Penelope

Penelope entered her new home for next few months and looked around. Mr. O'Neil placed the entire team in apartments in building he owned. Penelope and her boss were on the same floor and the rest of the crew was on the floor under them. She had three bedroom apartment so she could have kids visiting and spending time with her. Apartment was huge and on the twentieth floor. She loved the view and she was sure that Helena and the kids will go crazy once they see it. She took her suitcase to the master bedroom and got the phone out. She called Josie but she didn't pick up. It went to voicemail few times and then she called Helena. She picked up after some time.

''Hi mom.''

''Hey… I am just calling to let you know I arrived and I got settled into my new place.''

''And how is it?''

''You will love it.''

''Oh, are you even coming home?''

''Yes, I will be here for ten days and then I return home for a week or two and then I have to move back here for as long as the case is…''

''I get it mom.''

''How are the twins?''

''They are with aunt Lizzie.''

''And where is your mom? I tried to call her.''

''I don't know. I am upstairs with Kiki.''

''Oh…''

''Do you want me to check if she is at home? You know how she is with her phone… She tends to leave it around and it's always on mute.''

Penelope smiled for a moment. She agreed with her daughter. Josie and the phone were not good combination. She never knew where her phone was and she almost never kept her ringer on. It always drove Penelope mad how Josie was with her phone. Before the ''incident'' she would just laugh it off with Helena and comment that she is thinking about gluing the phone to Josie's hand, but now there was something in the pit of her stomach that was bugging her.

''Tell her to call me when she finds her phone. If she finds it soon… If not, tell her I will call after ten. We have some dinner to attend.''

''Fancy!''

''Not really. We have to meet the team from here… There are a lot of us on this case and each one of us has some assignment.''

''Sounds hectic!''

''I have no idea baby.''

''Love you mom!''

''Love you too…''

Penelope ended the conversation and started unpacking. She put her suits and shoes into the closet, she changed into something more comfortable and went to the kitchen to see what she has to buy. She was very surprised to find the kitchen was fully stocked and she didn't need anything. She made coffee and went to the dining room table to set up her computer and all the papers she had on her. She didn't want to go to meeting unprepared and embarrass Elizabeth. She started reading and was interrupted by the phone. It was Josie.

''Hey Jo…''

''I'm sorry I missed your call. I was taking a shower and my phone was downstairs in my purse.''

''I knew it. You and your phone were almost never at the same place in the same time.''

Josie started laughing.

''Don't be mean Penelope.''

''I am not… I am just honest.''

''How is NY?''

''It's amazing. You know I love the city.''

''Did you have time to wonder around?''

''No, I didn't. As soon as we landed, we went to the apartments we will be staying at. Elizabeth is on my floor and entire army of people will live in the building to work on the defence.''

''Oh, so you know now who you are working for?''

''Yes, I do.''

''Can you share?''

''No… We had to sign NDA. And we will probably have to sighn ten more things before we see him and talk about the case.''

''Oh, so some big shot?''

''You can say so…''

Penelope smirked.

''But you will know soon. In a few weeks, it will be all over the news so I will know.''

''Now I am curious.''

''How are you feeling?''

''My sickness is killing me.''

''I know. It was the same last time. You'll make it.''

''I know… I did it before.''

''Yes, you did. How are they?''

''With Lizzie. They took them to some children's party… You know how they love it.''

''Yes, I do...and I know how much we hate it.''

''Thank God for Lizzie.''

''I might agree in this case.''

Josie laughed.

''How is the team?''

''We haven't met yet. We have dinner around seven and we will get to meet each other and sort of have improvised team building.''

''Oh, good luck.''

''Thanks….''

There was a knock on her door and she told Josie that she will call her later that evening if she get home in some decent time. Penelope opened to find Elizabeth at her door.

Penelope and Elizabeth

''Ms. Cooper?''

''Call me Elizabeth when we are alone.''

''Ok.''

Penelope moved from the door to let her in. Elizabeth looked around and seemed happy with Penelope's accommodation. She saw her pile of papers and computer on and smirked.

''Already working?''

''I didn't want to go into the meeting unprepared.''

''Always the nerd…''

Penelope smiled at it.

