Chapter 14
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN1: Thank you so much for the support. You have no idea how much it means to me. PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT.
After having two drinks with his mother, Harvey, and Donna Mike has returned home to his apartment where he isn't at all surprised to find Katrina still awake, sitting on his couch and watching TV.
"I borrowed some clothes." Katrina says as Mike walks in, "Hope you don't mind."
"I never do." Mike says, walking over and sitting on the couch next to her, "I guess we should talk about it." He says, there being no question what he is talking about,
"Probably better we don't." Katrina tells him, "But what I want to know is why you lied. Why you didn't tell me why you really quit."
"You were still working at the DA's office, and I didn't have any proof. I thought it would be better for me not to even mention what I suspected." Mike explains to her, "But Katrina, I assure you that if I knew for sure, if I had proof, I would have told you." Mike assures his best friend, "I wouldn't have kept it from you if I knew for sure."
"I know you wouldn't have." Katrina assures him, "It's better that you didn't tell me." Katrina says as because he didn't she's protected, or more protected.
"I hated lying to you." Mike says, completely meaning that.
"I know." Katrina responds and the two of them drift into silence as they sit side by side on the couch.
Three days have passed since Mike, Katrina, Harvey and Donna got called into Jessica's office to discuss the fact that Cameron Dennis is being investigated and ever since all four of them, and Jessica, have bene waiting for the other shoe to drop, they have been waiting for the subpoena's to come down.
Wanting to respect her need for space Mike hasn't talked to Rachel since he told her that he was gay and because of that, as well as what he knows is coming, Mike has been spending even more time in the file room, mainly using the laptop that he got from a member of the IT department a few weeks earlier.
"I still don't get why you like to spend all your time in here." Rachel's voice says.
"It's peaceful." Mike answers simply.
"You've been avoiding me." Rachel comments as she walks towards him.
"You said you needed time, I've been giving that to you." Mike explains.
"Well you can stop avoiding me." Rachel tells him, "I may feel like an idiot for taking your kindness the wrong way, but we're good, and I'm glad we're friends."
"Me too." Mike says, but before Rachel can say anymore Mike's phone starts to ring, "Hello." Mike answers, without checking the caller ID.
"Stop hiding in the file room, and get up here." Harvey's voice says before hanging up.
"I've got to go." Mike says, packing up all of his stuff and heading out of the room.
A couple of minutes later Mike walks into Harvey's office where his boss is sitting in his chair, looking far from happy.
"Close the door, Mike." Harvey tells him.
"They came." Mike realises as he closes the door.
"Yep, for both of us." Harvey tells him, "We're both being deposed tomorrow, and Alexandra Leeds is doing it on the stand."
"Really?" Mike asks with a frown.
"She wants to intimidate us, rattle us, see what shakes." Harvey explains.
"Why she coming after us so hard? You haven't worked for Cameron in eight years and I was only there two years, same as you." Mike points out.
"Yes, but we both had amazing records and then suddenly quit." Harvey points out, "That makes there seem like there was a reason we left, likely the same reason." He explains, "Plus neither of us work for Cameron anymore so it she thinks it will be easier to use us against him."
"Which you're not going to willingly do." Mike says, realising that.
"He was my mentor." Harvey says simply.
"I won't give anything away Harvey. I don't know anything, not for sure, but I won't purge myself either." Mike tells Harvey.
"That's all you can do." Harvey tells him, "Your Mom's going to represent us both. After tomorrow we'll know more, but the best option for everyone is Cameron taking a deal." He comments.
"Which he's not going to do." Mike says, knowing that.
"Not without a fight." Harvey says with a sign.
"Which means this isn't going to be over any time soon." Mike realises.
"No, it's not." Harvey says, and the two of them drift into silence, both worrying about what trouble their old boss is going to cause them.
