Uriel Zander sat in the back corner of a quiet coffee shop his hands clasped together in front of him on the table. The air was thick with tension as he waited for Jake Oliver and Leo Ramirez to arrive. The stakes had never been higher. What had started out as a plain courtroom duel opposing Caden Spears had grown to become something much larger: an effort toward the search for truth associated with a huge criminal web. Uriel knew full well that time was running out and that the date of the trial was looming over him, an ugly gray cloud.

Jake entered first. The casual manner he normally carried himself was replaced by the look of a man who had seen something disturbing. He settled into the seat across from Uriel without a word. A thick envelope was clutched in his hand. Not long afterward, Leo entered. Equally tired, but with determination hallmarking his features, he too held a file full of papers.

"Alright, Zander," Jake said, dropping the envelope onto the table. "We got some things, but it's murky. Real murky."

Uriel nodded, his heart racing in anticipation. "What did you find?"

Jake hunched forward, lowering his voice. "I dug deep into Caden's connections. The higher-ups in this trafficking ring? They're ghosts- no names, no obvious records. But I found something strange. There's a guy who goes by the alias Mr. Black.

Nobody seems to know who he really is, but the name is floated around in some underground circles as being a shot caller. The word on the street is he has been pulling strings for years, using people like Caden to take the fall when things get hot.

Uriel wrinkled his brow. "So, this Mr. Black is the real leader?

Jake nodded. "Yeah, but here's the kicker: Caden isn't the only one being set up. There's some sort of pattern. Every few years, someone else gets caught, takes the heat for the operation, and the rest of the organization goes underground until it's safe for them to surface again. Caden's just the latest in the line of fall guys.

Uriel clenched his fists. "So they are using him as a game piece. How do we prove it?

Jake shrugged. "That's the hard part. These guys don't leave trails. The only people who know the truth are already dead or too scared to talk.

Leo slid his file across the table, flipping it open to a series of financial records. "I've been going over the money trail. It's just as clean as we thought on the surface. However, I managed to find a few offshore accounts tied to shell companies that are, in turn, linked to Mr. Black. The money that goes through these accounts ends up back in the trafficking ring, and some of it has filtered through Caden's businesses without his knowledge.

Uriel scanned the papers with a running mind. "So we can prove that the money didn't just stop with Caden?

Leo nodded. "Exactly. The Feds don't have this, or if they do, they're keeping it close to the chest. But the way the money flows, crystal clear that Caden is but a part of an even bigger operation.

Jake sat back, folding his arms. "The thing is, even with this in our hands, we're still up against the FBI. They've been building this case for years, and they'll have contingencies for anything we throw at them.

Uriel knew Jake was correct: the Feds had every angle covered, and the denial of the motion for a speedy trial had given them even more time to nail it up tight. But with what Jake and Leo had found, Uriel now had a plan to discredit their story.

We are going to present this before the jury in such a manner that it would look like Caden was a victim, not some kind of mastermind. If we can show that the real villains are Mr. Black and his network, it just might be enough to instill reasonable doubt.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Jake gave a skeptical look. "It's a long shot, Zander. But you tend to be good at making those shots work.

The smile of Uriel was grim. "It is the only shot we've got.

On the way back from that meeting to the detention center, Uriel and Karen wanted to confront Caden with this new information. Where he had obviously been worn down by months of incarceration with the trial hanging over him, Caden was very nervous upon their arrival.

Uriel didn't waste any time. "Caden, we need more information on what organization has to do with this mess. We have found out that above you, there is a man who goes by the name of Mr. Black.

Caden's eyes widened, and for a brief moment, a flash of fear crossed his face. "I've heard the name, but I don't know much about him. He's… untouchable. No one knows who he really is. People who try to find out usually end up dead."

Karen leaned forward; her voice was barely above a whisper, but it was firm. "We think you were set up to take the fall, just like others before you. The FBI is building their case against you because they think you're the head of the operation. But if we can prove that you're just a cog in the machine, we might be able to save you.

Caden ran a hand through his hair and looked more defeated than ever. "I didn't realize how deep I was 'til it was too late. Once they got their dirt, those videos, the deals I made, they made it clear that I couldn't leave, and I didn't want to stay working for them, but I had no option.

Uriel nodded. "We can use this. If we can show the jury that you were coerced, that you were trapped in this operation, it may be enough to give reasonable doubt to your role. But from now on, you have to be square with us. No more surprises.

Caden met Uriel's gaze, his voice barely above a whisper. "I swear, I've told you everything now. But I'm scared, Uriel. If that organization finds out I'm talking to you about them, they won't just let me take the fall alone. They'll be coming after me—and anyone involved with me.".

Uriel's face turned to stone. "That's why we need to make sure we get ahead of this in court. That's when we can turn the tables on them."

Karen looked over at Uriel and then hastily at Caden. "We're running out of time. A trial is fast approaching, and the FBI just doesn't stop digging to see what else will fit. We need to be ready for anything. Back in the office, Uriel and Karen spent the next several weeks readying themselves with Trial. These were layers of defense against the attacks from all corners of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

We'll go in, first and foremost, with duress defense," Uriel said as he paced in front of the whiteboard now containing a web of connections between Caden, the trafficking network, and Mr. Black. "We will prove that Caden was compelled to remain part of an operation under threat of outing. If that does not stick, we revert to discrediting their star witnesses. Jake's dirt on Ortega and Velez gives us a solid shot at that.

Karen nodded, jotting some notes. "What about the money trail? We'll have to make it clear that cash coming through Caden's businesses were out of his hands.

Leo had given them enough financial discrepancies to make that a cornerstone of their strategy.

"I'll cross-examine the FBI's forensic accountant. If they stumble on the timing of the transactions, we'll have an opening."

Yet amidst all that preparation, there was one nagging truth: the FBI still had the upper hand. They had more resources, more time, and, ultimately, more political pressure behind them. The judge's denial of a speedy trial gave the Feds seven additional months to firm up their case.

Seven months later, the day of the much-awaited trial finally arrived. The courtroom was filled with people, and the media frenzy about the case reached an all-time high. For Uriel, Karen, and even young Caden, the stakes were never higher.

Standing at the defense table, waiting for the judge to call the court to order, Uriel could not help but think this was all building up to this.

Across from him, the lawyers for the FBI sat calm and collected, their eyes ready for battle. Next to him, Caden was sat with his fists knotted in his lap, his entire face set in fear.

Uriel leaned forward, his voice low, but reassuring.

"Remember, we have prepared for this. Stick to the plan, and we shall make it through."

Karen threw a glance over at Uriel, her eyes blazed with determination.

"We are golden."

It wasn't until the judge took his seat, finally, and the trial got underway that Uriel took a deep breath. He had faced impossible odds before, but this—defending a man against the full weight of the FBI—was something else altogether.

But if there was one thing Uriel Zander knew how to do, it was fight the odds.