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5. Chapter

When Cole entered his new office the next morning, he looked around not very enthusiastic. It was a small room furnished with the most simple furniture. A very small window didn't present him a real view, he just had a presentiment of the slight ray of the morning sun. Cole groaned and sat down on his uncomfortable desk chair. There was a mountain of files on his desk, he would have to work on and there were huge tomes about contract law on the shelves. Cole took the first record and opened the folder. In former times, he had pulled his knowledge out of the books by magic. He closed his eyes for a moment to check his knowledge about the legally facts. Luckily everything was still there. He started to read the first record and searched in his mind for the right laws and regulations for the petitions.

Two hours later, Cole had just finished a fraction of his work. He leaned back angrily, it had been easier in the past, he only had to make a gesture and it was done. He raised his hand bored just to try it and watched to his surprise, that the dictating machine lying on his desk started to fill. There were suddenly file memos and petitions beside the mountain of files. Cole leaned up with a satisfied grin to look at the first record. He knew it, a world without magic, that was nonsense. He has felt that he still had magical powers, even if it had been a different feeling in the old days.

He looked at one of the new petitions and stopped. He leaved through the record surprised and looked at the petition again. Cole leaned back with a groan. The petition was utter nonsense, he could throw it into the trashcan. Cole shook his head and unreeled the dictating machine. But when he listened to the tape he heard his own voice telling him rubbish. Great, he could just delete everything again. If somebody heard this rubbish, he would be kicked off immediately. Did he really live in a world without magic, or what was the meaning of this? Was he just out of practise? Whatever it was, whether he liked it or not, he would have to set to his work and do it without magic.

Late in the afternoon he had just finished a part of his work. He packed up the unworked records and his laptop and decided to work at home next day. He left his office and went to his secretary Erin Kelley, he had to share with five other lawyers. She was on the phone at the moment and looked at him as if he was just in the way. When she finally ended her private call, Cole put his finished records and the tape on her desk and and pointed to them. "See to it until tomorrow." he asked her and told her, that he would work at home next day. Erin nodded frowning and gazed after him, until he disappeared in the elevator.

When Cole woke up, next morning it was later than he had thought. Although he didn't want to go to his office today, he didn't intend to get up so late. He put on some clothes and hurried up to get to the bathroom. When he entered the hall he heard some noise from the kitchen and supposed, that Prue and Danny had already breakfast there. But when he opened the door to the bathroom, he was up against a half naked Prue, brushing her teeth.

"What's all this about?" she hissed inarticulately and spited the remaining toothpaste into the vanity basin.

"You didn't lock the door." Cole told her.

"Surely you know that the lock is out of order, don't you? And we have arranged, that we'll knock at the door at least." Prue remembered him.

"I expected you to be in the kitchen." Cole said standing placid in the open door and watched Prue in her very short nightdress.

"And what is that supposed to become?" Prue asked to jolt him out of his daydreams.

"Um?"

"If you have seen enough of me, shut the door from the other side." She said cooly. "I want to get ready alone."

"No problem!"Cole closed the door with a grin on his face, but without the slightest hurry. Then he waited until Prue was ready.

When she left the bathroom and saw him still standing there, she shook her head. "We can't go on like that, we need a second bathroom."

Cole looked at her satisfied. "That sounds good. You finally resigned yourself to live together with me."

"Do I have a choice?" Prue asked and wanted to squeeze past him.

But Cole stopped her, she has had a choice, he knew it, therefore he said. "Thanks Prue."

"For what? It's your house." she turned away. "And therefore you'll see to repair the lock at once."

"How? Do you think I'm Leo?" he wanted to know amused.

"Don't worry, there is no danger to confound you." She groaned. "Okay, I'll look for somebody, who is able to fix it up as soon as possible."

"There's no hurry. I thought, you still want to catch me under the shower accidentally." he told her with an amused smile to catch out

"Just in your dreams Cole and now let me get past I have to go to work." She squeezed past Cole and disappeared in her bedroom.

Cole gazed after her satisfied, a banter with Prue and he felt better immediately. But just as long as he didn't think about his work, waiting for him downstairs, he thought annoyed. He entered the bathroom and examined the lock, if he could try to repair it with magic, he wondered. Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea after his failure yesterday. Nevertheless he couldn't resist the temptation. He tried to concentrate, but nothing happened. He didn't feel any magic and when he looked at the lock it looked the same as before. Perhaps he had just imagined things, but no, he had heard his voice on the tape telling nonsense. Or probably there was another reason that nothing happened this time. He didn't have this ability before he had collected all these demonical powers in the wasteland. Whatever it was, he had no time to care about it at the moment.