After a night off much not sleep, because he was worried about what the investigation into Cameron will do to not just him, but Harvey and Katrina too, Mike is getting is just leaving his apartment when there is a knock on his door,
"Mom? I thought we were meeting at the courthouse." Mike comments.
"You're on my way. I thought I'd pick you up, grab your bag." Jessica tells her son.
"I'm not sure if me being in a car before a deposition is a good idea." Mike admits, as he goes and grabs his bag anyway.
"Well, I'm here so we might as well give it a try." Jessica tells her son, "And if you have a really bad time I'll just make sure that Harvey is deposed first."
"Okay." Mike says and the two of them head out of Mike's apartment.
A little while later Jessica and Mike have arrived at the courthouse, and even though Mike was tense and panicked during the drive he wasn't quiet as panicked as he has been in the past month, partly because he was sitting beside his mother, and the two of them, along with Harvey, are walking into the courtroom where Alexandra Leeds is going to be deposing them.
"Harvey." Alexandra greats, "And you must be Mike Pearson-Ross, though I understand that you're only going by Ross at Pearson Hardman."
"That's true." Mike answers.
"Interesting." Alexandra comments, "Mike, let's start with you." She requests and Mike walks to the stand, Jessica walks to the table where attorneys sit while Harvey sits down in the gallery.
Just like a standard deposition it starts with Mike answering the basic questions about who he is and his work history.
"I was an Assistant District Attorney for the county of New York for two years. I left almost three months ago." Mike answers.
"Why did you leave?" Alexandra asks.
"Various reasons, personal reasons." Mike answers.
"What personal reasons?" Alexandra ask.
"I have a photographic memory." Mike answers, giving one of the reasons, though not the biggest, "The cases that I've been working as an ADA were beginning to take a toll on me." Mike answers, once more telling the truth, though not the whole truth, "I thought a change of jobs was best for me."
"In the last two years have you and District Attorney Cameron Dennis worked closely together?" Alexandra answers.
"He was my boss, supervised me, but no we didn't work closely together." Mike answers.
"No, you didn't?"
"Asked and answered counsellor." Jessica says from the table, "Move on."
"The last case you worked before leaving the DA's office was with Cameron Dennis, correct?"
"Yes."
"And that was the first case you worked directly with the District Attorney in a year?"
"Yes." Mike once more answers.
"Why do you think Cameron Dennis allowed such a young attorney to work solo on so many cases?" Alexandra asks.
"Objection, speculation." Jessica says.
"I'm just asking Mr Pearson-Ross's opinion." Alexandra says, "What about you, do you think, made District Attorney Cameron Dennis feel that he could trust you to handle cases with limited supervision despite your inexperience."
"I'm good at what I do." Mike answers.
"Are you? Or did Cameron Dennis not want someone with a photographic memory near him when he was suppressing evidence because he knew you would figure him out?" Alexandra asks.
"Objection. Speculation" Jessica says, "My client has no idea what District Attorney Dennis was thinking."
"Or maybe you did find out and that's why Cameron Dennis allowed you to work alone, to keep you from reporting him."
"Make that a question, or move on, Counsellor." Jessica tells her.
"I'm done with this witness." Alexandra says and Mike gets up and heads to the gallery, as he does Harvey walks up and takes his seat.
Just like with Mike Alexandra starts asking Harvey basic questions, like his name, and the period of time he spent at the District Attorney's office.
"Tell me about your relationship with Cameron Dennis." Alexandra tells Harvey.
"Vague." Jessica argues, known that she has to be more aggressive with Harvey she was with Mike.
"Did you and district attorney Cameron Dennis work closely together?"
"He was my boss. He supervised all my cases." Harvey answers.
"And were you personally close?"
"Subjective." Jessica argues.
"A judge would allow it." Alexandra says.
"And yet there's not one here. Do you really think by deposing Harvey and Mike on the stand you're going to intimidate them?" Jessica asks.
"I think deposing them here will let them know what it will be like if this evidence is brought forward at trial." Alexandra explains.
