Disclaimer: I do not own ANY of the characters in this story. Just borrowing them for a bit.
N/A: I'm not a lawyer and the only thing I know about US legal system is what I remember from watching Law and Order. So if you are, I apologize for making a mess out of your legal process. I am also not a native English speaker, so my apologies for mistakes. I'm constantly going through the text making corrections.
"Miss, miss, can you hear me? What is your name?"
She was numbingly cold, so much that her fingers refused to bend and her face felt like broken bare concrete painfully whipped by icy hair. Her arms… her shoulders… she couldn't feel anything at this point, while mentally going through the checklist to determine whether she is, in fact, surviving this fiasco. If she could, she would have laughed with the absurdity of the situation. Instead, she felt so drained she could barely manage to open her eyes when she heard the voice.
"Is she alive?" another voice came from further away, "Should we call an ambulance?"
"Yes, she is. She is alright."
She saw a guy in front of her… Ah, goody, a police officer. She wanted to smile before remembering how she ended up on the shore anyway. God, she is probably in all kinds of trouble. The officer was checking her pulse. And then the rest of her. Her impulse was to punch him, but all she managed is to get her tongue to cooperate long enough to weakly comment, "Creep."
The guy was not phased a bit, "Yeah she is just fine. A bit frozen. Get the blanket from the trunk, come down and help me get her up to the car. We need to get her to the station."
What? She wasn't alright. She was barely breathing. She doesn't need a police station, she needs a warm bed and perhaps an IV drip. She felt the hands grabbing her upright and then mercifully a warm blanket was draped around her shoulders. She was pushed up, and then more, and then she saw the car lights blasting right at her. One guy opened the back door, while the other pushed her into the car with a soft, "Watch your head".
The car felt warm and cosy and pretty disgusting, as she felt the seat stick to the bottom of her bikini. September is not a month to go night swimming, she thought. Detecting unknown eyes watching her through the back mirror, she tried self-consciously to cover her legs as much as she could. Now she knows how getting in the back of a police car feels in all kinds of different state of undress. There should be a proper joke there somewhere.
Leaning her head against the window she glanced at her fingers. Strange, it feels like she was in the water for hours, yet, she could smell the blood under her nails and burned plastic in her hair.
How am I getting out of this, she pondered and a second later she didn't have a choice but to close her eyes.
"I'll have that to go," said Regina Mills to the barista while trying to fish out her phone from the handbag. The idiotic thing wouldn't stop ringing, lost somewhere deep inside and completely in line with most Murphy's laws; it was 11 pm on a Monday after a 15 hour work day, she was late home as it is, and constant ringing implied that somewhere right now there is an emergency. Either her son is in trouble, which was highly unlikely, or it's work. Unfortunately, much more likely. Either way, she is in a hurry and latte will be drunk somewhere on the move. Tossing some cash on the counter and picking up the cup she finally felt her phone under her fingers and with a glance on the screen and a sigh picked up.
"No Tink, whatever it is, I have to go home and I'm really tired," she said, opening the doors and stepping out into the fresh early September air.
"Sorry boss," came heavily accented apologetic voice, "I just got a call from that charming officer from the 11th precinct, that good looking blond guy, permanently attached to my friend Mary. You remember Mary don't you?"
"Yes, how could I forget those colorful farm animal patterns. Woman should come with a warning sign on her forehead for the seizures she is inducing with her choice of apparel," Regina couldn't even think about the annoying goody-two-shoes without an eye roll. It was her body's natural reaction, honestly.
After a five second pause, mistakenly expecting some signs of a good intentioned humor, Tink continued, "Well, anyway, she gave him my number because he is concerned about a woman they brought to the station as she doesn't have any legal representation yet. He is afraid she doesn't stand a chance against chief detective Gold who is looking to get her charged for a first degree. Needless to say, this is all very hush hush and Gold can't find out why and how we know about the case."
"Interesting," Regina said in a tone that clearly implied that it wasn't so Tink felt it's better to skip to the important bit soon and talk faster.
"She was brought in at 3 am for apparently murdering her boyfriend. But get this, there is no body and according to Nolan, no evidence."
Regina stopped walking.
"They can't charge her without anything, she should just call a lawyer and be done with it by the time I finish putting Henry to bed." She said, raising her hand for a Taxi still hoping she is going home.
"What Nolan knows now is that there was a boat explosion, and a man is missing. She was brought in at 3 am yesterday."
"What? That is more than 40 hours ago."
"Exactly. They found her on the shore next to the Old Coleridge Warf in a tank top and a bikini, looking like she swam there, except she wasn't talking in the car, so not sure. Nolan doesn't understand what is going on, but it's fishy Regina. She shouldn't be there still, not without a body. It's all very strange but Gold has something on this girl, and she needs some help."
A taxi stopped in front of her. She got in while maneuvering coffee and the phone.
"Where to mam?"
Breathe in, breathe out Regina.
