Everyone at the Hopkins mansion were preparing to leave early that morning. They had a quick breakfast and were just getting ready to head out for the car when someone cell phone started to ring. Jefferson was standing by the door and waiting for his client when the phone had started to ring. He quickly pulled the mobile device out of his pocked and promptly answered the call.
“Hello?” Jefferson said into the device.
“It’s me,” Russell replied on the other end of the call. Jefferson could tell by the tone of his voice, that Russell was happy about something. It was very similar to the tone he would often take when the hot shot lawyer was about to rub something into his face and brag. Jefferson took that as a sign this might be good news.
“What’s going on?” Jefferson asked.
“I have good news,” Russell answered, “Tell everyone to stay where they are. There’s no need to come back to court.”
“What’s happened?” Jefferson inquired.
“It’s over.” Russell replied, “All charges have been dismissed.”
“Tell me everything,” Jefferson ordered.
He stood there and listened to Russell as he explained everything to him over the phone. About what Mac had found, and the emergency hearing that just ended in the judge’s chambers mere moments ago with a dismissal of all charges. Everyone was walking towards the door while Jefferson was listening, and the lawyer shuffled over and blocked the door with his body, which prevented anyone from going outside. Before Mr. Hopkins could say a word, his lawyer held up a hand which asked for his client to wait for him to finish his call.
“Thank you very much, Russell.” Jefferson said, as he looked over at Xander. “I will pass along the news immediately. Yes, thank you. Take care.”
Jefferson disconnected the call, and everyone was eager to know what the hell was going on.
“That was Russell?” Xander asked.
“It was,” Jefferson said, as he then smiled. “The case has been dismissed.”
“What was dismissed?” Xander’s father asked.
“All the charges, every damn one of them,” Jefferson said, still grinning like a cat that just ate someone’s favorite bird. “Russell just had an emergency meeting in chambers with Burgess and the Judge. During that feisty powwow, her honor dismissed the entire case with prejudice.”
“He said that?” Mr. Hopkins asked, “With prejudice?”
“He did,” Jefferson said, with a wide smile.
“What does that mean?” Lauren asked, looking at Xander.
“That means double jeopardy applies,” Xander said. “It’s over.”
“Just like that?” Xander’s father said, as he was quite surprised.
“Just like that,” Jefferson confirmed. “Something clearly has happened since we left court, because judges usually don’t dismiss cases that harshly everyday. Russell and his people likely found out what it was and pounced on it.”
“So, Xander doesn’t get his day in court?” His mother asked.
“He doesn’t need one,” Jefferson said, “The lack of evidence is what likely caused the judge to dismiss it. I also believe the prejudice might be from something exposed, misconduct by either the DA or one of their witnesses. From here one, we’ll get our PR people to run with the fact that this case was so weak it never managed to get past prelims. We can take that and run since the burden is lower for such pretrial. We can tout that the DA failed to even meet this minute burden, proving that these charges are complete fabrications, as Russell came close to proving in court yesterday when he roasted that first witness. By stopping this right here, Xander’s reputation will probably not to take the massive hit we all feared it would. The damage here is minimal, most of it just from the public arrest.”
“Something we should sue those bastards for!” Xander’s father said, pointing a finger at Jefferson's chest rather aggressively.
“Excuse me, Sir?” Jefferson said, hoping it was just hot air and not an actual request from his richest client.
“You heard me!” Hopkins Senior confirmed, as he appeared quite heated, “I want options for litigation against both the police and the DA’s office for the public humiliation they forced my son endure. They rushed to judgement without properly vetting their own witnesses, and they didn’t even know the bastard’s real name! I want them all sued for false arrest, false imprisonment, and especially defamation of character. I want papers brought up as soon as possible! Have I made myself clear on this matter, Jefferson?”
“Yes, Sir.” Jefferson said, as he knew better to not ask questions when Hopkins Senior got this hot tempered. “I’ll get my top civil litigators on it this afternoon.”
“Dad,” Xander said, as he wasn’t used to seeing his father this angry at someone either than himself for a change. “Are you sure we should do that?”
“I’m quite sure this is needed,” His father countered, “I think an example needs to be made here. If someone wants to go after my kids, they had better be prepared to deal with me as well because I will not stand by and let this slander go by without a considerable, disproportionate response.”
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“Oh my,” Xander said, as he realized any protest was futile. The old man was out for blood, and no one was going to talk him out of it. “Good luck, father. Let me know if you need anything from me to assist.”
“I sincerely appreciate the offer,” His father replied, “But I got this one, don’t we Jefferson?”
“Quite,” Jefferson concurred, “We are going to nail those lazy, corrupt bastards to the damn wall, metaphorically speaking of course.”
“Get over here!” Xander’s father said, as he grabbed his boy and embraced him with a deep hug. He then released him and looked back at everyone else in the room. “Shouldn’t we be celebrating? The good guys won! Truth prevailed!”
“Yes, of course.” Xander’s mom said, as she really liked his enthusiasm. “But I think we should just do something private here and not make a fuss of it so soon.”
“Private?” Xander’s father said, as he thought about it. “I suppose so, but I’m going to invite a small handful of people close to us, and especially his new lawyer, who I might add was marvelous in his duties! We are going to have a party!”
