It's 8pm and the lights have turned down for the night in the jail. It's as quiet as it's going to get, for hundreds of people in one large cement bricked room, thinks Jake.
He's nodding off and surprisingly he's actually rather comfortable, when the cell door loudly opens and a guard steps inside and says, "Ballard, Jake Ballard, are you here?"
He immediately sits up and says, "Yes. I'm here." It's the guard who escorted him to the cell earlier today, and he doesn't look happy when he sees Jake's face. But says, "Follow me."
He doesn't ask questions. He follows the guard into the hall and the door closes behind him. He waits for the cuffs, but the guard continues walking and says, "That's not necessary, follow me." He does as he's told despite being confused, and when they get down the long corridor and make several quick turns, he finds himself being led into an interview room.
The guard takes him inside, and when he enters the room there's a tall man in an expensive suit sitting at a table, with a briefcase by his side. The man stands to greet him, and extends his hand as he says, "Hi Mr. Ballard, I am James Barclay attorney at law. I understand you're in need of representation."
Jake is confused as he replies, "I was told I wouldn't see anybody till tomorrow." The attorney nods as he responds, "Yes. That's normally true. But sometimes there are special circumstances where we can forgo the formalities; officer you can go, thank you. And let me know when the paperwork arrives for my client's immediate release please." The officer clears his throat, and doesn't make eye contact with either of the men.
When the door closes the attorney motions to Jake as he says, "Have a seat Mr. Ballard. And please tell me more about the incident that landed you in here." Jake breaks down the whole sordid tale and the attorney asks questions along the way.
Once he has clarification of the situation and he looks at his charges, he says, "Okay. Looks like we have a good case to work with." They're interrupted by a knock on the door, as the guard brings in a folder.
James stands up and takes a look at the contents of the folder and smiles as he says, "This is what we are looking for. Thanks officer. I just need a few more minutes with my client."
The officer steps outside, closing the door behind him. And Jake asks, "So what's going on?" The attorney smiles as he replies, "How'd you like to go home tonight?" Jake asks, "Is that really possible?" He nods as he responds, "Indeed it is. This paperwork guarantees it in fact." Jake smiles as he replies, "Hell yes. I'm ready to go! Where do I sign?"
The attorney nods as he replies, "I'm sure you are. And I am glad to be able to help you. You have some friends in pretty high places to make this happen, you know that right?" He nods as he responds, "Yeah. Edison is well connected. That's why I called him and I appreciate his help."
The attorney smiles as he says, "I'm sure you do. You two must be tight for him to put his neck on the line for you, especially when he's in the middle of his own political campaign launch."
Jake agrees as he says, "Yeah. I can't lie. I had to twist his arm a bit to get some help. But hey. It worked. So no harm no foul." James leans in, this is more of what he wants to know about, as he asks, "Really, what twisting would that be if you don't mind me asking?"
He takes a breath as she says, "Whatever I tell you is covered under client attorney privilege right?" He nods as she says, "Yes. Of course." He replies, "He's been into some wild things over the years, threesomes, drug parties, paying for abortions, basic things that a budding senator couldn't have floating about in the press.
This information intrigues James greatly as he responds, "And you have proof of all of this?" His question catches him off guard at first, but he honestly replies, "Yeah. As a reporter you always have documentation of everything someone tells you or shows you, and you verify it. You never know when an opportunity for a story presents itself, and you have to be ready." Making sure he doesn't start to feel uncomfortable with his probing question about Edison, he ties his answer back to the situation at hand as he replies, "Makes sense, and that's what we can say was your motivation for wearing the audio equipment. Your profession requires you have verifiable evidence to present an accurate account of any story you're pursuing. That will be our lead tomorrow during your arraignment; now let's get you out of here for tonight, and we will meet again in the morning."
Jake grins as he replies, "That sounds good to me. But how will I get home? My car was towed I think or it may still be at the place where I attended the party." He nods as he responds, "You mean at Olivia's, Edison's ex fiance's place, right?" He nods as he says, "Yes."
He smiles as he replies, "Relax, I made arrangements for it to be picked up and it will be delivered to your parking garage by tomorrow. Once you're released tonight I have a car outside to drop you off at home." He smiles as he says, "Damn, you're on top of everything."
He grins in response as he replies, "Yes. I am. Now, here's a phone for you since yours was damaged. And my number is already programmed. Please do yourself a favor and don't talk to anybody about this case, not even Edison. Whatever you need to discuss related to the case should be done with me or a member of my team, you got it?" He nods as he says, "Yes sir."
James pats him on the back as they stand up. And he says, "Good deal. Oh and don't worry about the arraignment tomorrow; I will take care of it for you. And come by to see you afterwards so we can discuss next steps with the case, okay?" Jake grins widely as he replies, "Wow, thanks again man. I don't know what to say." He responds, "Nothing to say. It's my pleasure. Just do as I say, and we will get through this just fine, okay?" He replies, "Okay. WIll do." James again nods at him as he knocks on the door for the guard. And the guard opens the door, He says, "We are ready for him to be processed for release please."
The guard nods as he says, "Okay. Follow me." Jake does as he's told and forty five minutes later he is sitting in his living room having just showered and awaiting his door dash to be delivered. And as he is waiting for his food, he opts to check out social media but remembers he doesn't have his own phone, due to it being damaged. But as he pursues the phone James gave him he discovers he can download apps onto this phone. So he downloads twitter and Instagram, while marveling at this Iphone 14 pro max he was given, he thinks to himself, "Damn must be nice to be able to hand out 1300.00 phones.
Upon finishing the download of the apps he clicks on Instagram and sees the whirlwind of information popping up. He sorts through the notifications and one catches his eye that stops him in his tracks. He screams, "Holy shit!" He reacts to the photo of Olivia and Fitz. He shakes his head as he says, "Damn, Edison must be going ham about this, especially with the photo being posted the same weekend of his gala. What I wouldn't do to be a fly on that wall."
Suddenly he gets an idea, if this photo is released he wonders if it nullifies the gag order Edison and Olivia had on the press. His thoughts are quelled by his food being delivered, and he is famished. So he focuses on eating first, but thinks about the story opportunity that awaits too.
Thank you for reading my Fanfiction tale. Welp, what now? Where will Mellie go? What will she do? I bet nobody expected that result of Mellie finding out about Alex and Nick. Do you all think she was justified In her actions? I know it's tough to be on her side, after all, it is Mellie LOL.
What did you all think of Jake's stay in the county jail? and what did you think of his attorney Mr. Barclay? He had an interesting line of questioning, didn't he?
In other news, Barron had some nerve calling up Gerry that way, right? Let's see if he regrets that move. Looks like Gerry has some help in places Barron may not realize. And lastly, Gerry and Rose's heart to heart was needed, but will it actually do any good in respect to Gerry and Fitz's relationship is the question. In the next installment we find out that and so much more. Thanks for your continued support.