"Regina, apparently she hasn't called anyone since she's been there. We don't think she has any family or friends."
Regina was quiet. She really needs to go home, but while normally she doesn't respond to Tink's appeals to her sympathetic side, she cannot stand those creeps in the 11th, grand detective Gold first and foremost. Her mother's little lap dog should burn in hell. But she should get home… she has a son to think of. Besides, what kind of person doesn't have any friends? Well, she herself doesn't count, as she is not a murder suspect in a bikini and has employees.
"Regina, if there was a murder and they find the body, this could get really big."
Another 5 seconds passed.
"Mam?"
Regina massaged her forehead slowly, feeling the upcoming headache. Well, there's no point in missing a potentially big case if Henry is taken care of. Surely she can muster up some energy.
"11th police precinct on the corner of Roger and Smith," she instructed the driver and then with a sip of her coffee continued, "Tink, I'm on my way there now. Call Henry's sitter and check if she can stay for two more hours. If not, you go and take care of him while I'm back."
"But Regina, I actually have prev…"
"Take your computer with you. Open a new file on the S drive for me. Then you check what this boat explosion is, where, when and see what else you can get out of Nolan, or that little friend of yours. She can't keep her mouth shut anyways so that will be an easy task."
"Sure Regina, but it's late now an…"
"Then stay close to the phone, I'll call you if I need to prepare a complaint against those simpletons in the 11th."
"Alright. I'll be right on it," came with a dejected sing-sang.
"What's her name?"
"Emma Swan."
"And start with anything you can find on our Miss Swan. You know the drill. I'll be in the precinct in 15 minutes, I want to know what I'm working on", she hung up before Tink managed a reply and immediately Googled the news for the Boston area. If the explosion happened on Saturday night, it should be in the press by now. Some scrolling later, nothing much except a small article about a boat accident, no mentions of any casualties. Incoming message from Tink said that Henry is fine, already asleep and Ashley can stay for a bit longer. Good. Another Google search, this time for Emma Swan. Nothing on the web, no Facebook profile, no Twitter account under the name, no Instagram. Three other Emma Swans appear on social media, none of them old enough to be a boyfriend killer.
Mysterious little murder suspect we have here, she thought, sipping her coffee she allowed herself to lean back and close her eyes in a moment of relaxation. If she wants to help this woman, she will need to bring in her A-game to that testosterone hellhole.
Disposing her cup of joy into the nearest bin, she stepped in through the door, clap of her heels on the hardwood floor alerting few present officers. With a glance to the left she confirmed that the pretty boy Nolan was still there at his desk, chief detective Gold nowhere to be seen and that demented troll that looks like he hasn't seen a shower in two weeks was still at the reception desk. Knowing this establishment, probably downloading illegal pornography on a government computer.
"Leroy, I hear you have here an Emma Swan. You have two minutes to take me to see her."
"Well, well, who do we have here? What? The feminist brigade sent the big guns Mills."
The fact that he manages to string a sentence together after that daily intake of donuts and alcohol was, frankly, surprising.
"One minute, 45 seconds."
"Relax, sister. It's late. You should come back in the morning."
Regina just blinked and continued adding some more menace to her tone, "One minute, 30 seconds until I'm raising a complaint to the district attorney's office."
"Sure, sure. Look, chief detective is going to be here in just a bit. If you just have a seat, I'll be with you in a second."
To his horror, her voice goes even lower.
"Leroy... that is your name, isn't it? I will not be taking a seat. What I'll be doing is seeing my client, who, I'm led to believe, is held here since Saturday night without having any legal consultation. Now you have two options. Either you take me to see her, or I'll be sure the internal takes a look at your track record and perhaps your hard drive by the end of the night. Got it?"
Nod.
"Good. Now, that fine officer sitting there will take me to my client."
Nod.
"You see Leroy, we are almost friends when you play nice."
She turned around while he was still muttering something about Evil Queens and indicated to Nolan with her arm to lead the way. He let her into a room with a table, two chairs, and an obvious two sided mirror.
"Wait here Miss Mills," he said and then in a lower voice added, "and thank you for this. I just felt sorry for her, it wasn't right, and you know how it goes with Gold. There wasn't much I could do."
"I understand officer. Now if you would be so kind to bring in my client so I can meet her."
Regina sat at the desk and took out her phone to check what Tink managed to get on Miss Swan.
Tink: Emma Swan, 31 years old, grew up bouncing around in the foster system. I've been cross referencing and going through the databases. She served some time, but I can't find the criminal records. Perhaps she was underage at the time. Also, interestingly, she seems to work as a bail bondperson. I'll keep digging and let you know.
Regina quickly typed back.
That is alright Tink. I'll talk to her now so focus on the case first and the alleged victim. Stay online for another hour and we can convey in the morning.
She sent the message just as the door opened and Nolan was escorting a toll blonde woman to the seat opposite of Regina. When he removed himself from the blonde, Regina gasped.