Xander patted his Dad on the back and smiled. “I agree. Let’s celebrate!”
“Tuxedos, champagne, and the finest caviar money can buy!” Hopkins Senior happily shouted as he wasn’t pulling any punches here. He turned to face Lauren who was kind of observing everything from a short distance. “That goes for you too, my dear.”
“It does?” Lauren softly whispered.
“Yes,” his father confirmed, “Your support has been a beacon of light to my son in what were dark times. I thank you for that and would be so grateful if you were to dine and celebrate with us tonight.”
“I would be honored,” Lauren gladly replied, “But I don’t have a tuxedo.”
“Don’t you worry,” Xander’s mom said, giving her a half hug with one arm, “I’ve got you covered on that one.”
“Then it’s settled!” Xander’s Dad said, as he seemed so excited. He turned to face Jefferson again. “I want you down here for supper as well and invite Russell Hanson as well as anyone else who aided in securing my son’s freedom.”
“I will reach out to him as soon as possible,” Jefferson said, and even though he didn’t like another lawyer taking all the credit for the win, he needed to make sure Hopkins Senior remained as happy as he was right now. His civil litigators were going to bill more than enough to make up for losing most of Xander’s business.
Xander and Lauren watched as everyone vacated the lobby, with his parents returning inside while Jefferson left the premises to get back to work on what his father just ordered him to do. Xander stood there like a statue, unable to move as he could hardly believe it, that the wild mess was actually over before it even got a chance to start. He looked back at Lauren, who was also looking quite cheerful at the news.
“This is wonderful,” Lauren said, grabbing his arm to comfort him.
“Is it?” Xander asked, as he was thinking about it. “There was a part of me that was actually looking forward to having his day in court.”
“I get that,” Lauren said, “But your lawyer was right to end this as soon as possible, not only for your sake but for the people who work for you. Imagine what a dragged out company could have done with your standing with your friends, family and even the people who work for you. The fact it was tossed so quickly proves that it was the fabrication Russell said it was. Take the win, Xander, because it proves the truth was on your side.”
“I suppose so,” Xander conceded, taking a deep breath. “So, would it be too presumptuous to hope we might be able to start over?”
“Oh really?” Lauren said, “What did you have in mind?”
“Well, how about a date?” Xander asked, “We never really got a chance to finish the first one, did we?”
“No, that is true.” Lauren said, “But wasn’t lunch at the park with he kids our first date?”
“Doesn’t count,” Xander corrected her, “Dates are one on one, with the focus being on one another with no outside distractions.”
“Then the second doesn’t count either,” Lauren noted, “Because your father jumped in on that one as well.”
“Oh, that’s a good point.” Xander said, even chuckling. “I guess we’re going to have to start all over again.”
“I like that idea,” Lauren said, giving him a half hug. “Let’s do something private, but first I think your father wants us to stay for the party he has planned.”
“I know,” Xander said, thinking about it. “He seems pretty strong about doing that tonight. I think we should let him have this moment, and we’ll have our first date later in the week. Sound good?”
“Sounds good,” Lauren repeated, as she was liking where this was going. “Your mother also sounded excited about picking out my dress, so we wouldn’t want to deny her that moment as well.”
“True,” Xander agreed, “I am quite surprised by how much they’ve taken a liking to you. Not that I blame them, I am quite smitten as well.”
“Is that so?” Lauren said, as she took that cue and leaned over to give him a short, but very nice kiss on his lips.
“It is so,” Xander repeated as he even blushed a little bit.
He was going to say something else, but he was interrupted by his phone, which started buzzing in his pocket. He was tempted not to answer it, but thought against it and at least looked at the screen to see who was calling. Once he read the name, Xander looked back at Lauren.
“I’m sorry,” he said to her, “It’s Russell.”
“Take it,” Laurens said, “Let’s get more details on what happened.”
Xander opened the line and put the phone up to his ear.
“Russell,” Xander started, “I heard the news from Jefferson. Great work on getting those shit charges dismissed.”
“That’s why I get paid the big bucks,” Russell said, rightfully full of himself. “We can get into the details later.”
“Dad’s holding a party later tonight,” Xander added, “And he wanted you and whoever helped out on the case to attend. Can you make sure everyone who helped out gets the invite?”
“I can do that,” Russell said, “But that’s not there reason why I was calling.”
“Is something wrong?” Xander asked.
“I can’t say over the phone,” Russell answered, “Is there any chance you could come down to my office so we can discuss it in private?”
“Sure,” Xander said, checking the time. “Can I come by after lunch?”
“Perfect,” Russell replied, “See you then.”
“Aright, cheers.” Xander said.
“What was that about?” Lauren asked as Xander ended his call.
“Russell wants to talk to me,” Xander answered, “It sounded important, but he said it can wait until the party later tonight.”
“Do you want be there with you?” Lauren offered.
“No, it’s alright,” Xander replied, “I think he wants to speak with me alone first, and I’ll let you in when I find out. I think we just need to relax and enjoy the win while we can. Let’s get ready for the party we’ll deal with everything else later.”
“Alright,” Lauren said, “Just don’t leave me here on my own too long.”
“I promise,” Xander said, as he understood all too well.