''It's not that. I just don't want to be unprepared and caught with missing some facts… I am sure there are many things they kept to themselves, but at least I want to know every word on these papers we were sent.''

''And what did you see so far?''

''I think he did it…''

''Ok, and can you provide defense knowing he did it?''

Penelope took a deep breath.

''It will be a challenge, but it's our job to get him out.''

''That is not what I asked you… Could you sleep at night knowing you freed the murderer?''

''I will have to find a way… If I can't sleep at night, there are always sleeping pills and some southing teas or whatever… I am not the one to back off from a challenge.''

''Good…''

Elizabeth walked to the door and turned back to Penelope.

''Be ready in two hours. You and I are going for a drink with his lawyer that is based here. He wants to have a private chat with us.''

''Where do we meet?''

''At his house. He will send a car for us.''

''Ok. I will be ready.''

Elizabeth left the apartment and Penelope went to the bedroom. She opened her closet and found a combination for tonight. She picked a black dress, heels and pearl necklace. It was classy, simple and it couldn't fail. She set the alarm and took a short nap. She had so many things on her mind, including what to do with Josie and their marriage. She still didn't check car's GPS, but she was really tempted to. She wanted to have clear head for the meeting and knowing if Josie left the house could disturb her work mode she had to be in. She will think about their marriage and issues when she get home and has time to really analyze it all. After her alarm woke her up, Penelope took a shower and got ready. Elizabeth was already in the lobby when she got down.

''Looking sharp Penelope.''

''Thank you Elizabeth.''

''Ready?''

She just nodded.

''Let the games begin Ms. Park… Get ready for the media chaos when the process starts.''

''So, we ARE taking the case?''

''Well, partners insist…''

''Don't mind me asking…but if they insist so much…''

Elizabeth smirked. She knew where this question is going.

''Why none of them took the case?''

Penelope nodded.

''Because some of us come where they are because they are amazing at their jobs and some come to their positions because they have a dick.''

''So, they have dick to suggest and we have balls to win?''

''Something like that Penelope.''

There was a short moment of silence and then she spoke again.

''And if we fail, it's our fault… It's not on their record that they failed one of the most powerful men in the world…''

''And if we win?''

She smirked…

''They don't expect us to. They gave me the case so I would fail.''

''But you don't intend to?''

''Of course not! Maybe I can't get him out on the innocence… But getting a reasonable doubt and split jury…that is something too...''

Penelope really hated her bosses. Many of them were older men in perfect suits and too much money, but with no real integrity. She and many other younger women in the office were often seen as sexual objects and their imagination went wild when they learned she was married to a woman. They saw Josie once and on that particular night she did look like million dollars that got their imagination even more wild and dirty. She hated those looks. She hated feeling sexualized and not appreciated for her work. Even after she won cases, brought new clients, made some sort of a name in Boston, they still saw her as a hot peace of ass…as one of them would say.

''Ok. Let's do it.''

Their driver arrived and they got in. Penelope was feeling strangely pumped to do this and prove herself. She was sick and tired of being treated differently because she was a woman. Maybe she didn't have fancy last name, six girlfriends and a lot of money, but she had her skills, brains and she knew how to do her job. Looking at Elizabeth, she realized that is what she wants to be… a powerful woman in position to tell any of those assholes in the office to…well, a lot of things.. And that was the day she decided to become one of those women who were their nightmare… Not a sexual object, but a woman with balls bigger than theirs.

Penelope, Elizabeth, lawyer and a team

Car stopped in front of a very nice house little bit outside the city center. They got out and the door opened. They were greeted by a man in his sixties dressed in beige pants, light blue shirt and navy pollo. He reminded them of one of the partners in their firm and now they knew why they were sent here. He was friends with one of them at least.

''Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Park… Welcome. My name is Jacob Williams.''

Elizabeth was the first one to offer her hand.

''Pleased to meet you Mr. Williams… I am Elizabeth Cooper and this is Penelope Park…''

He shook Penelope's hand and she noticed that he didn't check her out. That was a plus in her eyes.

''I've heard so many good things about you Mrs. Cooper and I was also told that Ms. Park is a young hope in your law office.''

''I could agree. Ms. Park is an amazing lawyer and I hope that after this case you would have the same opinion of her.''

''I hope so too… Positive outcome is what we hope for.''

''So do we.''