"You're not getting to trial."
"If your client's doesn't perjure themselves right now, I won't have to." Alexandra informs Jessica.
"Were you and Cameron Dennis close personally?" Alexandra asks Harvey.
"He was my mentor. It's a hard relationship to define."
"Moving on, counsellor." Jessica requests and Alexandra turns and heads back towards her table.
"All right. We don't have to talk about Mr. Dennis. Let's talk about you, Mr. Specter." She says, "In two years, you handled 18,362 cases. Thirty-six cases a day. That's beyond impressive."
"Thank you." Harvey says proudly.
"You took 147 to trial, winning them all."
"Don't go to trial if you're not gonna win." Harvey says, saying the words Mike heard many times before.
"Why'd you leave?"
"An attorney by the name of Jessica Pearson helped me get through law school, and she felt that I could use trial experience. But I always planned on ending up at her firm and paying her back by earning that firm outrageous settlements. How am I doing?" He asks Jessica and in the gallery Mike has to fight a smile at that.
"You could do better." Jessica responds, sounding just as amused as Mike feels.
"You two think that this is a joke."
"Argumentative."
"You're damn right it's argumentative. Because he knows that laws have been broken, and he has an obligation to report it." Alexandra says angrily.
"Ms. Leeds…" Jessica starts to say.
"But if this is the way you want to play it, the Attorney General has given me a broad mandate to uncover what went on. And it need not be limited to Mr. Dennis. Were you part of the problem, Mr. Specter?" Alexandra asks.
"Vague." Jessica interrupts.
"I'll rephrase. In your capacity as assistant district attorney in the county of New York, did you knowingly suppress evidence in violation of the A.V.A. Rules of Conduct, the N.D.A.A. Standards, and the New York State Bar Rule 8.4, section c?"
"My client would like to exercise his fifth amendment rights at this time." Jessica says, standing up and intervening before Harvey can say anything, and Harvey gets up and heads back down to Jessica while Mike walks over to them, as he does Alexandra turns of the camera.
"Before you three go and congratulate yourselves I want to make something clear." Alexandra says, "You two are small fish, but I will eat you both to get to Cameron Dennis if I have to." Alexandra informs them, looking between Harvey and Mike, "This is my case." She says, handing a file over, "Falsifying DNA tests, coerced confessions, testimony buried…" Alexandra explains.
"Why do you need us if you have all this?" Mike asks.
"It's circumstantial. She has the crimes, but she can't physically tie them to Cameron." Harvey explains.
"He's a dirty public servant, and I think it's why you both left." Alexandra says, looking between Harvey and Mike, "You were both way too good to walk away."
"Maybe we got greedy." Harvey suggests, it feeling completely natural to refer to him and Mike as we.
"I doubt it." Alexandra says to Harvey before turning to Mike, "Someone who wrote an article in the Harvard Crimson about how it was a lawyer's responsibility to use the law to help people doesn't just walk away because things get too much, they push through." She says, looking at Mike, "There was another reason why you left, and I'll bet it was Cameron."
"Did you want to say something else? Otherwise my clients and I are leaving." Jessica informs Alexandra.
"It's not just his cases he cheated on." Alexandra says, handing a file to Harvey, "Hector Avila. Take a look. You think your great track record was because of your skill?" she asks curious, "And I'm sure if I look through some of your cases I'll find the same thing." She tells Mike, "My theory for you is that Cameron didn't want you anywhere near him because he realised what you could do so he kept you at a distance, but you found out what he was doing anyway, and so you quit." She says.
"Interesting theory." Mike says, watching what he says.
"As for you Harvey, I have two theories." She says, "Either you're wasting your time protecting a man who screwed you from the beginning, or you didn't just know he did this. You participated. In which case I'll have you disbarred." She tells Harvey.
"We're leaving." Jessica says and she, Harvey and Mike leave the room, carrying the files that Alexandra handed over.
