m an idiot? Once he is in the clear, he’ll try to slide back into her life. Your client is a scumbag and a crack pusher. Emily deserves so much better than him.”

“Look Brad. You’re the lead detective on the case. I’m sure you can find a way to reinstate the charges if Chase fails to live up to his end of the bargain. Can’t you see that you hold all the cards here? Emily loves Chase and believe me when I tell you brother; you don’t stand a chance in hell of getting Emily back as long as he’s in the picture. Even if he gets arrested and goes to jail, Emily will stand by her man and go for weekly conjugal visits until the day Chase is released. And while this is not the life Chase wants for Emily, he knows he needs to let her go. And not to mention, his brother is expecting his first child in a few months. Neither one of them have any desire to visit their loved ones through a glass window over the next decade. If you don’t drop the charges, your plan will have failed.”

“Nick, that’s the second time you have implied that I am setting your clients up and I’m telling you that is complete bullshit. It’s true that I think Chase is a rich, cocky, arrogant asshole who is pretty used to getting exactly what he wants. The facts are that drugs were found in his safe. I think he has been playing Emily all along, and there’s only one way things are going to end up for her. Bad. There isn’t anyone on this planet I care for more than Emily, and if I can find a way to end this relationship so she can have a normal life, then count me in. You can tell him we have a deal. But I swear to god, if that fucktard reenters her life after this ends, I will have his ass in jail for so long that he’ll be collecting social security before he even gets a chance at parole.”

“Then I think we have a deal, Detective.”

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