He opened the office door and let them in. His maid came and asked if they wanted something to drink and he just told her to bring water. Before any conversation about the case started, he gave them to sign some more NDAs and they signed them. Elizabeth put her pen down and smirked.

''Ok, so he did it.''

Mr. William's eyes wend wide right away.

''What?''

''He did it… Since there is so much secrecy and this contract… That means he did it.''

''He says he didn't.''

Elizabeth looked at him and smirked again. She knew these men like palm of her hand. She knew they kill for less than cheating.

''He has to… If he wants a chance to walk out of this, he has to claim he didn't do it…''

''I've arranged you to see him. Shall we?''

Penelope and Elizabeth got their things and went after the lawyer. Ride to the prison took less than an hour. They were escorted into one of the rooms where inmates could have meetings with their lawyers. Mr. O'Neil was escorted to the room and Penelope gave him a good look. He was in his late sixties, he didn't look bad. It was clear that he came from money. His haircut was still perfect and his hands were very soft. He had that better than anyone attitude about him and she was sure that he made deal or two with guards that took some extra care of him inside of the prison. He took a seat and Elizabeth gave him one of her smiles.

''My name is Elizabeth Cooper. I will be the lawyer in charge of your case… I need you to tell me how did you do it and I will with my assistant Penelope find a way to make you look innocent as a baby.''

Mr. Williams was a bit surprised by the approach Elizabeth had.

''Ms. Cooper… That is inappropriate.''

''I don't care if he did it or not. I just want to know things so I don't get surprised in court.''

Mr. O'Neil looked at Elizabeth and smirked.

''I like her. She is a fixer… I told you we need someone like her.''

Elizabeth opened her notebook and Penelope followed.

''Mr. O' Neil, Ms. Cooper and I will need your entire life story… Don't spare us of any details… we need every single thing. We want as much detail you can give us about your relationship with your late wife and also your ex-wife. Every single thing, even things you don't think important. Sometimes it's all in the details.''

''Why does that matter?''

''Because there are some details in our lives and marriages all of us can relate to. We are all different but there are some situations that unite us and make us feel like part of something bigger.''

He smirked and looked at her. Penelope could feel that he believed that he was better than her and he was sure they had nothing in common.

''Like what Ms. Park? You are trying to tell me that you and I are the same in some aspect of our lives?''

''Yes, I am, that is what I am saying Mr. O'Neil…''

She noticed that she had his attention now. He was very curious about what wat the thing they had in common.

'' You are rich, you have a lot of influence, you are known…and yet your wife cheated on you… And I am just a young lawyer, with a career that has potential to be amazing and my wife cheated on me too… So, I can understand the urge and rage to kill her and have your revenge… Maybe some of the jurors would too…''

Both Penelope and Elizabeth were surprised that he looked impressed with her and not angry or anything else.

''I like you kid. I think you have bright future in this.''

''Thank you.''

Elizabeth looked proud of Penelope. They got small recorder out and O'Neil started his life story. Two of them listened and took notes in their notebooks about things they believed could be used during the trail or even opening arguments. Guard came to them after an hour and told them that their visit was over. Penelope promised to come back the following day to finish their conversation. Mr. O' Neil thanked them and told them that he thinks two of them are the team that will get him out.

''We will give our best.''

They left the prison and went back to the car. It was already time for dinner and Mr. Williams got them back to the building they lived at. They got out of the car and followed him. They walked into a conference room that had food for all of the participants. Ten people were in the room, including two that came with them. Mr. Williams introduced each of them to Penelope and Elizabeth and told them what was their job or specialty. They had two investigators, psychologist, research assistants, media experts… Penelope was looking around the room and analyzing the staff on the case. They had two investigators. One was very good looking man and the other was gorgeous woman. Two of them were good pick for this. People tend to talk too much when they are trying to impress good looking people. She believed those two would be very valuable for the case. Media person was a woman in her forties and she was really good with her imputes and comments. Penelope liked her. She was teaching communication at some pretty fancy university. Mr. Williams noticed her looking around. Assistants were like sponges absorbing everything said at the table and already had notes where to start their researches. An ex-cop was also there as some sort of advisor on how to communicate with the police and interpret evidence or lack of them. She was very silent and observant. She didn't talk too much. She spoke when she needed to and she always had something good to say. Penelope liked her and she believed her judgment. She was sure that Emily would be her new best friend on this case. She kept looking and analyzing and she noticed that Mr. Williams had his eyes on her.

