Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, and no profit is made from these stories. (But I do have fun writing them: )
Claire gently put the phone receiver back in its cradle. She drummed her fingers on her desk, wondering how she should break the news.
There was no doubt that Ben would take it badly.
It was one of his greatest victories, and the case that had promoted him to Executive Assistant District Attorney – a murder prosecuted with no body and only circumstantial evidence. But despite the new evidence, and everyone else's doubt, he had continued to insist that Phillip Swann was guilty. His faith seemed as pure and unshakeable as a child's belief in Santa.
Now it was about to be tested.
Slowly and tentatively, she started across the hall towards her boss's office. She could see him through the window blinds; standing next to the glass bookcase, reading a Bible through crooked glasses. Maybe he was trying to remind himself of what he believed, in the face of this challenge.
Claire was reminded of why she was agnostic; she was now left to tell Ben that God, whoever He or She or It might be, had refused his prayer. And it broke her heart.
She closed the door behind her as she entered. Ben looked up at her.
"He won. They granted him a new trial."
He closed the book softly, the anguish unmistakable on his face. At that moment, Claire realized that she cared for her boss much more than her comfort zone was willing to admit.
finis