"I need to look over all my old cases." Harvey says as they walk.
"Me too." Mike says, wanting to believe that Dennis never did anything to his cases, that he would have caught if it if he did, but he can't be sure.
"We'll talk about it back at the firm." Jessica tells them.
A little while later Mike, Jessica and Harvey all arrive back at the firm, having spent most of the drive in silence, though for Mike that was silence tensed in fear.
As Jessica walks to her own office Mike and Harvey both make their way to Harvey's.
"There you two are." Louis says, walking up to them, "Where have you been? What's going on?" he asks, blocking their path.
"Not now, Louis." Harvey says annoyed as he and Mike push past Louis, causing Louis to look shocked, as Mike and Harvey continue to walk.
Watching them go with a confused look on his face Louis turns and heads straight to Jessica's office, wanting to get to the bottom of what the hell it is that is going on.
A couple of minutes later Louis, without knocking, walks straight into Jessica's office.
"What's going on?" Louis asks as he walks in.
"What are you talking about?" Jessica asks.
"You, Harvey, and Ross have been gone all morning and I just ran into Harvey and Ross, something is clearly wrong." Louis comments.
"It's nothing you have to worry about." Jessica tells him.
"If it affects this firm then it affects me too." Louis tells Jessica.
"My firm, Louis." Jessica corrects, "You'll be told what is going on, if, and only if I feel you need to know." Jessica tells Louis, "Now, leave." She says and Louis heads out of Jessica's office.
As Louis is trying to get answers from Jessica Harvey, Mike and Donna are sitting in Harvey's office.
"So, how bad was it, really?" Donna asks, looking between Harvey and Mike.
"It could have been worse." Harvey admits.
"Really, Harvey? After what she said when we were leaving?" Mike asks, giving Harvey a surprised look.
"It was just a threat."
"One that she could easily make good on." Mike tells him.
"I'm not turning on him." Harvey tells Mike, "I won't."
"Then Cameron needs to take a deal, and we both know that he won't come to that realisation on his own." Mike tells Harvey, "Someone's gonna have to convince him, someone he'll actually listen to."
"You're right. He won't." Harvey says standing up, "When our old files arrive you can use my office to go through yours." He tells Mike.
"Thanks Harvey." Mike says before Harvey leaves.
"Leeds threat, bad?" Donna asks Mike, wanting to wait and see whether Harvey can get to through to Dennis before deciding whether or not to use the proof she has.
"Very." Mike confirms, "I'm going to go do some other work. Can you let me know when files from the DA's office gets here?"
"Sure." Donna tells Mike and Mike gets up and heads out of the office. After Mike leaves Donna just sits in the office, wondering what she should do as she knows that if Harvey doesn't get Cameron to make a deal then she's going to have to use what she has, and Harvey will likely hate her for that.
It has been two days since Harvey and Mike were deposed and as far as they know Cameron hasn't made a deal yet, and Harvey and Mike have both been using Harvey's office to go through all their old files, something which has caused them to barely leave Harvey's office.
"I want to know what is going on, and I want to know what is going on now." Louis says, storming into Harvey's office, having stormed past Donna, who was on her phone.
"Louis, get out." Harvey says annoyed as with a lack of sleep and what he has been doing he is in no mood to deal with Louis.
"No! You two are up to something, and Jessica clearly knows." Louis says as Donna walks in the room too, "If this affects the firm….."
"It doesn't." Mike says.
"Then I've got work for you to do." Louis informs Mike.
"Mike's not going anywhere." Harvey says, not even looking up from the file he is looking in.
"Mike's an associate, and I'm in charge of the associates." Louis tells Harvey, "Since he's clearly not doing work for the firm he can do work for me."
"Mike's my associate, he works for me, and he is working. Now get out or I will make you." Harvey says angrily, completely meaning that.
"Just because you're a senior partner doesn't give you the right to talk to me like that." Louis says angrily, "If you're not careful I'm going to go to Jessica."
