CHAPTER 4: DILEMMA
"This is ridiculous." Annie exclaims, throwing her hands into the air in frustration. Folders and hundreds of papers lay scattered across the desk in the office we are working in. Thankfully due to the covertness of the case we now occupy an office for ourselves instead of our very public cubicles.
"There's a lot of holes isn't there?" I express dully.
"A lot? Is anything concrete in this case?" I'd never seen Annie so agitated. I supposed it was because of the lack of control we felt we had over the case. "I mean, we're meant to come up with a plan of action!"
"Don't worry, Cinna will do that. He's the lawyer after all. We'll just have to look like we know what we are doing."
She huffs angrily and roughly sorts through more papers.
After searching through the file I had been given a few days ago, outlining the case, it became increasingly evident the difficultness regarding the case and the necessity of such a large team to occupy it.
The first investigations and trials had been held in State 5, the Mellark's original residence, however after complications the trial had been terminated and the family had moved to State 4 and planned to pick it up again. We were told that the biggest risk would that the case would go public eliciting a very strong reaction once the owner of Mellark Bakeries and various other companies was found to be involved in a law suit.
I had conflicted feelings working on the case without Peeta's knowledge. My main problem was that I needed to understand the case in more depth, for both parties seemed guilty of some charge or the other. Finn kept on urging me to shut my mouth and saying that we didn't need to burden Peeta with the information. Secondly I sucked at lying so I grew incredibly uncomfortable in many of our social exchanges in the house lately. Especially with this weird 'friend' thing going on now.
Our number one problem right now however was that of evidence. Some important evidence had been discredited and we were no longer able to use it. There was also substantial evidence against our client as well as the other party which made matters more difficult. We were currently, and futilely I might add, searching for a lead we could pursue. Just another reason I needed Peeta. From his body language and conversation with Rye I assumed their mother was guilty and had managed to twist the court case to lighten her side.
I was surprised for the moment that Annie had not connected me and Peeta. I'd told her the first name of my roommate but I hadn't gone into detail and she had not yet realized that the son of our client lived with me. I was nervous to tell her. I wasn't sure whether she would do what is morally right or help me cover my tracks.
I jump as Annie's hand slams on the table. Her face is flushed.
"Annie are you okay?"
She shakes her head stiffly. "Fine."
"Are you sure…?"
"I said I'm fine. I'm going to get some coffee I'll bring you back one."
And with that she departs the room. I wonder what had happened with my soft spoken and gentle Annie. Was something wrong? I'd have to seek it out. But not right now.
As the afternoon draws on Annie and I begin to work more and more solely. I hoped by tomorrow she'd have whatever the problem was under control. As I walk down the hall past Cinna's office I hear him shout out something. I reverse and peek in the door.
"Katniss, come in here please." He motions anxiously with his hand.
I walk into the pristine office and take a seat. "Yes sir?" God, I hated saying that. I knew it was probably unnecessary with Cinna, who was incredibly laid back, yet I still retained the habit.
He strokes his face. "We need some interviews if we are going to take a hold of this case properly. While I'll collaborate with Mr. Mellark I would like you and Annie to question his sons, particularly Peeta who as you know will testify in the case. Now we recently acquired the new address of Peeta which is here." He passes forward a slip of paper that clearly states the address of my house.
My stomach drops. They will find out. All they need is to crosscheck it with my personal details they have on file. "He is living with some friends. Please interview him privately." He passes forward the other addresses before remembering, "Oh and administration would like to see you about some personal details."
And strangely that's when relief floods my body. I realize on a stroke of luck I had never told the firm my change of address. Surely enough when I go and seek out administration they were asking for my new place of residence so they could send mail if need be.
As I look at the receptionist with her fluffy hair and garish makeup I have another momentary freak out. I can't give them my real address for they'll link it to my current case. In a horrible moment I make a horrible decision and quote Thresh's address, knowing fully well the potential consequences that could befall me.
She nods and sends me on my way. Now it was time to go and hunt down Thresh bringing yet another person into the mess I have made.
000
I arrive at Thresh's house just before dusk. He rents a small two bedroom with a boy named Cato who is studying law with me. As I approach it, I think how I would have preferred this house to Haymitch's. I rap on the door three times and wait.
"Katniss!" Cato, tall, blonde and muscled, greets me happily. "Long time no see."
I force a smile and ask if Thresh is home.
"Yeah come in." He motions.
I walk into the small lounge room and spy Thresh flicking through a book. "What's up Katniss?" Thresh asks, knowing I rarely visit on my own without pretense.
"I need to talk to you." I say trying to play it light hearted. He understands immediately and leads me outside into the back garden.
"Is it your mom?"
"What? No!" I exclaim. I hadn't even thought he would jump to that conclusion. But come to think of it, I would have to get an update on her situation. Like usual I felt like the adult looking after a small child rather than way it should be. "I have no idea what's happening with her." I explain. I was still awaiting the call from Gale to tell me he's coming here. I would ask him about my mother, I decided. I knew he would be truthful.
"I have a problem." I say. "I shouldn't go into it…I can't actually."
"What can I do?"
Like I knew he would be, instantly Thresh is ready to help. I feel bad for not telling him but it would become even messier if I did. I settle that it is better for him not to know. "All it is it that I've told the firm my address is here. You'll get my mail that's it."
He frowns. "What's wrong with your house?"
I struggle. I doubt he is even aware of Peeta's court case. "I…Thresh just can you not ask questions? I'll tell you eventually I promise."
