A/N: Cross-posting this here. I know I'm crazy for writing yet another multi chap fic, but I had to put it out there 'cause I'm already way too invested in the story... My main focus is updating my other fics, though, I promise. Most importantly the daycare AU :)
This is set in season 7. Don't wanna bore you with too much exposition and legal stuff; it'll be over soon, and there'll be more of Donna. Like, a lot. Anyway, hope you enjoy!
With a deep breath, Mike knocks on the office door. Besides Harvey's unwavering commitment to winning, the man is also known for his general disdain for pro bono work. But Mike is desperate. He needs someone with the clout and experience to make a real difference.
"Harvey," he says, clearing his throat. "Do you have a minute? I need to talk to you about something."
Harvey looks up from his desk, furrowing his brow. "How can I help?"
Mike walks over to the coffee table, drops the case file, and collapses on the couch. He tosses his head back against the black leather, then thrusts the splayed fingers of both hands through his hair and groans.
"That bad, huh?" Harvey smirks. "What happened? Did Rachel finally realize her mistake and kicked you out?"
"No," Mike snorts. He shoots Harvey a look, as if to say this maybe isn't the time for joking. "Before you blow me off, please hear me out first." Tension increases around his eyes. "This is a case I believe in deeply, but I'm also aware of the limitations of my position…"
"Which is why you're here," Harvey muses. He pushes himself up out of his chair and crosses to the window. All he sees is the immediate darkness backed up by the star-filled night sky that hovers over the endless expanse of Manhattan. "You know the drill, Mike." He swings around to face him. "No freebies."
"I understand, but this case is different."
"Different how?" Harvey approaches his friend and takes a seat opposite him. Mike reaches for the case file, but Harvey intercepts him before he can open it. "No, I'm not reading all that," he growls. "If you want me to take this case, you'd better explain why it's so special."
Mike fidgets in his seat. He knew this would not be easy, but Harvey's resistance only adds to the weight on his shoulders. He shifts, sitting up straighter, and glances down at the folder lying on the table. With a deep sigh, he looks back up at Harvey.
"It's about this kid, Elijah Caldwell," Mike begins. "He's sixteen years old. He was adopted as a newborn, then lost both his parents when he was only three... Ever since then, he's been in and out of the system."
Harvey's expression doesn't shift. His fingers drum impatiently on the arm of the couch, but Mike can tell he's still listening, if begrudgingly.
"Domestic abuse, foster homes that couldn't keep him, placements that didn't stick… This kid never really had a stable home," he continues, his gaze falling to the floor. He absentmindedly picks a piece of imaginary lint off one of the lapels. "He's had no one. No one to take care of him."
Harvey's eyes flicker to the folder, but he makes no move to grab it.
Mike leans forward, clasping his hands together. "People have been tossing him around like he doesn't matter," he says quietly, meeting Harvey's gaze again. "But he does, Harvey. He deserves better than this."
Harvey narrows his eyes at Mike, his brow furrowing, a spark of suspicion in his gaze. He tilts his head, lips pulling into a slight smirk. "Oh, I know what this is..." he says, his voice low and almost accusing. He shifts in his seat, crossing one leg over the other as he studies Mike more closely. "You're trying to appeal to my soft core."
Mike's eyes roll just slightly before he catches himself, sighing as he leans back, letting his arms rest along the back of the couch. "I'm not trying to do anything," he replies, keeping his voice even but with a touch of exasperation. He's used to Harvey deflecting, making things harder than they need to be. "I'm just trying to make you understand where he's coming from."
Mike takes a breath before he continues. "This kid—Elijah—he has no one in his corner, Harvey," he says, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "And if they try him as an adult, he could go to prison." He stares intently at his friend, hoping to see some flicker of understanding, some sign that maybe, just maybe, he's getting through.
Harvey's face remains impassive, but Mike knows him well enough to see the gears turning behind those sharp eyes. Still, Harvey doesn't budge, though his tapping fingers have gone still. "What did he do?" he asks. "Drugs? Robbery?"
"Insider trading."
Harvey's eyebrows lift slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Insider trading?" he repeats, the disbelief clear. "A sixteen-year-old kid?"
Mike nods, his expression serious.
"Goddamn it, that's…" Harvey chuckles dryly, running a hand over his jaw. "Alright," he says as he relaxes against the cushions, clearly more invested. "Give me the complete story, Mike."
Mike straightens in his seat, gathering his thoughts. He can see Harvey's skepticism, but he knows he has to break it down if there's any chance of getting his friend on board. He takes another deep breath before diving in.
"So, the boy's unstable environment has made him resourceful and street-smart, but it's also left him vulnerable to making impulsive decisions. He feels trapped in his current situation and is desperate for a way out."
Harvey raises one eyebrow as if he's heard this kind of story before. "You can see a bit of yourself in that kid, don't you?" he muses. "That's why this is so important to you." Although Mike ignores his comment, Harvey can see the truth in the younger man's eyes.
"Eli's self-taught some basic coding and troubleshooting skills—kid's pretty sharp. Used that knowledge to secure a part-time job at an IT firm that works for TechNova. Then one day, he accesses a confidential document about a potential merger between TechNova and a rival company, NeoGen."
Harvey's eyes widen just a fraction. He can already see where this is headed.
"You know 'em?"
"Yes," Harvey nods. "TechNova is a multinational corporation. Pioneer in AI research. NeoGen is a global biotechnology firm, specializing in genetic engineering, regenerative medicine, and synthetic biology."
"Their merger created a dominant force in the biotechnology and technology sectors, with the potential to revolutionize healthcare, agriculture, and other industries," Mike adds.
"Let me guess," Harvey says, cutting in smoothly, "the document revealed that the merger was imminent and would boost TechNova's stock price. The boy's driven by false ambition… desperation. Sees that as a golden opportunity to make some quick money."
"Eli used his limited financial knowledge to research the stocks involved in the merger. Then he opened a brokerage account—using the CEO's name, of all people—and placed a series of trades, hoping to profit from the expected price fluctuations."
Harvey lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. "So the kid's not just messed with insider trading. He's also committed cyber fraud."
"Someone reported the incident to the SEC, and they traced the unusual trading activity back to Elijah," Mike explains. "I guess he didn't realize the magnitude of what he was doing. He thought it was a way out. But now, it's all blowing up in his face."
"Not so smart after all, huh?" Harvey stays silent for a moment, his expression slowly turning more serious. "He's in deep, Mike... Real deep."
"I know." Mike exhales, his frustration barely contained. "This is why I need you, Harvey. The kid's in over his head."
"Sounds to me like he's guilty," Harvey mumbles, his tone matter-of-fact, as if he's already decided.
"Please, Harvey," Mike presses, leaning in just a little further. "Help me look into it. We have to keep him out of prison." His voice is earnest now, carrying the weight of a plea. "Give him a chance, like you gave me one."
Harvey's jaw clenches as he looks away, deep in thought. Then he lets out a long breath, glancing back at Mike. "Fine, I'm in. But don't get your hopes up—if I find out he's lying, I won't pull any punches."
Mike breathes a quiet sigh of relief, nodding. "That's all I'm asking for."