"You said it yourself, Jessica knows what we're doing." Mike points out, "And what we're doing is important." He says, closing the file he is currently reading, "I think you should go, Louis."
"I don't have to listen to you, you're just a rookie associate." Louis tells Mike, "You're nothing." He says, "Not in this firm." He says, being annoyed that a first year telling him what to do.
"Mike is a hell of a lot more than nothing." Harvey says, throwing down the file he is reading, "He's twice the lawyer you are! He doesn't cheat like you do! He doesn't blackmail his co-workers! He doesn't scare them into submission!" Harvey says angrily, approaching Louis, "GET OUT." Harvey yells and as he is truly terrified Louis runs out of the room.
After Louis runs out Donna just looks at Harvey and as he does he realises exactly what she has to do, and she leaves too, closing the door behind her.
"You didn't have to do that, I've heard worse. Louis's words don't bother me." Mike tells Harvey.
"You shouldn't have to take it." Harvey tells him, before turning back to his files.
"Thanks." Mike mutters as he goes back to the file that he was reading.
Having gotten a file of proof from Donna, and having gotten a call from Alexandra, Jessica is walking into the restaurant where she knows she will find Cameron Dennis.
"Well, Jessica." Cameron greats.
"I've spoken to Alexandra Leeds. She told me about the deal you cut." Jessica reveals.
"What do you want me to say? Hmm?" Cameron asks as Jessica throws down a file on the table.
"I'm driving over to the Attorney General's office right now. If she doesn't tell me that you've cut a new deal by the time I get there, she gets the original, and then I give her the proof." Jessica reveals.
"You don't have the proof." Cameron comments.
"Don't I?" Jessica asks, giving him a look, "Cut a new deal. And if you ever mess with my boys, or one of mine, again Alexandra gets that anyway." Jessica says before walking out of the restaurant.
A couple of hours after talking with Cameron Jessica walks into Harvey's office where he and Mike are still going through all of their old files.
"Neither of you have to testify." Jessica reveals, "They don't need either of you anymore." She reveals.
"Cameron made a deal?" Mike asks surprised, looking at Harvey as he figures that Harvey managed to get through to him.
"He made a deal to seel Harvey out, and claimed that you knew and were blackmailing him to advance your own career." Jessica admits, "But I made my own deal. He'll be stepping down, spending some quality time with his family."
"How exactly did you manage that?" Harvey asks curious.
"Not your concern." Jessica answers.
"Mom…" Mike starts to say.
"It doesn't matter, Mike." Jessica tells her son.
"That son of a bitch." Harvey says angrily.
"Harvey?" Mike asks confused.
"Clifford Danner was eighteen. I put him in jail ten years ago." Harvey reveals as it was one of his first cases, "Kid's been rotting in prison his whole adult life." Harvey reveals, handing the file over to Jessica.
"And?" Mike asks.
"He's innocent. Cameron buried the evidence. If I'd had it…." Harvey says, walking over to his window.
"Do you have enough to overturn?" Jessica asks, looking in the file.
"I don't know." Harvey admits.
"So, what are you going to do?" Jessica asks.
"I'm gonna get him out." Harvey answers and the group of three drift into silence, all thinking about all the lives that Cameron Dennis has ruined.
Over the next week Harvey and Mike work together, crossing the line while doing so, by getting someone who owed Mike a favour, to intimidate one of the people who actually committed the crime, to get Clifford Danner out of jail.
Having taken Clifford Danner home to his mother Mike and Harvey are driving back to the firm, Harvey realising that Mike is getting better at hiding how scared he is, though Harvey can still tell that he is terrified.
"So, how exactly do you know Joe?" Harvey asks curious as when Mike said he knew someone who would and would be willing to intimidate Matt Bailey Harvey's first thought was that it would be Trevor, but it turned out to be a man named Joe Gibbs.
