“Miss Amelia. I can assure you with great confidence, Precious Life always aims to provide the top service for our clients! No matter what setback we experience, the client’s needs are always our number one priority. Your trust is our greatest value and we will do everything we can to--”

Sluuuuuuurp

“PLEASE DETECTIVE, CAN YOU STOP EATING – FOR ONE MINUTE!?”

“Bro! I’m supposed to be on my lunch break! I’m doing you a favour right now!”

Detective Merlin and Tessa Roads were no longer at Precious Life. Rather, there were somewhere else in the city in a whole different office. Located in the central area of the Big City, standing on a corner of a four way street flooded with either traffic or pedestrians.

Essentially, a lawyer firm. Not the community ones, but the ‘I got an army of lawyer and I am not afraid to use it’ corporation.

They were inside a large office room with walls made of soft dark mahogany with the corners hand carved into elegant swirls and artistic knots. The desk they sat in front off was just as grand, a marble table top sitting on a stand of rich wood. Their chairs were definitely no slouch, hazel and gold vine cushions held together by polished oak.

Tessa continued her speech, reciting her words over and over, as if preparing for MacBeth. And her only only audience was Merlin. Yaaawn. The desk had no owner, not right now. So, Tessa had been talking to nothing but an empty chair. Over and over. Merlin rolled his eyes at the suspect’s third rehearsal and slurped on his purple slushy.

“Tessa, Tessa. Relax. No panic, no problem. I doubt anything you say right now would change her mind. She sounded adamant to cancel her insurance.”

“I-I can’t let that happen! My job is on the line!”

“Just because I’m not making you wear cuffs, doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.”

“B-but you said I was innocent!”

“Until proven guilty.” Merlin pulled himself from a slouching position and burped to clear his throat. “What is saving one policy going to bring forth a miracle right now?”

Tessa covered her face with mixed shame and frustration, plus an unprofessional groan. “I didn’t kill my boss, meaning I will go back to my job once you prove that! If I lose this client right now, m-my position would be in jeopardy!”

She whipped her fingers through her hair to try and straighten it out, making her less of a wild hag springing out of a random forest. “Besides, y-you asked what type of women worked closely with Liam. Miss Amelia is one of them.”

“And she’s a barrister?”

“Prosecutor actually. She’s really famous, almost celebrity status. Y-you know that case, about the husband who dismembered a woman to fake his wife’s death for insurance fraud?”

“Ah. Ah that case. Rather riveting one I must say. No wonder the word ‘lawyer’ and Amelia rung a bell.”

Tessa huffed as she double checked her appearance in anything reflective... like the polished silver pen on the table. She held it up like a makeshift mirror to check her face and hair. “I appreciate you bringing me here to negotiate with her, but please don’t interrupt. I need to focus on my persuasions skills to--”

The officer door swings open. Tessa was the first to bolt to her feet, dropping the polished pen back on the desk of course....Not that Merlin would follow suit.

A black robe fluttered into the room, the strides of a proud ghost. A reach of a hand to pull off a powdered wig and hanging it on a coat hangar stand in the corner, next to an elaborate globe the size of a car wheel. The black robes were gracefully pulled off a body dressed in an auburn custom suit with matching pencil skirt and exotic obsidian pantyhose.

The owner of the office carefully hung her court robe onto a hangar before smoothing the wrinkles on it as she hung it on the same coat hangar. At the end she sat down, pulled up her high leather chair, rested her briefcase on the desk, turned on her computer, and typed in her log in.

Never once batting an eyelash to the standing Tessa.

“Miss Roads.” Barrister Amelia spoke up while she entered her username and password. “I thought I made it perfectly clear on the phone. What is the reason for visiting me?”

“Yes! That is correct.” Tessa waited for the lawyer to gesture for her to sit down. A good five minutes later, she had to do it herself and cleared her throat. “Miss Amelia. I can assure you, with every confidence, Precious Life--”

Barrister Amelia held up a hand to stop Tessa Roads. After she finished turning on her main screen, opening up some documents, and typing a few paragraphs she would face the insurance agent with folded hands.

“The only person I trust to handle my insurance policy is Liam Ferguson. I respect his decision of handing my file to you, because I know he will supervise your work to ensure my needs are met. Now that he has passed away, I have no more reason to continue using your company.”

“M-Miss Amelia, please hear me out. We’ve been working together for quite some time. You even mentioned you felt at ease working with me. I know I am capable of maintaining my service to you--”

“How?” The Barrister flicked her hair over her shoulder. “Aren’t you arrested for his murder?”

“...Slight technicality.”