''Is something the matter Ms. Park?''

Elizabeth looked at her too.

''We need an IT person…''

''What?''

''We need someone who is good with computers, hacking and things like that.''

''And why would we need that?''

''Because web is a den of secrets we have no idea of…I am sure that the opposite side has IT people combing through all the computers Mr. O'Neil and his Mrs. ever touched. They will add to evidence only things they find suitable and if we don't have someone looking into computers and evidence coming from all the electronic devices that were confiscated in the case, we might miss something big or something they want to burry.''

Elizabeth nodded.

''I agree… We need an IT person. I am not that well informed about today's technology, but I know that most of the young generation, including Mrs. O'Neil probably had her entire life in her phone or some other device. That is why I agree with Penelope's judgment that we need someone to keep us in the loop when it comes to all those electronic devices we use.''

Mr. Williams just nodded at Elizabeth.

''Fine, I will make a few calls.''

''Thank you Mr. Williams.''

''You are welcome, Ms. Park.''

He left and Elizabeth gave Penelope a very proud look.

''Good job Penelope.''

''Thank you.''

An hour later a young woman showed up. She didn't look like she belonged to the corporate world. She was in ripped jeans, covered in tattoos and she had her nose pierced. She was in her late twenties and she didn't want to be here.

''This is…''

She interrupted Mr. Williams.

''Storm… My name is Storm.''

Mr. Williams just nodded and the rest of the crew just nodded at her and introduced themselves.

''Ms. Storm will be working with us as IT person Ms. Park asked for. Since all of you are moved in to the building and all the apartments are taken, we need to find accommodation for Ms. Storm so she can be here too. ''

Penelope got up from her chair and turned to Williams.

''She can move in with some of us. I have some free space in my apartment and I am sure that there are few more people with space.''

In the end they agreed for Storm to move in with her. She also noticed the looks Storm exchanged with the female investigator Emily. Penelope was under impression that they knew one another. Observing them she concluded that there is some familiarity and tension at the same time. It looked as they were exs or some friendship gone wrong.

They picked up the plates and started walking towards side tables with food. Penelope got some food she wanted and took a seat at the table. Storm took a seat beside her and just observed her.

''Why did you offer your place?''

''I think it's good for all of us to be at the same place in case one of us reaches some break or needs the team…or even some members of it. And, I am pretty sure that two of us would work together the most... Well, you me and Emily. I don't think Ms. Cooper will have time to sit and just comb endless emails and things we would do. She has bigger fish to fry. Williams and my boss don't look like someone who would put too much faith in computer and dark secrets behind all those flat surfaces.''

That got her the small smile from Storm. She continued speaking after seeing that there is some understanding between her and the other woman.

'' From a personal experience I know that phones, computers or any personal devices could be gold mine…''

''Or just a mine.''

''That too.''

There was a moment of silence.

''Did he do it?''

Penelope knew she couldn't tell her.

''That doesn't matter… It's our job do get him best possible defense.''

''Even if he did it?''

''Even then… I've learned that this is not about innocence or guilt, but about who presents the case better and wins the twelve people that matter.''

''So, you don't care that she is dead?''

''I do… But I also want to do my job… That is why I don't ask if he did it or not.''

'"What about your boss?''

''Oh, she asks…and she is almost never surprised with the answer she gets.''

''I like her… She is not like the rest of the older generation.''

''Don't let her hear you calling her old.''

They spoke some more and time flew by. It was almost midnight and Williams told them to go home.

''You should all rest. Tomorrow at ten we are getting delivery from the prosecutor's office with the evidence and everything they believe we might need. After we see what they sent, we start do dig for more. I need you to be rested and to be ready to work. Good night.''

He left the office and soon people started to follow. They all said good night and left the room.

''I guess I will be moving in soon.''

''I guess you will be.''

Penelope gave Storm her phone and told her to put her number in.

''I am up pretty early, you can bring your things any time.''

''Thank you… I will see with d… Williams to send a van for me.''

''Ok… See you tomorrow.''

''See you Penelope.''