After Cole had breakfast, he was faced with another problem, to find a suitable place for his work. He decided to use the dining room. He put the records and his laptop on the table and sat down to start working, but he couldn't concentrate. The door to the winter garden was open and Cole listened to Mrs. Jennings and Daniel. Cole had to look up to watch his son again and again, so that he didn't make headway with his work. Furthermore the back of the chair cut into his back and the dining table was too low. He groaned, that wasn't optimal for his work, he would have to find another solution for the future.

He heard, that Mrs. Jennings phone was ringing and he closed his eyes, he would never be able to work here. Five minutes later a nervous Mrs. Jennings entered the dining room. She told him, that she had to go urgently.

She looked at him begging. "Could you look after Danny for a while? I'll be back towards afternoon."

Cole was pleased to get away from his work and agreed immediately. He took the easy way out and sat down on the sofa together with Danny. They watched TV because Cole had promised Mrs. Jennings to tell her, what happened in her favourite soap. But at the moment, when the comercial break started, it was ringing at the door. Cole stood up and went to the door bare-footed. He was convinced that it couldn't be anything important. But when he opened the door, he faced Edward Wingrove.

"Mr. Wingrove." Cole said surprised. Did he want to check out, if he was really working at home, Cole thought angrily.

"You can call me Edward." Wingrove said with a smart smile. "Please excuse me for jumping in, but I want to ask you a favour. Can I come in?"

"Sure." Cole told him and stepped aside to let Mr. Wingrove into the hall. He decided to lead him into the dining room, where he could see all the files on the table. That would give a busy impression, much better than the running TV in the winter garden.

"Sit down please, I'll be back in a minute." Cole explained and went into the winter garden. There he switched off television and opened the connecting door to the dining room, to watch Daniel.

Mr. Wingrove looked at him. "Your son?" he asked surprised.

"Yes, Daniel, I'm just looking after him, because our housekeeper has an important appointment." Cole explained "He won't disturb us."

"No problem." Wingrove smiled. "I also have two children, girls, but they are older."

Cole nodded. "So, what do you want."

"Oh yes, that's a delicate subject. We're talking about the daughter of my good old friend Donald Carey." Wingrove explained carefully. "Amy was always a difficult person, but now she really ran into trouble. She was found near a site of crime two days ago. And now the district attorney's office brought a charge of murder against Amy." Wingrove looked sorrowfully. "Don approached me to find a lawyer in my office, who can advocate her. And I thought of you at once."

"Me?" Cole asked surprised. "You whether know me nor my work."

Wingrove made a gesture of refusal. "You have a high reputation. I've told Donald about you and he agreed."

He had a high reputation, certainly. "Excuse me, but nobody will buy that." Cole said and shook his head with an ironical smile. "You can't tell me, that there are only botchers in your office."

Wingrove groaned. "The focus of our law office is commercial law. That's the special subject of our lawyers. Criminal law isn't our priority." He looked at Cole forcefully. "I'm never wrong about someone and I know, that you are just the man we need. Listen, it looks bad for Amy, nevertheless I want the best defense for her. I don't know why, but I trust you and I know, that you don't dodge a challenge."

Cole nodded. "No!" he explained, although he still couldn't understand, why Wingrove had chosen him of all people.

Wingrove groaned. "Amy doesn't want to speak to anybody, she keeps silent. Nobody knows what happened, so it won't be easy, I promise you. But if you do me this favour, I will be grateful." He looked at the table. "And you could forget this work for the moment."

"Hm," Cole looked at Wingrove thoughtfully, he couldn't make him out. Nevertheless it was tempting to work at a murder, especially when he saw the mountain of files on his table. "I'll have to know the facts before I get involved in this case."

Wingrove nodded "I understand." he said and put a file on the table. "This is the police report. You should read it before the preferment of the charge. But don't worry, that is just a routine matter. Nobody expects that you can bail Amy out. Nevertheless it's necessary to meet with her this morning. The preferment of the charge will be in an hour. So we don't have time."

Cole nodded and looked lost in thoughts into the winter garden, where Daniel was sleeping peacefully.

"I'll arrange an appointment with Amy in court in an hour." Wingrove explained watching Cole's outfit. "And you'll have enough time to change your clothes." He smiled at Cole. "So what do you say?"

"I agree." Cole explained.

"Great." Wingrove said and stood up. He took the files from the table and explained. "I'll pick up these files. I don't know how this matter will develop, but it will be top priority for you."

Cole nodded. "No problem."

After Wingrove said goodbye, Cole went back to Danny. "And what will I do with you?" he asked the boy, looking at him with big eyes. What a nuisance, that Mrs. Jennings had to go today of all days. Well then Prue would have to take care of Danny for a while, Cole decided.

