CONFESSION
Mike Hannigan sat before Chandler, his documents spread out over the table. Pressing the prison phone up to his ear, he announced brightly, "I've got awesome news, Chandler."
"Well go on then, don't hold out on me," Chandler joked.
"You, Lucas and Eric told me that you don't know the identities of your attackers. Lucas and Eric said they didn't get a proper view of the attackers' faces when they were getting beat up. Did you catch a glimpse of their faces?" Mike asked.
"No, I didn't," Chandler lied.
"And you have no idea who they are, or what their names are?" Mike asked.
"That's right," Chandler lied again, guilt sitting uncomfortably in the pit of his stomach. He hated lying to Mike, but what choice did he have?
"I've spoken to your prison warden, actually… threatened him with a negligence lawsuit, is the more accurate phraseology," Mike laughed, "And he's agreed to open an official investigation into who attacked your cellmates," Mike beamed.
Chandler's face turned instantly pale, "Mike, you've got to shut this down!"
"What? Don't you want an investigation?" Mike said, startled by Chandler's strange reaction.
"I don't. You need to call the warden, right now and tell him to drop the investigation," Chandler ordered.
"But if we know who attacked your cellmates, they'll be shifted to a separate facility, so they can't hurt you. As your lawyer and your friend, the last thing I want, is for you to be beaten half-dead, like your cellmates!"
Chandler searched desperately for an excuse, "Look, we can't afford an investigation, okay? We're dead broke."
Mike sighed with relief, "Oh, so that's what you're worried about! Don't sweat it, this is completely covered by taxpayer funds. It's the government's duty to protect the safety of all State prisoners."
"You're not listening to me. I don't want an investigation!"
"Calm down," Mike said anxiously, "Just tell me what's going on, are you feeling okay? Have you been feeling depressed lately?" Mike wondered if a renewed mental-breakdown was the source of Chandler's irrationality.
"Oh My God," Chandler mouthed to himself. Why wouldn't Mike let up?
"You said your fear of the men who bashed your cellmates is the reason for your suicide attempt! Why don't you want to determine their identities? What am I missing here?" Mike demanded.
Life's a funny thing. Mike was hunting down his own wife, and he didn't even know it! There was no escaping now. Chandler had to tell Mike the truth, before Mike went in, legal guns blazing, and accidentally landed Phoebe into prison. Taking a deep, calming breath, Chandler glanced furtively around the visitors hall, ensuring nobody was eavesdropping.
"If we don't stop the investigation, Phoebe will go to prison," Chandler whispered.
"WHAT?" Mike exclaimed, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Keep your voice down!" Chandler whispered loudly.
"What has Pheebs got to do with any of this? You're insane!" Mike laughed, incredulous.
"My cellmates raped me," Chandler blurted out. Mike stared at Chandler blankly. A long silent pause ensued.
"What? Your cellmates? Raped you? What are you talking about? Look, I don't understand, you're not making any sense, I-"
"Just shut up for a moment, and listen to me, okay?" Chandler interrupted. Mike nodded.
"Okay," Chandler sighed, "Long story short, my cellmates raped me, and I confided in Phoebe. She wanted to contact the police, but I was too humiliated to testify against them because it meant revealing the nature of my attack. Phoebe wanted to punish them for what they did to me, so she called in a favour from one of her friends who's serving time, and he beat them up on my behalf."
Mike's face went instantly pale. He stared mute and dumbfounded at Chandler. His hands visibly began to quiver. His eyes were wide like saucer plates, "Phoebe... ordered the attack?" he whispered.
Chandler nodded, "Yes, and when it came to trying to explain my depression and false guilty plea, you came to the conclusion that I was scared of getting attacked by the men who beat my cellmates up. When you put that theory to me, I lied that it's true… because I couldn't afford to have the truth come out, I mean, God knows how long Pheebs would be put away," Chandler whispered.
"Aggravated assault, 6 years per victim. 12 years in total," Mike whispered hoarsely, blinking back tears. Don't you dare cry, you idiot! Not in front of a client! Never in front of a client! Mike mentally scolded himself.
Chandler locked eyes with Mike, "Mike, I know this is a lot to take in, but I need you to know that I am eternally grateful for what Pheebs did. She gave me justice, she brought me back to life. I was lost in a bottomless pit of depression, and Phoebe wholly and completely empowered me."
Mike remained mute, staring straight ahead. His watery blue eyes had taken on a glazed look. The long silence was making Chandler extremely uncomfortable, so he continued talking, "Mike, after Pheebs helped me, for the first time since Emma's accident, I felt ready and willing to fight the charges. I was drowning in self-pity, and Pheebs saved me."
"I can't believe this is happening, God I can't believe this," Mike whispered, his tears spilling over.
"I know what Pheebs did was technically against the law, but it wasn't wrong, it wasn't immoral, the way my cellmates hurt me, I cannot begin to describe. They deserved-"
Mike put one palm of his hand up, "I think I've heard enough today, don't you?" he whispered distantly. Mike stood shakily up on his feet, shoving his documents into his briefcase with nervous hands.
"Where are you going? Shouldn't we discuss this?" Chandler asked, alarmed.
Mike shook his head slightly, "If you'll excuse me." Picking up his briefcase, he walked away without another word.