I stood with Tulip in the hallway as I handed her a mint and she took it gently. I didn’t want to smoke around her as I knew it bothered her delicate senses. “That wasn’t a great start. Bloodgorger is very good at undermining my points. It makes things a little difficult.”

“With how much money Grizzlebats has I wasn’t surprised he was able to buy one of the best,” Tulip swirled the mint around her mouth with her tongue idly as she looked deep in thought. “What’s next in the case?”

“Well, I need to take an expert to the stand. The Urrzats Academy of Magic Professor of Transmutation. I need to outline how that particular magic works and show why I think it is being used to make Grizzlebats dirty money.” I leaned against the wall and sighed looking around the hallway. People were walking around as we waited.

“How did you figure that part out John?” She leaned her shoulder against me gently. Her closeness soothing my soul.

I smirked at the memory. “It was my nephew actually. He did a small bit of it in his school and it just made everything click.” Our fingers interlocked as we had gotten closer over the last couple weeks. Tulip had been pivotal to getting the previous shop owners to agree to join the case as well as working with a judge to get all the evidence I had.

“That is so cute,” Her hand squeezed gently as she gazed all the way down the hall to Grizzlebats and Bloodgorger talking to one another. “How many of the owners are going to take the stand?”

“Only the Tinglepots were willing to reveal that they were paid under the table and lowered their prices in response to that offer.” I leaned by head back as thought about what was happening. The senior partners always seemed in much more control.

“Sorry you couldn’t get anyone else to take the stand. They probably don’t want to get in trouble. It’s pretty brave of Mr. Tinglepots to put himself forward.” She looked at me with serious eyes. “I hope for their sake you win John. It must be pretty scary for them to be in the sights of a wizard.”

“I have to win this,” I said with all seriousness. “If I fail I will do my best to place protection orders on all the business owners. That would be the least I could do.”

“Good idea,” Tulip took a deep breath and steadied herself. “I can almost feel his anger from across the courtroom. His magic is so much stronger than I could have imagined.”

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Nodding I stood back up from the wall, “Grizzlebats was the best of his class. I’m not surprised he is so strong. It would also take that much magic muscle to turn that much tin into gold consistently.” I itched for a cigarette and rubbed my face with my free hand. “Taking him to the stand is going to be difficult. It is the linchpin of my whole case.”

Tulip pulled her hand from mine and placed it on her chest, “Why don’t they use magic to make him tell the truth? You could just ask him if he is guilty on the stand.”

“Even a half trained mind can fight off the strongest truth spells. There is no way for you to tell if it takes hold as well. Just doesn’t work that way. I have a plan though.” I placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. “Trust me just a little longer.”

She nodded, “I have to use the restroom. I’ll see you back in there.” She sauntered away and I couldn’t help but watch her go.

I felt a large hand wrap around my shoulder. I looked at the green skinned fingers and blunt black nails. I turned my head and looked up at him. “Hello Bloodgorger.”

I turned to face him and we squared off looking into each other's eyes. My neck was craned up so that I could meet them as he looked down on me. “John, I looked into your work and you’re not half bad. But you just took a losing case.”

I squared my shoulders and crossed my arms. “I wouldn’t be so sure of yourself. You may be the best lawyer in the South Georgina Kingdom doesn’t mean you’re the best here.”

His tusked smile was wide as he chuckled at my bravado. “Those are some brave words, respectable. I’m glad you’re not just folding in my presence. Most of my competition has been more… reluctant to face me.”

“Well, they should have had the balls to stand up to you,” I said with a smile of my own. “You do have my respect though. Unlike your client.”

“Careful, you’re already on thin ice with him. Don’t want to break through it.” Bloodgorger slapped my arm, almost knocking me over. “I want to extend an offer to you. After this is all done come meet me in my office, you can do some of my research once you lose your job.”

My smile faded into a frown, “I’m going to be a mark on your record Bloodgorger. And when you lose, I’ll treat you to a nice drink.” I felt the hairs on the back of my neck go on end as we no longer looked at each other with friendly camaraderie. “Plus, you’re taking dirty money with this case. You’re losing money at the end of this.”

“It won’t be dirty money when I charge your clients with my legal fees Mr. Smith.” He turned and walked away leaving me to stew in the sudden challenge of it all.

The broad back of my opponent loomed in front of me as I painted a target on it in my mind. I was going to humble him, show him that I wasn’t some small fish he could intimidate. I really wanted that cigarette now to calm down. Instead I rubbed my lips with a sigh.

Grizzlebats was smiling wide as his lawyer approached him again. Their conversation obviously to his liking. I felt incensed at the smug look on their faces and how they were looking down on my clients and I. Promising myself that I would see Grizzlebats behind bars I turned to relieve myself and get mentally prepared.

I stared at myself in the mirror. It’s going to be alright. We know he is guilty. All the evidence is there. I just have to show it to the jury and let them know that without a doubt Grizzlebats is crooked. Eyes on the prize John. You’re going to prove yourself to the partners. You’re going to take Tulip on a date and get that kiss she always teases. Everything is going to work out.

I took handfuls of cold water and rinsed my face a few times. I let it drip off my face as I took deep breaths and centered myself. My magic inside me had started to roil with my proximity to such powerful beings as a Dragon and Wizard.

Drying off my face it was time to get back to work.