Even if she was completely flustered from the Bunting attack and the car's headlights, Mina wasn't going to let anyone get her tonight. With her deep breathes charging the cold autumn air, she raised her remaining heel, ready to bludgeon any assailant.

As the door to the car slid open, Mina raised her voice with hostility. "You better watch it! I've got a feminine fashion accessory and I can stab your eyes with it!"

A tall, suave shadow stood beside the car. "I'm afraid someone already beat you to the punch with that. But perhaps you can still choke me to death with your awful perfume."

"What the huh..." Mina said softly. "Blind?"

Stepping out of the shadows, the handsome, brunette prosecutor approached her in a dapper maroon suit. He was blind folded as usual, but for once, he didn't sneer.

"Blind!" Mina exclaimed in tears and ran to him. "I'm so happy to see you!"

She embraced him in a tight hug. And much to her surprise, he didn't shove her away. "Uh...er..." he said stiffly. "Happy to uh...smell you?"

"Normally guys who sniff women are creepy," Mina said with a congested laugh. "But I'll give you a pass. How did you know I was here?"

Blind continued his rigid demeanor. "Just was in the neighborhood. But you really shouldn't be walking these alleys alone. There's been a lot of terrorist activity lately!"

"And fake Frenchmen!" Mina said.

"Uh what?!" Blind said, before Mina responded quickly.

"Nothing! Let's just get far away from here!"

Together they entered Blind's stretched limo and for the first time in a while, Mina felt safe.

***

Mina caught her breath in the darkened interiors of the backseat of of Blind's car. She sank deeply into the leather seats, where she wished she could sleep that night. At least she wouldn't have to slumber with one of her eyes open. Blind continued to be strangely sympathetic and kind. He seemed to have left his caustic bitterness in the courtroom when he faced her.

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At long last, he spoke. "Care to tell me more about this Frenchman with a fake nationality. That sounds strangely familiar."

Mina sighed. "Do you have any snacks here? That's the most cardio I've done in a long time!"

If Blind's eyes worked, he no doubt would have rolled them. "Rookie, please, this is serious. Is this the schmuck from New Jersey who owned Les Schargo's!"

"Yes!" Mina responded. "I never thought I'd see him, his greasy hair and his snail breath ever again!"

"I'm surprised he's somehow out without parole!" Blind said, his head facing the window. "Beheading someone over a bad review on the internet is beyond the pale...This isn't just a miscarriage of justice, it's a full blown mistake!"

"But..." Mina peeped. "He said he had a really good defense attorney. I don't know who in the world would crusade for his freedom like that?!"

"I'll have to look into it..." Blind said and he raised a fist in front of Mina's face. "Or rather check it out. All I know is if I was on that case, that swine would be behind bars for life!"

Mina was thankful Blind couldn't see her swoon. His vengefulness was beyond sexy.

"Anyway," Blind said, clearing his throat. "Let's get you home. I'm gonna inform the police chief about this escaped french poodle. Is there anything you want me to tell her?"

Mina rested her head in her hands. "Just tell her to tell Raven where I'm at. I don't think he realized that he really put me in danger tonight..."

"Sure..." Blind said, as he speed dialed his E-Phone. "That Lockwood is one of the laziest in the business. I'm surprised you put up with all his trips to the casino. He gambles and smokes more than a middle aged wine aunt."

Mina was about to answer, but she was cut off by Blind answering his phone. "Chief O'Law?" he asked. "I just want to tell you that one of your criminals is running around again. That rogue restaurant owner just attempted to stab the defense attorney in his case. Miss Mina Hawkins."

There was a pause. "Yes," Blind answered. "Bunting Dupree. I want you to turn Business Park upside down until you find him!"

Blind paused again, and pushed a lock of auburn hair out of his face. "Yes. I think it might be the work of them."

Mina pursed her lips, intrigue flashing in her eyes. "The Aura..." she said softly.

"Rita..." Blind said, gripping his phone vice like. "If we find Dupree, we'll find them. Now get searching. I don't care if you have pilates class!"

The chief's voice audibly rose over the phone. Mina knew she was always looking forward to pilates to keep her fit mom bod.

"Oh..." Blind said. "Did the attorney from Birdbrain's stop in tonight? Miss Hawkins said he was there."

"What?" Blind asked, raising her eyebrows. "He didn't stop in? Color me shocked. Probably on his way to a sleazy bar to pick up women...or men."

Mina's eyes widened and she let out an audible squeak.

Raven had lied to her tonight. Completely.