"Nolan, why is my client not wearing proper clothes, why is she in handcuffs and what the hell is wrong with you people?"
Her tone must have startled Miss Swan too because the blonde's head snapped up and her eyes met Regina's uncompromising stare.
"Your client?" she asked, voice raspy, confusion evident.
"Yes Miss Swan, do keep up, will you? Come on Nolan, I haven't got all night," seeing him open his mouth and raise his arm in an attempt to think of what to say, she stopped him before he even got the first syllable out. "Sorry if my previous question gave you the wrong impression, but I'm not interested in excuses. Take her handcuffs off now."
He quietly did as told, "I'll be outside if you need anything."
Looking over Emma properly for the first time Regina asked, "What size are you, 6?"
Emma blinked in disbelief. This woman is her lawyer? She doesn't have a lawyer. She was waiting for some government appointed lackey who would take one look at her and leave her to fail, not this… this obviously very impressive woman, with expensive shoes and perfume to match that just radiates confidence. Must be some mistake, Emma though, she will go away as soon as she learns more about her. It would not be the first time. But for now, her deep brown eyes were filled with curiosity and annoyance. Before realizing she asked her question out loud Regina continued.
"It seems so Miss Swan. Now, I understand you had a rough 45 hours, but try to concentrate, we have a lot of grounds to cover."
Emma Swan looked like a death warmed over. She was pale, bags under her eyes showed she didn't get much or any sleep, her hair was a blond mess. Her shoulder, visible under the blanket that she had wrapped around herself, was marked by a massive bruise, knuckles of her right hand were torn, and as far as Regina could tell, she was generally showing signs of overall exhaustion. Eyes were red, her lips trembling slightly. Otherwise, Regina had to admit, she was a very beautiful woman with striking facial features and obviously a body to kill for. Well… interesting choice of words there, brain. But there was also some weariness in her eyes. If she were one of those people who believed in past lives, she would definitely describe Miss Swan as an old soul. This woman lived through her fair share, and not all of it was pretty. Drugs maybe, abandonment issues, perhaps home violence… one of those at the least would be Regina's guess. Right now, she was obviously on the defense, Regina just needed to figure out from what.
"Excuse me, but please, who hired you? I don't…" Emma started asking while Regina raised a finger to shush her, while raising her phone to her ear.
"Just a moment before we start Miss Swan… Hey Tink. Could you please pick up some clothes for our Miss Swan here? Mmm… Yes, size 6 if you please. Everything… Yes, everything…. Tough luck Tink, you have 30 minutes," she hung up and with a smile continued, "Alright Miss Swan. This is how it goes. I'm Regina Mills and I'm your lawyer. You are very lucky, if I might add, because I'm good. I like challenges and strongly dislike the attitude of your detective Gold. Which I believe should be enough for you to trust me."
Emma was looking at the intimidating brunette not quite believing her ears.
"My assistant will bring you some clothes to change for now. I don't know whether any charges will be pressed, but for tonight you're covered. Worst case scenario is, you are charged, and I'm getting you in front of a judge at some point tomorrow to determine bail. However, for that I need to know some things... Who are you and what happened to you on Saturday?" At this point Regina put pressed a red recording button on the screen of her phone and looked at Emma while gently crossing her fingers in front of her in a gesture that implied to Emma it's her turn to speak. Except, Emma was very tired of people trying to intimidate her. So she raised an eyebrow and kept quiet, immediately noticing small signs of lawyer's impatience.
"Miss Swan… Emma, it's late, we're both tired. Let's not prolong this any more than necessary. It would be really beneficial for you to talk to me."
…
…
…
Regina rolled her eyes and leaned forward.
"Look, you don't have many friends here. Now I don't know what you did to piss off the chief detective but it has to be big because you are kept here for more than 40 hours while he is out there probably trying to find a body to pin on you."
Emma couldn't detects any lies or ill intentions coming from the lawyer so far, unless her superpower is drained out with the rest of her energy.
"Will he find a body to pin on you?"
…
…
"Yes"
Regina could barely hide her surprise as she leaned back in her chair rubbing her forehead.
"Did you kill this person?" she calmly continued, while silently hoping for the right answer.
"No"
"Good. It would come as a surprise to those who know my reputation, but I prefer to defend my clients when they are innocent."
"You believe me."
"You are surprised."
After a moment of hesitation, Emma nodded, "I normally don't have many people willing to stand in my corner." There was softness in her lips as she said that, eyes sparkled for a beat.
Before this woman gets any ideas, Regina decided to set the things straight, "Miss Swan, just so we are clear, I need your trust for this to work. But do not mistake me for a friend. You are my client."
"What? I wouldn't… "
"I'm sure, I just wanted to make it clear." For your benefit, Regina mused.
Emma just shook her head a little bit, as if to clear the air in her head as well as between the two. "I wouldn't dream about it Regina," her voice betraying her nervousness just a bit, "I'm… I'm not an idiot you know..." Or that lucky.