It is amazing how trusting my friends could be of me. I had never gotten over that. Thresh knew I was sincere and I wouldn't joke around. And with the little information I gave him he nodded his head.
"Okay, but if you get into any trouble, I'll help you out. Okay?"
I nod even though he would never be able to help me out.
"What trouble?" The voice isn't mine and comes from the back door. My mouth falls open as Johanna stands there. I hadn't even entertained the idea about whether she would be here. She frequented Thresh's place unlike me I realize stupidly. "What have you done, brainless?"
Assuming I would eventually tell her, Thresh relays to Johanna what I told the firm. Her eyes narrow suspiciously and I can see her piecing something together.
"Okay. Well we better get back anyway Katniss. Peeta's making dinner."
We bid Thresh and Cato goodbye and head outside. I can sense the tenseness in Johanna. I drive her the short drive home before she launches on me.
"Why the fuck are you on Peeta's case?" I'd never given Johanna enough credit for her perceptiveness.
I sigh, leaning against the car. "Finn talked me into it." My anger was slowly growing at Finn. Did he realize how easily this has started to fall apart?
"Don't risk it again Katniss." It was at that point I should have listened to her. "It wasn't even worth it for me."
"Yes it was." I counter, thinking of the year before. One of the reasons Johanna so wanted change this year around. Johanna had had quite a past. Various small charges in her youth were ingrained in her file. This made it difficult when she filed a charge of abuse against her boyfriend. It definitely was not the first time. We faked an injury with a belt in his house that already contained his finger prints. The case was quickly resolved however we were at liberty of being founded for breaking and entering as well as forging evidence. It was one of the best and worst things I had done because I had freed Johanna of that dickhead Marvel and an abusive relationship.
"Johanna being on his case isn't illegal, I'm just technically not meant to be. I'll be fine." I say but even I can hear the uncertainty in my voice.
"Don't get involved in the mess, okay? You don't need any more problems." I sigh as I think of the problem waiting for me in State 12 and now at the firm. The problem of my severely unstable mother and my kid sister. How I left my family in the hands of an old drunk. It was true I didn't need any more problems; however I seemed incapable of staying out of other people's trouble.
I see Johanna's gaze shift as she sees something on the street. I turn and see Finnick happily coming towards us with his large bag slung on his shoulder. He must have worked a late shift at the beach.
"Finnick what is wrong with you!" Johanna shouts out causing his face to fall. "Why did you involve her with Peeta? She has enough to worry about!"
For the first time since our chat he looks slightly ashamed. "Katniss could help Peeta, Jo. He's been screwed over enough." He pleaded. It was clear Finnick cared greatly for him.
"We have to tell him." I urge Finnick.
"No." He shakes his head.
"Finnick I have to! Annie and I have been designated to interview him and his brothers."
"Who's Annie?"
"Does it matter?"
"Send her to interview him and then he won't know." He suggests.
"She knows where I live. I described it to her. " I remind Finn.
He frowns. "Tell her the truth."
"Are you crazy? I'm not risking anything else Finn, this is my career." I'm becoming frustrated with his lack of interest in my welfare. "You know what? I'm going to go and tell him now." I stomp off towards the porch eyeing off our green door.
"Katniss wait!"
"For what?" I yell not stopping.
"Let's just talk this through before we do anything." I turn around brashly. He begins to look desperate and I wonder why he is so adamant about this. Surely he realized we would have had to tell Peeta at some point. Right?
"Finn, you got me into this. He can help me with the case because it's so screwed up! If I'm going to defend him he has to fucking know!"
I see Finn and Jo's eyes widen too late and the words are already out. By the horror struck expressions on their faces I know Peeta has opened the front door behind me. I whirl around and meet his expression which appears strangely calm.
"What did you say?" He asks. There's a small hint of anger underneath his calm façade.
I open my mouth but nothing comes out. This was not the way I had wanted to break it to him; me screaming the words at Finnick on our front porch. Peeta's eyes shift from mine to Finnick's behind me.
"You told me she would drop it if she got involved!" His words are seething, his disapproval obvious.
"She can help." Finnick insists.
"Isn't this illegal?"
I shift uncomfortably from foot to foot. "No, technically it's not." I mumble.
He glances at me with an odd expression. I can't tell whether he admires or hates me for what I agreed to do. But after a short while he simply says, "Dinner's on the table." And turns and walks upstairs, slamming the door to his room.
I glare at Finnick. "You made me take something that he clearly didn't want me to do." I accuse.
"It'll work, you'll see."
I sigh and head towards the smell of dinner. I knew I couldn't exactly blame Finn either because I still chose to take the case. I made that decision myself. Now I had to work on how to persuade an angry Peeta to spill the beans on his family life.
As I begin to fill my plate with the delicious smelling concoction of Peeta's I think idly about Gale and how he still hasn't called me. I was frustrated with my lack of control over the situation in State 12. As I think, Johanna parades into the house holding the mail in her hand.
"Katniss you have a letter!"
She hands me over a stark white envelope. I frown at it knowing the only mail I get is from the firm and that is now heading for Thresh. No one else had ever sent me mail.
I rip it open it in haste and read the first words of the paper inside. It was from the Institution. The minute I process it I throw it down on the table. My hands fly to my mouth. This couldn't be happening.
Johanna and Finnick turn to me with worried faces. I don't even bother to explain before I'm running upstairs.
A/N: Wow guys, 51 followers! I can't believe it. Thanks everyone, you guys are awesome!
I hoped you liked this chapter, tell me what you thought of it :)
-Elli