Half an hour later Cole was standing in his suit in Prue's office together with Danny.

"You can put that idea right out of your mind. I'm busy Cole." Prue just told him.

"Come on Prue, please, it won't be for long, just until Mrs. Jennings will come back. This appointment is very important for me." Cole looked at her begging, but Prue was unmerciful.

She shook her head. "No way, I'll have to go soon, too and I can't take him with me."

Cole looked around with a sigh and suddenly he noticed Judy looking at him attentively. "Prue didn't introduce me." He said with a smart smile. "Cole Turner."

Judy stood up and went to him. "Judy Howard, pleased to meet you." she smiled. "I've already heard of you."

"Is that so?" Cole looked at Prue, sitting on her chair hugging herself and didn't say a word. "I hope just the best." Cole explained ironically and turned back to Judy.

"Yes of course." Judy said.

"That's good." he looked at her searching. "I'm sure, you'd like to take care of my son for an hour or two." he said and it was obvious, that this wasn't a question.

"What makes you think of that?" Judy asked surprised.

"I've seen it." he explained and handed Danny over to Judy. "I've a feeling that you are fond of children." Cole explained.

"What?" Judy was left speechless. She looked at the little boy on her arm smiling at her satisfied.

Cole nodded. "As you can see, he feels good. I've seen that at the first sight. You are a motherly type. Okay, everything is alright, then I'll go now." He left the office with a last grin.

Judy starred after him flummoxed. "Motherly person?" She looked at Prue shaking her head. "I think I'll kill him."

Prue laughed. "Have Fun! I give my blessing."

Judy put Daniel back into his seat and put it on the table. "Wonderful!" she said. "How can I work, when the boy is here?" she asked Prue angrily.

Prue shrugged her shoulders. "Don't complain to me."

"I've no frigging idea about children." Judy said uncertain.

"You won't have problems with him. You know that you can get along with him easily, he's a nice boy, completely unproblematic in contrast to his parents." Prue told grinning.

"Okay, okay. I'll manage it. It won't be so difficult, will it?" Judy said, who wasn't annoyed with Cole anymore. She looked at Prue searching. "You didn't tell me, that he is so attractive."

"Do you think so?" Prue asked bored.

"Of course, are you blind?"

Prue shrugged her shoulders. "He isn't my type."

Judy grinned. "Are you sure?"

Prue looked at her surprised. "Absolutely, I know him too well. And he was together with my little sister."

"So what?" Judy didn't have brothers and sisters, therefore she didn't accept this reason. She looked at Danny playing with a mobile over his seat. "My grandmother always told me that men with dark hair and blue eyes are dangerous."

Prue smiled. "I totally agree with her in Cole's case. And that is all the more reason not to get involved with him."

When Cole finally entered the court house, he didn't have enough time to read the police report. It took longer that he had expected to reach the building and now it was too late to read it. His new client was already waiting for him. A court usher leaded him to a door and when Cole entered the small room, a young woman was already sitting behind a table. She didn't look up, when he entered the room. The court usher left the room again and Cole sat down at the table right opposite to Amy.

"Hallo, my name is Cole Turner and if you want, I'll be your lawyer."

The young woman looked up and Cole could see a deep pain in her eyes. She looked younger, than he has thought. He cast a quick glance over his documents and found out that she was 20 years old. But the young woman sitting opposite to him looked like a little girl. She had long dark hair falling uncombed over her shoulders and she was pale. Her green eyes looked at him searching. And it seemed to Cole, as if she could watch deep down inside to his heart, an unpleasant feeling.

Suddenly she looked at him surprised and nodded. "Okay." she said softly and gave him her slim hand. "Amy Lavreux."

Cole took her cold hand and looked at the record surprised. "Lavreux? I thought your name is Carey."

Amy shook her head. "That's my stepfather's name, he adopted me, but I prefer to use my mother's name." she explained and looked at him challenging.

"Okay," Cole said, that was something new, Edward Wingrove's old friend and his stepdaughter had problems with each other. But that wasn't so important at the moment, he would think about it later. "Well Amy, can I call you Amy?"

She nodded and looked at him thoughtfully. "And how can I call you?"

"As you wish, you can call me Cole or Mr. Turner, whatever you prefer." He smiled at her encouraging and looked back at the record. "You'll be accused of murder. What will you plead for?" Cole looked up and noticed that she was hesitating.

Then she said low. "Not guilty?"

It sounded more like a question, but Cole ignored it. "Okay!" he said. "The lawsuit will take place just in a few months, but I fear that you won't release on bail."

