Chapter Text
I sit in the interrogation room for another 30 minutes at least, probably closer to an hour. Finally the door swings open and in walks a new police officer and Mr. Murdock. “What just happened? Why did a police officer try to kill me? And who shot him?” I jump up to ask. “Good evening, or I suppose it's morning now, Ms. Reinhart. I am Detective Mahoney. I know you have many questions but first I should say this. Your drug test came back positive for Flunitrazepam. With those kinds of drugs in your system along with the proof that the man in your apartment was shot in the head straight on but he was significantly taller than you, you are no longer a person of interest in his murder case.” With that he offers a hand for me to shake and I take it. “Thank you Detective Mahoney. But that doesn’t answer my questions. Why did a police officer try to kill me and who shot the police officer?” Mahoney looks at me with a slightly puzzled expression. “Funny how you aren’t asking why you were framed for murder, don’t you think? I was actually hoping you could tell me why a hit man would go through the trouble of taking out a police officer and putting on his uniform just to kill you,” he says, “Perhaps it has something to do with why you were framed for the murder of a man who works at the same company as you?” Both the detective and Matt look interested in my answer. I stay silent for a second and then ask, “When can I go back to my apartment?” “Unfortunately, it is still an active crime scene. I would guess you could go back in four to five days depending on how quickly we can solve this case. Your help could speed up this process,” Mahoney answers. Shit. What if whoever is trying to kill me searches my apartment and finds the flash drive before me?
Mahoney exits the room and I follow. At least I am no longer being charged with murder. “Thank you for offering to represent me Mr. Murdock,” I say to the man beside me. “Please call me Matt. If you need anything at all, just ask Ms. Reinhart.” I study his face for a second before asking, “Well in that case, call me Amelia. Also I was hoping you knew of somewhere I could stay for the next few nights, at least until I am able to grab a few things from my apartment?” He stops and turns towards me, “You could stay at my associate’s place for the night, she has a truly wonderful spare bedroom” That is not what I was expecting but I truly have no other options. “That sounds wonderful.” Matt smiles and continues walking, “Well then follow me.”
First we go to his apartment where he lets me shower and gives me a change of clothes. It feels so nice to be out of my blood stained outfit that it’s easy for me to overlook the poorly matched outfit Matt brought to me. From there, it's about a 15 minute walk to Nelson, Murdock, and Page. While we walk, Matt and I talk about many things; my research, his law firm, the beauty of Hell’s Kitchen, and the uptick in vigilantes. He seems to be particularly sensitive on this subject. Once we arrive, it's nearly 6 AM and yet Karen Page and Foggy Nelson are already in the office elbow deep in files. “Good morning everybody, I come bearing a gift,” Matt says to the other two. I give him a puzzled expression. We definitely did not bring any gifts. “In exchange for room and board at Karen’s place, Ms. Amelia Reinhart has agreed to help out around the firm for a few days!” I try to hide my shock but fail. “Did she volunteer or was she voluntold?” Karen asks. Matt responds with a smile on his face, “Is there a difference?” Karen and Foggy both laugh at his question, knowing expressions on their faces. “I can’t exactly go back to work anytime soon so why not,” I say. “I might as well earn my keep for the next few days.” Foggy walks up to me and claps me on the back before saying, “Welcome to Nelson Murdock and Page, Amelia.” While the sudden embrace from a man who is pretty much a stranger would normally be uncomfortable, there is something about Foggy Nelson’s presence that puts me at ease. Karen walks over and offers me a hand to shake, “Don’t listen to these dumbasses, I would be glad to let you stay at my place for a few days even if you don’t want to help out at the firm.” I can tell that despite the circumstances, I am going to enjoy working with this group of people for the next few days.
I spend the next several hours just digitizing their files. For such a great law firm, they sure are stuck in the dark ages. Luckily for me, this is a monotonous task which gives me time to think of how I am going to get my flash drive back tonight. Best case scenario, my room will have a window connected to a fire escape. Worst case scenario, I am going to have to walk out the front door and just hope Karen doesn’t lock it or notice my absence. I am also not entirely sure what I would do if whoever is trying to kill me found me back in my apartment. They could kill me in my apartment, which definitely wouldn’t be ideal. Or worse, they could follow me back to Karen’s place and kill the both of us. At what point is uncovering the truth no longer worth it? I need the flashdrive though. I can’t let it be destroyed or fall into the wrong hands. The truth needs to be out there. US citizens deserve to know that their country was using biological warfare and harming innocent civilians. Their outrage would force the government to shut down this project and rethink their methods.
Matt, Foggy, and Karen left for their trial around 11 AM and didn’t return to the office until close to 4 PM. By the expressions on their faces, I can tell it went well. “How was the case?” I ask. “Well enough for the four of us to go out for dinner and drinks in an hour!” Foggy shouts with joy.
After another short hour of work, the four of us leave the office and head to a local bar called Josie’s. From what I can tell, this group is considered a regular. We spend the night laughing, eating semi-decent bar food, playing pool, and drinking. Or at least they drink. I need to stay as sober as possible for my planned escape later tonight. This is probably one of the best nights I’ve had in the past few years. Nothing can cloud my current state of joy, not even the feeling that I am being watched. I’ve noticed a man towards the back of the bar, unsmiling with a rough look about him, quickly glancing away from me the second our eyes meet. Maybe I am just being a little dramatic and he’s too shy to come over. But still, the night is more than enjoyable as the four of us just talk and laugh.
Time seems to pass differently in Josie’s, suddenly it’s nearly 10 PM and everyone is absolutely wiped from the whirlwind of a day.”See you guys bright and early tomorrow,” Karen says as she takes my arm. “Leaving us with the bill, huh,” Foggy says while laughing. “I’ll start paying my tab once you guys start paying me as an actual associate and not an intern!” Karen exclaims. With that we walk out and head towards Karen’s apartment. As we walk, Karen asks me many questions about myself, everything from my comfort movie to my research. “What do you think you’ll do now? If your own company is the one hunting you?” I pause, unsure how to answer. “Well I guess I haven’t really thought about it. If I could leave my research to one of my more trusted colleagues, I think I would like to get into journalism maybe. I do have a masters in it after all.” Saying it aloud confirmed my thoughts, I really would be interested in leaving academia behind to be a journalist. Writing the truth is something I have always wanted to do. “I have a few friends at the Bulletin if you’d like for me to put in a good word?” she asks. “Oh wow, yes! That would be amazing,” I reply. Karen’s offer almost makes me feel guilty for what I plan on doing tonight.