Chapter 374

You and Eric were sitting next to each other on a bench. You were fine. Eric had an icepack from an EMS first responder over his cheek and eye.

Two bailiffs were talking with Garrison and DeezChains’ lawyer. Garrison was red in the face and stabbing his finger in the air at the other lawyer, more animated than you’d seen him over the last two days of the trial. Behind them, at the edge of the slowly diminishing crowd, you could see Gemma and Sabrina along with the two associates, waiting for the chance to come to you. Several more bailiffs were keeping the crowd back.

DeezChains’ bodyguard was on his ass in handcuffs. The friend had disappeared. DeezChains had already been hauled off, shouting and cursing, and then screaming for help because of ‘police brutality.’ He was probably somewhere in a holding cell in the back of the building.

“So how many interviews and podcast appearances do you think you’re going to get off of this?” you asked Eric quietly.

He chuckled and then groaned. “A lot,” he said.

“Thanks for the save,” you said.

“Well, you were trying to save me first,” he said. “And it’s not like you would have put a black eye to better use than I will.”

“Still, thanks,” you said.

“No problem,” he said and offered you his knuckles. You tapped them with your own, and you waited.

Eventually, DeezChains’ lawyer stormed off, and Garrison calmed down as he exchanged a few more words with the bailiffs. Then the bailiffs left, and Garrison came to you.

“Well,” he said. “I should probably fire you two, but at least you managed to cause problems outside of the view of the judge.” He’d already gotten your side of the story.

“I think we’d both appreciate keeping our jobs, sir,” you said.

Garrison shook his head and sighed.

“Did you happen to find out why he was even here?” you asked.

“A different lawsuit, probably as frivolous as the one that pondscum lawyer of his was trying to drum up against you two,” Garrison said. “There won’t be one coming from them on this, I made damn sure that asshat knew what would happen if he tried it. His client is getting charges pressed on him anyway, and he isn’t a criminal defence lawyer so he’ll probably fade away into the mists to leech off of some other person with more cash than good sense.”

“Are either of us going to need to testify?” Eric asked.

“Probably not,” Garrison said and gestured around. “This whole place is wired with security cameras. It’s likely caught in five different angles, and you two were de-escalating as much as reasonably possible. You’ll probably have a chance to do a victim statement if you want though, Eric.”

Eric snorted and smirked. “Yes, please.” You could tell that would just be more fodder for his burgeoning internet personality career.

“What’s the next step then, sir?” you asked.

“If you’re good to walk, Eric, we head for lunch. We’ll be pressed for time now so we’ll need to make it quick. You can head home if you’d like instead though Eric, and the firm will cover the ride.”

“I’ll stay,” Eric said after a moment, and you nodded thinking he’d made the right choice. He pulled the ice pack from his face. His eyes weren’t too badly swollen, but the bruising was already starting to come in.

“Alright, good man,” Garrison said and patted him on the shoulder. “We’ll get moving in five minutes. I’ll let the ladies come talk to you in private.”