"I know." she answered very cool on the surface. "I've already faced up to it."

Cole looked at her surprised. He ran his eyes down the record and asked her finally to tell him what happened the night when the murder took place.

She shook her head. "I can't talk about it."

"Amy." Cole looked at her forcefully. "I'm your lawyer and I have to know, what had happened, otherwise I can't help you." Amy kept shaking her head, starring at the table. "You know that I'll keep everything you'll tell me to myself, nothing will leave this room. Even if you are guilty, that won't be relevant for me."

She looked up and asked firmly. "So do you think, that I'm guilty?"

"I didn't say that." Cole wriggled out.

"No, but you thought it." she looked at him sadly. "How can you say, that it doesn't matter, if I'm guilty or not. How can you defend someone, who is guilty?"

Cole shrugged his shoulders. "Everybody has the right to get a trial lawyer." he said lamely. "Please tell me, what had happened. I have to know it, to plan my defense strategy."

She looked back at the table. "I haven't killed him, that's everything you have to know."

Cole groaned, he kept trying it for a while but he didn't get anything out of Amy.

Finally he looked at the record frustrated. "Okay, when you don't want to answer, I'll have to read what's written here." he told her.

Amy looked up horrified. "You even didn't read my file?"

"No, I had no time, Mr. Wingrove retained me one hour ago."

Amy smiled sadly. "I knew it. You aren't a very good lawyer, are you?"

Cole looked at her surprised. "Of course I am. What on earth makes you think of that?" he asked indignant.

Amy shrugged her shoulders. "I knew, that my stepfather would choose the worst lawyer working in Mr. Wingrove's law office for me to keep up appearances. But I'll go to prison for the rest of my live or even worse. One problem less for him."

Cole looked at her surprised. But there was no denying that she could be right. But if Mr. Wingrove and Amy's stepfather thought, that they had retained a wretched failure for Amy's defense, they were very much mistaken. He grinned nastily. "That's what they think. But they'll be surprised. Take my word for it." He explained grimly. "Don't worry, we'll show them. But I need your help." He looked at her forcefully, but Amy didn't say a word. "Think about it, it won't make much difference for the hearing today." He explained and stood up. He picked up the police report and went to the door. "I'll see you in half an hour in the court room." he told her and left the room.

When Cole walked through the corridor, he was still furious, what was Wingrove thinking of? Probably he has never called to San Franciso. He only trusted David Morgan's words. Dianne has told everybody that he has problems with alcohol. Edward Wingrove was looking for such a person, an unemployed lawyer, a heavy drinker. Well Edward, you have made the mistake of your life, Cole thought angrily. He searched for a quiet place, where he could finally read the documents.

When he had read it, he couldn't understand, why Wingrove went to the trouble of searching for an incompetent lawyer in his point of view. The charge was cast-iron. At night of May 1st Adam Boucher was stabbed to death on a lonely clearing on a disused plantation. The murder weapon was a knife and unfortunately only Amy's fingerprints were on the blade. The police has found Amy's blouse beside him, full of blood. And they've found Amy running around on the plantation out of her mind. But not only that her clothes were smeared in blood, Adam Boucher had been saint. He had studied theology and now he had worked at a local parish to take over the post of the priest.

Cole looked at the clock and noticed, that it was time to go to the courtroom, where Amy's hearing would begin soon. He didn't want to be late, therefore he rushed through the corridor. But when he arrived at the courtroom, he saw much to his displeasure David Morgan, waiting in front of it.

"Mr. Turner if I recall correctly." he said with a rigid smile.

"You do, Mr. Morgan."

"Well who would have thought, that we would meet again in court so quickly?" he asked sneering.

"Yes, what a surprise." Cole smiled forced. The last thing Cole would have wished was to compete against Morgan to defent Amy Carey Lavreux, who didn't have a chance to get out of this matter as an innocent. Cole was sure, that this self-satisfied fop has arranged it anyhow.

"May the better man win." Morgan said, when the doors to the courtroom opened. "But I have to confess that we won't have equal opportunities this time."

Morgan entered the courtroom and Cole followed him angrily with his eyes, he wanted to win against this bastard so badly. He has felt his evil personal magnetism again. Cole shook his head thoughtfully, he couldn't be wrong. Still lost in thoughts, he went to his place, when Amy was guided to the seat beside him. She sat down and Cole noticed surprised that he didn't feel any bad vibrations. He looked at her and suddenly he was absolutely convinced, that in spite of all evidences she wasn't a murderer. He would just have to prove it.

He leaned back satisfied, he couldn't achieve anything today, but Morgan, Wingrove and Carey were in for a big surprise.