“Look, Miss Roads. I don’t wish to be rude. It doesn’t matter if you’re on bail or the police have no evidence to charge you yet. Coming to see me under these situations would not do you any good by the eyes of the law.” Barrister Amelia would swing back in her leather chair and crossed a leg under her desk, tapping her manicured nails together with small clicking noises. “Regardless, I called your office to cancel all services. No more, no less. If there is a cancellation fee, money is not an issue. How much do I need to write a cheque for? $2000? $5000?”

“Miss Amelia. I--”

“Oh myyyy geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerd~!”

“.....”

“.....”

The conversation came to a dead halt from that odd comment in between both parties. Barrister Amelia and Tessa Road stared at one another, before they turned to the third party. Detective Merlin finally slurped on his purple drink, after being politely quiet the whole time.

“That is a beautiful suit top!”

“...Huh?” Tessa spun in her seat to look at where Merlin was pointing.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

She realized the back corner had two coat hangar stands. One was holding onto the powder wig, the black court regalia, and an umbrella in case for the rainy days.

The second was only had one item and it was standing with enough elbow room around it. Hanging on top was this beige suit garnered with black trims across the collar and sleeves. It radiated this aura of judgment, confidence, and individuality.

Before Tessa could stop the detective, Merlin spoke with an excited tone. “Wow, wow, wow. Where did you get that? Did the Macy’s store give you a discount?”

“Pffchh.” Barrister Amelia broke the tension with a snorting laugh. After a roll of her eyes she spoke with an easy-going smirk. “Custom made in Italy.”

“LeGasp! Italia? Oh ho, molto benne! Di moolto! Santa Lucia, eh! Tiramisu! Must’ve cost you a pretty penny in ordering that!”

Barrister Amelia shrugged. “Technically, I didn’t order it. I was visiting a Fashion Expo in Rome when I came across this. I loved it so much, I bought it straight from the fashion company after their event.”

“Oh my--” Merlin nudged at Tessa, who snapped out of her stupor as he spoke. “Honestly Tessa, you should learn from Barrister Amelia!”

“...Wut?” Tessa blinked. Before she could get another word out, Merlin went on.

“Didn’t you see your own closet? Grey, jeans, grey, jeans. Zero fashion sense. You have to be more like Barrister Amelia, always chasing after this year’s latest fashion like a pro!”

Barrister Amelia couldn’t help whispering a proud giggle. “Sorry. It’s not this year’s fashion. But next year’s fashion. The Expo were all showing prototypes for future releases.”

“Horee shyeeeeet! Next year’s fashion!? Oh wow!” Merlin shifted in his seat with this newfound energy, completely forgetting he was hungry and thirsty. “I mean if you ever get tired of it – not that you will of course, ha-ha – you could easily auction it on the market for – how much!?”

“Hah! The jacket was designed by one of the oldest and most proficient tailors in Venice, Signore Sarto Reale, who made suits for the previous Prime Ministers of Italy. Given the fact it’s the only one in the world until next year’s fall release – it’s virtually priceless.”

Merlin covered his gaping mouth in shock. He kept nudging his elbow into a confused Tessa, who tried to slap his arm away to get him to focus. She scowled with a, “Detective please, take this seriously my life is--”

“Wow, Miss Barrister, you most certainly have a talented eye for picking up fashion at the drop of a powdered wig. I mean you...Oh, oh? What’s this?” Merlin rose up, passing his purple drink into Tessa’s hands, and he walked up to the beige suit jacket. He squinted at the front, examining it, then pointed at a certain area. “Are you aware that a button is missing?”

Tessa blinked and did a double take.

Without Merlin mentioning it, she would have missed the fact the jacket buttons were made of fancy gold. It was hard to make out the details but from where she was sitting she could tell each one were carved with talented hands to depict microscopic laurels and decorations. Everything stitched perfectly, until she saw the second button missing with some loose threads.

“Oof.” Merlin covered his mouth as if he stumbled onto a corpse. “Did someone call for a medic for this poor thing?”

Barrister Amelia gave the empty button spot a long and deep sigh. “That’s the thing about these expensive coats, they’re inconvenient to fix. I had no clue when it happened, until a judge pointed it out. It was really embarrassing.” She leaned onto her desk with folded hands, a genuine look of disappointment in her eyes. “It would be a waste to hide it in my closet, so I plan to send it back to Italy to get a repair.”

“Oh?” Merlin scratched at his messy hair. “Why don’t you just buy a golden button and sew it back on yourself? No one will notice.”

“You want me to become a laughing stock? Besides, those buttons are just as rare. Available only in Italy. Even a fashion idiot could tell the difference between master craft and dollar store.”

“Yes. You’re right, that is most troublesome. That’s just the thing with one of a kind, can’t just replace it...Oh oh...what do we have heeeeeere?”