"We knew each other at NYU, we meet through Trevor. He was framed for something he didn't do a few years ago. He reached out to me and I helped him prove he was innocent. After that he turned his life around, he became a PI and he focuses on getting evidence to prove that people are innocent of crimes they are accused off." Mike explains as while he and Joe didn't know each other well at NYU Joe did know what he was capable of, and that he tends to believe the best in people, which is why he called when he was in trouble.
"So this was perfectly in his wheel house." Harvey realises.
"That's why I called him." Mike explains, Harvey nods and the two of them drift into silence, Mike feeling like there is a weight is in his pocket as, without him asking, Joe found and gave him Trevor's address in Montana, and honestly Mike isn't sure what he's going to do with it.
While Harvey and Mike are on their way back to the firm Katrina is arriving at Pearson Hardman, but instead of looking for Mike she is going to Jessica's office.
After getting the all clear from Jessica's assistant Katrina is allowed into Jessica's office.
"Katrina, are you looking for Mike? Because he and Harvey won't be back for a little while." Jessica admits.
"No, I wanted to talk to you." Katrina admits.
"Take a seat." Jessica says, having a suspicion that she knows exactly why Katrina is there, "What can I do for you?"
"It's what I can do for you." Katrina admits, "After everything that has happened lately I'm leaving the DA's office." Katrina reveals, "I've been wanting to make the move to corporate for a while and I think that now's the perfect time." She explains to Jessica, "I've sent out a few resume's but the truth is that I only want to work for the best, and Pearson Hardman is the best." Katrina tells Jessica, "Here's my resume." Katrina says, handing it over, "I don't want any special treatment Jessica, and I know you won't give me any, I'd just like to be considered."
"I don't need to look at this." Jessica says, opening her draw and pulling out an envelope which she hands to Katrina.
Giving Jessica a confused look Katrina opens the envelope and is surprised by what is inside.
"An offer letter. You already had this?" Katrina asks surprised.
"As you said you've been wanting to make the move to corporate for a while, which I've heard you say more than once, and I've had that prepared for a while." Jessica admits, "You're an amazing lawyer, Katrina. You've got skills, you're loyal, sneaky when you need to be, and your prepared to do what you have to do to win. You'll make a great corporate lawyer, and I'd prefer to have you working with us than against us." Jessica explains to her.
"Thanks Jessica." Katrina says, sounding grateful, "Like I said Pearson Hardman has always been my first choice, I don't have to think about it. I accept your offer."
"I'm very glad to hear that." Jessica admits, "Welcome to Pearson Hardman, Katrina." Jessica says, sticking out her hand for Katrina to shake, which she returns.
A couple of hours later Katrina, who sent a message to Mike after she talked to Jessica, is waiting at a restaurant, waiting for her friend.
As she is used to Mike being late Katrina isn't worried about the fact that Mike is ten minutes late.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Mike says as he gets to the table.
"It's okay. I'm used to you being late." Katrina assures him.
"I'm swear I'm working on it." Mike comments she sits down.
"I know." Katrina says, looking amused, "So, you and Harvey did it?"
"Yep. He's free." Mike says, sounding relieved about that.
"That's great."
"Yep. So, you said that you needed to tell me something?" Mike asks curious.
"Yep." Katrina confirms, "I got a job today."
"Really? Where?" Mike asks curious as he knew that Katrina was thinking about leaving the DA's office, but as far as he knew she had just started to send out resumes.
"Pearson Hardman." Katrina reveals, "Your Mom hired me as a senior associate. We're going to be working together again." She says, looking thrilled at the idea.
"That's great." Mike says with a grin, as even though it's only been a few months he has missed working with his friend, "When do you start?" Mike asks curious, hoping that it is sooner than later as he loves working with Katrina.
"Next week."
"Awesome." Mike says with a grin, "I'm paying for dinner tonight, as celebration."
"Fine with me." Katrina responds and the two best friends sit and enjoy their dinner together, both very much looking forward to working together once more.