Barrister Amelia and Tessa Roads turned their heads, in time to see Detective Merlin suddenly bend over as if he dropped something. With a careful pinch, he pulled up--

“Oh!?” Barrister Amelia rose up with a cover of her gaping mouth. Her eyes shone as bright as the custom golden button that was held in Merlin’s fingers. A hopeful smile. “Where was it hiding? I had everyone turn my office inside out looking for it, but it wasn’t here. Thank you so much! Oh, I must reward you. Been fretting over it for ages. How much would you like me to write a cheque for? $2000? $5000? Perhaps $8000?”

“Barrister. I believe you know very well the consequences you bribe an officer of the law.”

“...What?” Barrister Amelia froze in the middle of writing in her chequebook, the tip of the pen stabbing into the paper. Her eyes rose up, pupils shrinking, as she gave the Shaggy Mongrel a look.

Merlin simply brought the button over to make sure everyone saw it’s clearly. “Even without forensics, it’s perfectly clear this button belongs to this one-of-a-kind jacket. And I can assure you, it didn’t fall in this room. Neither did I pick it up from here.”

Merlin flicked the button up like a coin before swiping it back into his palm. “This button was found in Liam Ferguson's hotel room, the crime scene of his murder.”

Silence. Period.

Barrister Amelia pulled away from her table, gripping her arm rest. Tessa couldn’t help a hopeful smile as she shut up and listened carefully.

“Wh-who are you? What do you want?” Barrister Amelia spoke with gritted teeth. “Leave or I’ll call sec--”

Merlin held out a clump of gas station napkins...oops. He sprinkled them out of his grip to reveal the Police ID that was buried among them.

“Detective Merlin, C.I.D. Precinct 9. I am one of the main investigators of Liam Ferguson's death. The same victim who had been handling your insurance policy, before being handed it over to Miss Roads over here. Am I Right?”

Tessa nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes!”

The detective agreed with a nod and lowered his ID card. He then picked up the purple drink from Tessa’s hands to give it a sluuuuuurp. Aaaah. Hits the spot. “Given the fact this one-of-a-kind button is from your one-of-a-kind jacket was found at the crime scene, I hope to ask for your cooperation and make a one-of-a-kind statement with me back at the station.”

Barrister Amelia pursed her lips, nose flaring. Her glare never once blinked as she leered at Tessa Roads and Detective Merlin. Another deep breath and she responded. “I see no need to make a statement.” She swept a finger to comb her hair behind her ear as she continued. “I am Liam’s client. Due to our busy schedule, I often drop by his hotel to talk about paperwork before I head to the courthouse that is just half a block away from Diamond Hotel.”

“Nothing more?”

“Of course. Our relationship is strictly business.”

“Hmm. In this case, I still insist you come down to the station with me.”

“Detective. I have committed no crime and neither do you have any evidence I was at all complicit with Liam Ferguson's murder. You have no legal authority to force me to come with you.”

“Ah yes, I almost forgot. You’re a prosecutor, of course. You know the law just as well as us policemen.” Merlin swept a hand through his hair as he thought over his next words. “Of course, you would know just as well in a murder investigation the police have the right to suspect everyone who has been in contact with the victim, especially his client. However...”

Merlin paced around the room. “I repeat – I found your one-of-a-kind Made in Italy button in the victim’s hotel room, meaning you’ve been to the crime scene before. You say you visited him just for business – but what kind of transaction would result in a button dropping on the floor like a dead bird... And oh my.” Merlin walked back over to the expensive suit jacket, holding the golden button where it should have been. “Tessa. Where is this button sitting on?”

Tessa squinted – then covered her chest with an. “Oooooooooooooooooooooh.”

Barrister Amelia...blushed reluctantly.

Merlin slurped up the rest of the purple drink, waiting for the truth.

“I didn’t kill anyone.” Barrister Amelia shuddered. “I swear. I wasn’t at Liam’s hotel room when he died. I have an alibi.”

Detective Merlin scratched at his eyebrow. Not wanting to dirty the Barrister’s garbage can, he shoved the empty slush cup into his coat pocket. “When was the last time you visit him alive?”

“I...” Barrister Amelia took in a deep breath. “I visited him for busi...ness...Three days ago.” Tessa hugged her own body again, making the Barrister blush harder.

Merlin mulled on his lips. “Were you both doing...Boom-cha-chaa. Boom-cha-cha.”

The Barrister reared away from the detective’s dance with disgust, and shame. “Business and...bonus. Th-that was the last time I saw Liam, and he was alive back then. Th-the Hotel Manager can vouch me, he personally valet my car.”